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I am adding a lot of Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Index ETF (VTIP) to bring down cash. The trade: Buy 300 VTIP at $48.86 The updated model portfolio:

Many investors are likely disappointed by the price action in October, as the S&P 500 fell sharply. They started the month strongly, posting a new all-time high, but then fell the last three weeks. Stocks are still up a lot in 2026 and on track to have an increased price for the 4th consecutive year. The Market The markets were acting very differently before the last week of the month, as I discussed in last week's weekly newsletter, and this week extended this action. With t

Last week, I discussed how odd the action had become for stocks, and they did fall again this week, with bonds rallying again. That's three straight weeks! A Look at the Market It was another rare week, with bonds doing better and stocks doing worse. The S&P 500 has returned 11.6% with dividends included, and the price is up 10.8% for SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) in 2026 so far. This leaves the market on track to post a return for the full year right over 14%. At the same time, iSh

It is up today,as each of my positions is, but the market is down. I am reducing ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats (REGL). The trade: Sell 25 REGL at $91.95 The updated model portfolio:

Yesterday, I trimmed it, and, with the market down, it is up today. I am selling the rest of Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) and adding to ProShares S&P 600 Dividend Aristocrats (SMDV). The Trades Sell all (15 shares) VBR at 243.15 Buy 35 SMDV at $74.30 The updated model portfolio:

Last week, I discussed how the top appears to be in for stocks, and they did fall again this week, with bonds rallying again. A Look at the Market It was another rare week, with bonds doing better and stocks doing worse. The S&P 500 has returned 12.3% with dividends included, and the price is up 11.5% for SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) in 2026 so far. This leaves the market on track to post a return for the full year right under 16%. At the same time, iShares Core US Aggregate Bond E

While it's a small loss from my recent purchase price, I am reducing ProShares S&P 600 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (SMDV) again as stocks sell off hard. The trade: Sell 25 SMDV at $7399 The Updated Model Portfolio:

Stocks are getting crushed today, finally! This one, my largest of three equity ETF holdings, is up. It's almost to the price I paid last. I have some cash, but II am going to position myself more appropriately for a weaker equity environment and reduce ProShares S&P 600 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (SMDV). The trade: Sell 20 SMDV at $73.62 The Updated Model Portfolio:

While I still like it a lot, I own a lot in my model portfolio, and I am reducing it again after the gap up today. Last time I reduced PIMCO 15+ Year TIPS ETF (LTPZ), it was at $46.60. The trade: Sell 50 LTPZ at $47.13 The Updated Model Portfolio:

Last week, I discussed how the top may be in for stocks, and they did fall this week, with bonds rallying again. A Look at the Market It was a rare week, with bonds doing better and stocks doing worse. The S&P 500 has returned 12.8% with dividends included, and the price is up 11.9% for SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) in 2026 so far. This leaves the market on track to post a return for the full year right under 17%. At the same time, iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) has declin

While I like it a lot, it is gapping up today and I own a lot! I am trimming PIMCO 15+ Year TIPS ETF (LTPZ) and will look to reallocate it later. The trade: Sell 70 LTPZ at $46.60 The Updated Model Portfolio:

The market is getting hammered, and prices are lower. I am triming iShares TIPS Bond ETF (TIP) again to add to Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) a second time. Oddly, the price now is higher on VBR, but t is also higher on TIP. The trades: Sell 20 TIP at $104.83 Buy 10 VBR at $232.94 The updated model portfolio:

The week was good for stocks and for bonds, with both rising modestly. Last week, I discussed the all-time high in QQQ, which rallied 0.2% this week, falling from a new all-time high set on Wednesday . A Look at the Market The S&P 500 has returned 15.0% with dividends included, and the price is up 14.1% for SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) in 2026 so far. This leaves the market on track to post a return for the full year right under 20%. At the same time, iShares Core US Aggregate Bond

It has a lot of Industrials and Financials as well as Consumer Discrtionary, and I like SMDV more (but own a lot and can't add), but I am establishing a position in Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). I am funding it with a reduction in iShares TIPS Bond ETF (TIP) at a price that is marginally lower than where I last added on 9/23 and then again last week. VBR has given up more than half of the year-to-date gains. The trades: Sell 35 TIP at $104.27 Buy 15 VBR at $

The week was okay for stocks and tough for bonds again. Last week, I discussed the 4th quarter ahead, right before the end of Q3. A Look at the Market The S&P 500 has returned 13.8% with dividends included, and the price is up 12.9% for SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) in 2026 so far. This leaves the market on track to post a return for the full year right at 18%. At the same time, iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) has declined in price in 2026. With dividends included, the retu

Yesterday, I added a small position in Utilities SPDR ETF (XLU), exiting another equity ETF. I am exiting XLU and adding to iShares TIPS ETF (TIP). The trades: Sell all (100 shares) XLU at $40.01 Buy 35 TIP at $104.47 The updated model portfolio:

I like it, but I am taking a small loss on ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) and replacing it with Utilities SPDR ETF (XLU). XLU is down a lot in 2026, falling more than AGG. The trades: Sell all (60 shares) NOBL at $53.95 Buy 100 XLU at $39.25 The updated model portfolio:

September was a very challenging month for bonds and did challenge stocks too, especially smaller ones. The S&P 500 slipped during the month, but it did gain during Q3, as I discuss below. It is not on track to return 20% or more this year, and this would break the three-year big-gains streak. The Market July was a rough month, but after a very strong August, large-cap stocks did retreat in September. The S&P 500 has returned 12.7% with dividends included, and the price is up

I am doing that trade I did yesterday at at even better price today, exiting the recently purchased Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index ETF (VGSH) and adding to ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats (REGL), The trades: Sell all (50 shares) VGSH at $57.58 Buy 25 REGL at $87.19 The updated model portfolio:

I remain cautious on equities, but I am boosting exposure by adding to ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats (REGL), reducing the recently purchased Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index ETF (VGSH). I am also adding to the very cheap PIMCO 15+ Years TIPS ETF (LTPZ). The trades: Sell 50 VGSH at $57.50 Buy 25 REGL at $87.29 Buy 20 LTPZ at $45.07 The updated model portfolio: