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July was a tough month for both stocks, which ended unchanged, and bonds, which fell, after a very strong Q2 for stocks. Stocks are up in 2026, though they are performing very differently than they have been over the past few years. During July, I decided to stop writing at Seeking Alpha, as I explained on Sunday. Not to worry! I am still writing a lot, and I am working on finding a new spot. Last week, I wrote about the challenges for bonds. The Market July was a rough month

Trading and investing are different, but they can overlap. I continue to view Bitcoin as a highly speculative investment that could work out, but it is not in my index. I am exiting the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) that I bought yesterday at a profit today. The trade: Sell all (100 shares) IBIT at $36.50 The updated model portfolio:

I am a big fan of Morningstar (MORN) and have been one for a while. That is the company and not the stock! I do kind of like their stock now too and added it to my watchlist after the big meltdown. I think the company is unique and has done some very good things, one of which is the acquisition of CRSP, which they just closed recently. Today, they announced the completion of the rebranding of CRSP market indices to Morningstar Market Indexes. Amelia Furr is the person at Morn

Driving this trade is the gap up in ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) to a new all-time high. I am trimming it, and adding to iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) again. The trades: Sell 20 NOBL at $58.50 Buy 25 IBIT at $35.80 The updated model portfolio:

I exited it last week, and it has dipped. I am adding a small amount of Bktcoin back through the iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT). The trade: Buy 75 IBIT at The updated model portfolio:

The third full week of July saw stocks pull back again with bonds lower too. This has been happening a lot recently, though the first full week in July had strong stocks. Last week, I cautioned on an Energy ETF, XLE. A Look at the Market The S&P 500 has returned 8.9% with dividends included, and the price is up 8.4% 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 below 20%. At the same time, iShares Core US Aggrega

I still like it a lot, but I own a lot, even after this 10% reduction in the position size of ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (REGL). The trade: Sell 25 REGL at $94.13 The updated model portfolio:

I still have some cash left over from the IBIT reduction earlier this week, and I am buying more PIMCO 15+ Year US TIPS Index ETF (LTPZ). The position, my largest, is below 25% (the maximum). The trade: Buy 20 LTPZ at $48.37 The updated model portfolio:

I exited IBIT yesterday and still have the cash. I like TIPS and own a lot, but I am boosting iShares TIPS Bond ETF (TIP). The trade: Buy 25 TIP at $107.85 The updated model portfolio:

I added it last week, and it is up. I am exiting iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). Bitcoin is not in the index, and IBIT, which I have held in line with my concerns about inflation, which is well covered with my TIPS exposure, has gapped up today. The trade: Sell all (100 shares) IBIT at $37.53 The updated model portfolio:

The second full week of July saw stocks pull back with bonds roughly unchanged. This has been happening a lot recently, though the first full week in July had strong stocks. Last week, I discussed some ways to beat the S&P 500 index. A Look at the Market The S&P 500 has returned 9.6% with dividends included, and the price is up 9.0% 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 below 20%. At the same time, iShare

It's a little higher than it was yesterday, when I trimmed it, but I am selling some more ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) and buying iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) again. The trades: Sell 25 NOBL at $57.94 Buy 100 IBIT at $35.56 The updated model portfolio:

This bear is trimming at a profit the ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL). The trade: Sell 25 NOBL at $57.26 The updated model portfolio:

I am selling the rest of iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF at a profit. It's not in the index I aim to beat, but it may keep rallying. I am taking the proceeds and boosting iShares TIPS Bond ETF and also Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index ETF (VTIP) again. The trades: Sell all (100 shares) IBIT $36.67 Buy 25 TIP at $107.96 Buy 10 VTIP at $49.59 The updated model portfolio:

I trimmed Bitcoin exposure, which I have in the model portfolio to protect against inflation potentially, and I am using that cash to boost Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index ETF (VTIP). The trade: Buy 30 VTIP at $49.62 The updated model portfolio:

I almost added yesterday when it gapped lower, and now, after the gap up, I am reducing iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) again. The trade: Sell 50 IBIT at $36.12 The updated model portfolio:

The first full week of July saw stocks advance and bonds pull back. More of the same! Last week, I discussed the risks of inflation and how to protect your portfolio. A Look at the Market The S&P 500 has returned 11.3% with dividends included, and the price is up 10.7% 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 in excess of 20%. At the same time, iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) has declined in price i

I am doubling the newest position in the model portfolio, adding to iShares TIPS Bond ETF (TIP). The Trade: Buy 25 TIP at $108.09 The Updated Model Portfolio:

I like Bitcoin, but it is not part of the index I aim to beat, and I am trimming iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), which is gapping up today and near resistance. The trade: Sell 50 IBIT at $36.44 The updated model portfolio:

While I like iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), it is not in the index that I aim to beat (and am beating!). I am reducing it to add to ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (REGL), which has filled a gap. The trades: Sell 100 IBIT at $35.50 Buy 35 REGL at $90.92 The updated model portfolio: