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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:

I trimmed iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) yesterday, and, while it did fall subsequently, it has rallied back. I am reducing it again to add a new position in a different TIPS ETF, the iShares TIPS Bond ETF (TIP). I am also adding again to LTPZ. The trades: Sell 100 IBIT at 36.23 Buy 25 TIP at 108.20 Buy 25 LTPZ at 49.35 The Updated Model Portfolio:

I trimmed it on June 25th at a higher price, and it is lower now by more than the dividend that was paid as long-rates have ticked up. I am boosting PIMCO 15+ Year US TIPS Index ETF (LTPZ): The trade Buy 75 LTPZ at $49.64 The updated model portfolio:

I still like it, but I am reducing iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) at a profit, just shy of the open gap from June. There is one from much higher in May that is still open, and Bitcoin remains very beaten-up. The Trade: Sell 100 IBIT at $36.12 The Updated Model Portfolio:

What a strange week! A Friday holiday, which is rare and not even the day (the 4th of July is tomorrow, but the stock market is closed today), a big wedding (I wasn't invited, lol) and a 250th birthday celebration of the USA. I still remember very well the 200th, when I was 11 years old. Last week, I discussed the changes ahead with my coverage of the ETFs, and I did detail those changes in the June Review. A Look at the Market The State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) advanced

Q2 was a very good one for stocks. In fact, it was the best quarter since the big rally after the pandemic hit and plunged stocks in 2020. Stocks are up in 2026, though they are performing very differently than they have been over the past few years. During Q2, I closed my two cannabis-related businesses, and I have been a lot more focused on ETFs and stocks. I began to write about ETFs during 2025, and I launched an ETF model portfolio at the end of the year. This is the fir

I added it last week when I exited a small-cap ETF, and I am replacing Invesco S&P 500 Equall Weight ETF (RSP) at a profit with a purchase of S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (REGL). The trades: Sell 20 RSP at $212.42 Buy 40 REGL at $91.87 The updated model portfolio:

Last week, I discussed the challenge of holding a position that remains attractive but has rallied substantially and faces a short-term risk, explaining why I had reduced a great equity ETF. This week, I exited it. A Look at the Market The State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) fell Monday, gapped lower Tuesday, and pulled back during the rest of the week, ending down for the week. It has increased in price by 6.9% and has returned 7.5% with dividends. Bonds remain under pressur

When I added to it recently, iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) became larger than it had ever been in the model portfolio. Today, it posted a new 2026 low, and I am boosting it again with the cash I raised earlier. The trades: Buy 100 IBIT at $33.33 The updated model portfolio:

I continue to think that it makes a lot of sense and to like it, but I am trimming PIMCO 15+ Year US TIPS Index ETF (LTPZ) again. For now, I am adding to cash. The trades: Sell 50 LTPZ at $51.32 The updated model portfolio:

I have loved this equity ETF and still like it a lot. I began the year with 15% exposure to it. It is at a new all-time high, and I am exiting ProShares R2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV). I am adding back a new position in Invesco S&P 500 Eql Wght ETF (RSP) The trades: Sell all 65 shares) SMDV at $75.86 Buy 20 RSP at $208.88 The updated model portfolio: