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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:

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

On June 11th, I extended from Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index ETF (VTIP) to PIMCO 15+ Year US TIPS Index ETF (LTPZ) in my model portfolio. Today, I am trimming LTPZ and also reducing Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index ETF (VGSH) to add to VTIP. The trades: Sell 35 LTPZ at $51.06 Sell 40 VGSH at $58.16 Buy 85 VTIP at $50.11 The updated model portfolio:

I added State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) recently, and it is rated by me at Hold. I don't really like it that much, but I have very low exposure to equities in the model portfolio. I am trimming it, and adding to Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index ETF (VTIP). The trades: Sell 45 XLU at $45.22 Buy 40 VTIP at $50.36 The updated model portfolio:

I had recently reversed a trade from 5/26, adding to PIMCO 15+ Year US TIPS Index ETF (LTPZ) after reducing Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index ETF (VTIP). I am doing it again at slightly better prices. The trades: Sell 50 VTIP at $50.34 Buy 50 LTPZ at $50.47 The updated model portfolio:

I have recently reduced my TIPS exposure, selling from both ETFs despite my concerns about inflation. Today, I am reversing the trade from 5/26, adding to PIMCO 15+ Year US TIPS Index ETF (LTPZ) after reducing Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index ETF (VTIP). The trades: Sell 25 VTIP at $50.32 Buy 35 LTPZ at $50.49 The updated model portfolio:

On May 27th, I boosted ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) and trimmed ProShares R2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV). This trade has resulted in a smaller loss than the model portfolio would have experienced otherwise. Today, I am reversing that trade. Earlier today, I boosted iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), and it is lower now. I am adding to it again a bit with the proceeds of this reduction in Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index ETF (VTIP

I am not a fan of Bitcoin, but I did successfully buy and sell iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) earlier this year, and I am buying it back at the depressed price after a move lower over the past month or so. It is down a lot year-to-date. To fund it, I am reducing Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index ETF (VTIP). The trades: Sell 50 VTIP at $50.44 Buy 75 IBIT at $38.90 The updated model portfolio:

I still like TIPS, but I am reducing them. With oil prices falling and perhaps about to fall more, inflation protection may lose some of its appeal. I still have a lot of TIPS after reducing PIMCO 15+ Year US TIPS Index ETF (LTPZ) and Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index ETF (VTIP) to add to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund ETF (VGSH). The trades: Sell 40 LTPZ at $51.35 Sell 25 VTIP at $50.38 Buy 50 VGSH at $58.32 The updated model portfolio:

I am reducing ProShares R2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV) again and adding this time to Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index ETF (VTIP). The trades: Sell 15 SMDV at $72.97 Buy 25 VTIP at $50.29 The updated model portfolio:

I like TIPS, especially the longer-dated TIPS. If you are afraid of inflation, this is for you (AND NOT GOLD!)