La vendita allo scoperto per Vanguard S&P 500 ETF dà agli investitori un'idea del grado in cui gli investitori stanno scommettendo sul declino delle azioni di Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. I dati relativi alle vendite allo scoperto vengono aggiornati ogni due settimane.

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (ARCA:VOO), Report sulle vendite allo scoperto

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

Technology

Financial Services

Consumer Cyclical

Healthcare

Industrials

Consumer Defensive

Communication Services

Energy

Utilities

Real Estate

Basic Materials

Other

The fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index, a widely recognized benchmark of U.S. stock market performance that is dominated by the stocks of large U.S. companies. The advisor attempts to replicate the target index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the index.

Microsoft Corp

Nvidia Corp.

Apple Inc

Amazon.Com Inc

Meta Platforms, Inc.

Alphabet  inc., Class A

Alphabet Inc Class C

Berkshire Hathaway Inc

Eli Lilly & Co.

Avago Technologi

Tesla Motors, Inc.

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

The Reddit Trade

Personal Finance

SCHD

SCHG

VXUS

La community online si interroga sull&#39;affidabilità dell&#39;ETF: strategia vincente a lungo termine o rischio di concentrazione eccessiva?

SCHD: un investimento sicuro per 20 anni? Ecco cosa risponde Reddit

Charlie Munger Once Spoke About Mrs. B — The Matriarch Who Even Buffett Admitted Outshone Him In Wisdom: She Built A Successful Business That Made Her Filthy Rich With A $500 Loan And Hard Work

News

DJCO

Il gigante finanziario sotto la lente di un genio. Previsioni oscure o semplici avvisi? Cosa rivelano le sue parole sul futuro?

Charlie Munger ci aveva avvisati: ecco cosa pensava di BlackRock

CHTR

POOL

TMUS

ULTA

Il colosso apporta modifiche strategiche al proprio portafoglio, riducendo alcune partecipazioni chiave e puntando su nuovi settori.

Berkshire Hathaway ristruttura il suo portafoglio: ecco le operazioni

Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF

Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/07151508/Screen_Shot_2025-04-06_at_10.56.45_PM-1.avif" alt="" class="wp-image-9950" /></figure>
<a href="https://earningshub.com/earnings-calendar/this-week?utm_source=marketmadness-newsletter.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=the-black-monday-breakdown" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><a href="https://earningshub.com/earnings-calendar/this-week?utm_source=marketmadness-newsletter.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=the-black-monday-breakdown" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This Week's Earnings Calendar</a>
Markets just wrapped up one of the toughest two-day stretches in recent memory, with a drop of over 10 percent. On Wednesday at 4 PM, President Trump announced a sweeping plan to impose "reciprocal" tariffs on every country around the globe.
Initially, investors responded with cautious optimism. A report from the Wall Street Journal suggested the tariffs would be limited to just 10 percent. That changed quickly. Trump presented a chart showing actual rates, and while 10 percent was the floor, many countries faced far steeper penalties, China was hit the hardest with a combined rate of 54 percent.
Markets began to slip after hours. By Thursday, the selloff accelerated. Major indexes each lost more than 4 percent, and yet some investors began calling it a buying opportunity. With the market already down over 10 percent year to date, it seemed like a fair bet.
But Friday morning brought a fresh headline: China would strike back with its own tariffs on US goods, totaling 34 percent. Markets opened lower and closed with a nearly 6 percent loss, another blow to an already volatile week.
Over the weekend, I poured through research, commentary, and analysis. One theme kept popping up: "Black Monday." That phrase brings back memories of 1987, and the fear that we might see a repeat began to spread among investors and analysts.
Global markets followed the same path. Asian exchanges opened sharply lower. Japan fell 6 percent out of the gate, and China dropped 9 percent. As I write this on Sunday evening, US futures are down more than 3 percent and have not seen a single moment of green.
Corrections like this are never easy, but they are normal. Long term investors should see times like these as moments to reassess, reframe, and possibly reenter. To borrow from&nbsp;The Art of War, "In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity."
This will pass. It always does.
Keep your head up. Stay focused on the long term. And remember, investing rewards patience.
&#x2A;&#x2A;
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Long Ideas

Market Summary

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Global

Opinion

Markets

The Black Monday Breakdown: This Week's Market Forecast

Good Morning Traders! In today&#8217;s Market Clubhouse Morning Memo, we will discuss SPY, QQQ, AAPL, MSFT, NVDA, GOOGL, META, and TSLA.
Our proprietary formula, exclusive to Market Clubhouse, dictates these price levels. This dynamic equation takes into account price, volume, and options flow. These levels are updated every day and shared with all Clubhouse Members, prior to the opening of the market.
We recommend closely monitoring these stocks, and be prepared to leverage potential breakouts or reversals. As always, stay alert and ready to adjust your tactics based on the market&#8217;s pulse to optimize your trading gains. Now, let&#8217;s dive into the stock analysis:
SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (SPY)
Bulls want SPY to maintain stability above our key pivot at 496.93, then drive higher to challenge resistance at 497.55. If buyers maintain control and firmly establish price above this level, further upside towards the next target at 498.17 becomes likely. Sustained strength there would clear the path to test the resistance at 498.93, with our ultimate bullish goal for today sitting at 500.17.
On the downside, losing the 496.93 pivot would empower sellers to push price lower towards initial support at 494.93. Continued bearish dominance could expose a deeper move to test support at 493.24. Heavy selling through this level may trigger additional weakness, targeting the strong support at 491.70, with potential capitulation down to our extreme bearish target at 490.11.
Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 (QQQ)
QQQ bulls aim to hold firmly above our critical reference of 413.72. Strength above this point should motivate buying momentum toward the next important resistance at 414.83. If price action remains constructive and buyers sustain pressure, expect a rally toward 416.23, and potentially extend further upward to 417.49. Our highest bullish expectation for today stands at 419.19.
Conversely, if buyers fail to maintain 413.72 as support, bearish forces are likely to drive the price down initially towards 412.59. Continued weakness could escalate selling pressure, bringing support at 411.80 into play. Persistent selling beyond this point would lead to further downside tests at 410.34, with today&#8217;s ultimate bearish objective being 409.44.
Apple Inc. (AAPL)
For Apple bulls, holding the line firmly at 181.25 is essential. Successfully defending this area could ignite upward momentum towards the next bullish hurdle at 182.96. If buyers stay committed, continued advancement should reach resistance at 184.09. A strong bullish presence today might propel Apple's price to our optimistic target of 184.96.
Should 181.25 fail under selling pressure, bears would aim to drive prices down initially toward 180.10. Persistent weakness may then lead to a deeper sell-off targeting 178.61. If selling accelerates, Apple could see additional declines toward support at 178.18, with our lowest bearish target today situated at 177.20.
Microsoft Corp. ( MSFT)
Bulls in Microsoft are looking to defend our crucial pivot at 354.73 today. A strong hold above this level could trigger bullish moves towards the next resistance level at 358.28. If buyers establish control firmly there, we anticipate continued upward movement toward 359.64. Sustained bullish enthusiasm may eventually propel Microsoft to our ultimate daily bullish target of 363.81.
If Microsoft struggles and falls decisively below 354.73, bears are likely to take charge and press lower toward the immediate support at 352.26. Breaking down this level would heighten bearish sentiment, potentially driving the price toward deeper supports at 347.85 and then 342.88. Continued bearish activity could even challenge today&#8217;s low bear target at 335.57.
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)
NVIDIA bulls need to gain decisive control above our significant pivot at 90.43 and push upward to initially reclaim resistance at 92.47 as new support. Continued bullish commitment could then lead the auction higher to 95.02. Sustained buying enthusiasm might fuel a further rally toward resistance at 96.58, with today&#8217;s bullish ambition reaching as high as 98.02.
If bulls fail to defend 90.43 today, bearish forces may quickly seize control, targeting immediate downside support at 89.28. Increased selling could further test the next level at 87.80. Weakening conditions may drive price action lower towards 86.32, with potential bearish exhaustion leading NVIDIA down to our lowest bearish objective at 84.52.
Alphabet Inc Class A (GOOGL)
Alphabet bulls seek firm control above today&#8217;s pivotal level of 141.71, aiming initially for an advance toward resistance at 143.17. If bullish momentum remains steady, expect further price appreciation towards our maximum bullish target at 144.72.
On the bearish side, failure to hold 141.71 would likely see bears aggressively target initial downside support at 140.57. Further selling pressure could push Alphabet to challenge deeper support at 139.46. Under intensifying bearish activity, the price may retreat as low as today&#8217;s ultimate bearish target of 137.79.
Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)
Bulls in Meta aim to keep the price strongly above our pivotal level at 488.81. Sustaining this bullish momentum would open the door to an upward test of resistance at 492.33. Ongoing buyer participation may enable further upward movement towards 498.03, ultimately targeting today&#8217;s ambitious bullish objective at 500.83.
If Meta cannot hold above 488.81, bearish activity could intensify, quickly driving price action lower toward support at 483.11. Continued selling pressure could push further downward, testing the next level at 479.47. Accelerated bearish momentum would likely trigger deeper selling toward today&#8217;s lowest bearish target of 475.19.
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)
Tesla bulls are initially aiming to secure the price action firmly above today&#8217;s pivot at 223.98, with their first bullish challenge lying at 226.53. If bullish momentum stays strong, expect buyers to target a higher push toward the significant level at 230.65. Continued strength from the broader market may push Tesla even higher to 235.74, with today&#8217;s maximum bullish target set at 238.50.
On the downside, if bulls lose control at 223.98, bears will aim aggressively lower toward support at 220.65. Further weakness could bring selling into deeper support at 217.78. Should bearish pressure increase, we anticipate a potential retreat toward Tesla's lowest bearish objective for today at 213.88.
Final Word:&nbsp;
Markets today lack impactful economic reports but face intense volatility driven by escalating tensions surrounding global trade conflicts and newly implemented tariffs. Traders must remain highly vigilant, as price action will hinge on unpredictable trade-related headlines that could significantly impact market sentiment throughout the session.
Given the elevated uncertainty, managing risk carefully is crucial today. Expect large and potentially rapid price movements across sectors. Keep position sizing prudent, remain disciplined, and stay nimble to effectively navigate today&#8217;s turbulent conditions. Good luck and trade carefully!
The Morning Memo is curated by RIPS, a pro trader with years of experience in equities, options, and futures trading. RIPS is at the heart of the exclusive Market Clubhouse community, offering his insights, expertise, and real-time mentorship.
Start your day with a live daily market analysis, a carefully selected watch list, early access to the Morning Memo, and exclusive Market Clubhouse price levels, providing precise support and resistance indicators. When you become a member of Market Clubhouse, you will gain early access to the Morning Memo, just like this one, every single day—hours before it&#8217;s published. You will also have access to a live stream with zero latency and screen sharing, enabling you to witness Rips executing his trades in real-time and sharing his exclusive trading plans, strategies, and live decision-making.
For a limited time during our special promotion, you can join RIPS and get a full access pass to Market Clubhouse for 7 full days for just $7. Check it out at <a href="https://marketclubhouse.club/7Days/" title="https://marketclubhouse.club/7Days/">https://marketclubhouse.club/7Days/</a> where you can trade live with him and tap into his wealth of knowledge and experience. You can also catch Rips on his live day trading streams every Monday-Friday at 8 am EST on the Market Clubhouse YouTube channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MarketClubhouse" title="https://www.youtube.com/@MarketClubhouse">https://www.youtube.com/@MarketClubhouse</a>.

Equities

Technicals

Signals

Trading Ideas

TSLA

How To Trade The Market As Global Trade Tensions Escalate

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="936" height="556" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/07061618/image-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-9835" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/07061618/image-1.jpeg 936w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/07061618/image-1-300x178.jpeg 300w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/07061618/image-1-768x456.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 936px) 100vw, 936px" /></figure>
<a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fef1fda4a-e58e-43ae-93d8-5b12ae44ecaf_1024x608.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>
It's been a challenging few days.
There's been a mountain of news about the direction of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/regulating-imports-with-a-reciprocal-tariff-to-rectify-trade-practices-that-contribute-to-large-and-persistent-annual-united-states-goods-trade-deficits/">global trade policy</a>, which has been followed by a tsunami of research and insights intended to help investors make sense of it all.
I've spent a ton of time sifting through much of it, and I've concluded: It is impossible to know what will happen next.
While&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/wall-street-agrees-tariffs-are-bad">everyone agrees</a>&nbsp;that the announced tariffs are negative at least in the near-term, the range of potential outcomes is very wide and impossible to define precisely. Not only are the indirect effects hard to capture, the uncertainty is heightened by the possibility that at least some of the tariffs are short-lived or negotiated lower.
Consequently, I'd caution against listening to folks who have a high degree of confidence in the particular outcome they're touting. There are just too many unknowns to be able to model a clean forecast.
A couple of analysts I follow had some particularly insightful commentary on the murky state of things.
"There is no tariff playbook," BofA's Savita Subramanian wrote on Thursday. "Known unknowns are plentiful." From her note:
Investors looking for historical parallels are faced with scant observations from incomparable eras (e.g., 1930s Smoot Hawley ended badly). Import/export exposure by company is difficult to estimate and not regularly disclosed. Full supply chains are hard to figure out. Secondary impacts are even hazier: prolonged negotiations could stall activity spiraling into a recession. Calls to boycott U.S. goods could ramp further. But pricing power and currency moves can mollify tariff impacts. Ex-U.S. multinationals can avoid tariffs (and maybe enjoy lower corporate tax rates) by expanding U.S. footprint. Our constructive equity outlook relies on at least partial resolution from which corporates can plan and grow by early 2H25, as capacity buildouts are multi-quarter phenomena.
Among the many challenges in analyzing the impact on the stock market is the fact that regulations don't require publicly-traded companies to disclose many details about their overseas exposure. This is something I've mentioned in past discussions about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/us-listed-companies-share-of-global-profits">S&amp;P 500 revenues generated outside of the U.S.</a>
To Subramanian's point about boycotts,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/boycott-america-gdp-stock-market-negative-impact">earlier this week</a>&nbsp;Goldman Sachs economists also highlighted the challenges in estimating the magnitude of this second order effect.
Subramanian estimates that the impact of tariffs could drag S&amp;P 500 earnings per share (EPS) by 5% to 32%. Yes, that's a wide range. And even she acknowledges that it's derived from an "oversimplified scenario analysis."
On&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/audio/2025-04-04/bloomberg-surveillance-jobs-and-tariffs-podcast">Bloomberg Radio on Friday</a>, Renaissance Macro's Neil Dutta addressed the shock to GDP that economists have been estimating as a result of the announced tariffs. He too cautioned: "These calculations understate the hit to some extent, because you're just looking at direct costs. You're not including, ‘What are the ramifications to corporate confidence? Household confidence?' The spillover and knock-on effects. I think that's why I think it can be even worse."
In terms of modeling how the ongoing trade war will unfold, Dutta added: "We're all just guessing at this point."
Oaktree Capital's Howard Marks, also speaking to Bloomberg on Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/audio/2025-04-04/bloomberg-talks-howard-marks-talks-market-selloff-podcast">said</a>: "The world economy and the world order beyond the economy — meaning geopolitics and international relationships — has been shook up like a snow globe by the events of the last days, and nobody knows what it&#8217;s going to look like."<a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4e66fe10-8fe0-4cbd-a67c-22ea11dd7d48_782x436.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>
<a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4e66fe10-8fe0-4cbd-a67c-22ea11dd7d48_782x436.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>"Today, whatever your forecast may be, you have to say the probability that I&#8217;m right is lower than ever," Marks added. "Because the probability that we know what the future is going to look like is lower than ever."
While uncertainty and market volatility may be elevated in the near term, experts generally agree that stocks continue to be attractive for long-term investors. It's just that the near future has become very difficult to predict.
It's times like these where the best move is to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/sam-ro-unlucky-market-timer">stick to your financial plan</a>, which hopefully takes into consideration periods of high volatility and uncertainty.
Watch earnings season &#x1f440;
If there's any good news, the first quarter just ended. This means we'll soon be in earnings season, when companies will give more color on what they see and where they expect things to head.
This could be productive, because so far we haven't heard much about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/i/156333109/tariffs-are-not-factored-into-earnings-guidance">how tariffs may impact earnings</a>. Here's what RBC's Lori Calvasina had to say in her research note on Wednesday:
We&#8217;ve been reading earnings call and conference transcripts closely since November across market capitalizations, sectors, and industries and feel fairly confident in saying that U.S. public companies have been very reluctant to discuss tariff impacts (outside of China) until specific details have been provided by the administration, and even then, many still have not given sell-side analysts a lot of specifics to start factoring into their models. The incremental information provided Wednesday (we hope) will enable sell-side analysts to push companies a bit harder to get the conversation going about these policies. This is important, because for U.S. equities to put in a durable bottom, EPS forecasts need to be adjusted which in turn will give investors confidence to assess valuations and make decisions about when opportunity has been unlocked in certain corners of the U.S. equity market.
"Like most analysts and strategists, we&#8217;ll be digesting the implications of the newly announced reciprocal tariffs in the coming days," Calvasina wrote.
All eyes and ears will be on Corporate America in the coming weeks as earnings season picks up.
Will we get&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/sp500-earnings-guidance-q1-2025">more clarity</a>? Or will we learn they have no clue where things are headed either?
As always,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/stock-market-drawdowns-bull-markets">keep your stock market seat belts fastened</a>. Investing in the stock market is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/stock-market-down-days-drawdowns-down-years-normal">an unpleasant process</a>.
More insights from Sam Ro:
<ul>
<li>One Of The Most <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44361076/one-of-the-most-misunderstood-moments-in-stock-market-cycles">Misunderstood </a>Moments In Stock Market Cycles</li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44079509/preparing-for-worse-doesnt-mean-dumping-stocks-investing-wisdom-from-market-guru-sam-ro">Preparing</a> For Worse Doesn't Mean Dumping Stocks</li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/exclusives/25/02/43917155/warren-buffett-americas-businesses-usually-find-a-way">Warren Buffett</a>: America&#8217;s Businesses &#8216;Usually Find A Way&#8217;</li>
</ul>
&#x2A;&#x2A;

Analyst Color

Earnings

Sam Ro: If You Know Where Things Are Heading, Then You Probably Don't Know What You're Talking About

Building a strong investment <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44534646/dad-with-mini-portfolio-and-1m-investment-plan-wants-son-living-off-of-dividend-income-comfortably-reddit-debates-best-stocks-to-buy">portfolio</a> requires an allocation for growth, one for stability, and a last one for income, especially when it comes to planning for retirement.
One widespread investing strategy involves mixing dividend-paying assets with broad-market ETFs, allowing investors to profit from both compounding revenue and long-term <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/25/02/43724725/at-home-restructured-bonds-offer-asymmetric-opportunity-via-high-yields-potential-capital-appreciat">capital appreciation</a>. By continuously investing a fixed amount each month, investors can grow their <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44348490/how-does-your-wealth-stack-up-against-your-peers-heres-the-net-worth-youll-need-to-be-among-the-richest-10-at-each-age">wealth</a> while minimizing risk through diversification.
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Still, this strategy is often debated with some wondering whether dividend-focused ETFs are necessary for younger investors or if growth ETFs would deliver better returns in the long run. In a recent Reddit post, a 34-year-old investor shared he&#8217;s just starting his investing journey and is wondering whether his planned allocation can help him reach his financial goals.
His strategy involves allocating $2,000 per month across a mix of ETFs and dividend stocks, including 40 % to Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>), 20% to Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQM#NASDAQ">QQQM</a>), 15% to Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VXUS#NASDAQ">VXUS</a>), 15% to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHD#NYSE">SCHD</a>), and 10% to SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>).
The poster&#8217;s goal is to build a portfolio that will generate substantial returns by the time he reaches his 50s or 60s. Yet, he's open to advice, especially regarding his 10% allocation to GLD. The Reddit community has offered the investor plenty of suggestions in the comments, so let&#8217;s jump into these right away.
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is the Investor&#8217;s Planned Allocation a Good Strategy? Reddit Weights In</h2>
Opt for Small or Mid-Cap ETFs
Several Redditors argued that gold may not be the best choice for a young investor with a long time horizon. Instead, they suggested small- and/or mid-cap ETFs or even bond funds for better growth potential or stability.
&#8220;I like everything except gold. I'd look into small/mid-cap ETFs, and maybe a total bond ETF if you&#8217;re worried about volatility,&#8221; a commenter wrote.
Suggesting other assets and even Bitcoin instead of GLD, this Reddit user appreciated most of the poster&#8217;s allocation: &#8220;Love it besides the GLD. I would go either with a small/mid-cap ETF or Bitcoin if you are interested in that.&#8221;
This commenter suggested the investor&#8217;s portfolio should be more focused on U.S.-based stocks rather than international assets.
&#8220;Too much international, and way too much gold. Would add some small- and mid-cap instead,&#8221; he wrote.
See Also: Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.
Focus on Growth While Young
Many Reddit users argued that dividend ETFs like SCHD are less ideal for a 34-year-old investor, as growth-focused ETFs historically outperform over long periods.
&#8220;Zero reason for SCHD at that young of an age in my opinion,&#8221; a comment reads.
Suggesting that focusing on growth-oriented ETFs while young would reap better yields in the long run, this Redditor mentioned that the investor should shift to dividends when approaching retirement only.
&#8220;Because you are young, you could benefit from the time horizon and reap better returns from growth-focused ETFs over dividend ETFs, even taking into account dividend reinvestment. Closer to retirement you can transition to a dividend-focused portfolio,&#8221; he wrote.
&#8220;I&#8217;d skip QQQM and go 50% VOO, 25% VXUS, and 25% SCHD,&#8221; a commenter recommended.
Another Redditor suggested a similar allocation but also included GLD, saying, &#8220;I would drop the SCHD and QQQM in favor of more VOO and more VXUS. 65% VOO (or better [Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vti#NYSE">VTI</a>)]), 25% VXUS, 10% GLD.&#8221;
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gbr-savings-by-age">If You're Age 35, 50, or 60: Here&#8217;s How Much You Should Have Saved Vs. Invested By Now</a></li>
<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

QQQM

Reddit Erupts Over 34-Year-Old's Plan: 'My Strategy Is To Add $2K Monthly' – Is His Mix Of ETFs And Dividends A Genius Move Or A Bad One?

A stock portfolio with many holdings can minimize risk and give you access to many opportunities. However, one Redditor is wondering if two holdings are all they need and <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/dividends/comments/1jo8l2z/thinking_of_going_50_voo_50_schd_too_simple/">posted in the Dividends subreddit</a> for some feedback.&nbsp;
"I'm seriously considering streamlining my entire portfolio," the Redditor stated at the start of the post.
Instead of picking a bunch of stocks, the Redditor has settled on two positions: the Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) and the Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHD#NYSE">SCHD</a>). The Redditor is also considering a 45/45 split, with the remaining 10% going into the Schwab US Large-Cap Growth ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHG#NYSE">SCHG</a>).
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ETFs Simplify Investing</h2>
Several commenters agreed with the ETF-focused approach and shared that they also heavily invest in funds. The top commenter puts 50% into SCHD and the remaining 50% into SCHG. One of the top replies to that comment came from someone who puts 60% into SCHD and 40% into SCHG.
The comment got plenty of traction from Redditors who agreed. One commenter replied to the top comment saying, "This is exactly my portfolio in Roth. Not too much going on but that's all I need. Tired of gambling on single stocks."
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">No Such Thing As Too Simple</h2>
One commenter stated that there is no such thing as having a portfolio that is too simple. While you can have a portfolio that isn't diverse enough, you can buy shares in a single ETF and instantly have a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44461718/high-income-earner-with-3000-monthly-to-invest-faces-big-decision-i-definitely-want-to-diversify-beyond-ai-and-dividends">diversified portfolio</a>.
The commenter said that VOO has plenty of growth. Investors don't have to beat the market. Most people can reach their long-term financial goals if they match market returns instead of taking high risks just for the hope of outperforming an index like the S&amp;P 500.
Some commenters said that this simple approach was a good one. The Redditor received encouraging comments telling them to keep up the good work. Another commenter mentioned that a more complex portfolio doesn't necessarily generate a higher return.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Knowing The Redditor's Age and Goals Would Help</h2>
While most of the commenters praised the Redditor's decision, one commenter said that knowing the original poster's age and time horizon would have been better. The commenter also said it would be optimal to know the age of each person who has committed to sticking with a few ETFs.
The commenter makes a good point, as each person's investment preferences are different. Some people have higher risk tolerances and gravitate toward ETFs that give exposure to big tech companies. Others accumulate shares in less risky, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44589415/desperate-investor-with-50k-seeks-the-highest-possible-dollar-amount-of-a-dividend-payment-what-fund-would-you-buy-reddit-erupts">high-yield ETFs</a> as they get closer to retirement.
Assessing someone's financial goals can help them decide which combination of ETFs is right for them. However, you don't need a ton of stocks. A good growth fund may be all you need.
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A Redditor Only Wants to Hold Two Stocks: 'I'm Seriously Considering Streamlining My Entire Portfolio'

Warren Buffett&nbsp;is considered one of the greatest&nbsp;investors&nbsp;of all time. He also appears to be one of the greatest teachers of all time, given the massive returns generated by one of his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/23/02/30736762/former-hedge-fund-manager-lists-3-reasons-berkshire-hathaway-has-everything-we-look">portfolio managers</a>.
What To Know:&nbsp;According to a Business Insider&nbsp;<a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/warren-buffett-ted-weschler-berkshire-hathaway-ira-retirement-losses-saving-2021-9?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_campaign=business-sf&amp;fbclid=IwAR0l3O5vxSJKAtyJxJGPDCx2V0saqwmwfE67AnEmE9j_huNjrF40zjvrWrk">report</a>&nbsp;citing a Washington Post interview from late 2021,&nbsp;Ted Weschler, an investment manager at&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway Inc&nbsp;(NYSE:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/brk-a#NYSE">BRK-A</a>) (NYSE:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/brk-b#NYSE">BRK-B</a>), grew his retirement account from $70,000 to $264 million&nbsp;in less than&nbsp;30 years with a pretty simple approach.
The massive fortune was first uncovered in June 2021 when ProPublica got ahold of Weschler's tax returns. The Berkshire Hathaway portfolio manager then shared some details about how he managed to amass the wealth with reporter&nbsp;Allan Sloan.
"In a perfect world, nobody would know about this account," Weschler&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/08/27/retirement-fund-millionaire/">reportedly told Sloan</a>&nbsp;in an email.
"But now that the number is out there, I&#8217;m hopeful that some good can come of it by serving as a motivation for new workforce entrants to start saving and investing early."
Weschler definitely got an early start, and anyone hoping to replicate the feat needs to do the same.
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The report indicates that Weschler started&nbsp;an&nbsp;IRA in 1984 at the age of 22 and by the time he was 27, he had grown his account to&nbsp;$70,384&nbsp;by maxing out his contributions and doubling down via employer match.
He quit his job as a financial analyst and began his journey in&nbsp;private equity. Despite getting off to a rocky start with investments in&nbsp;Continental Health&nbsp;and Intelogic, his new role&nbsp;ultimately led him to become a hedge fund manager by the turn of the century.
Speaking with Sloan, the portfolio manager noted that all losses are simply "unmonetized lessons."&nbsp;
Weschler reportedly generated compound annual returns of 22% for more than a decade before he joined Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway in 2012.&nbsp;
He noted that he used to focus on companies that he believed were in much better standing than the market was pricing in. Weschler also said he spent a lot of his time studying companies and industries in order to find important pieces of information <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/02/30689536/warren-buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-trims-stake-in-chinese-ev-maker-to-less-than-13">the market was missing</a>. 
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For those who don't have the time, he recommended&nbsp;focusing on index funds like the&nbsp;Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>). They can be very powerful tools for investors who can't&nbsp;closely follow individual investments, he said.
But his main advice is to keep all&nbsp;of your money in equities and to tune out anyone&nbsp;who tells&nbsp;you to do something different.&nbsp;
"Start early, maximize the [employer]&nbsp;match, invest 100% in equities, and ignore all the other noise," Weschler said.
The Berkshire manager told the Washington Post he made all of his money&nbsp;by investing in&nbsp;publicly available securities, suggesting anyone can do it with the right approach.
Buffett too was a beneficiary of an&nbsp;early&nbsp;start. The billionaire investor&nbsp;has been piling money into equities&nbsp;since he was 11.&nbsp;If you don't have the early start advantage in front of you, one&nbsp;can always&nbsp;back the guys who are&nbsp;arguably the best to ever do it by&nbsp;buying shares of Berkshire Hathaway. The fund has historically&nbsp;outperformed the S&amp;P 500.
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Photo: Shutterstock / Some elements of this story were previously reported by Benzinga and it has been updated.

Hedge Funds

General

Warren Buffett's Fund Manager Didn't Want Anyone To Know He Turned $70,000 Into $264M, 'But Now That The Number Is Out There...'

Wall Street just got a wake-up call. According to JPMorgan analyst Maia G. Crook, the probability of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/recession">a U.S. recession</a> has surged to 60%, up from 40% last month, thanks to the latest round of tariff hikes.
The "largest U.S. tax hike in nearly 60 years" is expected to hit household and business spending, drag down sentiment and disrupt global supply chains.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tariffs &amp; Tumbling Sentiment</h2>
The tariff war escalated with a fresh 22% hike, pushing fears of retaliation and economic slowdowns to new highs. Crook warns of ripple effects, noting that the uncertainty around trade policies could further dampen business confidence. 
While there's still a 40% chance of avoiding a recession, she cautions that it hinges on "negotiations&#8221; that &#8220;will bring these announced rates down in the coming weeks."
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/03/44456554/trade-wars-fed-moves-and-a-40-recession-risk-is-your-portfolio-ready">Trade Wars, Fed Moves And A 40% Recession Risk &#8211; Is Your Portfolio Ready?</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Markets On Edge: Where To Look Next?</h2>
With recession risk on the rise, broad market exchange-traded funds (ETFs) like SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), the iShares Core S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVV#NYSE">IVV</a>) and the Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) are under scrutiny.
Investors may look to defensive plays like utilities and consumer staples ETFs, such as the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLU#NYSE">XLU</a>) or Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLP#NYSE">XLP</a>) as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44626085/biopharma-a-safe-haven-as-tariff-turmoil-rages-on">safe havens</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Will The Fed Step In?</h2>
Despite the ominous outlook, Crook sees a path to resilience if global negotiations ease tensions. However, she warns that the administration's approach to tariff calculations "raises questions around the basis for negotiations going forward."
With economic uncertainty mounting, investors may need to brace for volatility ahead.
For now, markets are on edge and recession risk is no longer a distant possibility &#8211; it's a very real threat.
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</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Macro Economic Events

Economics

Federal Reserve

Analyst Ratings

ETFs

JPMorgan Raises Recession Risk To 60% As 'Largest US Tax Hike' In 60 Years Hits Global Economy

For many investors, dividend-focused <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/03/44565770/30-year-old-with-65k-in-stocks-sparks-debate-focusing-mostly-on-etfs-but-now-betting-on-bonds-small-caps-and-international-plays">stocks</a> and funds provide a way to generate passive income, whether to supplement retirement, cover day-to-day <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43768530/should-married-couples-split-expenses-dave-ramsey-says-no-youre-married-not-roommates">expenses</a>, or even finance small luxuries like annual vacations.
While some aim for significant <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44518501/20-year-old-university-student-wants-help-with-buying-dividend-stocks-whats-the-best-way-to-start-reddit-weights-in">dividend</a> payouts to replace their salary, others are happy with modest but constant returns that offer a little extra financial freedom.
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This is the case of a Reddit user who is exploring this approach. With $30,000 to invest, he's seeking long-term dividend stocks that can grow over the next 20 years until retirement. While he already holds dividend-paying stocks like Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Walt Disney&nbsp; (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>), he wants to expand his portfolio for stability and future income, even if it's just enough to cover yearly vacations.
&#8220;I currently have some stocks that give out dividends (Apple, Disney) but I&#8217;m looking for others. Long-term stability, that my wife and I can use the dividends as another form of income say in 20 years. Even if it&#8217;s just enough to pay for a yearly vacation here or there. Any thoughts on good companies to choose from?&#8221; he asked.
Let&#8217;s break down the Redditors&#8217; advice received in the comment section.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where to Invest $30,000 to Generate Enough Income to Cover Yearly Vacations? Reddit Answers</h2>
Put the Money in an ETF
Several commenters recommended Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHD#NYSE">SCHD</a>) as a core holding because of its dividend yield, historical growth, and the low-risk, diversified exposure it offers investors.
&#8220;Go all in SCHD. Low risk, nice 3.5% starting yield and it will just keep growing,&#8221; a commenter said.
Reinforcing the idea that SCHD fits the poster&#8217;s long-term stability and dividend payout need, this Redditor also suggested he goes with SCHD: &#8220;Since you want some growth and decent payout, SCHD is a great option. 3.5% dividends and 11% growth over the last 10 years each year.&#8221;
&#8220;I would stick with S&amp;P 500 ETFs being young. Put it in a self-direct investment retirement account to avoid taxes,&#8221; a comment reads.
See Also: Have $200K saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/have-200k-saved-heres-how-to-turn-it-into-lasting-wealth"> Here's how to turn it into lasting wealth</a>
Consider High-Yield Dividend Stocks and Trusts
Several commenters suggested higher-yield assets that would generate higher payouts for the investor in the long run.
&#8220;If you want higher yield stocks check: [Verizon Communications (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vz#NYSE">VZ</a>)], [AT&amp;T (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/t#NYSE">T</a>)], [Realty Income Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/o#NYSE">O</a>)], [Altria Group (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mo#NYSE">MO</a>)], [British American Tobacco (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bti#NYSE">BTI</a>)],&#8221; a Redditor recommended.
A commenter mentioned United Parcel Service (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPS#NYSE">UPS</a>) as a great pick since the company seems to start focusing on higher profit margin areas.
&#8220;UPS pays a solid dividend and the share price has been beaten down a lot on the news that they are reducing Amazon deliveries to focus on higher profit margin areas,&#8221; he said.
Suggesting a very detailed portfolio allocation, this Redditor mentioned several ETFs and individual stocks that he considers would help the poster reach his dividend and growth goals.
&#8220;[Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/voo#NYSE">VOO</a>)] $5,000, 1.25% dividends. Do [dividend reinvestment plan] SCHD $5,000, 3.5% dividends. Do [dividend reinvestment plan], [JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jepi#NYSE">JEPI</a>)], [JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jepq#NASDAQ">JEPQ</a>)​] ($5,000), 8% combined dividends. Do [dividend reinvestment plan] [Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ori#NYSE">ORI</a>)] $2,000, 3% dividends. Do [dividend reinvestment plan] [Waste Management (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wm#NYSE">WM</a>)] and [Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/adp#NASDAQ">ADP</a>)] ($3,000), 2% average dividend. Do [dividend reinvestment plan] [Pfizer (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pfe#NYSE">PFE</a>)] and [Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jnj#NYSE">JNJ</a>)] $2,000, 4.75% average dividend. Do [dividend reinvestment plan] [JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jpm#NYSE">JPM</a>)] and [UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/unh#NYSE">UNH</a>)] $2,000, 2% average dividends. Do [dividend reinvestment plan] AAPL and [Microsoft (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/msft#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)] $2,000. [The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ko#NYSE">KO</a>)] and MO $2,000, 5% average dividends. Do [dividend reinvestment plan] JPM or [American Express (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/axp#NYSE">AXP</a>)] $2,000. JPM has good potential growth,&#8221; the suggestion says.
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AAPL

JEPI

JEPQ

MSFT

Man With $30K To Deploy Wants Dividends For Life – 'Even If It's Just Enough To Pay For A Yearly Vacation Here Or There,' Reddit Reacts

Investing entails both risk and reward. On one hand, conservative investors focus on stabilizing their portfolios through bonds, <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/startups/25/02/43451833/warren-buffetts-1m-bet-why-simple-index-funds-crushed-hedge-funds-by-7-1-to-2-2-over-a-decade">index funds</a>, and blue-chip <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44486348/58-year-old-with-3m-portfolio-makes-bold-retirement-move-i-want-to-test-it-out-before-i-actually-retire-with-1m-in-dividend-stocks">dividend stocks</a>. On the other, aggressive investors chase high-growth assets, such as tech stocks, leveraged ETFs, and high-yield dividend funds, betting on huge returns.
The middle ground is a diversified portfolio that combines growth and income while adjusting risk as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44552100/i-have-no-doubt-theyre-going-to-raise-the-full-retirement-age-possibly-to-70-suze-orman-weighs-in-on-social-security-fears">retirement</a> approaches. But what happens when a young investor leans heavily into dividend-focused ETFs, overlooking long-term growth for quick cash? That's the question tearing through the r/Dividends Reddit community after a 34-year-old shared his bold three-ETF strategy.
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<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
<li>If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-private-credit-fund">7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it</a>?</li>
</ul>
&#8220;Right now, I'm planning to go with just [Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/voo#NYSE">VOO</a>)], [JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jepi#NYSE">JEPI</a>)​], and [Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/schd#NYSE">SCHD</a>)], split like this: VOO – 45% (broad market exposure and long-term growth), JEPI – 15% (monthly income and lower volatility), and SCHD – 40% (strong dividend growth and fundamentals). I know this setup is pretty barebones, but I feel like it covers the basics well enough for now. I plan to start adding bonds in maybe 5 to 6 years, once I get closer to 40,&#8221; he wrote.
Still, the poster is wondering whether his allocations are too basic and whether he&#8217;s missing something, mentioning that he wants to build a dividend-only portfolio. The r/Dividends community on Reddit has offered its advice in the comments, so let&#8217;s analyze that.
Trending: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3-ETF Portfolio–Is He Onto Something or Is It a Bad Idea? Reddit Responds</h2>
Ditch JEPI Since You Don&#8217;t Need Income Now
Most Redditors argued that JEPI is a rather poor fit for a 34-year-old who&#8217;s still in the accumulation phase.
&#8220;Unless you are currently using the income generated from it, there&#8217;s no reason to hold JEPI or [NEOS S&amp;P 500 High Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/spyi#NYSE">SPYI</a>)] or any of the others instead of holding the index itself like VOO. They underperform the underlying assets, so the total return of VOO will be higher than JEPI and there are also the tax implications of getting your returns as nonqualified dividends. So, if you are just going to reinvest the dividends from JEPI, there&#8217;s no reason to hold it instead of VOO, but there are good reasons to hold VOO instead,&#8221; a Reddit community member suggested.
Recommending what he thinks is a better allocation for the poster&#8217;s portfolio, this commenter also advised getting rid of JEPI: &#8220;JEPI is not only a bad option for you, it is also not very tax efficient. Stick with this: VOO/[Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/schg#NYSE">SCHG</a>)]/SCHD 70/20/10.&#8221;
&#8220;You have a job for income. You don't need JEPI at your age. Get into growth and dividend growth stocks,&#8221; a Redditor wrote.
See Also: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
Shift from Dividends to Growth for Now
Many users urged the 34-year-old investor to prioritize growth-focused ETFs over dividend-heavy assets like SCHD because he's young and has a long time until retirement to grow the money.
&#8220;At 34, you have a fairly long investment horizon in front of you before you retire–20 years or more. So, you should be much more heavily invested in growth rather than dividends. Growth companies invest their earnings in growth opportunities rather than using cash to pay dividends and as a result, you will almost certainly build more wealth over 20 years with growth stocks/ETFs than you will in dividend stocks/ETFs,&#8221; a comment reads.
Suggesting that the poster&#8217;s allocation is way too conservative for his age, this Redditor shared the way his portfolio is split, recommending keeping growth-focused assets even in retirement: &#8220;You are going too hard on dividends for your age. At 40, I am about 20% dividends, 20% bonds, and 60% growth stocks. That will shift about every 5 years toward stable income goals, but even then I probably will still hold at least 40% growth in retirement.&#8221;
When it comes to long-term growth, a commenter advised the poster to invest in VOO rather than SCHD.
&#8220;VOO outperforms SCHD and is a better option for long-term growth. I&#8217;d also consider mixing in [Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vtwo#NASDAQ">VTWO</a>)] and [Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund ETF Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vot#NYSE">VOT</a>)] at 15% to 20% each to cover mid and small-cap stocks,&#8221; he said.
Read Next:
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<li>Have $200K saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/have-200k-saved-heres-how-to-turn-it-into-lasting-wealth"> Here's how to turn it into lasting wealth</a></li>
<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

SPYI

VTWO

34-Year-Old Gambles His Entire Future On Just 3 ETFs – 'Is This A Dumb Idea Or Am I Onto Something?' Reddit Explodes Over His Risky Bet

Life has a way of throwing curveballs, such as divorce, career changes, and financial setbacks, and sometimes, it feels like you're back at square one.
But hitting the reset button in your 40s doesn't mean your <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/financial-advisors/24/04/38320795/in-your-50s-its-not-too-late-to-transform-your-financial-future-3-key-moves-t">financial future</a> is doomed. In fact, with thorough planning and disciplined <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44380933/investor-with-40000-portfolio-wonders-if-he-should-pick-dividend-investing-or-growth-first-would-you-prioritize-dividends-or-growth">investing</a>, it's possible to rebuild and even come out stronger than before.
For one Redditor, a 42-year-old facing a divorce and raising three kids, rebuilding financially seems like a tough challenge, but also an opportunity for a fresh start. With $250,000 to invest and a stable business generating between $90,000 and $120,000 per year on average, the investor is determined to turn things around.
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&#8220;If you could invest from scratch, $250,000–how would you divide it up? It's almost a full-life restart, not ideal, but it is what it is. Would you put [Main Street Capital Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/main#NYSE">MAIN</a>)​], [Gladstone Investment Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gain#NASDAQ">GAIN</a>)], [Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/schd#NYSE">SCHD</a>)], [JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jepq#NASDAQ">JEPQ</a>)] into individual or [investment retirement account]? What others should I consider?&#8221; he asked.
The comment section of the post exploded with recommendations, with some Redditors advocating for simple, low-risk investments, and others suggesting aggressive growth strategies. Below, we break down the most relevant insights.
Trending: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Would You Divide $250,000? Reddit Users Debate in the Comments</h2>
Keep It Simple and Low-Cost
There were plenty of comments that suggested the investor avoid financial advisors and instead invest in an S&amp;P index fund.
&#8220;I would not pay a financial advisor one penny, much less $1,500 per year + fees and %. It doesn&#8217;t take a financial advisor to invest in an S&amp;P 500 index fund, which is the simplest and one of the best investments for a 42-year-old, 22-year-old, 32-year-old, or 52-year-old,&#8221; a Redditor advised.
&#8220;If I had to start at 42&#8230; I would dump it all into an S&amp;P index growth fund and leave it be for about 15 years. At that point, I would look for opportunities to move it into dividends for income,&#8221; another comment says.
Also touching on the fact that he doesn&#8217;t need a financial advisor, this Reddit user mentioned a few assets he believes would help the poster meet his financial goals.
&#8220;Invest in only ETFs, no individual stocks. 75% in [Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/voo#NYSE">VOO</a>)], [SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/spy#NYSE">SPY</a>)], or if you want some dividends, [JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jepi#NYSE">JEPI</a>)​], or [Alerian MLP ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/amlp#NYSE">AMLP</a>)]. No need to pay anyone, just invest in S&amp;P 500 index funds,&#8221; he suggested.
See Also: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?
Mix Growth ETFs with Dividend Stocks
While the S&amp;P 500 was one of the most recommended strategies, many commenters suggested mixing growth with dividend ETFs for a balanced portfolio.
&#8220;If you want to retire in, say, 20 years, you need at least 3x if not 4x that $250,000. In addition to the S&amp;P 500 index, MAIN and GAIN look good. If I knew at 42 what I know now, I would have gone into individual growth stocks much earlier than I did, for those have been by far my best performers and would have been even better if I had gotten into them sooner,&#8221; a commenter suggested.
Mentioning that he also owns MAIN and GAIN, this Redditor recommended the poster split the $250,000 between a low-cost S&amp;P index fund, growth assets, and dividend-focused stocks: &#8220;If I were you, I&#8217;d invest the $250,000 in a low-cost S&amp;P index fund and start putting some money every month into an [investment retirement account]. I do own MAIN and GAIN outside of my retirement account&#8230; But I would go growth with your investments and maybe start adding in some dividend payers in your taxable account to diversify your income.&#8221;
&#8220;80% [Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/schg#NYSE">SCHG</a>)], 20% SCHD,&#8221; another user suggested.
Read Next:
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<li>Have $200K saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/have-200k-saved-heres-how-to-turn-it-into-lasting-wealth"> Here's how to turn it into lasting wealth</a></li>
<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

Small Cap

AMLP

GAIN

MAIN

42-Year-Old With $250K And A 'Failed Marriage, 3 Kids' Faces A Full Life Restart – 'How Would You Divide It Up?' Reddit Explodes With Advice

Timing the market can be a terrible idea, and the only way to lose is if you don&#39;t invest, says financial influencer Gav Blaxberg.
Without realizing it, you&#39;re trying to time the market, and losing.
Afraid to invest because you think the markets are going down?
You&#39;re subconsciously trying to time the market.
Here&#39;s why that&#39;s a terrible idea (backed by evidence):
<img alt="" class="wp-image-9617" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/02160147/image.jpeg" style="height:465px; width:936px" />
This bar chart shows the results of investing $2,000/yr over the last 20 years.
As you&#39;d expect, investors with perfect timing each year had the greatest returns.
Whereas people holding cash had the lowest.
However, it&#39;s the middle section of the chart that I find interesting.
If you invest on the first of each year for 20 years, you&#39;d only perform marginally worse than the investor with perfect timing.
Specifically, you&#39;d only have $12,645 in fewer returns.
But let&#39;s say you got unlucky every single year when investing $2,000.
You&#39;d only be $32,264 behind the investor with perfect timing.
Which over the span of 20 years isn&#39;t bad.
Besides, you&#39;re almost certainly not going to buy the lowest point each year for 20 years.
So don&#39;t worry if the market is going to crash or not.
With the right time horizon, it&#39;s numerically insignificant.
Based on this chart, the only way to lose is if you don&#39;t invest whatsoever.
Cash in the bank is losing value each year.
So there&#39;s no reason to be scared.
Just invest and enjoy life.
**
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Why Timing The Market Is A Terrible Idea...

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="936" height="461" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31165543/image-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9349" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31165543/image-1.jpg 936w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31165543/image-1-300x148.jpg 300w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31165543/image-1-768x378.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 936px) 100vw, 936px" /></figure>
<a href="https://earningshub.com/earnings-calendar/this-week?utm_source=marketmadness-newsletter.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=the-argentina-american-similarity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This Week's Earnings Calendar</a>
In November 2023, Javier Milei was elected President of Argentina, running as a libertarian and securing a decisive victory. An economist by background, Milei campaigned on promises of aggressive economic reform, vowing to cut government spending and deregulate the economy.
His first year in office was marked by sweeping changes. He slashed government expenditures, eliminated entire departments, and famously declared "afuera, afuera, afuera" as he cut bureaucracy. Initially, these policies led to economic turmoil, but Argentina soon experienced what's known as a J-curve recovery—where short-term pain gives way to rapid economic gains. Inflation has stalled, and the Argentine stock market is up 98% over the past year.
This turnaround raises a fascinating question: Could the U.S. be on a similar path under D.O.G.E. and Trump? Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Bessent have described America's current state as a "detox," echoing the challenges Argentina faced early in Milei's presidency. Like Milei, D.O.G.E. has prioritized cutting government spending and has floated the idea of eliminating certain departments.
Of course, the U.S. economy is far larger and more complex than Argentina's, but the similarities are striking. Milei and Musk have developed a strong relationship, and Argentina's fiscal overhaul seems to have inspired elements of D.O.G.E.&#8217;s economic approach. If the U.S. is indeed following a J-curve trajectory, today's economic uncertainty may ultimately lead to a stronger, more resilient economy.
Change is never easy, and economic restructuring comes with resistance. But history suggests that in moments of disruption, those who stay patient often benefit the most.
My advice? Focus on the positive and keep an optimistic outlook.
&#x2A;&#x2A;
Welcome to the WOLF Financial Newsletter.
Join over 13,000 savvy investors building wealth and mastering advanced investing strategies live on Twitter Spaces. Subscribe below to be part of the action:
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Emerging Markets

Emerging Market ETFs

Is US Taking Cues From Argentina's Bold Reforms That Sparked A Market Rally?

Many investors start their journey toward financial security with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44486348/58-year-old-with-3m-portfolio-makes-bold-retirement-move-i-want-to-test-it-out-before-i-actually-retire-with-1m-in-dividend-stocks">stocks</a>, and a successful investing strategy involves considering the risks, adapting, and thinking about the long-term rewards.
For some, a well-balanced <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44519403/a-new-investor-shares-his-dividend-portfolio-that-earns-206-year-on-reddit-wondering-if-this-is-a-solid-set-up">portfolio</a> contains stocks, bonds, and small-cap investments, while for others, a mix of international stocks and ETFs is a favorite approach since it offers broader diversification. Either way, a combo of these assets ensures both growth and protection against a market downturn and is a great strategy for those unwilling to risk their money unnecessarily.
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A 30-year-old investor with a $65,000 portfolio has taken to Reddit to ask how to strike that balance in his portfolio. Primarily invested in Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), he also holds individual stocks like NVIDIA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>, GOOGL)), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), but plans to exit them soon.
&#8220;I am planning to change the composition moving forward and adding [Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vxus#NASDAQ">VXUS</a>)] (International exposure ETF), [iShares Core S&amp;P Small-Cap ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ijr#NYSE">IJR</a>)] (Small-cap stocks ETF), and [Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NASDAQ: BND] (Bonds exposure) along with my VOO and QQQ. I like it boring for my risk profile,&#8221; he said.
The poster&#8217;s main goal is long-term growth, but he&#8217;s open to feedback on improving diversification and managing risk. The r/Portfolios community has shared its thoughts in the comments, so let&#8217;s see those.
Trending: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How to Diversify a $65,000 Portfolio? Reddit Debates Possible Low-Risk Options</h2>
Overexposure to Large-Cap Growth Stocks Isn&#8217;t a Good Idea
Several Redditors pointed out that VOO and QQQ heavily overlap, meaning the investor&#8217;s portfolio is not as diversified as he thinks.
&#8220;You&#8217;re just long all the same s&#8211;t, large-cap equities. You want multiple return streams in case large-cap equities have a drawdown. If you work a job, own a house, and own equities, you are triple long on the same bet that would destroy you as all are affected by a recession,&#8221; a commenter says.
A Redditor pointed out that a mix of large-cap stocks isn&#8217;t a complete retirement portfolio, and suggested other assets to balance it.
&#8220;Large-cap U.S. stocks can be a great investment, but they&#8217;re not a complete retirement portfolio. Other assets should be included, such as smaller-cap U.S. stocks, international stocks, and bonds,&#8221; the Redditor wrote.
While not against big tech, this commenter recommended the poster add non-tech exposure in his portfolio.
&#8220;I don't see picking high-quality companies that are in the index as redundant, you're overweighting the highest quality companies in the index and which drive its returns. I would look for maybe one high-quality non-big tech name. I love the credit rating agencies (S&amp;P and [Moody's (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mco#NYSE">MCO</a>)]), but there are others, the three large credit card companies too,&#8221; he said.
See Also: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>
Stick to Index Funds
Many advised the investor to drop the individual stocks he holds since they're already covered in VOO and QQQ, creating unnecessary concentration.
&#8220;Remove all redundancies and focus on VOO (almost everything you own is in VOO),&#8221; a Reddit user suggested.
&#8220;Good that you&#8217;re making an effort to invest, but there&#8217;s a lot of redundancy here. The Mag 7 already makes up a huge portion of VOO, why do you feel that you need to be even more extended in those stocks? If you really want to stock-pick on the side, I&#8217;d recommend focusing on lesser-known stocks (not penny stocks) that aren&#8217;t heavily weighted in the S&amp;P 500 (preferably not in it at all),&#8221; a commenter advised.
Reinforcing the idea that stock-picking isn&#8217;t adding value if the stocks are already in the ETF he has, this Redditor suggested the poster go all in in VOO or diversify more.
&#8220;I&#8217;d diversify some. VOO's major holdings are already included in the individual stocks you're holding. Might as well go more into VOO (and keep [Amazon (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/amzn#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)] if you&#8217;re still really bullish on them),&#8221; he said.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>Have $200K saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/have-200k-saved-heres-how-to-turn-it-into-lasting-wealth"> Here's how to turn it into lasting wealth</a></li>
<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

AMZN

GOOG

NVDA

30-Year-Old With $65K In Stocks Sparks Debate – 'Focusing Mostly On ETFs' But Now Betting On Bonds, Small Caps, And International Plays

Roth IRAs allow you to save money on taxes while growing your portfolio, but what you put in your retirement account determines how much it will grow over time. You can get started with ETFs, and that's the direction a 47-year-old Redditor is heading.
A Redditor recently <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Bogleheads/comments/1jkg9wf/finally_opening_a_roth_voo_a_good_option/">posted in the Bogleheads subreddit</a> about opening a Roth IRA. The individual wants to go all-in on the Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) or the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTI#NYSE">VTI</a>). Commenters shared some valuable advice for the Redditor.
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</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Buy Multiple ETFs</h2>
Many of the commenters suggested allocating funds across <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-etfs">multiple ETFs</a> instead of going all-in on VOO or VTI. While putting all of your money into a single ETF is less risky than putting all of your funds into a single stock, it still has some risk.
For instance, some growth-oriented ETFs can deliver much higher returns than VOO during bullish markets. Having some money in VOO, VTI, and a few ETFs that can outperform them can lead to higher returns.&nbsp;
The great thing about these ETFs is that most of them have low expense ratios. Vanguard is known for having some of the lowest expense ratios in the industry. That allows you to keep a higher percentage of your total returns.
Trending: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Consider Your Risk Tolerance</h2>
One of the top comments came from a Redditor who asked the original poster to consider their risk tolerance before buying ETFs. The original poster is 47 years old, and that's important context.&nbsp;
If the Redditor is looking to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/42197331/suze-orman-says-to-have-at-least-3-to-5-years-of-cash-available-when-retired-heres-why">retire in five years</a>, they may not want to take as much risk. However, someone who is retiring in 20 years can still afford to take some extra risk. The commenter suggested some level of bond allocation but stated that only the original poster knows how much risk they can handle.&nbsp;
It's important for the Redditor to consider how they would react if their portfolio suddenly dropped by 10%-20%. Investors encounter many of these types of drops throughout their lifetimes.&nbsp;
Panic selling at the lows is often a bad strategy due to the stock market's long-term resilience. If the Redditor can set and forget their portfolio, it's easier to justify going deep into ETFs like VOO and VTI.
See Also: Have $200K saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/have-200k-saved-heres-how-to-turn-it-into-lasting-wealth"> Here's how to turn it into lasting wealth</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Diversify into Other Countries</h2>
One of the comments came from a Redditor who mentioned that only buying U.S. stocks is a single country risk. The commenter compares it to only buying stocks in a single sector instead of diversifying.
This commenter wasn't the only one who pointed to the importance of international stocks. One of the top comments suggested that the Redditor puts some of their money into the Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VXUS#NASDAQ">VXUS</a>).&nbsp;
VXUS gives investors more exposure to international markets. Less than 10% of its assets are allocated toward North American stocks. The fund has a 0.05% expense ratio and has delivered an annualized 12.2% return over the past five years.&nbsp;
Read Next:
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Investor Considers 100% VOO or VTI for Roth – Reddit Weighs In On Bold Choice

March saw gold post a historic outperformance over U.S. equities, with the bullion on track to beat the S&amp;P 500 by its biggest margin in 13 years. Mounting concerns about trade tariffs, economic growth, and geopolitical instability drove the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/gold">rotation into haven assets.</a>
Gold prices soared 9% in March, delivering their strongest monthly gain since July 2020, as the metal repeatedly notched fresh all-time highs throughout the month.
In contrast, the S&amp;P 500 tumbled 7.6%, creating a nearly 18-percentage-point performance gap—the widest monthly outperformance for gold over U.S. equities since August 2011. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chart: Gold Notches Strongest 1-Month Leap Against S&amp;P 500</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="529" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31095632/GLD_SPY_2025-03-31_14-56-17_eaf40-1024x529.png" alt="" class="wp-image-849317" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31095632/GLD_SPY_2025-03-31_14-56-17_eaf40-1024x529.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31095632/GLD_SPY_2025-03-31_14-56-17_eaf40-300x155.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31095632/GLD_SPY_2025-03-31_14-56-17_eaf40-768x396.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31095632/GLD_SPY_2025-03-31_14-56-17_eaf40-1536x793.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/31095632/GLD_SPY_2025-03-31_14-56-17_eaf40.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Investor appetite has mirrored the price action. The SPDR Gold Shares ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>) saw inflows of $2.8 billion in March, building on February's $4 billion intake. 
Meanwhile, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) witnessed a massive $18 billion in outflows—the heaviest drawdown since January 2024. However, while SPY bled capital, other S&amp;P 500 ETFs like the Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) and iShares Core S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVV#NYSE">IVV</a>) pulled in $6 billion and $21.6 billion, respectively.
"Investors have been adding gold to their portfolios to diversify, having shunned the precious metal in favor of tech stocks for many years," David Morrison, analyst at Trade Nation, said.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Is This The Start Of A Gold Supercycle?</h3>
While the rally may seem steep, some believe it's far from over. 
Veteran Wall Street investor Ed Yardeni, founder of Yardeni Research, has been bullish on gold since mid-2024 and sees the metal hitting $4,000 by the end of this year and $5,000 in 2026.
Goldman Sachs analyst Daan Struyven presented a scenario where gold could skyrocket even further.
In what the bank terms &#8220;tail-risk&#8221;—such as rising concerns about the Federal Reserve's political independence or questions around the U.S. dollar's reserve currency status—central banks could increase gold purchases to 110 tonnes per month. 
That type of demand pressure could drive up gold to $4,200 or even $4,500. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Q2 Outlook: What Seasonality, Technicals Tell Us</h3>
Looking ahead, the seasonality of gold provides a mixed picture. 
Paul Ciana, a technical strategist at Bank of America, said that since 1975, gold has tended to trend flat in the second quarter. But over the past 10 years, Q2 has typically delivered a 3% gain from late April to late May, with the strongest week being April 4–11, during which gold has risen 0.9% on average.
Interestingly, an up March has often preceded a down June, with this sequence occurring 71% of the time. 
On equities, seasonal trends offer some hope. The S&amp;P 500 Index tends to post gains in the second quarter, averaging 2% into mid-June and 1% by quarter-end. April is often weak, but May brings recovery. 
From a technical perspective, Morrison also observed that gold is not as overbought now as it was six weeks ago, helping to ease concerns about a correction. 
"So far, profit-taking has led to shallow dips which have been met with fresh buying," he said. "But this only increases the probability that there will be a bigger pullback at some stage."
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</ul>
 Image: Shutterstock

Commodities

Econ #s

Gold Beats S&P 500 By Widest Margin Since 2011 As Tariff Fears Trigger Rush To Havens

Knowing which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44376666/high-yield-dividend-investor-making-12900-per-year-names-10-favorite-stocks-took-me-almost-3-years-to-get-to-this-point">stocks</a> to hold for the long term and which to sell before they drag down your portfolio is a challenge every investor faces at least once in their journey.
Some swear by the &#8220;buy and hold&#8221; strategy, while others advocate for constant rebalancing of a portfolio to mitigate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44476778/author-says-dave-ramsey-is-completely-ignorant-of-sequence-of-returns-risk-questions-whether-1-million-is-really-enough-for-retirement">risk</a>. The issue becomes even more pronounced when a portfolio is heavily condensed in high-growth but volatile sectors like technology.
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One such investor recently took to Reddit to seek advice on his $14,228 portfolio, which includes tech giants like Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)​, Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>, GOOG)), and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), alongside ETFs like Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), and even some crypto-linked stocks like Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) and MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>).
The poster is considering adding Robinhood Markets (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>) to his portfolio but is unsure if now is the right time. He&#8217;s also wondering whether to keep high-risk stocks like TSLA, COIN, and MSTR or shift to more stable assets and how to diversify his portfolio further.
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The Reddit community has come forward with plenty of advice in the comments; let&#8217;s see what they say.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hold or Sell? Investor With $14,000 Tech-Heavy Portfolio Ponders Diversification–Reddit Advises Him</h2>
Diversify into Other Sectors or Broader ETFs
Many Redditors indicated that the investor&#8217;s portfolio is way too concentrated in tech, which increases risk. Instead, they suggested reducing individual stock holdings and adding ETFs to gain exposure to other sectors.
&#8220;I am sure you know this, but VOO/QQQ includes all of the individual companies that you have the majority of your portfolio invested in,&#8221; a comment says.
Advising the poster to diversify his portfolio, one Redditor suggested choosing either VOO or QQQ, but not both.
&#8220;You own good companies! Personally, I would choose one of the two VOO/QQQ not both, but that&#8217;s just me and is not really a big deal&#8230; Other than that, I like everything else; I think I own all of them, except COIN. Look into buying other sectors, you are too heavily concentrated on tech.&#8221;
A commenter advised the poster to add a broad-market ETF to reduce complexity and risk.
&#8220;Too complex for this volume, many duplicates and missing diversification. Just do VOO or an [MSCI (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/msci#NYSE">MSCI</a>)] world index and that's it,&#8221; he wrote.
&#8220;VOO and QQQ are redundant and lend even more weight to the Mag 7. COIN, MSTR, TSLA, and NVDA are no-go long-term, I think. Try to add something more stable like [Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/rtx#NYSE">RTX</a>)], [UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/unh#NYSE">UNH</a>)], or [The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ko#NYSE">KO</a>)],&#8221; a user suggested.
A Redditor recommended the investor add a mix of ETFs and stable dividend-paying stocks to improve the portfolio&#8217;s resilience.
&#8220;Continue with VOO, [Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/qqqm#NASDAQ">QQQM</a>)] only, and get some solid plays added from now on, diversify a bit. Can stick with ETFs or index, defense, utilities, energy, health care, precious metals, [Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B)], with the trade war, you need stuff that can survive. Look for some balance now with solid legacy names with dividends,&#8221; he wrote.
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Sell TSLA, COIN, and MSTR
The poster&#8217;s most controversial holdings were TSLA, COIN, and MSTR, and some commenters argued that he should get rid of them since they&#8217;re too risky for a 10-year hold.
&#8220;Sell the TSLA and take the win; it's overvalued dramatically,&#8221; a comment reads.
&#8220;I'd scrub TSLA and MSTR and put it in VOO or QQQ. Tesla's valuation is and has been insane forever, even after the sell-off. The fundamentals are just awful for its valuation. And that's not even dipping into political stuff. Plus, it's already a decent weight in VOO anyway. And MSTR is straight-up junk,&#8221; a Redditor said.
This user also suggested selling the three stocks, saying, &#8220;I would personally remove MSTR, COIN, and TSLA and buy more of QQQ/VOO.&#8221;
&#8220;Get rid of TSLA before it wrecks your portfolio!&#8221; another comment reads.
One Redditor shared he would never hold MSTR for the long term, and suggested HOOD instead of COIN.
&#8220;No way I would hold MSTR for 10 years. You are playing crypto with COIN; in my opinion, HOOD is the better bet now that they are getting into the higher-margin gambling business. If you want Bitcoin exposure, buy [iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ibit#NASDAQ">IBIT</a>)].
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COIN

GOOGL

HOOD

IBIT

MSCI

MSTR

$14K Investor In TSLA, NVDA, And QQQ Faces Dilemma – 'Looking To Hold For At Least 10 Years' But Is That A Recipe For Disaster? Reddit Debates

Investing can feel like walking a tightrope for some, especially if they are not enjoying <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44402198/aggressive-trader-with-nearly-1m-in-play-bets-big-on-market-drop-what-if-we-dont-get-there-reddit-debates-his-high-risk-strategy">high-risk</a> bets. For many investors, the dream is to grow their money steadily and reliably so they won&#8217;t be kept at night worrying about market crashes.
That&#8217;s why so many risk-averse investors turn to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43897884/dividend-investor-making-5-000-per-month-with-632-000-reveals-portfolio-it-takes-time-but-its-doable">dividend</a> assets, be it stocks or ETFs. Dividend-focused holdings offer a tangible return while still providing possible growth in the long run. Still, even within this safer zone of investing, choices can be daunting.
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That is exactly what a Reddit user is faced with. The investor has done his homework, comparing two popular ETFs, Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHD#NYSE">SCHD</a>), and found that their performance is 97% correlated.
&#8220;After carefully doing a correlation function against SCHD, the results were 97% correlation (same market directions) for the last 5 years. Buying SCHD will double my quarterly income by almost 2x more than VOO. But then again, 3+ years has a higher percentage gain for VOO over SCHD. I know the underlying assets are different between these ETFs and the fee is lower in favor of VOO. What would you do?&#8221; he wrote.
He aims to generate $1,000 per month in dividend income and he's also cautious about locking the funds away in tax-deferred accounts, preferring to have control over his investments. The investor is also holding Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QYLD#NASDAQ">QYLD</a>)​ but says it doesn&#8217;t have great growth, so he&#8217;s wondering which of the two ETFs he should go with.
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The Reddit community has shared insights and advice in the comments, so let&#8217;s analyze them.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">VOO Vs. SCHD: Where to Invest $50,000?</h2>
Why Not Both?
Many Redditors argued that since both ETFs are highly correlated but serve slightly different purposes, splitting the investment between the two makes sense.
&#8220;Split the total investment between both and just enjoy the gains and that you aren&#8217;t putting everything into just one ETF,&#8221; a Reddit user suggested.
A commenter pointed out that investing in both ETFs will secure the poster&#8217;s portfolio because, if one ETF goes down, he has the other as backup.
&#8220;If one sector of the market does poorly, you can rely on the other for growth. If done right, both would still pay in dividends, you&#8217;ll just have good growth overall. Plus, if for whatever reason you need to liquidate the asset in the poor-performing market sector, you&#8217;ll have the backup,&#8221; he said.
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SCHD All The Way
Most commenters in the thread pushed for SCHD as the better choice, especially since the investor mentioned he's focused on generating dividend income.
&#8220;Just go with SCHD. There are YouTube videos out there that cover the long-term results of all these different funds and even compare them. SCHD blows the others away,&#8221; a user wrote.
&#8220;SCHD over VOO any day,&#8221; another suggestion reads.
A Redditor recommended the poster go with VOO if he&#8217;s looking at the total returns, but if he&#8217;s focused on dividends, he should choose SCHD.
&#8220;If the goal is total return, I&#8217;d go with VOO; if the goal is dividend income, I&#8217;d go with SCHD,&#8221; he said.
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Consider Alternative Holdings
While most comments revolved around SCHD and VOO, several Redditors mentioned alternative assets, both high-yield plays and growth-oriented holdings.
&#8220;Have you considered [AG Mortgage Investment Trust (NYSE: MITT] or QYLD? Both these stocks have double-digit dividends,&#8221; a commenter asked.
&#8220;I'd do like 30/40 in VOO or SCHD and the rest in [Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vgt#NYSE">VGT</a>)] or [Vanguard Growth ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vug#NYSE">VUG</a>)],&#8221; a piece of advice reads.
A Redditor suggested selling covered calls rather than investing in VOO and SCHD.
&#8220;I am all in [Microsoft (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/msft#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)] and I have no problems with it. I sell MSFT calls monthly. You&#8217;d probably get better yield going all in on [SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/spy#NYSE">SPY</a>)] and writing calls there rather than splitting between VOO and SCHD,&#8221; he said.
Sharing his favorite assets to buy, this commenter highlighted the dividend income he receives from his holdings.
&#8220;I have $50,000 in QYLD. The monthly dividend is over $500 every single month. The bulk and rest of my s&#8211;t is in [​Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vti#NYSE">VTI</a>)]. Then, I'm buying [Realty Income Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/o#NYSE">O</a>)], [Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/qqq#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)], VUG, [JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jepi#NYSE">JEPI</a>)], [iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mtum#NYSE">MTUM</a>)], [Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/xlf#NYSE">XLF</a>)], [Kinder Morgan (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/kmi#NYSE">KMI</a>)] (since it dropped so much, how could I not?), [Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/amd#NASDAQ">AMD</a>)], and [Apple (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aapl#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>)],&#8221; he wrote.
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MTUM

QYLD

Reddit In Chaos As Investor With $50K Faces Huge ETF Dilemma – 'I Prefer A Nice Dividend With Overall Steady Growth,' But Is VOO The Answer?

Getting started with investing can feel exciting, but it's also normal to have a lot of questions. A 20-year-old university student recently <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/dividends/comments/1jj3t5r/completely_new_to_this_sub_20_year_old_in_uni_how/">posted in the Dividends subreddit</a>, asking for some advice on how to get started.&nbsp;
The Redditor has saved a decent amount of money and is ready to commit to dividend investing. The original poster has been monitoring current trends and has some market knowledge. Some people left their comments on the best way to start investing.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Start with Growth ETFs</h2>
One commenter suggested that the 20-year-old start with a growth position like the Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) instead of committing to dividend stocks. While dividend stocks are valuable for many portfolios, most dividend-paying companies are mature firms that lag the stock market. It's more common for investors who are approaching retirement to buy blue-chip dividend stocks that offer lower volatility and higher cash flow.
Meanwhile, young investors usually gravitate toward growth stocks and ETFs. Younger investors can take more risks, but you still have to assess your financial situation and risk tolerance before constructing a portfolio.
Granted, the Redditor can still have a mix of growth ETFs and dividend ETFs. However, the growth ETF is likely to outperform. Furthermore, the Redditor has a lot of time to ride market uncertainties and see the returns compound.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Set It and Forget It</h2>
Another commenter encouraged the 20-year-old student to buy stocks and forget about them. Dividend investing requires a long-term focus, and cash flow goes up with each reinvestment and contribution.&nbsp;
Some investors panic during market corrections and sell their shares, hoping to limit the damage. However, it's important to keep a long-term perspective and assess companies by their intrinsic value instead of their market prices.&nbsp;
Dividend investors can retire on their cash flow if they stick with it for decades. Annual contributions, dividend reinvestments, and dividend hikes all lead to higher cash flow. Just as a snowball builds momentum as it rolls down a hill, your dividend portfolio can build momentum each year if you set it and forget it.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Look at Dividend Aristocrats and the Dogs of the Dow</h2>
The same commenter who recommended that the Redditor "set it and forget it" also recommended dividend aristocrats and dogs of the Dow. Dividend aristocrats are publicly traded corporations that have hiked their dividends for at least 25 consecutive years. These companies tend to give out reliable dividend payouts and continue to raise them each year.
The Dogs of the Dow refers to the 10 Dow Jones stocks with the highest yields. This investment strategy involves equally distributing your cash across each of these 10 stocks. The Dogs of the Dow are currently out of favor among investors, but advocates of this strategy will argue that they are undervalued.&nbsp;
However, you still have to do your research to verify if you believe these stocks present a good buying opportunity. A high yield does not always mean that a dividend stock presents a good buying opportunity.
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20-Year-Old University Student Wants Help with Buying Dividend Stocks: "What's the best way to start?" Reddit Weights In.

<ul>
<li>TSLA</li>
<li>NVDA</li>
<li>GLD</li>
<li>WAR</li>
<li>MSTR</li>
<li>VOO</li>
<li>OKLO</li>
<li>CORN</li>
<li>LUNR</li>
<li>QQQ</li>
</ul>
Data from <a href="https://swaggystocks.com/dashboard/wallstreetbets/ticker-sentiment">https://swaggystocks.com/dashboard/wallstreetbets/ticker-sentiment</a>
&nbsp;

CORN

LUNR

OKLO

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="608" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/24190857/image-3-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8732" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/24190857/image-3-3.png 1024w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/24190857/image-3-3-300x178.png 300w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/24190857/image-3-3-768x456.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Like most people who invest in the stock market,&nbsp;<a href="https://substack.com/redirect/e6387aa2-82ff-4dd2-9814-86e06133b793?j=eyJ1IjoiNThoaTNqIn0.oQOskqZ_hj7KyeETRBdER4rAvQcgl0VTn-sq5tqKUD0" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">I too get nervous</a>&nbsp;when prices are going down. When the selling gets protracted, muscle knots sometimes form in my neck and upper back.
To cope, I do my best to remember that history teaches us&nbsp;<a href="https://substack.com/redirect/1aa68593-46f6-4a1a-9c76-41d16ac5f68f?j=eyJ1IjoiNThoaTNqIn0.oQOskqZ_hj7KyeETRBdER4rAvQcgl0VTn-sq5tqKUD0" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">big sell-offs are what stock market investing is all about</a>, and that the path to long-term riches in the stock market is riddled with&nbsp;<a href="https://substack.com/redirect/5cd2abf2-fdff-4bd6-b8be-3c59648ce345?j=eyJ1IjoiNThoaTNqIn0.oQOskqZ_hj7KyeETRBdER4rAvQcgl0VTn-sq5tqKUD0" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">stomach-churning volatility</a>. And importantly, "<a href="https://substack.com/redirect/1cf7e134-353d-4615-ac72-6b89781bc676?j=eyJ1IjoiNThoaTNqIn0.oQOskqZ_hj7KyeETRBdER4rAvQcgl0VTn-sq5tqKUD0" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">time in the market beats timing the market</a>."
With that said, let me tell you about a recent personal experience that confirmed to me that I'm the unluckiest market timer I know.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">I bought the top, again&nbsp;<img decoding="async" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/16.0/1f926_1f3fb_200d_2642_fe0f/72.png" alt="&#x1f926;&#x1f3fb;&#x200d;&#x2642;&#xfe0f;" /></h2>
I consider myself&nbsp;<a href="https://substack.com/redirect/c2cb664a-bcf0-4410-9659-c494ebcbc572?j=eyJ1IjoiNThoaTNqIn0.oQOskqZ_hj7KyeETRBdER4rAvQcgl0VTn-sq5tqKUD0" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">lucky in many ways</a>&nbsp;— except when it comes to&nbsp;<a href="https://substack.com/redirect/12744d3f-3d5d-478a-a134-9d8785675148?j=eyJ1IjoiNThoaTNqIn0.oQOskqZ_hj7KyeETRBdER4rAvQcgl0VTn-sq5tqKUD0" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">timing the stock market</a>.
To be clear,&nbsp;<a href="https://substack.com/redirect/12744d3f-3d5d-478a-a134-9d8785675148?j=eyJ1IjoiNThoaTNqIn0.oQOskqZ_hj7KyeETRBdER4rAvQcgl0VTn-sq5tqKUD0" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">I do not trade actively much at all</a>. But on rare occasions outside of regular periodic contributions to my retirement accounts, I've had the good fortune of having some extra cash to put to work.
I recently had one of those occasions.
<a href="https://substack.com/redirect/8a1e13d7-35a9-491c-a967-2b61d3d5e7ae?j=eyJ1IjoiNThoaTNqIn0.oQOskqZ_hj7KyeETRBdER4rAvQcgl0VTn-sq5tqKUD0" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">On Feb. 13,</a>&nbsp;I met with my accountant to do my 2024 tax returns. I learned I&nbsp;<a href="https://substack.com/redirect/505d844c-d9ea-42ad-bf7a-9384f1320dda?j=eyJ1IjoiNThoaTNqIn0.oQOskqZ_hj7KyeETRBdER4rAvQcgl0VTn-sq5tqKUD0" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">had some room</a>&nbsp;to lower my taxable income. And one of the actions I took was contributing more to my&nbsp;<a href="https://substack.com/redirect/ac005e49-5ff5-4ece-8231-185fc096dd11?j=eyJ1IjoiNThoaTNqIn0.oQOskqZ_hj7KyeETRBdER4rAvQcgl0VTn-sq5tqKUD0" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">self-employed 401(k) plan</a>.
Wasting no time, I transferred cash to that account. And on Feb. 18, I added to my S&amp;P 500 index fund position. The trade confirmation came in on Feb. 19.
<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5dfa464e-b67f-4158-b549-c026c57652b5_2060x868.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5dfa464e-b67f-4158-b549-c026c57652b5_2060x868.png" alt="" /></a></figure>
Coincidentally, Feb. 19 was when the S&amp;P 500 last touched a record high before rapidly tumbling into the correction we are living today.
<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faf6e634b-fe7e-4aae-8a36-582352c8c633_1416x832.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faf6e634b-fe7e-4aae-8a36-582352c8c633_1416x832.png" alt="" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Source: Yahoo Finance)</figcaption></figure>
This was not a small amount of money I put to work.
Was it poorly timed? Yes.
Was it a mistake? No.
You're probably thinking that I should've&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/dollar-cost-average-stock-market-crash">dollar-cost-averaged</a>&nbsp;into the market.
I actually already engage in dollar-cost averaging because of the way my income comes in. But on these unusual occasions, I prefer to make lump sum purchases. I still have 20-30 years until retirement, so I'm not much of a "<a href="https://www.tker.co/i/149918212/the-myth-of-cash-on-the-sidelines">cash on the sidelines</a>" kind of guy. Also, I've read Nick Maggiulli's piece "<a href="https://ofdollarsanddata.com/dollar-cost-averaging-vs-lump-sum/">Dollar Cost Averaging vs Lump Sum</a>," so I understand the kind of risk I'm taking.
I signed up for this.
And now I'm living&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/i/42137695/you-can-get-smoked-in-the-short-term">TKer Stock Market Truth No. 2</a>: You can get smoked in the short-term.Subscribe
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Time is the unlucky market timer's best friend &#x23f1;&#xFE0F;</h2>
This is not the first time I found myself with some cash to put to work.
As I wrote in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/weekly-trades-market-timing">March 6, 2022 TKer</a>, I faced similar situations in late 2015 and late 2021. Both times, I made lump sum purchases into S&amp;P 500 index funds.
And both times, those purchases were almost immediately followed by steep sell-offs.
The 2015 purchase happened while the S&amp;P was on the precipice of a 14% correction. The 2021 purchases happened right as the market was entering a bear market, which saw the S&amp;P fall 25% before&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/bull-market-june-2023">bottoming in October 2022</a>.
I am literally the unluckiest market timer I know.
<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F786e7761-e38f-4cf6-b25b-e02a28955bd4_3196x2054.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F786e7761-e38f-4cf6-b25b-e02a28955bd4_3196x2054.png" alt="" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">That's a younger me.</figcaption></figure>
Fortunately, my full-time job is researching the data and writing about having exposure to stocks during the market's ups and downs. It's helped me keep my investment decisions very informed.
I also have a carefully thought-out personalized financial strategy that takes into account the risk of big drawdowns. Importantly, I have a time horizon that allows me to ride out the downturns as I build wealth for the long run.
Thanks to having good financial information and a good financial plan, I held on.
And today, those older very&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/weekly-trades-market-timing">poorly timed trades</a>&nbsp;are in the black, and they're helping me get closer to achieving my long-term financial goals.
The S&amp;P 500 is up about 170% since my late 2015 purchase.
<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F44483798-269d-456e-9bea-2354f58ea50d_1416x830.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F44483798-269d-456e-9bea-2354f58ea50d_1416x830.png" alt="" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Source: Yahoo Finance)</figcaption></figure>
And it's up about 20% since my late 2021 and early 2022 purchases.
<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F337aa45e-51ad-4de0-9079-1c51738eb6d0_1406x882.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F337aa45e-51ad-4de0-9079-1c51738eb6d0_1406x882.png" alt="" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Source: Yahoo Finance)</figcaption></figure>
As Bespoke's Paul Hickey&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/best-investment-advice-time">says</a>: "Time heals in the markets."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Timing the market like Warren Buffett &#x1f46f;&#x200d;&#x2640;&#xfe0f;</h2>
<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/warren-buffett-berkshire-meeting-market-timing">Like billionaire investor Warren Buffett</a>, I don't claim to be good at timing the stock market. (Buffett receives praise for writing a widely circulated op-ed titled "Buy American" during the global financial crisis. Though, he published it in Oct. 2008 before the S&amp;P fell another 26%.)
Fortunately, you don't have to be a good market timer to be a successful investor. You just have to be able to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/best-investment-advice-time">put in the time</a>.
Investing in the stock market will&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/stock-market-down-days-drawdowns-down-years-normal">continue to be an unpleasant process</a>&nbsp;as we cope with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/weekly-short-term-cautious-long-term-optimist">two conflicting realities</a>: In the long-run, the stock market usually goes up; but in the short-run, anything and everything can go very badly.
As you do your best to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/stock-market-performance-after-down-days">keep your emotions in check</a>, I suggest you remember the lessons from history. You can read all about them in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/t/stock-market">TKer's archives</a>.

The Unluckiest Market Timer I Know Made Another Poorly Timed Trade

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