I recently asked ChatGPT the following. "Create a five ETF portfolio designed to withstand a major stock market correction and or Financial Repression." Here is the response from ChatGPT. For a five-ETF defensive portfolio, I would emphasize short-duration Treasuries, inflation protection, gold, and a smaller allocation to high-quality equities. The goal is not to eliminate losses—which … [Read More...]
Great Operatic Choruses
If you enjoy majestic choral work conducted by Robert Shaw, this CD is for you. Grand and Glorious: Great Operatic Choruses is one fine collection. I am partial to the Pilgrim's Chorus, Chorus of Hebrew Slaves, Prisoner's Chorus, and the selection … [Read more]
Top Twenty-Five Classical Composers
Top Classical Music Composers When I first started to make a list of of my favorite classical composers, the idea was to limit it to the Top Ten. I found that to be impossible so I expanded it to 25. Even then, several of my favorites did not make … [Read more]
Correlation Matrix of Critical ETFs
As requested in a comment, here is the correlation matrix of critical ETFs used in nearly all the ITA portfolios. I cut the time frame to 23 months of data so VSS and VNQI did not show up with "short-term" data errors. Identical percentages were … [Read more]
Keep It Simple
Don't be surprised if you don't know the difference between a benchmark ETF and a strategic ETF. Strategic is sometimes called "Fundamental" or "Active" and they differ from the ETFs we recommend for our ITA portfolios. To read more about the … [Read more]
Buffett vs. Steadman
For every Warren Buffet there are a hundred Charlie Steadman's in the investing world. While nearly every investor has heard of Buffett, few remember Charlie Steadman. Is there a reason for this short memory? “Until he died at age 83 in 1997, … [Read more]
Serious Investors Benchmark Their Portfolio
Establishing an appropriate benchmark for a portfolio is essential if one is serious about investing. Avoiding portfolio bench-marking is an act of self-deception. Exactly what is the purpose of a benchmark and what are the requirements for a fair … [Read more]
Reviewing The Fundamentals of Investing
Search this blog site for “The Golden Rule of Investing” and you will pick up the basic ideas of Rule #1 of Investing. The Golden Rule of Investing is – “Save as much as you can as early as you can.” Burton Malkiel puts it this way. “The … [Read more]
Nine Critical Investment Decisions
Nine Critical Investment Decisions 1. The Decision to Save or Not to Save 2. The Go-It-Alone or Professional Manager Decision 3. The Decision to be a Passive, Active or Mosaic Investor 4. The Decision to Use Index Funds or Stocks to … [Read more]