Group 1 - The core focus of Wilson Research is to provide insights on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that balance growth potential and dividend yield [1] - The analysis incorporates fundamental analysis along with macro-level factors such as industry trends, economics, and geopolitics [1] - Wilson Research aims to offer actionable information for long-term investors who prioritize diversification and low fees [1] Group 2 - The team at Wilson Research includes an MBA graduate and an independent financial coach [1] - The investment philosophies of Warren Buffett and Robert Kiyosaki serve as inspiration for Wilson Research [1]

Core Insights - U.S. Treasuries face potential losses as Chinese regulators advise financial institutions to limit U.S. government bond holdings due to market volatility concerns [1] - The guidance targets banks with significant U.S. debt exposure, encouraging them to reduce positions without specific targets or timelines [2] - China-based investors' Treasury holdings have decreased to $682.6 billion, the lowest since 2008, down from a peak of $1.32 trillion in 2013 [3] U.S. Debt Rating and Fiscal Concerns - Moody's downgraded the U.S. sovereign credit rating in May 2025, citing concerns over the $38.6 trillion debt burden, following similar actions by Fitch and S&P [4] - Rising 10-year Treasury term premiums indicate that markets are pricing in greater long-term fiscal risk, with the Term Premium rising from negative 0.4090 in February 2021 to 0.6148 in January 2026 [5] Suggested ETF Investment Strategies - Defensive Fixed Income Exposure: Short-Term Treasuries like Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) yield 3.96% annually [6] - Diversification with Investment-Grade Corporate Bonds: iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) yields 4.48% annually [7] - International and Global Diversification: Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) yields 4.39% annually, while iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB) yields 4.93% annually [8] Tactical Plays on Rising Yields - China’s potential reduction in Treasury exposure may lead to higher yields and increased fiscal risk [8] - Inverse Bond ETFs like ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury (TBT) can profit from rising long-term yields [9] - Floating Rate Bond ETFs such as iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (FLOT) yield 4.78% annually, adjusting coupon payments with interest rates [9] Equity Market Protection - Dividend-Paying Equity ETFs like VYM and SCHD provide stability and income during bond market volatility [10] - Low Volatility Equity ETFs such as SPLV and USMV can cushion against equity market swings linked to fiscal instability [10]

Core Viewpoint - Funds of funds (FoFs) offer broader diversification compared to single mutual funds or ETFs but come with higher fees and potential risks [2][4]. Potential Benefits of Funds of Funds - Greater diversification than investing in a single mutual fund or ETF, as FoFs typically invest across various asset types, strategies, and regions, potentially lowering portfolio volatility [4]. - Can be geared toward specific goals, such as retirement or education savings, with automatic rebalancing to reduce risk as the target date approaches [4]. - Access to specialized investment opportunities, including professional management and exposure to private funds that may not be available to retail investors [4]. Risks of Funds of Funds - Higher expenses due to multiple layers of fees from both the FoF and underlying funds, which can impact overall returns [4]. - Less transparency regarding portfolio composition and underlying risks, potentially leading to concentration or over-diversification risks [4]. - Limited direct control over investments, as investors cannot choose specific securities and must rely on the decisions made by FoF managers and underlying fund managers [4].

Alternative investments such as private equity and private credit were once typically only available to institutional investors and high net worth individuals via private funds with high investment thresholds. However, these assets are becoming more widely available, partly due to the accessibility of online investment platforms that offer products with exposure to alternative assets. Feeder funds are one avenue through which retail investors can gain exposure to alternative investment strategies. What A ...

Core Viewpoint - The current market dynamics show a disconnect between stock performance and bond yields, with stocks trading positively while bonds remain resilient despite expectations for higher yields [1][3][6]. Group 1: Market Sentiment - Stocks are trading with enthusiasm, reflecting a growth narrative, while President Trump has mentioned a potential growth rate of 15% [1][2]. - Despite expectations for higher yields due to corporate debt accumulation, bonds are performing well globally, indicating a possible negative growth outlook [2][3]. Group 2: Price Action Analysis - The current price action in bonds is seen as unusual, as it suggests a preference for locking in low yields, which contradicts the positive sentiment in stocks [3][4]. - There is a concern that the current market rally in stocks may not be sustainable, with potential for a broader market washout if yields rise as expected [4][6]. Group 3: Sector Rotation and Diversification - The rotation trade away from US tech stocks towards cheaper global equities is viewed as a fundamental strategy, although it may have gone too far [9][11]. - Small-cap stocks in the US are under scrutiny, with concerns that some software companies may face challenges due to indiscriminate targeting [10][11].

Portfolio Strategy Research 6 February 2026 | 5:01AM GMT Strategy Espresso: Tech wreck: Sharp rotations and what is now priced Sharon Bell +44(20)7552-1341 | sharon.bell@gs.com Goldman Sachs International Guillaume Jaisson +44(20)7552-3000 | guillaume.jaisson@gs.com Goldman Sachs International Peter Oppenheimer +44(20)7552-5782 | peter.oppenheimer@gs.com Goldman Sachs International Giovanni Ferrannini +44(20)7051-2589 | giovanni.ferrannini@gs.com Goldman Sachs International Investors should consider this re ...

(Bloomberg) — Gold (GC=F) climbed above $5,000 an ounce, as dip-buyers returned to the market after an exceptionally volatile week for precious metals. Bullion rose as much as 1.7% in Asian trading on Monday, recovering some more ground after a historic rout at the end of last month. The metal has recovered around half of the losses sustained since it plunged from an all-time high hit on Jan. 29. Silver also advanced. Most Read from Bloomberg Gold’s ability to stabilize above the $5,000 threshold “will ...

Core Viewpoint - The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF is highlighted as an ideal long-term investment option due to its broad market coverage and ultra-low expense ratio, making it suitable for various investment goals [1][10]. Group 1: ETF Characteristics - The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index, encompassing approximately 3,500 individual stocks across large, mid, small, and micro-cap categories, providing comprehensive market exposure [4]. - The ETF charges an expense ratio of just 0.03%, positioning it as one of the most cost-effective investment options available [10]. Group 2: Market Performance and Trends - In 2026, the Russell 2000 index, representing small-cap stocks, outperformed the S&P 500 for 14 consecutive trading days, a phenomenon not seen in 30 years, indicating a shift in market dynamics favoring diversification [7]. - The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF is currently outperforming due to its diverse sector allocation, contrasting with the large-cap universe heavily weighted towards technology stocks [8]. Group 3: Investment Strategy - A more comprehensive portfolio, such as that offered by the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF, includes around 25% of stocks that are not large caps, allowing for diversification and potential resilience against market fluctuations [6]. - The ETF is recommended as a "set it and forget it" fund, suggesting that long-term investment could yield significant returns with minimal effort [10].

Core Insights - The Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK) and the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) are designed to track large-cap U.S. stock performance, with MGK focusing on the largest growth companies and VOO tracking the full S&P 500 [1] Cost & Size Comparison - VOO has a lower expense ratio of 0.03% compared to MGK's 0.05% - VOO offers a higher dividend yield of 1.11% versus MGK's 0.36% - VOO has a significantly larger asset under management (AUM) of $839 billion compared to MGK's $32 billion [2] Performance & Risk Analysis - Over the past five years, MGK has provided a higher total return, growing $1,000 to $1,846, while VOO grew to $1,782 - MGK has a maximum drawdown of -36.02%, which is deeper than VOO's -24.53% - MGK's beta of 1.17 indicates greater price volatility compared to VOO's beta of 1.00 [3] Portfolio Composition - MGK consists of 60 stocks, with a heavy allocation of 55% in technology and 17% in communication services, with top holdings in Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft - VOO holds 504 stocks, reflecting the sector weights of the S&P 500, with a more diversified portfolio including significant exposure to financial services and consumer cyclical sectors [4][5] Investment Implications - MGK targets mega-cap stocks, defined as those with a market cap of at least $200 billion, while VOO offers broader diversification that may mitigate volatility [6] - VOO's lower tech allocation (around 35%) compared to MGK's (55%) may result in less severe drawdowns during tech downturns [7] - A more concentrated portfolio like MGK's can lead to higher long-term earnings potential, but it also carries the risk of underperformance from individual stocks [8] - Investors willing to accept higher risk for potential higher returns may find MGK appealing, while those seeking stability may prefer VOO [9]

Core Insights - The article discusses the dilemma faced by a homeowner regarding selling their property due to a problematic neighbor, JJ, who has a history of mental health issues and has caused disturbances in the neighborhood [4][5][3] - The homeowner is considering selling their home now, as JJ is currently in prison, which may provide a temporary sense of peace for potential buyers [4][7] - There are ethical concerns regarding whether the homeowner should disclose JJ's presence and history to potential buyers, as laws vary by state [5][7] Group 1: Neighbor's Impact - JJ has allegedly set multiple fires and has a long history of unpredictable behavior, which has created a tense environment for the homeowners [2][3] - The presence of JJ has led to fears that potential buyers might be deterred from viewing the property, impacting the sale [2][4] - The homeowner's family has experienced ongoing unease due to JJ's behavior, prompting them to consider selling sooner than planned [2][4] Group 2: Financial Considerations - Selling now would mean accepting a smaller down payment and losing a favorable mortgage rate of 2.99% for a higher rate above 6% [2] - The family is also dealing with existing debts, complicating their decision to sell [2] - Some commenters advised the family to wait until their debts are cleared before making a move, emphasizing the financial implications of selling prematurely [2][7] Group 3: Community Reactions - Responses from the community are divided, with some urging the family to prioritize safety and mental health over financial considerations [7][8] - Others suggest that the family should stick to their original timeline for selling, as JJ may still pose a risk even after his release [7][8] - The discussion highlights the emotional toll of living near a problematic neighbor and the value of peace of mind [4][8]