Executive Summary - Global equity markets began 2026 positively despite geopolitical concerns, with emerging markets leading returns at 8.85% in U.S. dollar terms, while U.S. growth stocks fell by 1.51% [1] - Bond markets had a marginal return of 0.11%, influenced by strong U.S. economic data and rising Japanese bond yields [1] - Commodities performed exceptionally well, advancing over 10%, with precious metals experiencing significant price fluctuations [1] Equity - U.S. equity markets saw small caps (+5.35%) and value stocks (+4.56%) outperforming growth stocks (-1.51%), primarily due to Microsoft’s 11% decline impacting the Russell 1000 Growth index [1] - Emerging markets were the standout performers, gaining 8.85%, driven by Brazilian equities benefiting from natural resources and Asian technology shares boosted by AI demand for memory chips [1] Fixed Income - U.S. investment grade bonds recorded slight gains of 0.11%, with rising rates across the yield curve due to increased U.S. economic growth estimates and persistent inflation [1] - Emerging markets local bonds performed well, gaining over 2% in January, supported by declining rates and a weaker U.S. dollar [1] Real Assets - Broad-basket commodities returned over 10%, with precious metals initially rising before a significant drop on January 30th, yet still ending the month with near double-digit gains [1] - Energy prices saw strong performance, with crude oil rising 14% and natural gas prices soaring nearly 40% due to geopolitical tensions and colder weather [1] Closed End Funds - Closed end funds experienced strong returns, with the S-Network Composite index gaining 3.64%, supported by positive NAV results and narrowing discounts in the municipal bond sector [1] iCM Tactical Strategies - iCM's tactical strategies performed well, benefiting from an out-of-benchmark position in emerging markets bonds and an overweight allocation to non-U.S. developed and emerging markets stocks, along with broad-basket commodities [1]

Core Insights - The banking sector is facing ongoing structural issues, particularly related to interest rate risk and asset-liability mismatches, which have persisted since the era of low interest rates [1] - The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) serves as a critical reminder of the vulnerabilities within the banking system, highlighting the need for improved risk management practices [2][5] - There is a significant divergence in risk management capabilities between large Globally Systemically Important Banks (G-SIBs) and smaller regional banks, with the latter struggling to keep up due to regulatory burdens [11][12] Group 1: Structural Issues and Risks - Many banks are still grappling with unrealized losses on their balance sheets due to high interest rates and a mismatch in asset-liability management [1] - The retail deposit concentration remains unchanged, posing a risk to banks that have not improved their systems and processes [6] - The interconnected nature of financial risks, such as interest rate, credit, and liquidity risks, necessitates an integrated approach to balance sheet management [7] Group 2: Regulatory and Technological Challenges - The regulatory environment is particularly burdensome for smaller banks, limiting their ability to invest in advanced risk management technologies [11] - Larger banks are increasingly adopting technology and automation to enhance their risk management processes, which is paying off in terms of performance [10] - SAS offers advanced analytics solutions that can democratize access to sophisticated risk management tools for smaller institutions, leveling the playing field [15] Group 3: Lessons from SVB and Future Considerations - The SVB collapse highlighted the importance of trust in the banking system; once trust is broken, it can lead to a bank run [8] - There is a need for banks to invest in technology and allocate sufficient budgets for optimizing risk and data analytics strategies [9] - The ongoing challenges in the banking sector warrant more attention to ensure that all institutions, not just the largest ones, can thrive [12]

Group 1 - Oxbow Advisors reduced its position in Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) by 342,176 shares, valued at approximately $25.83 million, indicating a portfolio rebalancing rather than a loss of confidence in the investment [1][5][11] - VBIL represents 11.53% of Oxbow's total assets under management after the sale, highlighting its significance in the portfolio [1][4] - The Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF offers a low-cost option for investors seeking exposure to short-term U.S. Treasury bills, focusing on securities with maturities of three months or less [2][3] Group 2 - The ETF employs a disciplined sampling strategy to closely track its benchmark while ensuring high liquidity and minimal interest rate risk, appealing to risk-averse investors [2][3] - Treasuries, including short-duration T-bills, are considered low-risk investments backed by the U.S. government, providing liquidity but typically lower income generation compared to long-term securities [6] - The current market environment for Treasuries is influenced by Federal Reserve actions and a steepening Treasury yield curve due to debt concerns, which investors should monitor [7]

Core Viewpoint - The First Trust Enhanced Short Maturity ETF (FTSM) is positioned as a competitive option for investors seeking capital preservation and income in a changing interest rate environment, with a focus on short-duration fixed income securities [1][5]. Fund Overview - FTSM targets an average portfolio duration of less than one year and maturity under three years [1]. - The fund has an annualized dividend yield of 4.3% as of January 12, 2026 [1]. - Over the past year, FTSM achieved a total return of 4.7%, which lagged the S&P 500 by 13.1 percentage points [2]. Recent Transactions - Kaydan Wealth Management, Inc. increased its stake in FTSM by 360,223 shares, with an estimated transaction value of $21.61 million [3][4]. - After the transaction, Kaydan Wealth held 415,493 shares valued at $24.9 million, representing 7.2% of its 13F reportable assets under management (AUM) [3][4]. Investment Implications - The increase in Kaydan Wealth's position in FTSM indicates a strategic move towards capital preservation, particularly in light of discussions around potential interest rate cuts [5]. - FTSM's allocation includes over half (53%) in corporate bonds, with most holdings maturing in two years or less, making it a conservative investment option [6]. Portfolio Diversification - FTSM serves as a hedge against volatility and offers diversification benefits, falling just outside Kaydan's top five holdings, which include various asset classes such as developed markets and gold [7].

A discussion of certain risks and uncertainties affecting the Corporation, and some of the factors that could cause the Corporation's actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, can be found in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ending ...

Core Viewpoint - Ocean Park Asset Management has fully exited its position in the Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT), selling 342,600 shares for an estimated value of $26.60 million, indicating a strategic shift away from long-duration bond exposure [2][3][7]. Transaction Details - The sale of 342,600 shares of VCLT was reported in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with no remaining shares held at the end of the fourth quarter [3][7]. - The transaction reflects a broader trend of reducing exposure to rate-sensitive bonds, as Ocean Park also sold $6.98 million of the VanEck Fallen Angel High Yield Bond ETF and fully exited the iShares Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF in a separate $31.48 million liquidation [11]. ETF Overview - The Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) has an Assets Under Management (AUM) of $8.36 billion and offers a yield of 5.5% [5]. - As of the latest market close, VCLT shares were priced at $76.86, with a one-year total return of approximately 7% [4][5]. Investment Strategy - VCLT aims to track the Bloomberg U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Bond Index, focusing on investment-grade, long-term corporate bonds, primarily U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate bonds with maturities greater than 10 years [9][10]. - The fund is passively managed with a low-cost indexing approach, designed for investors seeking long-duration corporate bond exposure [9][10]. Market Sensitivity - The ETF is sensitive to shifts in long-term interest rate expectations, with price volatility potentially overwhelming income when rates remain elevated [12]. - Ocean Park's remaining top holdings indicate a preference for diversified high-yield and core bond exposure, suggesting a shift towards shorter duration and higher liquidity investments [12].

Core Insights - Investing for passive income through ETFs is considered more reliable than seeking pure capital appreciation [1][2] Group 1: ETFs and Passive Income - ETFs provide high liquidity, trade like stocks, and offer diversification by holding a basket of stocks [1] - Many risk-averse investors prefer dividend stocks for passive income, which can be more reliable than capital appreciation [2] Group 2: Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) - VCLT focuses on investment-grade corporate bonds with a weighted-average maturity of 10 to 25 years and has a low expense ratio of 0.03% [3] - Approximately 89% of VCLT's bonds carry an investment-grade rating of A or BBB, indicating a lower risk of default [6] - The fund includes high-quality companies such as Anheuser-Busch, CVS Health, and Goldman Sachs, which are unlikely to fail [6] Group 3: Risks and Market Performance - Bonds carry credit risk and interest rate risk, with values declining as interest rates rise [5][7] - VCLT has decreased by roughly 30% over the past five years due to rising interest rates, but investors will be repaid in full plus interest if companies do not default [8] - A decline in interest rates could help VCLT's price recover [8] Group 4: Dividend Yield and Performance - VCLT currently yields 5.62%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's yield of about 1.15%, making it an attractive option for passive income [9] - The fund has consistently paid dividends since 2009, maintaining a strong yield despite some variations [9]

Core Insights - The current economic growth, driven by the AI data center boom, is not translating into significant job growth, indicating a potential disconnect between GDP growth and labor market strength [1][3] - The Federal Reserve is expected to continue cutting rates due to a weakening labor market, despite inflation being slightly above their target [4][5] - A K-shaped recovery is observed among consumers and corporations, suggesting that not all sectors are benefiting equally from the economic growth [6] Federal Reserve Expectations - The Fed's plans for rate cuts may be disrupted by labor market weaknesses, which could lead to a more stimulative approach [4][5] - A December rate cut is anticipated, with additional cuts likely in the following year as the labor market continues to weaken [5][6] - The Fed is currently above neutral and may continue to cut rates to avoid being restrictive [7] Fixed Income Market Implications - Weakening labor market conditions and potential Fed rate cuts could lead to favorable returns for fixed income investors, particularly in the front to belly of the yield curve [9][10] - The market is pricing in Fed funds forecasts that are considered too high, suggesting benefits for those taking interest rate risks [10][12] - A diversified portfolio that includes emerging markets and securitized products is recommended to capture higher yields and spread opportunities [13][24] Investment Strategies - Agency mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities are highlighted as attractive sectors due to their potential for spread compression and benefits from falling interest rates [18][19] - The recently launched Eaton Vance Income Opportunities ETF (XAGG) aims to provide exposure to a barbell approach in fixed income, focusing on sectors that offer higher yields and diversification [20][21] - The ETF targets a weighted average investment grade, ensuring a balanced risk profile while seeking outperformance compared to traditional fixed income investments [22][23] Long-term Outlook - Fixed income returns are expected to be centered around current yields, with a potential for additional returns through strategic interest rate and curve positioning [26][27] - High base treasury yields are seen as a hedge against risk assets, particularly in a balanced portfolio [28][29] - Inflation is projected to stabilize around 2% in the coming year, which would benefit fixed income investors as tariff-related inflation subsides [30]

Core Viewpoint - Interactive Brokers has established itself as a highly efficient and scalable brokerage platform, but it faces significant risks primarily due to external environmental factors rather than internal management issues [2][3]. Group 1: Interest Rate Exposure - Interactive Brokers has benefited from rising interest rates over the past two years, which has significantly increased its earnings from interest income, making it the largest earnings driver for the company [3]. - A potential decline in interest rates could compress the profit spread, leading to decreased earnings in the coming quarters, despite stable business performance [4][5]. - The company's cost structure is lean, and trading activity may increase when rates drop, but the immediate impact of falling rates could negatively affect reported profits [5][6]. Group 2: Market Cyclicality - The company's revenue is closely tied to trading activity, which fluctuates with market sentiment; during bull markets or high volatility, account activity surges, while prolonged bear markets can lead to slower growth or even stagnation [8][10]. - Although Interactive Brokers' automation and recurring revenue streams provide some cushioning against market downturns, they cannot completely mitigate the effects of reduced market activity [10]. Group 3: Regulatory Complexity - Operating in over 160 markets gives Interactive Brokers a competitive edge, but it also exposes the company to a complex array of regulatory requirements, which can increase costs or limit growth [11][12]. - Changes in regulations, such as margin lending rules or compliance mandates, could necessitate costly system upgrades or restrict client activities, highlighting the need for constant vigilance [13][14]. - The company's global scale serves as both an advantage and a challenge, as managing regulatory complexity is an ongoing requirement of its worldwide operations [14]. Group 4: Investment Considerations - Despite the risks, Interactive Brokers possesses a low-cost structure, a trusted brand, and global reach, which are expected to drive growth in the long term [15]. - Investors should remain aware of the volatility introduced by interest rates, market activity, and regulatory changes, which could impact the business from year to year [15].

Financial Performance - Total Investment Income (TII) declined to $10.6 million in 3Q 2025 from $14.3 million in 2Q 2025[6, 12] - Net Investment Income (NII) was $2.4 million, or $0.20 per share in 3Q 2025, compared to $5.9 million, or $0.51 per share in 2Q 2025[6, 14] - Net assets were $140.1 million, or $10.01 per share, compared to $140.0 million, or $12.10 per share in 2Q 2025[6, 17] Capital Activity - The company issued approximately 2.4 million shares for net proceeds of approximately $27 million in the third quarter[6] - $13 million of net proceeds year-to-date through the at-the-market (ATM) equity program launched in May 2025[8] - GECC issued $50 million of 7.75% notes due 2030 in September 2025[8] Portfolio Composition - The portfolio's fair value is $325.1 million, with a net asset value of $140.1 million[11] - Debt investments have a weighted average current yield of 11.5%[11] - 66.4% of the portfolio is in debt investments, with a fair value of $215.8 million[25] Shareholder Returns - The Board approved maintaining the distribution for the quarter ending December 31, 2025, at a rate of $0.37 per share[6] - The distribution equates to a 19.8% annualized yield on the Company's closing market price on November 3, 2025, of $7.48[6, 7] - The distribution equates to a 14.8% annualized yield on the Company's September 30, 2025, NAV of $10.01 per share[6, 7]