Right here is my 2026 2nd Quarter portfolio replace that features 401k/403b/IRAs and taxable brokerage accounts however excludes our home and small facet portfolio of self-directed investments. Following the idea of pores and skin within the sport, the next is just not a advice, however a sharing of our real-world, imperfect DIY portfolio.
“By no means ask anybody for his or her opinion, forecast, or advice. Simply ask them what they’ve of their portfolio.” – Nassim Taleb
How I Observe My Portfolio
Right here’s how I monitor my portfolio throughout a number of brokers and account sorts:
- The Empower Private Dashboard real-time portfolio monitoring instruments (free) robotically logs into my a number of accounts, provides up my varied balances, tracks my efficiency, and figures out my general asset allocation throughout the complete portfolio. Previously generally known as Private Capital.
- As soon as 1 / 4, I additionally replace my guide Google Spreadsheet (free to repeat, directions) as a result of it helps me calculate how a lot I want in every asset class to rebalance again in the direction of my goal asset allocation. I additionally create a brand new sheet every quarter, so I’ve a private archive of my portfolio courting again a few years.
2026 2nd Quarter Asset Allocation and YTD Efficiency
Listed here are up to date efficiency and asset allocation charts, per the “Holdings” and “Allocation” tabs of my Empower Private Dashboard.
The foremost elements of my portfolio are broad index ETFs. I do combine it up a bit across the edges, however not very a lot. Here’s a mannequin model of my goal asset allocation with pattern ETF holdings for every asset class.
- 35% US Whole Market (VTI)
- 5% US Small-Cap Worth (AVUV)
- 20% Worldwide Whole Market (VXUS)
- 5% Worldwide Small-Cap Worth (AVDV)
- 5% US REITs (VNQ)
- 20% US “Common” Treasury Bonds and/or FDIC-insured deposits (VGSH)
- 10% US Treasury Inflation-Protected Bonds (SCHP)
Large image, the goal is 70% companies and 30% very secure short-term bonds/money:
By paying minimal prices together with administration charges, transaction spreads, and tax drag, I’m making an attempt to primarily assure myself above-average web efficiency over time.
I don’t spend a variety of time backtesting varied mannequin portfolios. You’ll normally discover that no matter mannequin portfolio is fashionable for the time being simply occurs to carry the asset class that has been the most well liked just lately.
The portfolio you could maintain onto by the robust occasions is the most effective one for you. I’ve been just about holding this similar portfolio for 20 years. Take a look at these historic posts from 2004 and 2005. Each asset class will finally have a low interval, and you will need to have sturdy religion throughout these durations to earn these traditionally excessive returns. You need to maintain proudly owning and shopping for extra shares by the inventory market crashes. You need to preserve and even purchase extra rental properties throughout a housing crunch, and so on. signal is that if costs drop, it’s best to really feel the urge to purchase extra of that asset as an alternative of much less. I don’t have sturdy religion within the long-term outcomes of commodities, gold, or bitcoin – so I don’t personal them.
Efficiency particulars. Right here’s an up to date YTD Development of $10,000 chart courtesy of Testfolio for a few of the main index ETFs (whole US inventory, whole worldwide inventory, whole US bond) that reveals the distinction in efficiency within the broad indexes:
First quarter of 2026, the US broad indexes (VTI) dropped, however got here again after which some within the 2nd quarter. Worldwide shares (VXUS) are barely forward for the yr. I’m getting a bit too stock-heavy so can be directing rebalancing funds in the direction of bonds. I’ll share about extra concerning the earnings side in a separate submit.