Powerfund Portfolios Performance Review
October 2017 Performance Review
OK it's official: the market is overheating. What minor skittishness there was around the 30th anniversary of the 1987 crash evaporated faster than a Bartles & Jaymes wine cooler spilled on the hood of a VW Rabbit in the parking lot of a summer concert featuring Poison, Ratt, and Cinderella. ...read the rest of this article»
| Stock Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| Proshares Ultrashort NASDAQ Biotech (BIS) | 12.20% |
| ETRACS 1xMonthly Short Alerian MLP (MLPS) | 4.80% |
| Vanguard Utilities (VPU) | 4.77% |
| Artisan Global Equity (ARTHX) | 2.81% |
| Homestead Value (HOVLX) | 2.78% |
| iShares MSCI BRIC Index (BKF) | 2.63% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Emerging Mkts Stock Idx (VEIEX) | 2.44% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX) | 2.32% |
| Gold Short (DZZ) | 1.99% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Tax-Managed Intl Adm (VTMGX) | 1.87% |
| Vanguard Value (VTV) | 1.83% |
| Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF (VEA) | 1.77% |
| Vanguard European ETF (VGK) | 0.46% |
| iShares Mortgage REIT (REM) | -0.79% |
| iShares MSCI Italy Capped (EWI) | -1.28% |
| Proshares Ultrashort Russel2000 (TWM) | -1.55% |
| Vanguard Telecom Services ETF (VOX) | -2.20% |
| PowerShares DB Crude Oil Dble Short (DTO) | -9.27% |
| Bond Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury (EDV) | 0.80% |
| Artisan High Income Fund (ARTFX) | 0.56% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Total Bond Index (VBMFX) | 0.11% |
| Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities (VMBS) | 0.09% |
| Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index ETF (BLV) | 0.02% |
| SPDR Barclays Intl. Treasury (BWX) | -0.76% |
September 2017 Performance Review
Stocks were hot and recent bond gains evaporated as investors moved back into risky assets. Interest rate sensitive stocks (like telecom and utilities) were down as well — 10-year treasury bond yields moved from just over 2% in early September to over 2.3% by the end of the month. ...read the rest of this article»
| Stock Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| Gold Short (DZZ) | 6.33% |
| Homestead Value (HOVLX) | 5.33% |
| ETRACS 1xMonthly Short Alerian MLP (MLPS) | 4.83% |
| iShares MSCI Italy Capped (EWI) | 3.53% |
| Vanguard European ETF (VGK) | 3.22% |
| Vanguard Value (VTV) | 2.98% |
| Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF (VEA) | 2.52% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Tax-Managed Intl Adm (VTMGX) | 2.40% |
| Artisan Global Equity (ARTHX) | 2.24% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX) | 2.06% |
| iShares MSCI BRIC Index (BKF) | 1.25% |
| Proshares Ultrashort NASDAQ Biotech (BIS) | -0.29% |
| iShares Mortgage REIT (REM) | -0.53% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Emerging Mkts Stock Idx (VEIEX) | -0.78% |
| Vanguard Telecom Services ETF (VOX) | -1.38% |
| Vanguard Utilities (VPU) | -3.24% |
| Proshares Ultrashort Russel2000 (TWM) | -11.54% |
| PowerShares DB Crude Oil Dble Short (DTO) | -15.70% |
| Bond Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| Artisan High Income Fund (ARTFX) | 1.20% |
| Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities (VMBS) | -0.31% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Total Bond Index (VBMFX) | -0.54% |
| Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index ETF (BLV) | -0.84% |
| SPDR Barclays Intl. Treasury (BWX) | -1.87% |
| Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury (EDV) | -4.03% |
August 2017 Performance Review
The portfolios had a good month relative to the benchmarks and Vanguard's total portfolio fund. With our gains in August we're almost neck and neck with a double-digit (for 2017) S&P 500 with significantly less downside risk. ...read the rest of this article»
| Stock Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| PowerShares DB Crude Oil Dble Short (DTO) | 13.18% |
| iShares MSCI BRIC Index (BKF) | 4.41% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Emerging Mkts Stock Idx (VEIEX) | 3.05% |
| Vanguard Utilities (VPU) | 2.90% |
| Proshares Ultrashort Russel2000 (TWM) | 2.13% |
| iShares MSCI Italy Capped (EWI) | 1.78% |
| Artisan Global Equity (ARTHX) | 1.48% |
| iShares Mortgage REIT (REM) | 1.27% |
| ETRACS 1xMonthly Short Alerian MLP (MLPS) | 1.03% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX) | 0.29% |
| Vanguard European ETF (VGK) | 0.07% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Tax-Managed Intl Adm (VTMGX) | 0.07% |
| Homestead Value (HOVLX) | 0.06% |
| Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF (VEA) | 0.02% |
| Vanguard Telecom Services ETF (VOX) | -0.23% |
| Vanguard Value (VTV) | -0.47% |
| Gold Short (DZZ) | -7.95% |
| Proshares Ultrashort NASDAQ Biotech (BIS) | -9.47% |
| Bond Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury (EDV) | 4.89% |
| Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index ETF (BLV) | 2.08% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Total Bond Index (VBMFX) | 0.85% |
| SPDR Barclays Intl. Treasury (BWX) | 0.74% |
| Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities (VMBS) | 0.64% |
| Artisan High Income Fund (ARTFX) | -0.03% |
June 2017 Performance Review
Even with the drag of shorting and longer-term government bonds, we had a solid month against benchmarks with the extra boost from some foreign markets. Coincidentally, our conservative portfolio had the exact same return as our Vanguard Star fund benchmark, which is riskier than our conservative model portfolio. ...read the rest of this article»
| Stock Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| iShares MSCI BRIC Index (BKF) | 8.33% |
| iShares MSCI Italy Capped (EWI) | 7.05% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Emerging Mkts Stock Idx (VEIEX) | 5.31% |
| Artisan Global Equity (ARTHX) | 4.13% |
| Vanguard Utilities (VPU) | 3.45% |
| Vanguard Telecom Services ETF (VOX) | 2.95% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Tax-Managed Intl Adm (VTMGX) | 2.94% |
| Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF (VEA) | 2.88% |
| Vanguard European ETF (VGK) | 2.83% |
| iShares Mortgage REIT (REM) | 2.30% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX) | 2.04% |
| Vanguard Value (VTV) | 1.54% |
| Homestead Value (HOVLX) | 1.45% |
| ETRACS 1xMonthly Short Alerian MLP (MLPS) | -0.58% |
| Proshares Ultrashort Russel2000 (TWM) | -1.76% |
| Gold Short (DZZ) | -4.28% |
| Proshares Ultrashort NASDAQ Biotech (BIS) | -6.02% |
| PowerShares DB Crude Oil Dble Short (DTO) | -16.75% |
| Bond Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| SPDR Barclays Intl. Treasury (BWX) | 2.93% |
| Artisan High Income Fund (ARTFX) | 1.18% |
| Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities (VMBS) | 0.45% |
| Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index ETF (BLV) | 0.39% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Total Bond Index (VBMFX) | 0.37% |
| Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury (EDV) | -0.53% |
June 2017 Performance Review
Most markets flattened out in June with very few areas rising or falling much. The strongest areas in stocks were small-cap in general and value oriented stocks of all sizes. China, Japan, and other markets in Asia where strong while Europe was weak. ...read the rest of this article»
| Stock Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| PowerShares DB Crude Oil Dble Short (DTO) | 9.19% |
| Gold Short (DZZ) | 4.65% |
| Vanguard Value (VTV) | 1.80% |
| iShares MSCI Italy Capped (EWI) | 1.54% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Emerging Mkts Stock Idx (VEIEX) | 0.78% |
| ETRACS 1xMonthly Short Alerian MLP (MLPS) | 0.75% |
| iShares MSCI BRIC Index (BKF) | 0.68% |
| Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF (VEA) | 0.62% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX) | 0.61% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Tax-Managed Intl Adm (VTMGX) | 0.57% |
| Artisan Global Equity (ARTHX) | 0.55% |
| iShares Mortgage REIT (REM) | 0.32% |
| Homestead Value (HOVLX) | 0.28% |
| Vanguard European ETF (VGK) | -0.53% |
| Vanguard Telecom Services ETF (VOX) | -2.29% |
| Vanguard Utilities (VPU) | -3.10% |
| Proshares Ultrashort Russel2000 (TWM) | -6.69% |
| Proshares Ultrashort NASDAQ Biotech (BIS) | -16.29% |
| Bond Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index ETF (BLV) | 0.89% |
| Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury (EDV) | 0.54% |
| Artisan High Income Fund (ARTFX) | 0.36% |
| SPDR Barclays Intl. Treasury (BWX) | 0.33% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Total Bond Index (VBMFX) | 0.03% |
| Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities (VMBS) | -0.26% |
April 2017 Performance Review
April was a good month for stocks and bonds across the board in April, with foreign markets performing best of all. With longer-term rates declining and foreign markets strong, our model portfolios logged a decent month — even with the drag of shorting. ...read the rest of this article»
| Stock Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| PowerShares DB Crude Oil Dble Short (DTO) | 7.42% |
| Vanguard European ETF (VGK) | 3.90% |
| iShares Mortgage REIT (REM) | 3.60% |
| Artisan Global Equity (ARTHX) | 2.85% |
| iShares MSCI Italy Capped (EWI) | 2.76% |
| Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF (VEA) | 2.21% |
| Vanguard Telecom Services ETF (VOX) | 2.19% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Tax-Managed Intl Adm (VTMGX) | 1.74% |
| iShares MSCI BRIC Index (BKF) | 1.46% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX) | 1.22% |
| Vanguard Utilities (VPU) | 0.67% |
| Homestead Value (HOVLX) | 0.48% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Emerging Mkts Stock Idx (VEIEX) | 0.32% |
| Vanguard Value (VTV) | -0.03% |
| ETRACS 1xMonthly Short Alerian MLP (MLPS) | -0.52% |
| Gold Short (DZZ) | -2.56% |
| Proshares Ultrashort Russel2000 (TWM) | -2.64% |
| Proshares Ultrashort NASDAQ Biotech (BIS) | -3.06% |
| Bond Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury (EDV) | 1.84% |
| Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index ETF (BLV) | 1.58% |
| SPDR Barclays Intl. Treasury (BWX) | 1.43% |
| Artisan High Income Fund (ARTFX) | 1.37% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Total Bond Index (VBMFX) | 0.96% |
| Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities (VMBS) | 0.56% |
March 2017 Performance Review
The rally in stocks fizzled in March and bonds didn't offer much help as rates drifted up slightly. Foreign stocks performed better as the valuation gap — after years of underperformance to the U.S. stock market — may be attracting more money. ...read the rest of this article»
| Stock Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| PowerShares DB Crude Oil Dble Short (DTO) | 10.00% |
| iShares MSCI Italy Capped (EWI) | 8.84% |
| Vanguard European ETF (VGK) | 4.43% |
| Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF (VEA) | 3.06% |
| ETRACS 1xMonthly Short Alerian MLP (MLPS) | 3.06% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Tax-Managed Intl Adm (VTMGX) | 3.00% |
| iShares Mortgage REIT (REM) | 2.88% |
| iShares MSCI BRIC Index (BKF) | 2.57% |
| Artisan Global Equity (ARTHX) | 2.49% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Emerging Mkts Stock Idx (VEIEX) | 2.25% |
| Proshares Ultrashort NASDAQ Biotech (BIS) | 1.42% |
| Gold Short (DZZ) | 1.04% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX) | 0.10% |
| Vanguard Utilities (VPU) | -0.05% |
| Proshares Ultrashort Russel2000 (TWM) | -0.62% |
| Homestead Value (HOVLX) | -0.72% |
| Vanguard Value (VTV) | -0.92% |
| Vanguard Telecom Services ETF (VOX) | -2.11% |
| Bond Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| SPDR Barclays Intl. Treasury (BWX) | 0.76% |
| Artisan High Income Fund (ARTFX) | 0.18% |
| Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities (VMBS) | 0.10% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Total Bond Index (VBMFX) | -0.06% |
| Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index ETF (BLV) | -0.70% |
| Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury (EDV) | -0.97% |
February 2017 Performance Review
Maybe it is the buzzy Snap IPO, maybe the daily stock market record highs, but we seem to be getting closer that ole' irrational exuberance again. ...read the rest of this article»
| Stock Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| iShares Mortgage REIT (REM) | 5.68% |
| Vanguard Utilities (VPU) | 4.95% |
| Homestead Value (HOVLX) | 4.75% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX) | 3.96% |
| Vanguard Value (VTV) | 3.58% |
| iShares MSCI BRIC Index (BKF) | 3.51% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Emerging Mkts Stock Idx (VEIEX) | 3.28% |
| Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF (VEA) | 1.06% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Tax-Managed Intl Adm (VTMGX) | 0.99% |
| Artisan Global Equity (ARTHX) | 0.74% |
| Vanguard European ETF (VGK) | 0.59% |
| iShares MSCI Italy Capped (EWI) | -0.38% |
| PowerShares DB Crude Oil Dble Short (DTO) | -1.29% |
| Vanguard Telecom Services ETF (VOX) | -2.77% |
| ETRACS 1xMonthly Short Alerian MLP (MLPS) | -3.69% |
| Proshares Ultrashort Russel2000 (TWM) | -4.25% |
| Gold Short (DZZ) | -6.20% |
| Proshares Ultrashort NASDAQ Biotech (BIS) | -12.73% |
| Bond Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury (EDV) | 1.95% |
| Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index ETF (BLV) | 1.80% |
| Artisan High Income Fund (ARTFX) | 1.29% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Total Bond Index (VBMFX) | 0.66% |
| Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities (VMBS) | 0.48% |
| SPDR Barclays Intl. Treasury (BWX) | 0.30% |
January 2017 Performance Review
The interest rate increase that accelerated when President Trump won in November ended in December. Rate-sensitive investments across the board have performed well in recent weeks, pushing our Conservative portfolio up more than our Aggressive portfolio in January. ...read the rest of this article»
| Stock Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| iShares MSCI BRIC Index (BKF) | 7.31% |
| PowerShares DB Crude Oil Dble Short (DTO) | 6.79% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Emerging Mkts Stock Idx (VEIEX) | 4.94% |
| Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF (VEA) | 3.67% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Tax-Managed Intl Adm (VTMGX) | 3.66% |
| Artisan Global Equity (ARTHX) | 3.09% |
| Vanguard European ETF (VGK) | 2.96% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX) | 1.88% |
| iShares Mortgage REIT (REM) | 1.36% |
| Vanguard Utilities (VPU) | 1.17% |
| Homestead Value (HOVLX) | 0.55% |
| Vanguard Value (VTV) | 0.49% |
| Vanguard Telecom Services ETF (VOX) | 0.38% |
| Proshares Ultrashort Russel2000 (TWM) | -0.89% |
| iShares MSCI Italy Capped (EWI) | -1.94% |
| ETRACS 1xMonthly Short Alerian MLP (MLPS) | -4.37% |
| Proshares Ultrashort NASDAQ Biotech (BIS) | -10.20% |
| Gold Short (DZZ) | -10.58% |
| Bond Funds | 1mo % |
|---|---|
| Artisan High Income Fund (ARTFX) | 1.64% |
| SPDR Barclays Intl. Treasury (BWX) | 1.46% |
| Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury (EDV) | 1.25% |
| Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index ETF (BLV) | 0.56% |
| [Benchmark] Vanguard Total Bond Index (VBMFX) | 0.29% |
| Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities (VMBS) | 0.17% |
November 2017 Performance Review
It doesn't seem like what you would want to do in the face of dead-end bonds and fast rising equities globally (not to mention the increasing likelihood of corporate tax cuts), but we may have to take the portfolio's risk levels down a bit soon. Hopefully a risk reduction will be contrarian and not stupid…but the two often walk hand-in-hand. ...read the rest of this article»