Portfolio Update 01/15/2026 - Market Resilient 🔺
Even as Tensions Mount 💥
Quick performance check-in: my portfolio is up +1.6% since the last update, which lagged SPY’s +2.0% over the same stretch. Not ideal, but I’m not too worried—if anything, it feels like a reasonable start given the old market saying: “as goes January, so goes the year.” If that rhyme has any bite this time around, we’re off to a solid start.
You’ll notice a change in the lineup: I’ve retired the KMLM Canary Combo and replaced it with what I’m calling the Uncorrelated Combo. The appeal? Near-zero correlation to the broader market, paired with high-teen CAGR over 18 years of backtesting. On paper, it’s exactly what I want. In practice? The proof is in the pudding—stay tuned.
On a broader note, multiple concerning conflicts continue to unfold around the world, both internal and external. Here’s hoping common sense and peace prevail this year and beyond.
Really solid transparencyaround the porfolio adjustments. The shift to Uncorrelated Combo with near-zero market correlation and those high-teen CAGRs from backtesting is intriguing, tho I'm curious to see how it performs in real-time conditions. Been tracking similar low-correlation strategies myself and the hardest part is always managing expectations during bull runs when everything else is ripping. Lag in this environment feels pretty reasonable actually.
I enjoyed reading your post today too.
(Please understand if there are any awkward expressions as I am using a translator.
If I write in Korean, you can read it, but others won't, so I use a translator. Hahaha.)
Personally, I think it's a good idea for you to be a little more ambitious.
If the underperformance continues compared to the index, you might often find yourself thinking that it's better to buy and hold SPY or QQQ after a few years.
Of course, your strategy is designed to shine in a bear market, but I think it's worth being a little more ambitious. Thank you as always, and I'm rooting for you from far away in Korea. :)