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You are here: Home / Archives for buffer ETFs

552 Plus: Portfolio Trades, Asset Location, Price Alerts and Some Thoughts on Private Credit

March 14, 2026 by David Stein · Updated April 3, 2026

In Plus episode 552, David discusses the change in his portfolio to eliminate the iShares Large Cap Max Buffer September ETF (SMAX) from his portfolio and reallocate the assets to the Brookmont Catastrophe Bond ETF (ILS), and the IMGP DBI Managed Futures Strategy ETF (DBMF). We discuss a member's question about asset location and an inquiry into how to receive alerts for ETFs that meet a certain price threshold. Finally, David shares his thoughts on the current environment for private … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Plus Tagged With: asset location, buffer ETFs, catastrophe bonds, portfolio change, portfolio trades, price alerts, private credit

544 Plus: Are Equity Buffer ETFs Adequate Substitutes for a Bond Allocation?

November 15, 2025 by David Stein · Updated November 22, 2025

In Plus episode 544, we model various buffer ETF strategies over a 35 year period to see how they perform relative to the bond market. We consider which defined outcome ETF approach could substitute for bonds, and how they compare to deferred fixed annuities. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Plus Tagged With: buffer ETFs, defined outcome ETFs, target outcome indices

527 Plus: Portfolio Trades, Ultra Short-term TIPS ETF, and Revisiting Buffer ETFs

June 14, 2025 by David Stein · Updated July 5, 2025

In Plus episode 527, David discusses changes in his portfolio to add a CLO ETF and sell the individual single family home rental REITs that he owned. We analyze a new ultra-short-term TIPS ETF. Finally, we revisit the performance of defined outcome ETFs based on the models we are running and some recent research from AQR. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Plus Tagged With: buffer ETFs, defined outcome ETFs, portfolio trades, RBIL, TIPS, Treasury Inflation Protected Securities

501 Plus: Why Interest Rates Are Rising, Maximum Drawdowns, and Buffer ETF Underperformance

November 16, 2024 by David Stein · Updated December 5, 2024

In Plus episode 501, we review why Federal Reserve Chair Powell said the Fed isn't in a hurry to lower its policy rate. We revisit why interest rates are increasing. David shares the expected return, ranges, and maximum drawdown of his portfolio. We analyze why buffer ETFs can lag the underlying reference assets when the stock market is appreciating. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Plus Tagged With: buffer ETFs, Federal Reserve, interest rates, maximum drawdown

491 Plus: Buffer ETFs, TIPS, Brokerage Bankruptcies and HSA Accounts

August 30, 2024 by David Stein · Updated September 16, 2024

In Plus episode 491, we explore why buffer ETFs use European-style options with a set exercise date rather than American-style options that can be exercised at any time. We look at the maximum loss for purchasing a Treasury Inflation Protection Security in the secondary market. We consider what happens to individual bond holdings in the case a brokerage firm goes bankrupt. Finally, we consider the estate tax implications of Health Savings Accounts. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Plus Tagged With: bankruptcy, brokerage firms, buffer ETFs, HSA accounts, TIPS

488 Plus: Portfolio Trades, Pershing Square USA Follow Up, and CEF Premiums

August 3, 2024 by David Stein · Updated August 14, 2024

In Plus episode 488, David reviews changes in his portfolio, including adding a fixed-income bullet ETF, an equity buffer ETF, and increasing his allocation to CLOs. We discuss why Pershing Square didn't move forward with its closed-end fund IPO. Finally, we revisit why it is advantageous for closed-end funds to sell at a premium even though most do not. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Plus Tagged With: BSCV, buffer ETFs, CLOA, closed-end funds, defined outcome ETFs, DXYZ, GUT, MAXJ, Pershing Square, PSUS

Portfolio Trade: Adding Bullet ETF, Buffer ETF and Increasing CLO Exposure

August 2, 2024 by David Stein · Updated August 6, 2024

… [Read more...]

Filed Under: Portfolio Insights Tagged With: BSCV, buffer ETFs, bullet ETFs, CLOA, defined outcome ETFs, MAXJ, portfolio change

485: Should You Invest in Defined Outcome (Buffer) ETFs?

July 10, 2024 by David Stein · Updated May 28, 2025

Buffer ETFs protect against the downside while capping the upside. We examine them closely to see if they are worth it. Topics covered include: How buffer ETFs are structured and some current examples How buffer ETFs have performed over the past five years What are the risks of buffer ETFs How loss aversion and narrow framing contribute to the popularity of buffer ETFs Are buffer ETFs worth it and what are some alternative strategies that could be used instead Show … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: buffer ETFs, defined outcome ETFs, narrow framing, outcome based ETFs, prospect theory

472 Plus: When to Use Option Writing Strategies, Premium Income Barrier ETFs, and Performance Tracking Apps

March 30, 2024 by David Stein · Updated July 9, 2024

In Plus episode 472, we compare covered call and put writing strategies to Innovator's Premium Income Barrier ETFs. We consider how option writing strategies fit into a portfolio. Finally, we briefly discuss three options for tracking net worth and portfolio performance. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Plus Tagged With: buffer ETFs, covered calls, Innovator ETFs, outcome based ETFs, performance, put writing, PUTW, volatility risk premium

430 Plus: Merriman Two Fund For Life Portfolio and Premium Income Barrier ETFs

April 29, 2023 by David Stein · Updated July 8, 2024

In Plus episode 430, we analyze the risk and reward of combining a target date retirement fund with a small cap value allocation. We also analyze Innovator ETFs' new Premium Income Barrier outcome-based ETFs. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Plus Tagged With: AVUV, buffer ETFs, DFSVX, Merriman (Paul), outcome based ETFs, small cap stocks, small cap value, target date funds, target outcome indices, value investing, VTTHX

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