Below is a full update on the commission free* ETF portfolios for April.   The signals are tracked on the right hand side and top of Scott’s Investments.  The strategy is to buy/hold each ETF when it closes the month above its 10 month simple moving average. If the ETF closes the month below its 10 month simple moving average, then sell the position and hold the proceeds in cash. When the ETF closes the month above its 10 month simple moving average, re-purchase the ETF.  The strategy is inspired by Mebane Faber’s The Ivy Portfolio: How to Invest Like the Top Endowments and Avoid Bear Markets

Please note that not all of the ETFs in each portfolio are commission free.  ETFs which are charged a commission are noted with an asterisks. In addition, there may be requirements in order to qualify for free trades with each broker, so please make sure to do your own diligence before trading with any of the brokers.  Also, there are other brokers which may offer free stock and ETF trades on a monthly basis depending on factors such as account balance.

The first portfolio is the TD Ameritrade Portfolio, all of the ETFs are potentially commission-free. As with last month, Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NYSE:BND) was extremely close to its 10 month SMA at month end, but is on a cash signal:

The other two portfolios are Vanguard and Fidelity Portfolios.  ETFs with a commission are noted with an asterisks. Also, Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF (NYSE:VNQI) does not yet have 10 months of trading to create a 10 month SMA. Thus, for the time being, the longest available daily moving average at month end (80 day for March) will be used to determine buy/sell signal.

Written By Scott’s Investments   No position disclosures   

Scott’s Investments focuses on several different ETF portfolio strategies ranging from Basic, Individual, Country, US Sector, and Global Sector ETF portfolios.