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$FININTEL The FIR portfolio slipped in July while the benchmark S&P 500 gained slightly. Specifically, the portfolio was down 2.55% during a difficult trading month, compared to a 1.60% rise for the S&P 500. Longer term, however, FIR has strongly outperformed. Our portfolio is up 522.29% since 2019. During the same period, the S&P returned 129.31%. This performance is against a background of a directionless stock market overall since early June. Volatility has taken out some of our more speculative bets in this period as stops kicked in and positions were sold. We nevertheless actively seek new positions that can weather a sideways market and provide solid total return in the coming months and years. While the underlying economy remains strong and interest rate policy balanced, the Al trade has lost some of its steam. A weakening tech trade plus ongoing regional wars, oil price fluctuations, and the upcoming U.S. elections add up to cast doubts on stocks in general. The only change in the portfolio this month is that we are closing our position on Western Union as it is hit it’s sell stop price of $7.75. Stay tuned.

RDW, AVAV, SMR, and TLT have all hit their profit protection sell stops and we are closing our positions accordingly. We’ll make names addition adjustments on the next rebalance.

Despite the recent drag on the market, The FIR portfolio is up 585% (since 2019). During the same period the S&P 500 returned 128.6%. GSK has hit its stop out and we’ve closed our position there. We’re seeking exposure into the Indian market with a new position in FLIN (Franklin TFSE India ETF). Similarly, we’re taking a position in another international play with EPHE (iShares MSCI Philippines, ETF). Finally, Redwire (RDW) flies under the radar with most investors, but this small cap space and defense technology company is gaining traction fast.

Two of our core holdings hit their stops and are sold, defense stocks Rathbones (RTX) and L3Harris Technologies (LHX). A few months back, we stopped out of crypto. It’s now time to get back in, via the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). We are also a utility, NextEra Energy (NÉE).

The FIR portfolio’s winnining streak finally hit a wall after 15 unbroken months, falling 16.77% from March 2 through April 1 while the S&P 500 fell by 4.45%. Measured since tracking began at the start of 2019, the value of the portfolio is up 600.16%. In the same period, the S&P returned 111.34%. Just two core names hit their sell stops (GILD and HII), while five names were stopped out in the precious metals list (NEM, KGC, AEM, SLV, and PAAS) so we have closed our positions in those and reallocated to our 16 remaining names (GLD remains in our precious metals list). Our portfolio has room for 33 names so we’re keeping a close eye out for opportunities.

The FIR portfolio’s winning streak has hit its 14th month, gaining 19.11% in February while the S&P 500 fell 0.87%. The value of the portfolio rose to 721.17% by the end of the month, measured since FIR began tracking performance at the start of 2019. In the same period, the S&P 500 has returned 116.53%. While our winning streak is at 14 months, a setback is in the cards. However, keeping gains intact is good risk management. Therefore, we are not making any changes to our portfolio of names this month.

The FIR portfolio winning streak has hit 13 months. Since tracking began in 2019, the portfolio has risen 605.47%. ETHE and IBIT have hit their sell stops so we are removing them. Adding AVAV, FLR, SMR, and TLT.

Rebalance with the addition of Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHE) along with the removal of Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Philp Morris, which have both hit their sell stops.

This month we are adding Western Union (WU). It offers a dividend yield of 10.04% and is a value stock with a forward P/E of 5.05.