Episode 422: The BCI Fund, More Cowbell, Fidelity's Share Lending Program And Portfolio Reviews As Of May 9, 2025

In this episode we answer emails from Ed, Joe and Jack. We discuss a commodities fund, BCI, some more cowbell, and Fidelity's share lending program.

And THEN we our go through our weekly and monthly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.

Additional Links:

Father McKenna Center Donation Page: Donate - Father McKenna Center

BCI vs. PDBC vs. COM vs. DBMFX: testfol.io/analysis?s=3NIFkA7mNB9

Small Cap Value vs. S&P 500 In 21st Century: testfol.io/analysis?s=gkqbgk7mzka

Breathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:

Looking for that perfect balance between return potential and downside protection? This episode delivers practical insights for DIY investors navigating today's complex markets.

We dive deep into commodity ETFs as listener Ed asks about PDBC versus BCI for his portfolio. The comparison reveals surprising differences in expense ratios, management approaches, and tracking errors that could significantly impact your returns over time. Frank shares why he's personally shifted away from dedicated commodity funds toward managed futures for inflation protection.

The conversation then turns to small cap value investing, but with a crucial twist that many investors miss. Rather than focusing solely on whether small cap value will outperform the broader market, Frank emphasizes its diversification benefits during market downturns. The 2022 market crash provides a perfect case study: while growth stocks plummeted 30-50%, value stocks ranged from -10% to +10%, creating powerful rebalancing opportunities that can enhance long-term performance.

We also examine Fidelity's Fully Paid Lending Program, which allows investors to earn additional income by lending their securities. While the potential return seems modest (around 0.625% annually), we consider the counterparty risks and regulatory protections you might sacrifice.

The episode concludes with our weekly portfolio reviews revealing fascinating performance patterns in 2024. Gold continues to shine with a remarkable 26.81% year-to-date gain while the broader market struggles. This performance disparity highlights why thoughtful asset allocation matters more than ever for investors seeking to build truly resilient portfolios.

Whether you're managing a multi-million dollar portfolio or just starting your investment journey, these insights will help you navigate market volatility with greater confidence and clarity.

What's your approach to balancing growth and value in your equity allocation? Have you considered how different assets might interact during the next market downturn?

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