ETF Showdown: Our Best Return Stacked® Ideas for 2026

Dec 19, 2025

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In a special roundtable discussion, Rodrigo Gordillo, Corey Hoffstein, Mike Philbrick, and Adam Butler each present their top investment idea for 2026, centered around a specific Return Stacked® ETF. The conversation explores a range of compelling theses, from the role of scarce assets like gold and Bitcoin to the strategic use of alternatives such as trend following and merger arbitrage. This forward-looking analysis delves into the evolving landscape of portfolio construction, the importance of capital efficiency, and the broader implications of ongoing monetary and fiscal debasement.

Topics Discussed

• The investment case for stacking scarce assets like gold and Bitcoin on stocks (RSSX) as a hedge against permanent monetary debasement

• Utilizing bonds as a portfolio ballast and stacking managed futures strategies like trend and carry for diversification (RSBT & RSBY)

• The argument for replacing corporate credit exposure with a combination of Treasuries and merger arbitrage (RSBA) due to tight credit spreads

• Using a global stock and bond fund (RSSB) to create capital efficiency for adding low-volatility alternatives or tactical cash positions

• The increasing institutional adoption of Bitcoin, signaling its potential shift from a fringe asset to a foundational portfolio component

• A defense of holding bond duration for its predictable long-term returns and its role as a diversifier during cyclical recessions

• The complementary nature of trend and carry strategies as different ways to harvest risk premia in managed futures

• Merger arbitrage as a unique and defensible risk premium that is structurally uncorrelated with traditional equity and credit risk

• The paradigm shift in portfolio construction for retail investors enabled by the accessibility of Return Stacking strategies

RSST– https://www.returnstackedetfs.com/rsst-return-stacked-us-stocks-managed-futures/

RSBT– https://www.returnstackedetfs.com/rsbt-return-stacked-bonds-managed-futures/

RSSY– https://www.returnstackedetfs.com/rssy-return-stacked-us-stocks-futures-yield/

RSBY– https://www.returnstackedetfs.com/rsby-return-stacked-bonds-futures-yield/

RSBA– https://www.returnstackedetfs.com/rsba-return-stacked-bonds-merger-arbitrage/

RSSB – https://www.returnstackedetfs.com/rssb-return-stacked-global-stocks-bonds/

RSSX– https://www.returnstackedetfs.com/rssx-return-stacked-us-stocks-gold-bitcoin/

BTGD– https://quantifyfunds.com/stackedbitcoingoldetf/btgd/

The performance data quoted above represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost, and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted above.

Definitions

Beta: How much an investment moves vs. a benchmark (like the market).

NASDAQ 100: Index of 100 big non-financial companies listed on Nasdaq.

Mag 7: A nickname for seven mega-cap U.S. tech/growth stocks that have dominated index performance in recent years: Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Nvidia, Meta, Tesla.

AGG (the “Agg”): Broad U.S. investment-grade bond market benchmark/ETF. Duration refers to the average life of a debt instrument and serves as a measure of that instrument’s interest rate risk.

A Basis Point is equal to 0.01% and is commonly used to express changes in interest rates, fees, or investment returns. For example, 50 basis points equals 0.50%.

ICE corporate index: A benchmark that tracks corporate bonds (from ICE).

Sharpe ratio: Return earned per unit of risk.

Coupon: The interest a bond pays each year (based on face value).DisclaimersThe performance data quoted above represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted above.

Exposures to gold and bitcoin will be done via exchange traded funds and futures contracts, hence the fund does not invest directly in bitcoin or any other digital asset, and does not invest directly in gold or gold bullion.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Return Stacked® ETFs. This and other important information about the ETFs is contained in their prospectuses, which can be obtained by calling 1-844-737-3001 or clicking here. The prospectuses should be read carefully before investing. Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. Brokerage commissions may apply and would reduce returns.

Bitcoin Investment Risk: The Fund’s indirect investment in bitcoin, through futures contracts and Underlying Funds, exposes it to the unique risks of this emerging innovation. Bitcoin’s price is highly volatile, and its market is influenced by the changing bitcoin network, fluctuating acceptance levels, and unpredictable usage trends. Not being a legal tender and operating outside central authority systems like banks, bitcoin faces potential government restrictions. The value of bitcoin has historically been subject to significant speculation, making trading and investing in bitcoin reliant on market sentiment rather than traditional fundamental analysis.

Blockchain Technology Risk: Blockchain technology, which underpins bitcoin and other digital assets, is relatively new, and many of its applications are untested. The adoption of blockchain and the development of competing platforms or technologies could affect its usage. You could lose all or substantially all of your investment in the Fund should the Fund’s trading positions suddenly turn unprofitable. The net asset value of the Fund while employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements.

Leverage Risk. As part of the Fund’s principal investment strategy, the Fund will make investments in futures contracts. These derivative instruments provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure to the underlying instrument, as well as the potential for greater loss.

Tidal Investments, LLC (“Tidal”) serves as investment adviser to the Funds and the Funds’ Subsidiary. Newfound Research LLC (“Newfound”) serves as investment sub-adviser to the Funds.

ReSolve Asset Management SEZC (Cayman) (“ReSolve”) serves as futures trading advisor to the Return Stacked® Bonds & Managed Futures ETF, the Return Stacked® U.S. Stocks and Managed Futures ETF, the Return Stacked® U.S. Stocks & Futures Yield ETF, the Return Stacked® Bonds & Futures Yield ETF, and their respective Subsidiaries.

Newfound Research LLC (“Newfound”) serves as investment sub-adviser to the Funds.

Quantify Chaos Advisors, LLC (“Quantify”) has entered into a brand licensing agreement with Newfound Research LLC (“Newfound”) and ReSolve Asset Management SEZC (Cayman) (“ReSolve”), granting the Quantify the right to use the “STKd” brand, a derivative of Return Stacked®. Neither the Trust nor the Adviser is a party to this agreement. In exchange for the branding rights, Quantify will pay Newfound and ReSolve a fee based on a percentage of the Fund’s unitary management fee.

The Return Stacked® ETF suite is distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Foreside is not related to Tidal , Newfound, or ReSolve.