
Risk Parity Radio
Risk Parity Radio is a podcast about investing located at www.riskparityradio.com. RPR explores risk-parity style portfolios comprised of uncorrelated or negatively correlated asset classes -- stocks, selected bonds, gold, managed futures, and other easily accessible fund options for the DIY investor. The goal is to construct portfolios that are robust and can be drawn down on in perpetuity, and to maximize projected Safe Withdrawal Rates regardless of projected overall returns.
Latest episodes

May 13, 2021 • 37min
Episode 85: Can You Handle the Truth? Emails! Answers! Mini-rant! Oh My!
In this episode we address emails from Jon, Laura, Kevin and Brian about the problems with Wealthfront's "risk parity" fund, moving to Costa Rica on a risk parity portfolio, inflation-friendly asset classes and TIPS.Links:Article Re Performance of Risk Parity funds in March 202: Quant Funds in COVID Market Rout | Markov Processes InternationalWealthfront's description of its risk parity fund: What is Risk Parity invested in? – Wealthfront SupportWealthfront Annual Report: risk_parity_annual_report.pdf (wealthfront.com)Morningstar 2021 Diversification Landscape Report: Diversification_Landscape_033021v2.pdf (morningstar.com)Support the show

May 11, 2021 • 40min
Episode 84: Monthly RANT About Financial Mis-Wisdom And Bonus Email Extravaganza
In this episode we, ahem, "discuss" the problem of Mindless Diversification. Oh, yeah! Then we tackle some emails from Craig, Falco, Wes, Justin, Matt, Brian and KC about the Aggressive Fifty-Fifty Sample Portfolio, distribution and re-balancing rules, the Vanguard Extended Duration Bond Fund, trust issues, and why we don't have guests.The Article In Question: Mindless Diversification ArticleWhy Some Old Rules Of Thumb Are Really Bad: The "100 Minus Age" Rule Puts Retirees at Risk (thebalance.com) Kitces Article re Rebalancing: Optimal Rebalancing – Time Horizons Vs Tolerance Bands (kitces.com)Support the show

May 8, 2021 • 36min
Episode 83: Bonds and Gold and Taxes, Oh My! And Portfolio Reviews As Of May 7, 2021
In this Episode we answer emails from Aaron, Mark, Rob, Joel, Jake and the Mysterious Visitor 9380. We talk taxes on gold, what's in Uncle Frank's portfolios, a Seeking Alpha article about constructing Risk Parity-style portfolios, BND vs. GLDM, and portfolio management. And Trogdor!Then we move to our weekly portfolio reviews of the sample portfolios you can find at The Risk Parity Radio Portfolios PageAdditional Links:Taxation of Gold Article: Tax-efficient investing in gold (journalofaccountancy.com)Seeking Alpha Article: Building A Risk-Parity Portfolio: An Example | Seeking AlphaSupport the show

May 7, 2021 • 37min
Episode 82: Email Extravaganza! Transitioning To Retirement, Experimental Portfolios And More!
Another Bonus Email Episode! In this episode we answer emails from listeners John, Mitchell, Steve, Elisheva, Brian and Justin about an article about us, withdrawal rates for the experimental sample portfolios, transitioning into retirement at age 55 (twice!), a newsletter, putting you to sleep with RPR, the Hedgefundie Ultimate Adventure portfolio, muni-bonds and options strategies.Links:John G's Article: Why I'm Unhappy when all my Investments go up - SmartMoneyToolboxPortfoliocharts Portfolio Analyzer (input your own numbers): MY PORTFOLIO – Portfolio ChartsAll About The Hedgefundie Ultimate Adventure Portfolio: HEDGEFUNDIE's Excellent Adventure (UPRO/TMF) - A Summary (optimizedportfolio.com)Support the show

May 5, 2021 • 22min
Episode 81: An Analysis Of A TIAA Real Estate Account (QREARX)
In this episode, we take on Listener Erik's request to analyze the TIAA Real Estate Account, QREARX, which we do using David Stein's Ten Questions to Master Investing:1. What is it?2. Is it an investment, a speculation, or a gamble?3. What is the upside?4. What is the downside?5. Who is on the other side of the trade?6. What is the investment vehicle?7. What does it take to be successful?8. Who is getting a cut?9. How does it impact your portfolio?10. Should you invest?Additional Links:QREARX Fact Sheet: TIAA Real Estate Account Fact SheetQREARX FAQ: REA FAQ 12.31.20 (tiaa.org)Support the show

May 3, 2021 • 31min
Episode 80: Risk Parity In The Middle Years, Advice To Kids And Inflation-Oriented Asset Classes
In this all mail-bag episode we answer questions from Brian, Ayne, Drew and Lana about shifting into risk-parity portfolios early, Vanguard fund options, advice if you have a significant real estate portfolio on the side, advice for young adult children and about what asset classes do well in inflationary environments.Links:Portfolio Charts Main Calculator Page: MY PORTFOLIO – Portfolio ChartsPortfolio Charts Golden Butterfly Page: Golden Butterfly – Portfolio ChartsPortfolio Charts Retirement Spending Calculator: RETIREMENT SPENDING – Portfolio ChartsM. Kitces Four Phases Article: The Four Phases Of Saving For Retirement (kitces.com)REIT Matrix: REIT Correlations Support the show

May 2, 2021 • 34min
Episode 79: Gold, Highlander Crystal Balls, Alchemy And Our Weekly Portfolio Reviews As Of April 30, 2021
In this episode we answer questions from Patrons Dominic and Jenny and Listeners #4593 and Phil about where to put your gold funds, making the transition to a risk-parity style portfolio, gold vs. bitcoin and a Ben Felix stock portfolio. Then we move to our weekly portfolio reviews of the sample portfolios you can find at The Risk Parity Radio Portfolios PageAdditional Links:The Lindy Effect: Lindy effect - WikipediaGold/Bitcoin Correlation Analysis: Asset Correlations (portfoliovisualizer.com)Mandelbrot Set Video: Eye of the Universe - Mandelbrot Fractal ZoomBen Felix Five Factor Investing Video: Five Factor Investing with ETFs - YouTubeBen Felix Five Factor Investing Paper: Five Factor Investing with ETFs | PWL CapitalRational Reminder Podcast with Paul Merriman: RR #147 - Paul Merriman: We're Talking Millions - YouTubeSupport the show

Apr 29, 2021 • 56sec
Special Announcement -- May 2, 2021 Q&A At High Noon
Please join Diania Merriam and me for a Q&A session on May 2 at noon EDT. Here is the link to register: Investing Demystified: Q&A with Frank Vasquez (webinarjam.com)Support the show

Apr 28, 2021 • 21min
Episode 78: Mailbag and Part Two Of The Analysis Of SPLB
In this episode, we answer emails from Brad, the Mysterious Visitor #6369, Robyn, Zach and Young about thanks, TIPs, TLT and leveraged bond funds. Then we complete our analysis of the SPDR Long Term Corporate Bond Fund, SPLB, using David Stein's Ten Questions to Master Investing:1. What is it?2. Is it an investment, a speculation, or a gamble?3. What is the upside?4. What is the downside?5. Who is on the other side of the trade?6. What is the investment vehicle?7. What does it take to be successful?8. Who is getting a cut?9. How does it impact your portfolio?10. Should you invest?Links:SPLB Fact Sheet: SPDR® Portfolio Long Term Corporate Bond ETFEpisode 70: IVOL Analysis Part One | Risk Parity RadioEpisode 72: IVOL Analysis Part Two | Risk Parity RadioCorrelation Analysis of TIP vs. short and intermediate treasuries: TIP Correlations (portfoliovisualizer.com)Episode 9: PFF Analysis | Risk Parity RadioSPLB Correlation Analysis: SPLB Asset Correlations (portfoliovisualizer.com)SPLB vs. PFF Backtest Comparison: Backtest Portfolio Asset Allocation (portfoliovisualizer.com)Support the show

Apr 26, 2021 • 31min
Episode 77: Ordinary Brokerage Account Tax Basics And Related Questions From Brian And Jamie
In this episode we go through the basics about the taxation of ordinary brokerage accounts at an elementary level and answer questions from Brian and Jamie about taxation of intermediate savings and tax location approaching retirement. Links:Tax Schedules for Ordinary Income: 2021 Tax Brackets and Other Tax Changes (investopedia.com)Long-Term Capital Gains Information and Tax Schedules: Capital Gains Tax 101 (investopedia.com)Bogleheads on Investing Episode 032: Phil DeMuth, host Rick Ferri (podbean.com)Using the Zero Percent LTCG's Rate In Retirement: Never Pay Taxes Again - Go Curry Cracker!Support the show