Weekly Discussion: 21 October 2024

I've been reading and watching a lot about portfolio structure theory (lots of Ben Felix videos), and I've decided to add in a small cap value tilt, especially since the last 10+ years have had outsized returns for large caps. So I'm shifting to a 10% tilt toward small cap value, and I may end up extending that to 20% depending on how my research goes.

I used to have a small tilt toward small caps and the healthcare sector, but I didn't have good data to back that up and I ended up killing those tilts about 10 years ago. But the research is looking a lot more compelling, and now there are some solid ETFs that have reasonable expenses. Here are the funds I'm looking at:

AVUV - small cap value, with an "active" component that removes less profitable companies, but it's all based on data; related funds: DFSV (similar to AVUV, but with some different thresholds), RWJ (S&P 600 small cap value, but revenue weight instead of market weight), IJS (S&P 600 small cap value by iShares)
AVDV - int'l small cap value, again with an "active" component like AVUV; related funds: DISV (similar to AVDV, but run by Dimensional International), ISVL (iShares int'l small cap value, but only in developed markets), AVES (same company as AVDV, but emerging markets all cap value)

I'm thinking of splitting between AVUV and DFSV for better diversification (quite a bit of difference), and AVDV and AVES for international (probably not going to bother w/ DISV). I'm still researching, so I'm DCAing the portfolio into the new allocation.

I used to be 100% total market cap, with a small tilt toward US (70/30 US/international), and I'm moving toward the same US/international weight, but adding a 10% tilt toward small value, and I may end up doing a 10% tilt to value across the board (in addition to the 10% small cap value tilt).

Not sure if this is going to work out, but I figure it shouldn't be a huge difference vs a more boring 2-fund or 3-fund portfolio. I'm 100% stocks for now, and I intend to keep it that way until I'm within 5 years of my FI number (and may stick with it, depending on what I choose to do after FI).

4 comments

Reposting from last week, since I posted late in the week...
What percentage salary increase would it take for you to accept a new job, assuming you are happy with your current job?
It's open enrollment time here at the company and I was wondering if anyone is familiar with the HSA contribution limits.
Mainly, my spouse and I each are eligible for an individual HSA. However the combined maximum of 2 individual accounts is more than the family limit. My question: is our combined max the family limit or the combo of 2 individual limits? My benefits HR person said it's the individual limits, but I'm skeptical.
- I don't know, but I'm guessing your HR person is right, because I think it's based on the plan. So if you're foregoing family coverage, they're two separate individual plans, so two separate limits. That said, if one of you gets a family plan, I think you wouldn't be able to contribute to both HSAs.
  But I'm not a tax expert. The difference is $50, so if you're wrong, the penalty would be pretty small.
I've been reading and watching a lot about portfolio structure theory (lots of Ben Felix videos), and I've decided to add in a small cap value tilt, especially since the last 10+ years have had outsized returns for large caps. So I'm shifting to a 10% tilt toward small cap value, and I may end up extending that to 20% depending on how my research goes.
I used to have a small tilt toward small caps and the healthcare sector, but I didn't have good data to back that up and I ended up killing those tilts about 10 years ago. But the research is looking a lot more compelling, and now there are some solid ETFs that have reasonable expenses. Here are the funds I'm looking at:
AVUV - small cap value, with an "active" component that removes less profitable companies, but it's all based on data; related funds: DFSV (similar to AVUV, but with some different thresholds), RWJ (S&P 600 small cap value, but revenue weight instead of market weight), IJS (S&P 600 small cap value by iShares)
AVDV - int'l small cap value, again with an "active" component like AVUV; related funds: DISV (similar to AVDV, but run by Dimensional International), ISVL (iShares int'l small cap value, but only in developed markets), AVES (same company as AVDV, but emerging markets all cap value)
I'm thinking of splitting between AVUV and DFSV for better diversification (quite a bit of difference), and AVDV and AVES for international (probably not going to bother w/ DISV). I'm still researching, so I'm DCAing the portfolio into the new allocation.
I used to be 100% total market cap, with a small tilt toward US (70/30 US/international), and I'm moving toward the same US/international weight, but adding a 10% tilt toward small value, and I may end up doing a 10% tilt to value across the board (in addition to the 10% small cap value tilt).
Not sure if this is going to work out, but I figure it shouldn't be a huge difference vs a more boring 2-fund or 3-fund portfolio. I'm 100% stocks for now, and I intend to keep it that way until I'm within 5 years of my FI number (and may stick with it, depending on what I choose to do after FI).