Year-to-date, through the end of August, the portfolio was up +6.88%* net of fees vs. the benchmark Russell 1000 Value Index Total Return, +5.79%. For the three-year period from 8-31-2020 through 8-31-2023, the portfolio gained at a +13.38%* annualized rate (net of fees) vs. +11.39% for our benchmark.

Entering September, the fixed income allocation strategy remains with a risk-on message and suggests no rebalancing from the month prior. The model remains overweight U.S. Treasurys, U.S. High-Yield Bonds, U.S. Investment Grade Corporate, U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities, Emerging Market Bonds, and underweight U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, and Floating Rate Notes.

The Catastrophic Stop model declined from last month, but it continues to recommend a fully invested allocation. Entering September, the non-U.S. equity Core model overweighted Australia, Germany, Japan, and China while underweighting the U.K., Canada, France, and Switzerland. The Explore model favored Poland, Mexico, Peru, Spain, and India.

Sector leadership remained mixed during the month. Entering September, the sector model is overweight Information Technology, Communication Services, & Utilities. Health Care, Industrials, & Financials moved to market weight, while Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Materials, & Real Estate are underweight.

Global markets gained with emerging markets performing well. Global PMI slowed but remains in expansion. Non-U.S. equity Core model overweight on China, Australia, Germany, Canada; Explore model favors Chile, India, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan.

Risk management model remains unchanged, advising full exposure to U.S. High Yield, Emerging Markets, U.S. Investment Grade, and Floating Rate Notes. Steady indicators support this allocation.

The NDR Catastrophic Stop Update: NDR's model recommends fully invested equity allocation in August. Market gains continue, led by cyclical value sectors. The model remains a mix of cyclical and defensive sectors.

The DH Smart Value Portfolio continues to invest in companies producing excess returns through positive economic profitability, supported by solid balance sheets (quality), significant cash generation (profitability), and trading with considerable margins of safety (valuation).

Risk management model recommends full exposure to equity-sensitive fixed-income sectors: U.S. High Yield, Emerging Markets, U.S. Investment Grade, and Floating Rate Notes. Fixed income markets show mixed performance, with short-term yields rising and long-term yields cooling. Sector allocations remain stable, with slight changes in weights.

Improved Catastrophic Stop model recommends fully invested allocation. Global markets show positive growth, with Japan and Australia overweighted. Germany and the UK underweighted. Explore opportunities in Mexico, South Korea, Poland, Taiwan, and India. Models use various indicators for objective analysis.

Improved NDR Catastrophic Stop model enters July fully invested. S&P 500 gains, led by cyclical sectors. Technology remains largest position, while Industrials and Consumer Staples change. Sector model indicates mixed leadership, overweighting IT, Consumer Discretionary, Industrials, Health Care, Utilities.

The portfolio delivered +5.06% YTD net of fees, outperforming the benchmark. With a Beta of 0.76, it achieved 24% lower volatility than the index. The focus remains on quality, profitability, and margins of safety, while value stocks show potential. Recent portfolio changes include adding PayPal and selling Micron Technologies due to macro headwinds.

The NDR Catastrophic Sell Stop model combines time-tested, objective indicators designed to identify high-risk periods for the equity market. The model deteriorated from last month but entered June with a fully invested equity allocation recommendation.

The risk management model (chart at right) seeks to reduce exposure to fixed income sectors most sensitive to equity drawdowns (U.S. High Yield, Emerging Markets, U.S. Investment Grade, and Floating Rate Notes) during periods of market stress.

The NDR Catastrophic Sell Stop model combines time-tested, objective indicators designed to identify high risk periods for the equity market. The model (chart at right) deteriorated from last month but entered June with a fully invested equity allocation recommendation.

DH Smart Value Portfolio: YTD slightly negative but outperformed benchmark with lower volatility. FANMAG stocks mask underlying weakness. Value stocks poised for strength. Holding Meta, Alphabet. Mosaic, Nutrien underperformed due to restocking concerns. Macro focus on Fed, economic trends, inflation, and geopolitics. Sector weightings and valuations are favorable.

DH Smart Value Portfolio: Positive YTD performance, higher returns with lower volatility. Focus on quality, profitability, and valuation. Mixed macro environment, balancing headwinds and positives. Emphasis on value-oriented stocks amid potential debt ceiling concerns. Sector weightings and valuation metrics remain favorable.

The risk management model (chart right) seeks to reduce exposure to fixed-income sectors most sensitive to equity drawdowns. The risk management model improved from last month and entered May recommending full model exposure to U.S. Treasury, U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities, U.S. Corporates, International Investment Grade Bonds, and U.S. Short-Term Bonds.

The NDR Catastrophic Sell Stop model combines time-tested, objective indicators designed to identify high-risk periods for the equity market. The model (chart at right) improved from last month and entered May with a fully invested equity allocation recommendation.

The NDR Catastrophic Sell Stop model combines time-tested, objective indicators designed to identify high risk periods for the equity market. The model (chart at right) improved from last month and entered May with a fully invested equity allocation recommendation.