My Stock Portfolio


Even though Crypto is the primary focus of this site, the value of diversification should never be overlooked.  The more wealth an individual has, the greater the value of smart diversification strategies.  This is because portfolio diversification helps to preserve wealth over a long period of time.  Concentration of wealth into one asset class, such as crypto, can potentially grow wealth faster, but this strategy also increases risk.  This is why I recommend looking into additional ways to diversify your wealth outside of Crypto using Stocks and Real Estate investments.  

Using M1 Finance to Simplify Portfolio Management

For my stock portfolio, I use M1 Finance to easily create and manage all of my investments.  The M1 platform has an extremely simple way to rebalance my portfolio with a click of a button and all trades are commission free.  This means every dime is invested while also reducing risk with regular rebalancing.  M1 Finance also allows individuals to create IRA accounts for retirement which is exactly what I’m doing.  Keep in mind that IRA accounts currently limit most investors with a $6000 maximum annual deposit, so anything that you want to invest in stocks above this amount will need to be deposited into an individual account which M1 also offers. 

M1 Finance Banner

My portfolio can be broken down into multiple sub-portfolios, each with their own unique purpose and risk profile.  The sub-portfolios from largest to smallest include Growth Stocks, US Market, Green Stocks, Emerging Markets and Developed Markets.  There’s a large focus on innovative growth stocks since I believe these industries have the most to gain over the next two decades. This is also around the same time I plan to begin withdrawing my money during my retirement years, so it makes sense to invest in industries that’ll explode between now and then.  The portfolio is constructed using ETFs or Exchange Traded Funds instead of individual stocks since these funds provide the diversification and flexibility that I’m looking for while also giving me exposure to the sectors of the global economy that I’m most interested in.

Stock Portfolio Breakdown

So, let’s begin digging a bit deeper into each sub-portfolio to see why each investment was chosen and its purpose in the overall strategy of the portfolio.  The percentages next to each sub-portfolio represent the total portfolio allocation, while the percentages next to each fund represent the allocation within the sub-portfolio it belongs to. 

M1 Finance Portfolio

Growth Stocks (60%)

QQQ (30%) – The very popular QQQ ETF attempts to replicate the NASDAQ index which primarily focuses on large cap growth companies within the United States.  The focus on higher growth means that a large percentage of the fund contains technology stocks, but there’s still a good amount of communication and consumer cyclical stocks as well.  The smaller allocations to the other sectors in the US economy still contain some of the strongest companies from those industries and make this one of the best US stock funds on the market. 

ARKK (25%) – The ARK Innovation ETF is the flagship product managed by ARK Invest.  The fund invests into several innovative sectors of the economy to include Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Vehicles, Fintech, DNA Sequencing, Robotics, 3D Printing, Blockchain Tech and Energy Storage.  The stocks chosen for this fund are among the best from each category based on the in depth research from the ARK Invest team. 

EMQQ (12%) – Internet and Ecommerce businesses have done extremely well over the last decade, but if there’s one area of the world where these businesses still have enormous growth potential, it would be in Emerging Market economies.  These are exactly the types of businesses that the Emerging Markets Internet and Ecommerce ETF invests in and that’s why I’ve add it to my growth portfolio. 

BLOK (6%) – Most people visiting this site are already interested in crypto, so how about investing some of your money into companies that focus on using Crypto and Blockchain Technology?  This ETF is perfect for individuals wanting to add exposure to the companies that leverage the exponential growth potential of the crypto industry.  If you believe in the future of crypto, than investing in these companies should also interest you.

ARKG (5%) – ARK’s Genomic Revolution ETF is focused entirely on companies involved in DNA Sequencing, Gene Editing, Gene Therapy, CRISPR, Agricultural Biology, Targeted Therapeutics and Molecular Diagnostics.  There’s some overlap with other ARK ETFs, but this one gives us exposure to ARK’s full range of companies involved in the Genetic Revolution. 

ARKF (5%) – ARK’s Fintech Innovation ETF is focused entirely on companies involved in developing Digital Wallets, Mobile Payments, P2P Lending, Financial Risk Transformation, Artificial Intelligence and Ecommerce.  There’s some overlap with other ARK ETFs, but this one gives us exposure to ARK’s full range of companies involved in the fast paced world of Financial Technology Innovation. 

ARKW (5%) – ARK’s Next Generation Internet ETF is focused entirely on companies involved in Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Digital Media, IoT, Cybersecurity, and Blockchain Technology.  There’s some overlap with other ARK ETFs, but this one gives us exposure to ARK’s full range of companies taking us into the Next Generation of the Internet.  

ARKX (5%) – ARK’s Space Exploration ETF is focused entirely on companies involved in Space related businesses such as Reusable Rockets, Satellites, Orbital Aerospace, Suborbital Aerospace, Drones, 3D Printing and other Enabling Technologies.  There’s some overlap with other ARK ETFs, but this one gives us exposure to ARK’s full range of companies researching, implementing and supporting Space Exploration. 

ARKQ (5%) – ARK’s Autonomous Technology and Robotics ETF is focused entirely on companies involved in Robotics, 3D Printing, Autonomous Technology, Electric and Autonomous Vehicles, Drones and Mobility as a Service.  There’s some overlap with other ARK ETFs, but this one gives us exposure to ARK’s full range of companies involved in the exciting world of Robotics and Automation. 

CQQQ (2%) – Invesco’s China Technology ETF is similar to the QQQ ETF which focuses on US Tech and Growth companies.  Even though we already have exposure to Emerging Market tech companies from the EMQQ ETF, there were a few Chinese Tech Companies that didn’t get included in that fund, so I decided to add a small 2% allocation to increase our exposure to these quickly growing companies in China. 

Global Markets Map

US Market (14%)

VTI (80%) – The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF is our primary broad basket fund for US equities.  This fund invests in US stocks across all sectors and market caps.  The broad diversification that this fund provides helps to hedge against the higher risk growth funds that dominate the portfolio.  

ESGU (20%) – I believe the trend to invest in companies that have responsible environmental, social and governance business models will continue into the future. So, this is why I allocate a small portion of my US Equity portfolio into the iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF. The broad diversification of this fund helps to hedge against the high growth focus of the overall portfolio.  

Green Stocks (10%)

YOLO (40%) – The AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF is the fund I’ve chosen for my interest in the cannabis industry.  This new industry is ripe for growth in my opinion.  With the medicinal benefits becoming more prevalent and the US beginning to relax their stance on the amazing plant, I believe the future growth potential for cannabis businesses is very promising.  Another reason I like this fund, is the active management that’s constantly studying the market and making calculated investment decisions based on this knowledge.  In newer markets like this, active management usually beats passive index strategies. 

TAN (15%) – The Invesco Solar ETF is one of four renewable energy ETFs that I’ve chosen for this portfolio.  This fund focuses primarily on solar businesses and the companies that support the industry.  There’s a slightly higher allocation to international businesses with a strong focus in Technology stocks.  The fund has a decent allocation to Utility stocks as well. 

ICLN (15%) – The iShares Global Clean Energy ETF is one of four renewable energy ETFs that I’ve chosen for this portfolio.  This fund focuses on a broad basket of renewable energy companies to include wind, solar, hydro and other sources of renewable energy.  There’s a higher allocation to international businesses with a strong focus in Utility stocks. The fund has a decent allocation to Industrial and Technology stocks as well. 

QCLN (15%) – The First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy ETF is one of four renewable energy ETFs that I’ve chosen for this portfolio.  This fund not only focuses on renewable energy companies, but also those that provide the infrastructure, basic materials and consumer products related to renewable energy.  There’s a higher allocation to US businesses with a strong focus in Technology, Consumer Cyclical and Industrial stocks.  The fund has a decent allocation to Basic Materials and Utility stocks as well. 

PBW (15%) – The Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF is one of four renewable energy ETFs that I’ve chosen for this portfolio.  This fund not only focuses on renewable energy companies, but also those that provide the infrastructure, basic materials and consumer products related to renewable energy. There’s a higher allocation to US businesses with a focus in Technology, Consumer Cyclical, Industrial and Basic Materials stocks.  On top of the small allocation to Utility stocks, it should be noted that this fund has the highest allocation to small cap stocks among the 4 renewable energy funds that I chose.  This focus on small cap stocks increases growth potential but also increases the risk of the fund. 

Developed Markets (8%)

VEA (80%) – The Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF is our primary broad basket fund for Developed Markets.  This fund invests in Developed Market stocks across all sectors and market caps.  The broad diversification that this fund provides helps to hedge against the higher risk growth funds that dominate the portfolio.  

ESGD (20%) – I believe the trend to invest in companies that have responsible environmental, social and governance business models will continue into the future. So, this is why I allocate a small portion of my Developed Markets portfolio into the iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF. The broad diversification of this fund helps to hedge against the high growth focus of the overall portfolio.  

Emerging Markets (8%)

VWO (80%) – The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF is our primary broad basket fund for Emerging Markets.  This fund invests in Emerging Market equities across all sectors and market caps.  The broad diversification that this fund provides helps to hedge against the higher risk growth funds that dominate the portfolio.  

ESGE (20%) – I believe the trend to invest in companies that have responsible environmental, social and governance business models will continue into the future. So, this is why I allocate a small portion of my Emerging Markets portfolio into the iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF. The broad diversification of this fund helps to hedge against the high growth focus of the overall portfolio. 

Invest Directly Into This Portfolio

If you like the portfolio above and agree with my reasoning, then you can invest directly into the same portfolio using the link here.  Once you open an account using this link, you can choose to change the allocations to each investment if you want to.  So, for those looking to add more potential upside with higher risk can add to the Growth and Green portfolios, while those looking to reduce risk can increase the allocations to the US, Emerging and Developed portfolios instead.  Would you like to add or remove a stock or ETF?  No problem!  Everything is completely customizable using the M1 Finance application.  

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.