About this episode

Paul Merriman discusses portfolio choices with Chris Pedersen and Daryl Bahls, addressing common reader questions.

Paul sits down with Chris Pedersen and Daryl Bahls for the first Q&A session in months — and this one is built around the questions readers and listeners ask most often. Chris and Daryl share what they're working on next (Best-in-Class ETF updates, Target Date Fund work, telltale charts, risk-adjusted return analysis), Paul talks about a smarter way to use AI for the questions outside our wheelhouse, and the team works through six reader questions about portfolio design — from combining model portfolios to choosing between fund families. If you've ever wondered whether your portfolio is "right," this conversation will help you think about it the way Chris and Daryl do. 8:30 — Should I combine the Worldwide Four Fund, U.S. Four Fund, and Worldwide All Value with a small cap value tilt? 16:00 — How do I read the Sound Investing tables to compare portfolios? 30:30 — Worldwide All Small Cap Value vs. the U.S. Two Fund — which is better? 38:15 — My Vanguard Four Fund uses VOO, VTV, VB, and VBR — am I using the right ETFs? 41:30 — How do Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab, DFA, and Avantis compare on size and value exposure? 46:30 — How do I get help with Merriman portfolios when…

People in this episode

Host: Paul Merriman

Guests: Chris Pedersen, Daryl Bahls

Topics covered

• portfolio design
• ETF updates
• risk-adjusted return analysis
• fund comparison
• reader Q&A

Keywords

• portfolio choices
• ETF updates
• fund families
• risk-adjusted returns
• investment strategies

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab, DFA, Avantis

Products: Worldwide Four Fund, U.S. Four Fund, Worldwide All Value, Worldwide All Small Cap Value, U.S. Two Fund, Vanguard Four Fund, VOO, VTV, VB, VBR

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