I’m alright with that, though. The goal of this portfolio isn’t necessarily to be consistently beating the market right now. I hope to sustain downturns — as I have so far — while at the same time making plays that are designed to pay off years, decades from now.

So far, I’ll have to say I’m happy with how it’s performing.

Let’s get into the numbers. Here’s how my ETF portfolio has performed across three key periods: last month (June), year-to-date (July 1st), and since I first opened the portfolio in July of 2022.

June 2025: In Step with the Market

Let’s kick things off with June’s numbers:

• My Portfolio: +4%
• S&P 500: +5%
• DOW: +4.5%

While I technically lagged the market, I’d say I’m within the range of saying I’m pacing with it. The major indices had a pretty strong month, and edged me out slightly. But with a 4% gain, I’d say my portfolio held it’s own.

What drove this performance?

Year-to-Date: Quietly Beating the Market

Now let’s zoom out to 2025 so far (through close on 6/30). And here, things start to get a little more fun:

• My Portfolio: +6.3%
• S&P 500: +6.2%
• DOW: +4.5%

On the year so far, I’m actually out-pacing the market — certainly the DOW. Granted, given my remarks on the monthly performance, I’m actually in lock-step with the market. Not beating it. But this time I’m up, so I’ll take the W.

The truth is, when the market is roaring, this portfolio has historically under-performed. So, as the market turns back up, this is expected.

At the same time, historically this portfolio never really crossed above the gains of the S&P. And since it’s largely sustained that on the year, who knows what’s going to happen going forward. It’s been good, and I’m hoping for more of the same.

Top contributors so far in 2025:

• AIQ: +0.63%
• PEJ: +0.48%
• XLC: +0.81%
• XLI: +0.75%

The only slight underperformer has been PSCT and XLV (which lost about 1/4 and 1/10 of a percent respectively), but that hasn’t derailed the broader portfolio’s momentum. Here’s the breakdown of each ETF and how they’ve affected the portfolio overall.

Each ETF does a different job. Some are slow and steady, some are long-term moonshots, and a few are quietly outperforming without making headlines.

Since Inception (July 2022)

Here’s how things stack up as it’s approaching it’s 3-year anniversary:

• My Portfolio: +35.3%
• S&P 500: +62.5%
• DOW: +42.3%

Despite the recent shake-ups, the S&P has been quite strong. And, given the fact that there was a slight dip in the markets overall the week I got in; it’s gains are even more pronounced. It’s making me look a little bad, but as I’ve mentioned before, it’s well within my expectations for this portfolio.

I didn’t build this portfolio to win every race. I built it to win the right ones.

I’m holding ETFs in sectors focused on things like electric/autonomous vehicles and robotics — sectors I don’t expect to fully take off for another 10–15 years. People always talk about what they would invest in if they had a time machine, so I took that thought process when picking some if the things I wanted to be invested in.

I’ve tried to consider what life will be like in a couple decades, and what sectors will be commonplace then, that seem farfetched now. Obviously, hoping to capitalize on what these industries will become once they mature.

Here’s the breakdown of the ETFs and their affect on the portfolio since I opened it:

So yes, the total return of 35.3% lags behind the major benchmarks. But that return was built with deliberate exposure to future-facing sectors, which haven’t paid off yet. Hopefully, when we look back a decade or so from now, I won’t be playing the “if I had a time machine game”.

Diversification of ETFs Thought-Process

I’ve mentioned it a bit here and there throughout this post, but wanted to give a bit more details about my thought process behind why I chose each ETF. This is a curated strategy, built around three pillars:

1. Controlled, Consistent Growth

I’m not looking for 40% months—or 40% crashes. I want a stock-market portfolio that grows steadily, and lets me live my life without watching CNBC every morning.

2. Future-Oriented Sectors

I’m early on purpose. Self-driving cars, robotics, and artificial intelligence are all sectors I’ve chosen to invest in via ETFs like IDRV and AIQ. I’m fully aware they won’t dominate my returns right now. But by the time they do, I’ll already be in the driver’s seat.

3. Resilience During Down-Turns

The inclusion of ETFs like PBJ (consumer staples) and PEJ (media and entertainment) keeps the portfolio grounded. These act as ballast when the flashier sectors get rocky. It’s largely what kept June strong, and what keeps the whole thing from turning into a rollercoaster.

June matched the market and 2025 YTD has outpaced it. Since inception we’re a bit behind; but the thesis is still strong, and the best is probably still ahead.

Thanks for reading! Let me know in the comments what your investing strategy is, and how your portfolio is doing. I’m always looking to learn more. And if you have any questions, be sure to leave those, too! Hope to see you back here for the next post

The post Market’s Caught Up — But Still Going Strong | Stock-Market ETF Portfolio Update, July 2025 appeared first on Anthony Bradley's Trading Journal.