The Trend Rider

Classic dual-momentum sector rotation — rides the strongest sectors, steps aside into cash/bonds when nothing looks strong.

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For informational and educational purposes only — not investment advice. Smart Portfolios are simulated (paper-trading) model portfolios that illustrate a rule-based approach; they are not a recommendation to buy or sell any security and do not know your personal financial situation. Do your own research and due diligence, and consider consulting a licensed financial professional, before making any investment decision.
Paper-trading results. Trades shown are real orders placed against a sandbox brokerage account using live market data, but no real capital is at risk. Results do not represent a live account and may differ from real trading due to execution timing, liquidity, slippage, taxes, and fees.
Starting Capital
$50,000
Currently Invested
$0
Unrealized Gain/Loss
+$0 (+0.0%)
Risk Tier
Moderate
Performance vs. S&P 500 (SPY)
This portfolio's performance history will appear here once it has traded for a few days. Its holdings and starting mandate are shown above in the meantime.
How This Portfolio Picks and Balances Stocks

Ranks the 10 SPDR sector ETFs and a cash/short-term Treasury filter by trailing total return every month, holding the top-ranked names equally weighted and shifting to the cash/Treasury filter when sector momentum broadly weakens.


The exact rule, in full, as currently in effect (revision 1, effective Jul 15, 2026):

Universe: 10 SPDR sector ETFs (XLK, XLF, XLE, XLV, XLY, XLP, XLI, XLB, XLU, XLRE) plus a cash/short-term Treasury filter (BIL). On the first trading day of each month, rank all 11 instruments by blended 3/6/12-month trailing total return. Hold the top 3 ranked instruments, equally weighted; any sector ETF that ranks below BIL is replaced by BIL for that month.

See every rule change this portfolio has ever made »
Current Holdings

This portfolio hasn't opened any positions yet.

Trade Log

No published trades yet — every trade this portfolio makes will appear here with a plain-English explanation once it's reviewed and published.

At a Glance
Risk tier
Moderate
Starting capital
$50,000
Uninvested cash
$50,000
Benchmark
SPY
Inception
Jul 15, 2026