November 10, 2025
Welcome Back,
Hi there
Good morning! In today’s issue, we’ll dig into the all of the latest moves and highlight what they mean for you right now. Along the way, you’ll find insights you can put to work immediately
— Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.
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PRESENTED BY MASTERWORKS
Wall Street Isn’t Warning You, But This Chart Might
Vanguard just projected public markets may return only 5% annually over the next decade. In a 2024 report, Goldman Sachs forecasted the S&P 500 may return just 3% annually for the same time frame—stats that put current valuations in the 7th percentile of history.
Translation? The gains we’ve seen over the past few years might not continue for quite a while.
Meanwhile, another asset class—almost entirely uncorrelated to the S&P 500 historically—has overall outpaced it for decades (1995-2024), according to Masterworks data.
Masterworks lets everyday investors invest in shares of multimillion-dollar artworks by legends like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso.
And they’re not just buying. They’re exiting—with net annualized returns like 17.6%, 17.8%, and 21.5% among their 23 sales.*
Wall Street won’t talk about this. But the wealthy already are. Shares in new offerings can sell quickly but…
*Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Important Reg A disclosures: masterworks.com/cd.
Investing Snapshot
Defensive Growth — Playing Offense Without Losing Sleep
This week’s theme focuses on a powerful balance: defensive growth — positioning your portfolio to grow steadily while protecting against volatility.
After a choppy week across equities, crypto, and commodities, this approach keeps you invested, but strategically protected.
💡 2. Why This Matters
Volatility is back: The VIX climbed over 8% midweek before cooling off — a reminder that smooth sailing can change quickly.
Mixed signals everywhere: Stocks are rotating, crypto is consolidating, and rate expectations are murky. Defensive positioning helps you stay adaptable through it all.
Compounding matters most: Avoiding large drawdowns means your capital compounds faster over time — that’s the real edge of defensive growth.
🧠 3. The Strategy: How to Build a “Defensive Growth” Portfolio
Step 1 — Core Stability:
Anchor 50–60% of your portfolio in quality, cash-generating assets:
Index funds (S&P 500, Total Market)
Dividend-paying blue chips (MSFT, JNJ, KO, JPM)
Short-duration bonds or T-bills (3–9 months laddered)
Step 2 — Targeted Growth:
Allocate 20–30% to select growth plays:
Tech leaders with strong free cash flow (NVDA, AMZN, META)
Long-term thematic ETFs (AI, clean energy, biotech)
High-conviction crypto majors (BTC, ETH)
Step 3 — Defensive Hedges:
Reserve 10–20% for protection and opportunistic assets:
Gold or gold ETFs (GLD, IAU)
Consumer staples (WMT, COST)
REITs with stable FFO and low leverage (O, PLD, AMT)
A small cash buffer for buying dips
Principle: The goal isn’t to eliminate risk — it’s to make your portfolio bend, not break.
⚖️ 4. Risk vs. Reward
✅ Pros:
Smoother returns and lower volatility.
You stay invested even during uncertain periods.
Easier to pivot when opportunities arise.
⚠️ Cons:
You might lag in aggressive bull markets.
Requires rebalancing discipline (no chasing momentum).
Slightly less exciting — but far more consistent.
Bottom line: This approach wins by not losing — and that’s how compounding magic works.
🧭 5. How to Take Action
Beginner:
Start with a 3-Fund Portfolio (S&P 500 ETF, Bond ETF, and REIT ETF).
Set up auto-investing every week or month — don’t time the market.
Intermediate:
Blend dividend growers and growth ETFs.
Add gold or short-term Treasuries to offset equity risk.
Review allocations quarterly — rebalance, don’t overreact.
Advanced:
Use sector rotation: overweight defensives (utilities, staples) when volatility spikes, overweight cyclicals when risk appetite returns.
Explore options for hedging (covered calls, protective puts).
Add private credit or alternative yield for steady, uncorrelated income.
🎯 Key Takeaway:
Defensive growth isn’t about hiding from the market — it’s about staying power.
You can’t control when the next correction hits, but you can control how ready your portfolio is for it.
That’s All For Today
I hope you enjoyed today’s issue of The Wealth Wagon. If you have any questions regarding today’s issue or future issues feel free to reply to this email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Come back tomorrow for another great post. I hope to see you. 🤙
— Ryan Rincon, CEO and Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects the opinions of its editors and contributors. The content provided, including but not limited to real estate tips, stock market insights, business marketing strategies, and startup advice, is shared for general guidance and does not constitute financial, investment, real estate, legal, or business advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investment, real estate, and business decisions involve inherent risks, and readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before taking any action. This newsletter does not establish a fiduciary, advisory, or professional relationship between the publishers and readers.
