At MRA Advisory Group, we believe successful investing requires ongoing evaluation, disciplined portfolio management, and the flexibility to adapt as economic and market conditions evolve.
On October 8, 2026, MRA’s Investment Committee completed its quarterly portfolio review and approved several strategic adjustments to our WealthBuilder Portfolios.
These changes reflect our assessment of current market conditions, interest rate trends, and opportunities to improve diversification while maintaining an appropriate balance between long-term growth and income generation.
Understanding Portfolio Risk Profiles
Our WealthBuilder Portfolios are designed around five risk levels, ranging from conservative to aggressive:
- Portfolio 1 – Conservative: 100% fixed income (bonds)
- Portfolio 2 – Moderately Conservative: Primarily bonds, with some equity exposure
- Portfolio 3 – Moderate: A balanced combination of stocks and bonds
- Portfolio 4 – Moderately Aggressive: Primarily stocks, with some fixed-income exposure
- Portfolio 5 – Aggressive: 100% equities (stocks)
What Changed and Why
1. Improving International Equity Diversification
We eliminated our individual allocations to European equities (VGK) and South Korean equities (EWY), replacing them with an allocation to the JPMorgan International Value ETF (JIVE).
This adjustment allows us to maintain international equity exposure through a broader, value-oriented investment strategy rather than concentrating investments in specific geographic markets.
We believe this approach offers greater flexibility to participate in opportunities across international markets while reducing reliance on individual countries or regions.
2. Strengthening Our Fixed-Income Strategy
Interest rates, inflation, and Federal Reserve policy remain important considerations for bond investors. To address these factors, we made several adjustments:
- Introduced an allocation to the JPMorgan Limited Duration Bond ETF (JPLD)
- Added an allocation to the VanEck Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF (FLTR)
- Eliminated our allocation to the First Trust Low Duration Opportunities ETF (LMBS)
- Reduced our allocation to the PIMCO Active Core Bond ETF (BOND)
These changes are intended to improve flexibility within our fixed-income allocation. Of note, Portfolio 1 has virtually no stocks, and Portfolio 5 has no bonds.
Shorter-duration bonds generally have less sensitivity to changes in interest rates than longer-duration bonds, while floating-rate securities can help reduce exposure to rising interest rates.
Our objective is to maintain attractive income opportunities while managing interest rate risk and preserving flexibility as monetary policy evolves.
3. Maintaining a Balanced Investment Approach
Despite these adjustments, our overall investment philosophy remains unchanged. The portfolios continue to emphasize:
- Long-term capital appreciation
- Income generation through diversified fixed-income investments
- Diversification across industries, geographic regions, and asset classes
- Active risk management in response to changing economic conditions
We believe this positioning remains appropriate for investors seeking a moderate balance between growth potential and portfolio stability.
Our Market Outlook Through December 2026
As we approach the final months of 2026, our outlook for financial markets remains cautiously constructive, with an emphasis on diversification and risk management.
Corporate earnings continue to provide an important foundation for equity markets. However, elevated inflation, uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve policy, geopolitical developments, and market valuations could contribute to increased volatility.
We believe several factors will influence investment performance through year-end:
- Equity Markets: We see opportunities for continued gains, particularly if corporate earnings remain resilient. However, market leadership may broaden beyond the largest technology companies, creating opportunities in industrials, financials, infrastructure, dividend-paying businesses, and international value stocks.
- Fixed Income: Bonds continue to play an important role in portfolio diversification and income generation. With inflation remaining elevated and interest rate uncertainty persisting, we favor a diversified approach that includes shorter-duration securities, floating-rate investments, and actively managed bond strategies.
- Economic Growth: Our base-case outlook anticipates continued U.S. economic expansion through year-end, although inflation and monetary policy could create challenges for both stocks and bonds.
While short-term market fluctuations are inevitable, we believe disciplined asset allocation, diversification, and periodic portfolio adjustments remain essential to pursuing long-term financial objectives.
Looking Ahead
At MRA Advisory Group, we believe every financial decision is connected.
Our Investment Committee continuously evaluates how market developments, economic conditions, and portfolio positioning may affect your broader financial plan. These latest adjustments reflect our commitment to managing client investments proactively rather than simply reacting to market movements.
As always, our focus remains on helping clients build enduring wealth and pursue their financial goals with confidence.
If you’d like to discuss these portfolio adjustments or review how your investments align with your financial objectives, schedule a conversation with an MRA Advisor.
Thank you for your continued trust in MRA Advisory Group.
Related reading
October 2026 Market OutlookMRA Advisory Group’s Investment Committee reviews what moved markets in September, what the data is saying beneath the headlines, and how the WealthBuilder Portfolios and Core + Explore process stay anchored to your long-term plan.Read article →Important Disclosures: Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Asset allocations are targets and may vary due to market movements and implementation timing. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit or protect against loss. Fixed-income investments are subject to interest rate, credit, liquidity, and other risks. International investments involve additional risks, including currency fluctuations and geopolitical developments. The market outlook represents current expectations, is subject to change, and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results.