logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
24m 33s

When Can Direct Indexing Make Sense for ...

CHARLES SCHWAB
About this episode

The idea of making your portfolio your own typically involves adding and subtracting specific investments. The concept of "addition by subtraction" is a key component of an investment strategy that's been going mainstream lately. In this episode we look at one potential way you can subtract or add to your portfolio by using a method known as direct indexing. This strategy allows investors to own individual stocks that reflect the characteristics of the index they wish to track.

The main advantages of direct indexing are personalization and tax-loss harvesting. But there are some downsides as well: tax-loss harvesting is only valuable if you have gains to offset and there is the operational burden of owning individual securities compared to index mutual funds and ETFs.  

To discuss the ins and outs of direct indexing, Mark Riepe is joined by DJ Tierney. DJ is a director and senior investment portfolio strategist for Schwab Asset Management. He has over 25 years of experience in institutional sales, trading, and capital markets, with an extensive background in and knowledge of ETFs and fixed income. He and Mark discuss separately managed accounts, the history of index investing, tax-loss harvesting, and many other topics.

Follow Financial Decoder for free on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.

Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit Schwab.com/FinancialDecoder.

If you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

Investors should consider carefully information contained in the prospectus or, if available, the summary prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Please read it carefully before investing.

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results and the opinions presented cannot be viewed as an indicator of future performance.

Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets.

Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs and expenses and cannot be invested in directly. For more information on indexes please see www.schwab.com/indexdefinitions.

This information does not constitute and is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax, legal, or investment planning advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, Schwab recommends consultation with a qualified tax advisor, CPA, financial planner, or investment manager.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

Neither the tax-loss harvesting strategy nor any discussion herein is intended as tax advice. Tax-loss harvesting involves certain risks including unintended tax implications. Investors should consult with their tax advisors and refer to Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") website at www.irs.gov about the consequences of tax-loss harvesting. 

Strategies that use screening to exclude certain investments may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as strategies that do not use screens. There can be no assurance that the strategies will achieve their desired outcomes. Each investing strategy brings with it its own set of unique risks and benefits.

Schwab Asset Management™ is the dba name for Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. Schwab Asset Management and Schwab are separate but affiliated companies and subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation.

(0423-388D)

Up next
Apr 2024
(Bonus) Does Your Portfolio Need Decluttering?
Your financial life can accumulate disorder and inefficiency over time. Lots of accounts, lots of holdings, and lots of priorities without a clear organizational structure. If this sounds like your portfolio, a good spring cleaning or decluttering could be in order. On this episo ... Show More
23m 21s
Mar 2024
Do Investing Pros Make Smart Buy and Sell Decisions?
Successful investors know that choosing what to sell is just as important as choosing what to buy. However, findings from a recent study suggest that even professional portfolio managers are subject to psychological forces while making buying and selling decisions. On this episod ... Show More
19m 31s
Mar 2024
How Can You Save for College?
Figuring out how to cover college expenses often means navigating a bewildering range of options, programs, and plans. As the financial burden of higher education grows, so does the decision-making complexity for those pursuing a degree. Some even wonder whether college is still ... Show More
39m 46s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
Talk Your Book: Infrastructure Investing
On today's show, we are joined by Jon Levin, CEO of GCM Grosvenor and Mark Gatto, Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of CION Investments to discuss the basics around the infrastructure asset class, BDC's vs interval fund products, risk and return expectations for infrastru ... Show More
40m 27s
Feb 2024
Talk Your Book: Investing for Income
On today's show, Ben Carlson and Michael Batnick are joined by Josh Greco, Senior VP and Senior Institutional Portfolio Manager for Franklin Income Investors to discuss: asset allocation decisions within multi-asset funds, how rate changes affect portfolio yield, investors overal ... Show More
39m 28s
Oct 2024
DV219 - Nvidia creeps closer to No.1 Spot, ASML continues fall, Bitcoin ready to breakout? & What will the ECB do? - October 17th
Welcome to "The Daily Voice" - eToro's daily financial outlook In this podcast, you'll receive valuable insights from eToro's Market Analyst, Sam North on the significant daily financial news, all within a concise time frame of under 5 minutes. On today's Daily Voice, Sam discuss ... Show More
5m 14s
Oct 2024
DV227 - Bitcoin trades above $70K, why is consumer confidence data important & earnings from Alphabet, AMD and McDonald's - October 29th
Welcome to "The Daily Voice" - eToro's daily financial outlook In this podcast, you'll receive valuable insights from eToro's Market Analyst, Sam North on the significant daily financial news, all within a concise time frame of under 5 minutes. On today’s episode of The Daily Voi ... Show More
5m 11s
Oct 2024
CWL062: Investing Psychology Secrets with Louise Bedford
In this episode of Conversation with Leaders, Market Analyst Josh Gilbert speaks to bestselling author Louise Bedford to discuss the psychology of trading, success habits, and strategies from her latest book, Investing Psychology Secrets.  Learn how to overcome common trading mis ... Show More
31m 7s
Nov 2024
Talk Your Book: Animal Spirits Live
On today's show, we are live from Chicago with Alex Morris, Chief Investment Officer of F/m Investments to discuss why investors are still crowded on the short end of the curve, thoughts on why rates went up following a Fed cut, why credit spreads have remained so tight, not taki ... Show More
32m 26s
Jun 20
Why Defensive Stocks Have Disappeared
On this special episode of The Compound and Friends, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Michael Batnick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Downtown Josh Brown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ are joined by Matt Cerminaro and Todd Sohn for the ultimate CHART ON session! They discuss: the Fed, market sentiment, the future of Apple, and much more! This episode ... Show More
58m 47s
Jul 2024
DV157 - The S&P survives a 2% dip, semiconductors and tech struggle & What to expect from the ECB Policy Decision - Financial Outlook - 18th July
Welcome to "The Daily Voice" - eToro's daily financial outlook In this podcast, you'll receive valuable insights from eToro's Market Analyst, Sam North on the significant daily financial news, all within a concise time frame of under 5 minutes. On today's Daily Voice, Sam discuss ... Show More
5m 17s
Jan 2025
Why Brian Wesbury is Bearish
On episode 172 of The Compound and Friends, Michael Batnick and Downtown Josh Brown are joined by Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors to discuss his outlook on 2025, Recessions, Monetary Policy, Bitcoin, being an Eagle Scout and more! This episode is sponsored ... Show More
1h 32m
Dec 2024
Should Old Investments Be Forgot?
In the final episode of the On the Tape for 2024, Guy Adami and Danny Moses reflect on a remarkable year. They start by honoring former President Jimmy Carter, discussing his overlooked contributions. The conversation shifts to market trends, specifically the dominance of passive ... Show More
30m 57s