The Independent Vanguard Adviser
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IVA TRADE ALERT | Too Much AI in the Wrong Place
I’m trimming International Growth to restore diversification—and reduce unintended U.S. tech risk.
Shutdown Politics, Private Assets and Crypto Rumors
A government shutdown | Vanguard makes the case for private assets and considers allowing crypto ETFs on the platform | Morningstar acquires CRSP | Money market portfolio manager John Lanius retires
Shut Downs, Shake Ups and Staying Invested
OCTOBER 2025 | Spending time in the market paid off in the third quarter. Plus, my thoughts on a government shutdown, private assets, bitcoin and Morningstar buying CRSP. And, as always, IVA Portfolio notes, the IVA Factor Tracker and a roundup of articles and analysis from the past month.
Lunch Time in the Board Room: 2025
Are Vanguard’s Board of Trustees eating their own cooking—investing alongside the shareholders they represent?
Small Stocks Reclaim 2021 Highs. Cash Pays a Little Less.
Small stocks reach new highs | Cash yields slip … as predicted
Nibbling Around the Edges: 2025
Is the manager of your mutual fund (or ETF) invested alongside you?
Investing Beyond the AI Hype
2026 OUTLOOK | The market’s baseline is growth—but in an AI-driven, fully-priced world, diversification matters more than ever.
The AI Footprint in Your Vanguard Portfolio
MAILBAG | A comprehensive look at Vanguard funds tied to the AI narrative, as well as those that aren’t—and how the IVA Portfolios stack up.
PRIMECAP Finds Its Edge … Again
A strong 2025 reminds investors why patience with PRIMECAP still pays.
Vanguard and The Vanguard Group are service marks of The Vanguard Group, Inc. We are not affiliated in any way with The Vanguard Group and receive no compensation from The Vanguard Group, Inc.
Hi, I’m Jeff DeMaso.
Welcome to the Independent Vanguard Adviser.
I’ve been a Vanguard investor for over a decade, co-editing the leading newsletter on Vanguard funds and ETFs. I’m a big Vanguard fan, but they are not perfect (nobody is). I’ll tell you the good and the bad when it comes to Vanguard.
Over two decades while working at a multi-billion-dollar investment firm, I held titles of intern to CIO (and everything in between). I’ve seen investors make avoidable mistakes time and time again. I aim to share the investment insights and advice I want my family and friends to have so that you can make meaningful investments for yours.
When investing, I believe in simplicity, diversification and spending time in the market. A simple promise: My family and I will invest in the same funds I recommend to you!
When I’m not poring over Vanguard’s most recent prospectus, you can find me chasing my toddler around the playground or trying to avoid an injury while reliving the glory days on the soccer pitch.