Hey Allen,
One approach I utilize is to build my own ETF. I specifically monitor the individual stock holdings within ETFs; VIG, SCHD, HDV, SDY, and XLU. When I feel like the market is offering a buying opportunity on any individual equity within the ETFs, I'll begin to scale in. These are dividend yielding ETFs/stocks and I find more frequent opportunities for lower price entries with the individual stocks than the overall ETF. Most recent offerings (last 12 months) were CVS, MCD, WFC, CVX, XOM, OXY, CME, and some others.
This is also about individual personality, risk tolerance, and portfolio management philosophy/structure as Tom pointed out. I'm willing to assume the higher risk of individual equities and enjoy the more frequent management activities individual stocks provide. However, that's not to say I won't AIM the ETF as well when buying opportunities occur as it did for each of these ETFs in October last year.
This is what's great about our endeavors with investing and the foundational approach Mr. Lichello introduced with AIM . Unlike the big money managers that tend to copy/follow each other and run with the heard, not many of us smaller guys and gals do it exactly the same way. Success though, can achieved through AIMing, Constant Value, and similar strategies with consistency of process and patience.
Best, Alton
