September has a reputation for market turbulence, but smart investors see opportunity in the chaos. This newsletter explores a simple yet powerful strategy: pairing IGV, an AI-focused growth ETF, with VIG, a dividend-growth defensive ETF. Together, they provide a balance of offense and defense—capturing the upside of AI’s next phase while cushioning your portfolio during volatility. Learn how to position strategically for both growth and stability as the market navigates one of its historically toughest months.

Let’s embark on this transformative journey together and position your portfolio for success in this evolving market landscape!

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Let’s cut through the noise. September has a reputation—and not a flattering one. Historically, it’s the roughest month for markets. Average returns are negative, volatility spikes, and anxious investors often retreat into cash or high-yield traps that look safe but crumble under pressure.

But here’s the thing: smart investors aren’t panicking. They’re quietly positioning. Not by chasing the latest Reddit rumor, not by betting everything on a single stock, but by combining two exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that complement each other perfectly. One brings the growth engine of artificial intelligence’s next phase. The other provides stability through proven dividend growth. Together, they balance offense and defense in a way that’s rare, simple, and data-backed.

This isn’t a gamble—it’s strategy. And the timing couldn’t be more important.

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First, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. September has been historically brutal for U.S. equities. According to decades of S&P 500 data, average September returns are negative, and the volatility is often higher than any other month. Add to that the Fed’s shifting stance on interest rates, inflation numbers bouncing like a yo-yo, and whispers of recession that never quite disappear.

It’s no wonder most investors are sitting on their hands. But that indecision is exactly where the opportunity lies. Money flows to strength during volatility. Companies that combine durability with growth don’t just survive—they attract capital when everyone else is running scared.

That’s the framework you need to think about heading into September 2025. Not which single stock will “moon,” but which strategies are structured to win across multiple scenarios.

Most people still think AI investing begins and ends with Nvidia and semiconductors. That was phase one: the infrastructure buildout. Most of those gains have already been realized.

We’re now entering phase two: AI implementation. This is when companies stop asking “what is AI?” and start asking “how do we use AI to save money, boost efficiency, and gain an edge?” That pivot changes everything.

The iShares Expanded Tech Software ETF $IGV ( ▲ 1.91% ) gives you broad exposure to this exact shift. At $18.75 per share with nearly $9.7 billion in assets under management, IGV is quietly capturing the companies leading the AI software rollout.

Look at the top holdings:

This isn’t speculation. Just last week, Snowflake surged 32% in a single day on surging AI software demand. Enterprises are signing contracts, not just talking about possibilities.

IGV’s performance speaks for itself:

IGV is your offense—high potential, higher volatility, but in a sector with real, accelerating momentum.

Now let’s flip the coin. Defensive investors often get lured into dividend traps—those 8% or 10% yields that look great until they collapse when companies cut payouts.

The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) takes the opposite approach. Instead of chasing yield, it invests only in companies that have increased dividends for 10+ consecutive years—and it specifically excludes the top 25% of high-yield stocks.

That filter is crucial. High, unsustainable yields often signal weakness. Dividend growth, on the other hand, signals strength: companies so profitable and confident that they consistently raise payouts.

Here’s why $VIG ( ▲ 0.44% ) stands out:

VIG is your defense—lower volatility, steady compounding, and exposure to companies with real pricing power.

Think about it this way:

Together, they provide balance. When markets rally, IGV captures growth. When markets wobble—as they often do in September—VIG cushions the downside.

Even better, both ETFs are cheap to hold. $IGV ( ▲ 1.91% ) charges 0.39%, and VIG charges just 0.06%. That means your money compounds for you, not your fund manager.

This isn’t about timing the market. It’s about structuring your portfolio so you’re positioned regardless of what happens next month.

Most investors either chase hype or hide in fear. The smart money is doing neither. It’s identifying durable, multi-year trends (AI implementation) and pairing them with timeless strategies (dividend growth).

This is how portfolios are built to last:

September is coming. It will likely be rough, as history suggests. But rough doesn’t mean bad. For the investors who align with where capital is actually flowing, volatility becomes a tool—not a threat.

Because at the end of the day, the market doesn’t reward the loudest, the fastest, or the most anxious. It rewards those who think strategically, position early, and let compounding do the heavy lifting.

If you’re an investor staring at September with more questions than answers, here’s clarity in two steps:

Not hype. Not fear. Just positioning that blends offense and defense into a strategy designed for where we are now—and where we’re heading.

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Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.