28M, just started investing, looking for feedback on my 84.5% Core / 15.5% Satellite portfolio

much looks good here, but consider:

1. what you call conviction is likely a hunch, and one that specifically aligns with current market manias. consider also that the trends you embrace could indeed become pervasive, while earning no money (see railroads in mid-19th century);

1. you say you don't intend to chase the latest trend, but you embrace exactly that, with space, nukes, chips;

1. you intend to invest passively, yet you play various angles and hold thematic stocks.

investing is all about humility, i.e., the admission that you don't know the future. so, you can do your core/satellite thing, or you can be passive. if your themes don't work out so well, I predict your passive portfolio will become not so passive.

good luck.

This is one of the more reasonable portfolios I've seen from a new investor. My only feedback is that at $13k invested, your savings rate will matter far more than whether uranium beats semis or space beats the S&P. Keep contributing and don't over-tinker.

I'd consider SMH a satellite, not part of the core. It's a theme ETF with 26 holdings, not a broad market index. And I'd also count your individual stocks as satellites. That'll give you a more realistic view of your core/satellite ratio (i.e., your overall balance between broad market diversification and focused concentration).

Nine stocks also seems like a lot for smaller positions, but it's probably not a bad place to start. Over time, as you get more familiar with these companies and figure out what you like or don't like with each, you might want to put more focus into the ones you've got higher convictions in.

Otherwise seems like a solid setup... I'm not a huge fan of theme ETFs, but that's the beauty of the C&S portfolio - so long as your core provides broad index diversification, you can basically do whatever the hell you want with your satellites.

I’ve a strong long-term conviction in semiconductors given the growth of AI, data centers, and advanced manufacturing.

do you have a successful history of correctly predicting long-term industry trends?

Theme ETFs are a trap that statistically underperform the market long term. They're fun while you're winning and then you think you're good so you stop checking on it, then 6 years later you look back at it and realize the sp500 is smoking you.

Don’t listen to anyone in this thread, the only advice people have is to sell everything and buy VOO.