Hello, this is JSCC2020.
Today’s market sentiment can be perfectly summed up by Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.” Despite the minor fluctuations in indices and the “noise” created by currency volatility, as disciplined investors, we must shake off the short-term jitters and stay focused on the intrinsic growth of our assets.
It is already Day 4 of our real-time portfolio tracking. As of January 29, 2026, the U.S. market continues its steady climb, led by the Nasdaq. For global investors, here are the three key issues shaping today’s market flow:
• Nasdaq Consolidation Above 23,800: The Nasdaq Composite hit 23,857.45, up +0.17%. The consistent upward curve suggests that buying pressure in the tech sector remains the primary pillar of market support.
• Currency Volatility Impact: For those holding international versions of these ETFs, the Won/Dollar exchange rate has become a critical variable. We are seeing a “phantom drop” where the index rises, but the weakening dollar against the won clips the final returns.
• Inflow into Income-Generating Assets: With the index reaching new heights, there is a noticeable rotation into high-dividend growth like SCHD and income-focused covered call ETFs like JEPQ and GPIQ to hedge against potential pullbacks.
1. [Group 1] Nasdaq 100 ETFs & Covered Call Comparison
While the Nasdaq showed a modest gain, the results varied significantly between leveraged plays and income strategies.
| Strategy | Ticker | Current Price ($) | Daily Return | My Return | Analysis Summary |
| U.S. 2x Leverage | QLD | 74.36 | +0.62% | -0.26% | High elasticity during rallies; volatility management is key. |
| U.S. Index | QQQM | 260.76 | +0.35% | -0.20% | Most faithful tracking of the Nasdaq 100 Index. |
| U.S. Covered Call | JEPQ | 59.96 | +0.25% | +0.12% | Perfect balance of income and tech-led upside. |
| U.S. Covered Call | GPIQ | 53.94 | +0.20% | +0.11% | Solid defensive play using the Nasdaq 100 core strategy. |
💡 Insight: The reason some “My Returns” remain in the red despite the index rising is the entry-level exchange rate and purchase price timing. However, JEPQ and GPIQ maintained positive returns, proving the defensive power of the covered call premium in a stagnant or slightly bullish market.
2. [Group 2] Dividend Growth (SCHD) vs. High-Income Comparison
A look at the bedrock of dividend portfolios versus high-yield alternatives.
| Strategy | Ticker | Current Price ($) | Daily Return | Analysis Summary |
| U.S. Div. Growth | SCHD | 29.30 | -0.24% | Value stocks taking a breather while tech leads. |
| Income Defense | JEPQ/GPIQ | – | +0.2% range | Tech-based covered calls outperformed traditional dividends today. |
💡 Insight: Today was a tech-centric day. Since SCHD leans heavily toward traditional value sectors, it saw a slight dip of -0.24%. However, for long-term investors, SCHD’s dividend growth remains the “anchor” of the portfolio regardless of daily tech rallies.
3. Investment Insight: “Focus on Cash Flow Depth over Index Height”
Looking at the current portfolio on this Day 4 update, the total return sits at approximately -0.87%. It can be frustrating to see a green market but a blue (negative) account. This is largely due to currency translation losses.
- The Global Investor’s Mindset: We cannot control exchange rates. However, holding direct Dollar Assets (QQQM, QLD, SCHD) is the strongest long-term hedge against local currency devaluation.
- The Accumulation Opportunity: When the fundamental index is strong but the price is suppressed by currency factors, it is a Golden Time to accumulate more shares at a lower cost basis.
Ultimately, investing is a battle against time. The “Trinity Strategy” for 2026 remains clear: Ride the Nasdaq growth (QLD, QQQM), endure the downturns with cash flow (JEPQ), and build future wealth through dividend growth (SCHD).