Just seeking for a different opinions
Seeking advice on $85k portfolio: Hold/sell concentrated stock losses vs. pivoting to global ETFs (VGS/IVV)?
Hi everyone,
I started investing in August 2025 with an initial $85,000 lump sum. I'm looking for a sanity check and some different perspectives on my current portfolio setup and next steps.
My Situation:
Time Horizon: Long-term. I have a decent salary, own other assets, and absolutely do not need to touch this money anytime soon.
Experience/Mindset: Pretty new to this. I've experienced some volatility anxiety over the last year—watching the portfolio swing from a high of +8% (+$9k) down to a low of -12% (-$12k).
Current Portfolio Holdings:
TNE (Technology One): Down ~22.7% (Cost: ~$10.0k | Current Value: ~$7.7k)
JBH (JB Hi-Fi): Down ~35.6% (Cost: ~$10.3k | Current Value: ~$6.6k)
RIO (Rio Tinto): Up (Cost: ~$10.0k | Current Value: ~$14.4k)
MQG (Macquarie Group): Up (Cost: ~$10.0k | Current Value: ~$11.6k)
NDQ (BetaShares Nasdaq 100)
(Note: The top holding is cut off in my screenshot but sits at a -31.4% loss on a ~$7.2k cost basis).
The Dilemma:
I am realized that picking individual stocks is exposing me to a lot of choppy, single-company risk. I want to transition into a simpler, more diversified set-and-forget strategy. I have $5,000 to $8,000 in fresh cash ready to deploy right now, and I'm heavily considering buying VGS (Vanguard MSCI International Shares ETF) or IVV (iShares S&P 500 ETF).
Should I use my fresh cash ($5k-$8k) to start building a core position in VGS or IVV right away? Which would you prefer alongside NDQ?
What should I do with my bleeding individual stocks (JBH, TNE)? Is it better to rip the band-aid off, sell them at a loss to offset future capital gains, and reallocate into ETFs? Or should I just hold them and let them ride while only buying ETFs moving forward?
Appreciate any thoughts or insights!