Getting Started
What is The Tide Trader Portfolio?
TTP is a rules-based trend following system that identifies the current macroeconomic regime, selects ETFs with positive momentum, and applies a volatility override to manage risk. It provides exact portfolio allocations that you can execute in your own brokerage account.
How do I sign up?
Click “Open the Dashboard” on our homepage and follow the signup flow. You’ll create an account and set up your monthly subscription. Once active, you’ll have immediate access to the current portfolio allocation.
How much does it cost?
TTP is a monthly subscription. [INSERT PRICE] per month, cancel anytime. There are no long-term commitments, setup fees, or hidden charges.
Do I need a specific brokerage account?
No. TTP works with any brokerage that lets you buy and sell U.S.-listed ETFs. Fidelity, Schwab, Interactive Brokers, Vanguard — whatever you already use is fine.
What is the minimum amount I need to invest?
There is no minimum on our end. Since most brokerages now support fractional shares, you can start with whatever amount you’re comfortable with. The system provides percentage-based allocations, so it scales to any portfolio size.
How It Works
How often does the portfolio change?
The portfolio rebalances monthly and whenever a regime change is confirmed or an eligble asset . In quiet markets, you may go several months with minimal changes. In transitional periods, regime shifts may trigger more frequent updates. You’ll always be notified.
What are the four regimes?
- Goldilocks (growth up, inflation down — favors equities and risk assets)
- Reflation (growth up, inflation up — favors commodities and inflation-linked assets)
- Stagflation (growth down, inflation up — favors real assets and defensive positioning)
- Deflation (growth down, inflation down — favors bonds and cash).
What does “five consecutive trading days” mean for regime confirmation?
The system reads macro data every trading day. A new regime is only confirmed if the signal holds for five trading days in a row. This prevents reacting to a single bad data release or a short-lived spike. If the signal reverses on day three, the counter resets.
What ETFs does the system use?
The portfolio draws from a diversified universe of U.S.-listed ETFs covering equities, fixed income, commodities, real estate, and digital assets. The exact universe and current allocations are visible on the dashboard.
How long does rebalancing take?
About ten minutes. You open the dashboard, see the target weights, and place the trades. Allocations are rounded to the nearest 5% so the math is simple.
Performance & Risk
What kind of returns should I expect?
TTP is designed to participate in uptrends and step aside during major drawdowns. The goal is strong risk-adjusted returns over full market cycles — not to beat the S&P 500 in every bull market. In prolonged rallies, a fully invested index will outperform. The system earns its value during the turns.
Can the system lose money?
Yes. No system eliminates all losses. Trend following accepts small, controlled losses during choppy or whipsaw markets as the cost of avoiding catastrophic drawdowns. The math favors this tradeoff over time: a 50% loss requires a 100% gain to recover, but a 10% loss only needs 11%.
How does the volatility override work?
The system manages volatility in two ways. First, at the start of each month, every ETF’s position is sized inversely to its recent realized volatility, so higher-vol assets get smaller allocations and no single holding dominates portfolio risk. Second, if realized volatility spikes above a defined threshold mid-month, the volatility override reduces that specific asset’s exposure automatically. This acts as an emergency brake by cutting risk before a drawdown compounds. Once volatility normalizes, exposure can be restored.
Is past performance indicative of future results?
No. Historical backtest results and live performance data are provided for transparency, but past performance does not guarantee future returns. Markets change, and all investment strategies carry risk.
Account & Billing
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Your subscription is month-to-month with no cancellation fees. If you cancel, you retain access through the end of your current billing period.
Do you have access to my brokerage account?
No. We never have access to your money or your brokerage account. TTP is an information service that provides portfolio allocations. You execute all trades yourself, in your own account, at your own discretion.
Is my data secure?
Yes. We use industry-standard encryption and do not share your personal information with third parties. We do not collect or store any financial account information.
Regulatory
Is The Tide Traders a financial advisor?
No. The Tide Traders is an informational and educational service. We provide portfolio signals and allocation data. We do not provide personalized financial advice, and our service does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any specific security. You should consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Is this suitable for retirement accounts (IRA, 401k)?
The ETFs used in the portfolio are standard U.S.-listed funds that can be held in most retirement accounts. Whether this approach is appropriate for your retirement savings depends on your personal financial situation. We recommend consulting with a financial advisor.