Another market neutral fund, VMNFX (down -.14% today) has actually outperformed QDSNX by approx. 3% annualized over the past 3 years (15.6% vs. 12.6%) with same SD (7.3). Looks like Vanguard had changed up the Portfolio Mgr around 3 years ago.
Happy with QDSNX, it has performed admirably. One of these funds feels like enough.

QDSNX has shown itself again to be quite a steady performer, even on days like today when the market turned ugly.
For example:
QDSNX +0.1%
VWELX -1.1
PRWCX -1.1
S&P 500 -1.6
So far, so good.
Fred

Bloomberg reports:
”The Federal Open Market Committee will hold the target range for its benchmark rate at 5.25% to 5.5% - a two-decade high first reached in July - at the conclusion of its two-day policy meeting Wednesday. The rate decision, and possibly an announcement on the pace of its balance-sheet reduction program, will be released at 2 p.m. in Washington. Chair Jerome Powell will hold a press conference 30 minutes later.”https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-30/fed-to-hold-interest-rates-powell-to-set-tone-for-cuts-in-2024
Separately, Bloomberg (citing data from Citibank) is reporting: ”The options market is more concerned about a potentially big move in the S&P 500 Index (SPX) off of the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision Wednesday than it's been at any point in almost a year.”
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-30/traders-expect-biggest-fed-day-move-in-s-p-since-2023-citi-says

if Marcus offers a different term (not 20 mo) RBCD at a higher rate after one invests in a RBCD, can one still request a bump in rate or does the term of the newer RBCD have to be the same as the RBCD initially invest in?
You wrote: "'Prior to maturity, you may request a one-time rate increase to the highest APY and interest rate we offer for the same Rate Bump CD term as of the day of your request.' [bold added]"
I think you answered your own question.
If in doubt, read the terms of the account. Especially section IV paragraph 5.
https://www.marcus.com/content/dam/marcus/us/en/pdfs/Marcus_Deposit_Account_Agreement.pdf
It looks like this particular product has a relatively uncommon feature - the ability to add to the CD at the time you increase the rate.
In a brokerage account, there are more choices. Call protected brokered CDs from GS have much higher yields
Rate bump CDs nearly always have lower starting rates than fixed rate CDs of the same term. It couldn't be otherwise, else the rate bump option would be free, and no one would choose the fixed rate CD. A better comparison would be between a GS brokered CD and a Marcus Bank fixed rate CD of the same term.
For brokered, non-callable GS CDs, I see a 1 year offered at 5.1%, slightly better than the 1 year Marcus Bank CD offered at 5.0%. Not quite an apples-to-apples comparison, but close. One difference is that one risks a substantial haircut in taking an early withdrawal from a brokered CD, while the Marcus CD has a predetermined penalty of 1.25% (90 days simple interest).
If you are intrigued by bump up CDs, Flatwater Bank in Nebraska offers a 15 month product with an initial fixed rate (APY) of 5.3%. Its bump rate is calculated as the starting rate (here 5.3%) plus "the difference of the Federal Funds Rate on the date of purchase of your CD and the current Federal Funds Rate on the date of bump up".
https://flatwater.bank/personal/bumpup

With respect to insurance deductibles, consider why a deductible of, say, 5k vs 100k likely isn't going to change the policy rate that much.
A home is insured for $1 million. If that home is destroyed by fire:
• At 5k, the insurance company is on the hook for $995,000
• At 100k, the insurance company is on still the hook for $900,000
It's that big number that's controlling this relationship, not the small one. From the insurance company's perspective the only benefit for the deductible is to relieve them from the processing of potential nickel-and-dime claims.
Add:
It's a different animal with earthquake- unlike a fire, which can easily total a structure, an earthquake, depending on the structure and many other variables such as EQ intensity, the ground conditions under the structure, etc. can cause greatly varying damage to a structure, which many times is repairable, though expensive. Here, it makes sense to have a large deductible, as the insurance may greatly limit it's exposure that way.

update:
https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1579881/000110465924055004/tm245814d13_497.htm
File No. 333-191151
CALAMOS ETF TRUST
(the “Trust”)
Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF – May
(the “Fund”)
Supplement dated April 30, 2024
to the Fund’s Prospectus dated May 1, 2024
This supplement updates certain information contained in the Fund’s prospectus and should be attached to the prospectus and retained for future reference.
Capitalized terms not defined herein have the same meaning as in the Fund’s prospectus.
As described in the Fund’s prospectus, an investment in shares of the Fund is subject to an upside return cap (the “Cap”) that represents the maximum percentage return an investor can achieve from an investment in the Fund for the Outcome Period of approximately one year. The Fund’s initial Outcome Period will begin on May 1, 2024 and end on April 30, 2025. The Fund’s Cap for the Outcome Period beginning on May 1, 2024 is set forth below.
9.81%
(9.12% after taking into account the Fund’s management fees)
The Fund’s return will be further reduced by brokerage commissions, trading fees, taxes and non-routine or extraordinary expenses not included in the Fund’s management fee, as described in the prospectus.
The Fund’s prospectus is amended to revise all references to the Cap to reflect the Cap for the initial Outcome Period, as set forth above.

Not sure where you live but I'm guessing you had to Google that info yourself.
Half right. Yes, I searched for this, but not because I had to. Rather, I searched because I often check data before I post. My recollection is that I was offered a policy with a 25% deductible. But that was long enough ago that I wasn't sure about the figure and I don't have records going back that far.
The deductibles in California are generally 15%, 20%, and 25%.
https://www.earthquakeauthority.com/california-earthquake-insurance-policies/homeowners/coverages-and-deductibles
They don't depend on risk. You get to choose. "For the best choice of CEA earthquake home insurance policies, select deductibles from 5%-25%."
https://www.earthquakeauthority.com/california-earthquake-insurance-policies/how-to-buy-earthquake-insurance-california

@BaluBalu, minimum is $10,000
CUSIP: 3130B13H8
Security Type: Government Agencies
Issuer Name: Federal Home Loan Bks
Maturity Date: 05/03/2029
Coupon Rate: 6.250%

Thanks. I was going to buy it at Fidelity. The first settlement for this is May 14. It is not in the new issue inventory, which means the issuer is done accepting offers (bids) from Fidelity. I could not find it in the secondary list either but I was able to pull it up by the CUSIP # but it shows no bids and asks. Agencies bought in secondary market attract transaction fees (0.1% or $100 fees for 100K face amount?).
When and at which brokerage did you buy it?

@BaluBalu, minimum is $10,000
CUSIP: 3130B13H8
Security Type: Government Agencies
Issuer Name: Federal Home Loan Bks
Maturity Date: 05/03/2029
Coupon Rate: 6.250%

Appreciate the input, all. Now I have homework to do on "Trailing Stop." @MikeM.
Another I'm watching closely is TS. It was on fire and rising. Lately, it's falling like a stone. What I read says there is heightened competition in North America. Some companies--- including TS--- have not yet reported for the 1st Q. of 2024. It's coming soon in May. I'm still holding a SMALL profit in the stock. I had intended this one to be a long-term holding. Maybe it's time to BUY, again?
OOPS, wrong again. 1st Q. results:
https://www.morningstar.com/news/globe-newswire/9106305/tenaris-announces-2024-first-quarter-results
Net Income is down by -35%. Gulp.

Stable-Value (SV) Rates, 5/1/24
TIAA Traditional Annuity (Accumulation) Rates
All up +25 bps.
Restricted RC 5.75%, RA 5.50%
Flexible RCP 5.00%, SRA 4.75%, Newer IRAs 5.00%
(TIAA Declaration Year 3/1 - 2/28)
TSP G Fund hasn't updated yet (previous 4.25%).
Options outside of workplace retirement plans include m-mkt funds, bank m-mkt accounts (FDIC insured), T-Bills, short-term brokered CDs.
#StableValue #401k #403b #TIAA #TSP
https://ybbpersonalfinance.proboards.com/post/1454/thread

Bought a 5 year government agencies bond today yielding 6.25%. Callable of course.

I had some treasuries mature today and am interested in the issue you bought. Do you mind sharing the CUSIP? Message is fine too.
P.S.: MJ is up cause of news headline "DEA Moving To Reclassify Marijuana As Less Dangerous Drug"

my question really is, is it possible to have a $50,000-100,000 deductible HO policy with any of the insurance companies available to you?
Clearly someone who has never looked at earthquake insurance (10%-20% deductibles) :-(
https://content.naic.org/article/what-are-earthquake-deductibles
That's $100K-$200K on a $1M tear down in California.
Headline: What does $1M get you in the Bay Area? It's official: A burned down home.
https://www.sfgate.com/realestate/article/bay-area-burned-home-sells-1-million-real-estate-16398674.php

Insurance and work from home are two of the biggest reasons for services inflation. The second cause is slowly subsiding as more and more employers are requiring full time office work, which hopefully will also cause the wild swings in individual stock prices to subside. I have no clue on the first one.
I never made an insurance claim and so not the reason for the > 50% premium increase in my renewal letter. I am self insured for earthquake and am not in flood or mudslide risk.
@larryB, from experience, we know health and auto insurance rates are higher in poorer zip codes. It seems even house insurance is the same but difficult to say so for sure. Since you were in the business, any insight into this?

Started 500s HESM in my Schwab income-oriented account. Will double it in the coming days depending on the market moves ... but as this is newsy week w/the FOMC, I prefer to tranche into positions, especially when it's commission-free. :)

@MikeM, deductible limits may depend on insurance co. Liberty Mutual has them as $100-5,000 or 1-10% of home value. Don't know if they will make exceptions on request.
https://www.libertymutual.com/insurance-resources/property/home-insurance-deductibles-faqs

@Old_Joe, my question really is, is it possible to have a $50,000-100,000 deductible HO policy with any of the insurance companies available to you? Basically self-insuring for anything other than total loss of your home burning in a wild-fire storm or wiped out by mud slides or whatever other calamities make insurance in California so expensive or even prohibitive.

Bought a 5 year government agencies bond today yielding 6.25%. Callable of course. Ride the ride until it ends, but with inflation higher for longer, maybe that could last a year or so.
As you've said @hank, gold has had a heck of a ride ytd. I had added some to my long term holding (since 2020) earlier this year but I'll hold off buying more now. Gold was probably due for this correction. I did take a gamble on a miner stock, Barrick Gold Corp, GOLD, about a month ago after a positive Barrons article. It's quite volatile and I'm probably about even on the bet.

Early announcement on 4/30/24 for I-Bond rates 5/1/24 - 10/31/24.
Fixed/base rate 1.30% (same)
Variable rate (semiannual) 1.48%
Composite rate = [0.0130 + (2 x 0.0148) + (0.0130 x 0.0148)] = 4.28%