Blog

Three colorful casual sandals arranged on white wooden deck with tropical sunlight and beach accessories

Dear Reader,here is our quarterly free newsletter - lets have a look into our "Monthly Market Scan Report" of July 2026.Let me summarize:July 2026 was characterized by broad tech market consolidation following a reversal in the end of the month.&nbsp; While AI-related infrastructure and semiconductor stocks experienced increased volatility and profit-taking, corporate earnings remained generally resilient. Investors closely monitored inflation data, central bank expectations, and the start of the Q2 earnings season, which continued to drive sector rotation. Overall, the long-term outlook remained constructive despite short-term market fluctuations. Monthly Scan Update:&nbsp;Based on July 2026 flow data and institutional activity trends, we have EWY ETF identified&nbsp; with Strike 115 Dollar out of&nbsp; 79 scanned ETFs.<figure id="figure-1rljtp43lqmvguuraj"><img id="1rljtp43lqmvguuraj" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3b4XrWeWCSxVeYwKANzXfMV6LuctJrDvwaSrljzlWbiOKotDTsy67Qoh21LK1Vbs.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3b4XrWeWCSxVeYwKANzXfMV6LuctJrDvwaSrljzlWbiOKotDTsy67Qoh21LK1Vbs.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>How to read the Scan:We prefer ETFs over individual stock investments. Red is institutional DownVolume and Green is institutional UpVolume. We avoid taking positions when earnings releases fall within the trading period. We do not prefer direct investments; instead, we focus on selling put options with strike prices below the monthly chart level indicating an institutional UpVolume signal. This approach is allowing us to generate premium income while positioning ourselves to acquire the ETF at a favorable price aligned with institutional demand. We operate using cash-secured positions only. Aim - Consistent Monthly Income. Until next time, --Gerold

July 2026 | Monthly Market Scan Report

Minimalist retail corridor with polished floor, soft natural light casting long shadow patterns across clean white walls.

<h3>SOFI PROJECT</h3>About 8–9 months ago, a friend of mine asked me if he could start investing with €2,500.I said yes — but instead of using the money for short-term trading with EUR/USD or Nasdaq CFDs, I suggested a different approach:Sell put options and try to generate a steady income over the long term. So, that’s exactly what we did. We started the SOFI Project with €2,500 and have been running the WHEEL strategy for the past 8–9 months. Now I’d like to share where the project stands today, what has happened so far, and how the strategy has performed.And this is not the end of the experiment. I’ll continue reporting on the SOFI Project and showing how it develops over time — including the good and the bad.<figure id="figure-tz4b3az2wmto3gvbz"><img id="tz4b3az2wmto3gvbz" src="https://rjdavx8ozyznxeyh.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/production/websites/infinite-images/0e854f3b-b89b-4447-b511-25840ec88987-bbsVZAaYQCQYhb0eTQv37e09B1Vb9m.png" alt="Laptop screen showing mortgage calculator software with financial data, loan comparisons, and property valuations" title="Laptop screen showing mortgage calculator software with financial data, loan comparisons, and property valuations" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://rjdavx8ozyznxeyh.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/production/websites/infinite-images/0e854f3b-b89b-4447-b511-25840ec88987-bbsVZAaYQCQYhb0eTQv37e09B1Vb9m.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure> For educational purposes only. This is not financial advice.<h3>Actual Situation:&nbsp;</h3>- 100 SOFI Stocks bought to 25Dollar&nbsp;Summary of premium open: 138,5 Dollar SOFI Sell Oct02 16,5 Put - Open&nbsp; SOFI Sell Sep18 15 Put&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;- Open SOFI Sell Dec18 25 Call&nbsp; &nbsp; - OpenSummary of premium closed: 337,5 Dollar SOFI Sell Feb20 25 Put - Closed SOFI Sell Mrz27 24 Call&nbsp;- Closed SOFI Sell May01 12 Put&nbsp;- Closed SOFI Sell Jun05 14,5 Put&nbsp;- Closed SOFI Sell Jun18 23 Call&nbsp;- Closed SOFI Sell Aug21 14 Put&nbsp;- Closed SOFI Sell Aug21 25 Call&nbsp;- Closed Summary Total:<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="1" data-mce-style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;">Investment</td><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;">Premium&nbsp;</td><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;">StockPrice with Premium</td><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;">Performance</td><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;">2500Eur</td><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;">476Dollar</td><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;">2024Dollar</td><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;">19,04%</td><td style="width: 20%;" data-mce-style="width: 20%;"> </td></tr></tbody></table>Learning:Instead of simply holding stocks and doing nothing, we use the WHEEL Strategy to generate additional income from existing positions. By collecting option premiums, so we can also gradually lower the effective entry price over time.

THE SOFI PROJECT

Professional walking through bright modern office reviewing landing page on smartphone, dressed in business casual with focused expression

<h2>Real Estate as an Alternative Asset</h2>For decades, investors looking beyond traditional stocks and bonds have turned to alternative investments. Private equity, commodities, infrastructure, collectibles and real estate can all play a role in diversifying wealth beyond public financial markets.Among these alternatives, real estate holds a special position: it is a tangible asset that can provide both economic value and personal utility.But the way people access premium real estate is changing.Instead of purchasing an entire second home that may remain empty for much of the year, a growing alternative is managed co-ownership — owning only the portion of a premium property that corresponds more closely to how often you actually use it. Real estate differs fundamentally from many financial assets.A share in a listed company represents ownership in a business. A bond represents a debt obligation. Real estate, on the other hand, is a physical asset with an underlying use value.Premium residential property can therefore offer several characteristics that make it interesting within a broader wealth strategy:exposure to a tangible asset diversification beyond traditional securities potential participation in changes in property values personal use of the underlying asset the possibility of transferring or selling ownership At the same time, real estate comes with important limitations. Transaction costs can be significant, maintenance is required, prices can fall as well as rise, and selling a property generally takes considerably longer than selling a publicly traded security.For holiday properties there is another question:Does it make sense to own 100% of a property if you only use it for a few weeks each year?The Second-Home Problem Imagine buying a premium villa at Lake Garda, Lake Como, on the Côte d’Azur or in Mallorca.You may spend several weeks there every year. For the remainder of the year, however, a substantial amount of capital is tied up in a property you are not personally using.And ownership does not stop when you leave.Maintenance, cleaning, repairs, insurance, utilities, local administration, gardens and swimming pools still need to be managed.This creates an interesting mismatch between 100% ownership and partial use.Managed co-ownership attempts to solve precisely this problem.Own 1/8 Instead of 100% Through COWILLA's partner MYNE Homes, buyers can acquire a share in selected premium holiday properties in Europe.A typical structure is 1/8 ownership.Instead of financing the entire property, the buyer acquires an ownership interest connected to one specific property. In the MYNE model, the property is held through a dedicated special-purpose company and the buyer purchases a share in that company.This distinction is important.Co-ownership is not the same as timeshare Traditional timeshare models primarily provide a contractual right to use accommodation during specified periods.The MYNE model is structured differently: the buyer acquires an actual ownership interest in the company that owns the specific property.That ownership interest can be sold and may also participate in changes in the underlying property's value. However, neither appreciation nor liquidity is guaranteed.What Does a 1/8 Share Provide? Under the current MYNE model, a 1/8 share provides a minimum of 44 nights of use per year.Bookings are managed through a reservation system, with rotation rules designed to distribute particularly desirable periods between co-owners.Meanwhile, MYNE handles the operational side of the property, including areas such as:maintenance cleaning utilities local taxes insurance garden and pool management property administration Operating costs are shared proportionally among the owners. A holder of a 1/8 share therefore generally bears one eighth of the property's relevant shared operating costs, in addition to the applicable service structure.The concept is straightforward:Own the part of the holiday home that reflects how you intend to use it, while professional management takes care of the property.A Different Perspective on Real Estate This creates an interesting position between traditional property ownership and holiday rental.With a rental property, you pay for accommodation but acquire no ownership.With a traditional second home, you control the entire property but also commit substantially more capital and take responsibility for the whole asset.Managed co-ownership sits between these two approaches.You acquire a real ownership interest and return to the same property, while sharing the acquisition and running costs with other owners.For people who repeatedly spend time in the same European destination, this can offer a fundamentally different way of thinking about second-home ownership.Lifestyle Asset or Investment? This distinction is particularly important.A premium holiday property should not automatically be treated like a stock, ETF or bond.There is no guaranteed return, no guaranteed increase in property value and no guarantee that an ownership share can be sold immediately at a desired price.For this reason, managed co-ownership is better understood as a lifestyle asset with real-estate exposure rather than a conventional income-generating investment product.Its value proposition can consist of two components:Financial value: ownership of an interest linked to a tangible property whose market value can change over time.Personal value: the ability to actually use and enjoy a premium holiday home without purchasing and managing the entire property.That combination is what makes the model particularly interesting within the broader discussion around alternative assets.Real Estate Without Owning the Entire House Alternative investing is ultimately about looking beyond conventional structures.In real estate, that can also mean questioning the traditional assumption that ownership has to be all or nothing.If a family uses a holiday property for only several weeks each year, acquiring a fraction of a professionally managed property may represent a more capital-efficient alternative to purchasing the entire home.It does not eliminate the risks associated with real estate. Property values can decline, running costs remain, and an ownership share is considerably less liquid than publicly traded investments.But it changes the equation.Instead of asking:“Can I afford to buy this entire villa?”the more relevant question may become:“How much of this villa do I actually need to own?”Discover Premium Co-Ownership with COWILLA COWILLA is the official Polish partner of MYNE Homes and supports clients interested in managed co-ownership of premium holiday properties across Europe.The current portfolio includes properties in destinations such as Italy, Spain, Croatia, France and the Alps, with ownership options including 1/8, 2/8 and 4/8 shares.COWILLA provides Polish-language consultations, explains the ownership structure and costs, presents available properties and accompanies prospective buyers during the purchasing process.Premium European real estate. Real ownership. A fraction of the full purchase price. More information under: <a data-mce-href="http://cowilla.pl" href="http://cowilla.pl" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.cowilla.pl</a>

Alternative Investments: Why Real Estate Still Matters – and How Co-Ownership Is Changing the Market

Close-up of engineer's gloved hand holding a silicon wafer showing intricate nanometer-scale circuit patterns and metal layers

Dear Reader,I hope you had a good June 2026 - here is our quarterly free newsletter - lets have a look into our "Monthly Market Scan Report" of June 2026.Let me summarize June 2026:June 2026 was characterized by continued leadership in AI infrastructure while institutional capital became increasingly selective. Rather than broad participation across all growth sectors,&nbsp; capital concentrated in the highest-quality AI ecosystem companies, including semiconductors, networking, data centers, and power infrastructure.At the same time, we saw the first visible signs of weakness among the Magnificent 7 stocks, with many names producing neutral or mixed institutional signals instead of the broad accumulation seen in previous months.Meanwhile, oil, gold, and silver continued their consolidation phase, showing little evidence of fresh institutional accumulation. Capital flows remained cautious across most commodity markets as investors waited&nbsp; for a clearer directional catalyst. Monthly Scan Update:&nbsp;Based on June 2026 flow data and institutional activity trends, we have an UpVolume only in:&nbsp;&nbsp;SOXX ETF – &nbsp;Semiconductor ETF&nbsp; &nbsp;We decided to have a closer look on SOXX ETF which is well supported at Strike 455 Dollars until end of July 2026.Read the full overview in our "Monthly Freedom Income Market Scan Report" attached.&nbsp; How to read the Scan:We prefer ETFs over individual stock investments. Red is institutional DownVolume and Green is institutional UpVolume. We avoid taking positions when earnings releases fall within the trading period. We do not prefer direct investments; instead, we focus on selling put options with strike prices below the monthly chart level indicating an institutional UpVolume signal. This approach is allowing us to generate premium income while positioning ourselves to acquire the ETF at a favorable price aligned with institutional demand. We operate using cash-secured positions only. Until next time, --Gerold

June 2026 | Monthly Market Scan Report

Diverse festival attendee enjoying small gourmet food samples from multiple vendors at outdoor culinary competition celebration

What do you actually do if the market suddenly drops by 15% or 20% overnight? How do you protect yourself against that?The answer surprises most people: I don't. I don't hedge. Not at all. And I'll explain why in a moment. But first, let's briefly clarify what we're actually talking about.Hedging means protecting yourself. You own stocks, and you establish a second position that makes money when your stocks decline. If the market falls, the hedge offsets some or all of your losses.<h2>What matters is how much money</h2>To understand that, you need to know where I'm coming from. I'm an investor. I don't buy stocks because I hope to sell them later at a higher price. I buy them because they generate income for me: through dividends and because I actively manage them using options.My portfolio isn't a store of value. It's a source of income.That's why it makes no sense for me to sell something simply because the price falls. I wouldn't be avoiding losses—I would be turning off my cash flow.There's an analogy that makes this click for most people.Imagine you own a fully paid-off apartment building. Ten apartments, from the ground floor to the top floor. You have excellent tenants who pay their rent on time every single month. That rental income is what you live on.What matters most to you about that building? Not its market value. What matters is how much money.<h3>One million dollars</h3>Now imagine a real estate agent visits you every day with an offer.One day he says, "I'll give you one million dollars."It's a good price. But you're not interested because you want the rental income.A few months later he comes back."One and a half million."Even better. But what would you do with one and a half million? You'd have to find another property to replace it. So you keep the building.Then the real estate market crashes. Everyone panics. The agent returns and says,"I know things look terrible. I'll give you $500,000."You go home, check your records, and realize your tenants are all still paying. Every month. On time. The same financially stable tenants.So why on earth would you sell the building for $500,000?Nobody would do that.When it comes to real estate, everyone understands this immediately.<h3>I don't worry about whether the market will crash.</h3>Yet in the stock market, people panic as soon as prices decline.In reality, it's exactly the same. If you own businesses that pay reliable dividends and have solid business models, why should you care whether the market values them at 100 today, 150 tomorrow, or 70 the day after?The tenants are still paying."But you could sell at 100 and buy back at 70."Yes, in theory that's true.And that's exactly where the mistake lies.That assumes you can consistently time the market.Nobody can.Just look at the S&amp;P 500 over the past several years. There have been countless warnings that the market was overvalued. Plenty of predictions that a crash was imminent.And what happened?The market kept rising.Those who tried to time the market have spent years selling, only to buy back at even higher prices.You sell at 100 hoping to buy back at 70.The market goes to 110.You buy back.You sell again.It rises to 120.Eventually, the correction does come.But you've been wrong so many times along the way that the entire exercise never pays off.That's the point that's rarely discussed honestly in conversations about hedging.Protection isn't free.If you want to know how we do it, feel free to subscribe to our newsletter.

How does it work exactly?

Young adult walking through bright urban street wearing fitted tee and relaxed jeans

<h2>Understanding EWY: A Gateway to South Korea's Market</h2>South Korea has emerged as a key player in the global economic landscape, and one effective way to gain exposure to this dynamic market is through the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF, commonly known as EWY. This exchange-traded fund provides investors with a diversified portfolio of South Korean companies, offering insights into various sectors driving the country’s growth.<h3>Why Consider Investing in South Korea?</h3>South Korea is renowned for its rapid technological advancement and robust manufacturing base. The country has become synonymous with innovation, particularly in electronics and automotive industries. Investing in South Korea presents an opportunity to tap into these thriving sectors. Moreover, the nation’s strategic location in Asia makes it a pivotal hub for trade and commerce.Recent economic policies and government initiatives have further bolstered South Korea's market. The country’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment has attracted international investors, contributing to its sustained economic growth. As a result, EWY offers a compelling option for those looking to diversify their investment portfolios.<h3>Key Sectors Represented in EWY</h3>EWY comprises a wide range of sectors that reflect South Korea's economic strengths. The technology sector is a significant component, with companies like Samsung and SK Hynix leading the charge. These firms are global leaders in semiconductors and consumer electronics, playing a crucial role in shaping the future of technology.<ul><li>Automotive: South Korea is home to major automotive giants such as Hyundai and Kia, which have established a strong presence in international markets.</li><li>Finance: The financial sector is another key area, with institutions that support both domestic and international economic activities.</li><li>Semiconductor: South Korea is home to some of the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers, making the country a global leader in memory chips, AI hardware, and advanced electronics.</li></ul><figure id="figure-4vjwru3nmmrg76r41"><img id="4vjwru3nmmrg76r41" src="https://rjdavx8ozyznxeyh.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/production/websites/infinite-images/81bbb7f3-a9c7-47ac-a40d-67d5ce6e013c-kltWfwITZwt9ZZbfqqb8EB5BadyKkR.png" alt="automotive industry" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://rjdavx8ozyznxeyh.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/production/websites/infinite-images/81bbb7f3-a9c7-47ac-a40d-67d5ce6e013c-kltWfwITZwt9ZZbfqqb8EB5BadyKkR.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>Benefits of Investing in EWY</h3>Investing in EWY offers several advantages. Firstly, it provides exposure to a fast-growing economy with a stable political environment. Secondly, the ETF structure allows for diversification across multiple sectors, reducing the risk associated with investing in individual stocks. Additionally, EWY is managed by professionals who continuously monitor and adjust the fund to align with market trends.Another benefit is the liquidity that ETFs offer. Investors can buy and sell shares on the exchange with ease, making it a flexible investment option. Furthermore, EWY’s performance is closely linked to the overall health of South Korea’s economy, providing a direct avenue to benefit from the country’s growth trajectory.<figure id="figure-ksfgttwgzmrg76ssd"><img id="ksfgttwgzmrg76ssd" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2cIONb2Zbb4OFhAQLXzYk4nNPRVwTwhOMJB6gITqEoS3BW571Y2OAuMjphiCuQoN.png" alt="financial growth" title="financial growth" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2cIONb2Zbb4OFhAQLXzYk4nNPRVwTwhOMJB6gITqEoS3BW571Y2OAuMjphiCuQoN.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Challenges and Considerations</h3>While investing in EWY presents numerous opportunities, there are also challenges to consider. The South Korean market is subject to geopolitical tensions, particularly with neighboring countries. These tensions can impact market stability and investor confidence. Additionally, currency fluctuations may affect returns, as the performance of EWY is influenced by the South Korean won.In conclusion, EWY offers a unique opportunity to explore South Korea's vibrant market with strong focus on Semiconductor. Mostly 2 stocks SK Hynix and Samsung. With this sectors and strong economic fundamentals, this ETF is an attractive option for investors seeking to capitalize on the growth of one of Asia's most dynamic economies.

Exploring EWY: Insights into South Korea's Dynamic Market

GROWleads

GROWleads is a subscription research service that delivers a monthly, volume-based market scan identifying stocks and ETFs that show expanding liquidity and institutional participation. The service produces a concise, curated watchlist and contextual market insights designed for investors and active traders who want decision-support intelligence rather than trade signals. GROWleads focuses on filtering market noise and highlighting high-probability assets suitable for allocation and options strategies, delivered by email.