139 - The S&P Was Up In 2025… So Why Didn’t Most Investors Win?

2025 looked like a great year on paper — but most investors didn’t experience those returns.In this episode, we break down what really happened beneath the indexes, why passive investing masked widespread underperformance, and how a dividend-first, total-return strategy quietly outperformed the market.We walk through:Why the S&P 500’s gains were driven by ~7 stocksWhich unexpected sectors crushed it (utilities, REITs, commodities)Why many “obvious” AI and tech plays underperformedThe biggest winners, losers, and surprises across 46 real holdingsHow dividends changed the math in flat and down positionsWhy total return matters more than price returnHow we rebalance without chasing winners or panic sellingWhat these results mean for positioning in 2026We also explain how we track everything manually using spreadsheets, why DRIP isn’t always your friend, and how income investing reduces emotional mistakes when markets get choppy.If you care about real performance, not marketing returns, this episode will change how you look at your portfolio.Questions? Email Tim at [email protected] Want FREE weekly market updates, Tim's top 10 dividend picks, and our portfolio updates delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email list. Stay connected. Follow us on social! **DISCLAIMER**Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here. Episode music was created using Loudly.