Rebalancing: Because Something Always Underperforms
Rebalancing: Because Something Always Underperforms  
Podcast: The Dividend Cafe
Published On: Fri Jan 30 2026
Description: Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4toIPdw In this episode of the Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen delves into the importance of portfolio rebalancing, a technique that his practice recently undertook with significant impact. Managing approximately $9 billion in client capital, they executed $530 million of buy transactions and $630 million of sell transactions over six trading days. Bahnsen details the benefits of rebalancing as a powerful risk mitigation tool, a potential return enhancer driven by behavioral finance, and an exercise in humility in the face of market unpredictability. He describes the mathematical simplicity of trimming assets back to their target weights and highlights the diversification of asset classes and sectors. Bahnsen underscores how rebalancing helps maintain a balanced risk-reward ratio tailored to the individual investor's goals and tolerance for volatility. Additionally, he addresses the tax implications, arguing that systematic rebalancing reduces the psychological and financial hurdles associated with large capital gains. Ultimately, Bahnsen advocates for rebalancing as a nearly effortless way to optimize a portfolio for both risk and reward. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:04 The Importance of Rebalancing 01:39 Understanding Rebalancing Mechanics 04:08 Asset Classes and Rebalancing 08:07 Sector Diversification and Rebalancing 12:43 Behavioral Aspects of Rebalancing 19:03 Tax Implications of Rebalancing 21:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com