How to build passive income with ETFs - Ep 3: Portfolio Construction Series
Australian Investors PodcastShow Notes
In this Australian Investors Podcast episode, Owen Rask sits down with Marc Jocum from Global X for episode three of the portfolio construction series, this time focusing on income: what it is, where it comes from, and why most investors start in the wrong place.
Marc explains why income investing should begin with goals, not yield. Whether you are nearing retirement, supplementing your salary or funding a future expense, the job of an income portfolio changes depending on what you actually need it to do. From there, he breaks down the different engines that can produce income, including dividends from equities, coupons from fixed income and option premiums from covered call strategies.
The conversation also tackles one of the biggest traps in ETF and share investing: chasing headline yield. Marc explains why trailing yields can be misleading, how special dividends and capital gains can distort the numbers, and why investors need to understand the source and sustainability of income before buying anything.
They also unpack sequencing risk, the role of bonds and floating-rate credit, why total return still matters, and how investors can think about blending defensive and growth assets across different life stages. Marc finishes with practical ETF ideas across Australian bank credit, US Treasuries, high dividend shares and covered calls.
If you want a more thoughtful framework for building income from a portfolio, this episode is packed with practical ideas.
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