Trump's Unconventional Investment Playbook Revealed Through June Trades

President Donald Trump's recent investment activity has revealed an unexpected preference for traditional equities and dividend growth. According to his June trades, Trump's accounts made significant purchases of Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE:BRK), Visa Inc (NYSE:V), Mastercard Inc (NYSE:MA), and Cintas Corp (NASDAQ:CTAS).

In a striking contrast, the largest single transaction was a sale of between $5 million and $25 million of the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (NYSE:VIG). VIG tracks companies with records of increasing dividends and held 333 stocks as of June 30.

The irony is that Trump's accounts sold a sizeable position in the ETF even as they bought individual companies that fit broadly within its investment style. The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF may be an interesting proxy for several characteristics visible in Trump's June purchases: established businesses, recurring cash flows and shareholder returns.