Robust Asset Allocation - Aggressive

Details

The Robust Asset Allocation strategy was developed by Wes Gray of Alpha Architects and profiled in his book DIY Finacial Advisor

Gray uses both Dual Momentum and Meb Faber’s GTAA to determine when to move in and out of assets and how much is allocated to each.

The portfolio, on average, allocates 57% to equities, 7% to bonds, and 36% to cash, REITs, and commodities.

Average Asset Allocation & Recommended ETFs

Weight
Ticker
ETF Name
Sector
29%
BIL
SPDR Blmbg Barclays 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF
Bond, U.S., Ultra Short-Term
16%
MTUM
iShares Edge MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF
Equity, U.S., Large Cap, Momentum
15%
IWD
iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF
Equity, U.S., Large Cap, Value
13%
EFV
iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF
Equity, Inter. Developed, Value
13%
EFA
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF
Equity, Inter. Developed, Large Cap
7%
IEF
iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF
Bond, U.S., Intermediate-Term
4%
VNQ
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF
Real Estate, U.S.
3%
DBC
Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund
Commodity, Diversified

Performance Metrics

All Data
Annual Return
9.9%
Sharpe Ratio
0.66
10 Year Annual Return
4.5%
Volatility (annualized)
8.5%
Max Drawdown
-15.5%
Positive Periods
70.2%
Dot Com Annual Return
-0.7%
Great Financial Crisis Return
4.9%
Trade Frequency
Monthly
Ulcer Performance Index
1.4

Strategy Rules

This strategy trades once per month.

The portfolio is divided as follows:

Ticker
Asset Class
Weight
MTUM
US Momentum
20%
IWD
US Large Cap Value
20%
EFA
International Equities
20%
EFV
International Value
20%
VNQ
REITs
5%
DBC
Commodities
5%
IEF
Intermediate-Term US Treasuries
10%
  1. On the last trading day of the month, determine:
    • Is the 12-month return of the asset > than the 12-month return of BIL
    • Is the closing price > than the 12-month moving average
  2. If the answer is ‘yes’ for both, invest 100% in the asset
    • If the answer is ‘yes’ for only one, invest 50% in the asset and 50% in cash.
    • If the answer is ‘no’ for both, invest that portion of the portfolio in cash.
  3. Hold all positions until the last trading day of the following month.

How to Invest in the Robust Asset Allocation - Aggressive Portfolio

M1 Finance is the recommended platform to invest in this portfolio.  Find out why.

Robust Asset Allocation - Aggressive Rolling Returns

Low
Average
High
1-Year
-10.5%
10.4%
60.6%
3-Year
-1.3%
10.3%
36.0%
5-Year
0.6%
10.3%
27.4%
10-Year
3.7%
10.5%
20.1%

Charts

Portfolio vs. 60/40 vs. S&P 500

All Data
Portfolio
60/40
S&P 500
Annual Return
9.9%
9.3%
10.3%
10Y Annual Return
4.5%
7.9%
12.2%
Sharpe Ratio
0.66
0.51
0.43
Max Drawdown
-15.5%
-29.7%
-50.97%
Volatility (annualized)
8.5%
9.9%
15.4%
Dot Com Annual Return
-0.7%
-4.2%
-14.60%
Great Financial Crisis Annual Return
4.9%
-0.3%
-5.66%
Positive Periods
70.2%
65.8%
63.3%

**S&P 500 backtest to 1972 and 60/40 backtest to 1970

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