iShares Lifepath Fund Portfolio vs Merrill Lynch Edge Select Moderately Conservative Portfolio Portfolio Comparison

Simulation Settings
Period: January 1985 - April 2026 (~41 years)
Consolidated Returns as of 30 April 2026
Initial Amount: 1$
Rebalancing: at every Jan 1st
Currency: USD
Inflation: US
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The minimum date range must be at least 12 months. 'Date To' cannot be beyond April 2026.
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Results
30 Years
(1996/05 - 2026/04)
All Data
(1985/01 - 2026/04)
Inflation Adjusted:
iShares iShares Lifepath Fund Portfolio
1.00$
Invested Capital
May 1996
6.71$
Final Capital
April 2026
6.55%
Yearly Return
7.09%
Std Deviation
-21.23%
Max Drawdown
26months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
May 1996
3.17$
Final Capital
April 2026
3.92%
Yearly Return
7.09%
Std Deviation
-24.67%
Max Drawdown
56months*
Recovery Period
* in progress
1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1985
25.82$
Final Capital
April 2026
8.18%
Yearly Return
7.21%
Std Deviation
-21.23%
Max Drawdown
26months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1985
8.24$
Final Capital
April 2026
5.24%
Yearly Return
7.21%
Std Deviation
-24.67%
Max Drawdown
56months*
Recovery Period
* in progress
Merrill Lynch Merrill Lynch Edge Select Moderately Conservative Portfolio
1.00$
Invested Capital
May 1996
6.88$
Final Capital
April 2026
6.64%
Yearly Return
6.92%
Std Deviation
-20.48%
Max Drawdown
25months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
May 1996
3.25$
Final Capital
April 2026
4.01%
Yearly Return
6.92%
Std Deviation
-24.69%
Max Drawdown
53months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1985
27.80$
Final Capital
April 2026
8.38%
Yearly Return
7.08%
Std Deviation
-20.48%
Max Drawdown
25months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1985
8.88$
Final Capital
April 2026
5.42%
Yearly Return
7.08%
Std Deviation
-24.69%
Max Drawdown
53months
Recovery Period

As of April 2026, in the previous 30 Years, the iShares Lifepath Fund Portfolio obtained a 6.55% compound annual return, with a 7.09% standard deviation. It suffered a maximum drawdown of -21.23% that required 26 months to be recovered.

As of April 2026, in the previous 30 Years, the Merrill Lynch Edge Select Moderately Conservative Portfolio obtained a 6.64% compound annual return, with a 6.92% standard deviation. It suffered a maximum drawdown of -20.48% that required 25 months to be recovered.

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Disclaimer: The simulations on this website are provided in good faith but should NOT be taken as investment advice. We are not liable for any errors or actions based on this information. The authors of the website are not affiliated with the portfolio creators, who are the sole owners of their intellectual property. The translation of asset allocations into ETFs is based on the interpretation of LazyPortfolioETF.com and may not exactly reflect the original intent of the portfolio creators. Content is for informational, educational, illustrative, and entertainment purposes only.

Asset Allocations and ETFs

The compared portfolios have the following asset allocations.

Weight
(%)
Ticker Name
22.09
VV
Vanguard Large-Cap
13.67
VEU
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US
4.15
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap
0.51
VNQ
Vanguard Real Estate
50.82
BND
Vanguard Total Bond Market
8.76
TIP
iShares TIPS Bond
Weight
(%)
Ticker Name
14.00
VUG
Vanguard Growth
9.00
VTV
Vanguard Value
9.00
VEU
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US
3.00
EEM
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets
1.00
IJS
iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value
1.00
IJT
iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth
17.00
IEI
iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond
15.00
MBB
iShares MBS
15.00
LQD
iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond
9.00
BNDX
Vanguard Total International Bond
5.00
HYG
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond
2.00
BIL
SPDR Blmbg Barclays 1-3 Mth T-Bill
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Portfolio Returns as of Apr 30, 2026

Returns are calculated in USD, assuming:
  • no fees or capital gain taxes.
  • rebalancing: at every Jan 1st.
  • dividend reinvestment, when applicable.
Return Comparison
Capital Growth
30 Years
(1996/05 - 2026/04)
All Data
(1985/01 - 2026/04)
Inflation Adjusted:
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Initial Amount $ Final Amount $ Total Return (%) Annualized (%)
iShares Lifepath Fund
iShares
1 $ 6.71 $ 570.96% 6.55%
Merrill Lynch Edge Select Moderately Conservative
Merrill Lynch
1 $ 6.88 $ 588.22% 6.64%

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Initial Amount $ Final Amount $ Total Return (%) Annualized (%)
iShares Lifepath Fund
iShares
1 $ 3.17 $ 217.02% 3.92%
Merrill Lynch Edge Select Moderately Conservative
Merrill Lynch
1 $ 3.25 $ 225.18% 4.01%

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Initial Amount $ Final Amount $ Total Return (%) Annualized (%)
iShares Lifepath Fund
iShares
1 $ 25.82 $ 2 481.85% 8.18%
Merrill Lynch Edge Select Moderately Conservative
Merrill Lynch
1 $ 27.80 $ 2 680.10% 8.38%

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Initial Amount $ Final Amount $ Total Return (%) Annualized (%)
iShares Lifepath Fund
iShares
1 $ 8.24 $ 724.47% 5.24%
Merrill Lynch Edge Select Moderately Conservative
Merrill Lynch
1 $ 8.88 $ 787.77% 5.42%

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Return (%) as of Apr 30, 2026
YTD
(4M)
1M 6M 1Y 5Y 10Y 30Y MAX
(~41Y)
http://www.lazyportfolioetf.com/wp-content/themes/dynamico-child/img/author/avatar_ishares.webp Lifepath Fund
iShares
3.43 3.98 4.13 14.92 4.59 6.34 6.55 8.18
http://www.lazyportfolioetf.com/wp-content/themes/dynamico-child/img/author/avatar_merrill_lynch.webp Edge Select Moderately Conservative
Merrill Lynch
3.00 3.81 3.60 14.41 4.75 6.48 6.64 8.38
Returns over 1 year are annualized.
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Portfolio Metrics as of Apr 30, 2026

The following metrics, updated as of 30 April 2026, provide an overview of performance and risk, with the best value in each row highlighted within the table.

METRIC COMPARISON
Period: 1 May 2025 - 30 April 2026 (1 year)
Period: 1 May 2021 - 30 April 2026 (5 years)
Period: 1 May 2016 - 30 April 2026 (10 years)
Period: 1 May 1996 - 30 April 2026 (30 years)
Period: 1 January 1985 - 30 April 2026 (~41 years)
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
30 Years
All (1985/01 - 2026/04)
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Lifepath Fund Edge Select Moderately Conservative
Author iShares Merrill Lynch
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 40.42% 37%
Fixed Income 59.58% 63%
Commodities 0% 0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 14.92 14.41
Infl. Adjusted (%) 11.45 10.96
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -3.44 -3.34
Start to Recovery (months) 2 2
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -3.44 -3.34
Start to Recovery (months) 2 2
Longest Negative Period (months) 4 5
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 5.98 5.81
Sharpe Ratio 1.84 1.80
Sortino Ratio 2.26 2.22
Ulcer Index 0.95 0.93
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 2.49 2.48
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 4.33 4.31
Metrics calculated over the period 1 May 2025 - 30 April 2026
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Lifepath Fund Edge Select Moderately Conservative
Author iShares Merrill Lynch
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 40.42% 37%
Fixed Income 59.58% 63%
Commodities 0% 0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 4.59 4.75
Infl. Adjusted (%) 0.21 0.37
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -18.92 -18.53
Start to Recovery (months) 31 30
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -18.92 -18.53
Start to Recovery (months) 31 30
Longest Negative Period (months) 36 35
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 9.09 8.91
Sharpe Ratio 0.14 0.16
Sortino Ratio 0.18 0.21
Ulcer Index 7.38 6.98
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.50 0.53
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.24 0.26
Metrics calculated over the period 1 May 2021 - 30 April 2026
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Lifepath Fund Edge Select Moderately Conservative
Author iShares Merrill Lynch
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 40.42% 37%
Fixed Income 59.58% 63%
Commodities 0% 0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 6.34 6.48
Infl. Adjusted (%) 2.95 3.09
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -18.92 -18.53
Start to Recovery (months) 31 30
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -18.92 -18.53
Start to Recovery (months) 31 30
Longest Negative Period (months) 39 39
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 7.88 7.66
Sharpe Ratio 0.53 0.57
Sortino Ratio 0.70 0.75
Ulcer Index 5.38 5.09
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.80 0.85
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.33 0.35
Metrics calculated over the period 1 May 2016 - 30 April 2026
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Lifepath Fund Edge Select Moderately Conservative
Author iShares Merrill Lynch
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 40.42% 37%
Fixed Income 59.58% 63%
Commodities 0% 0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 6.55 6.64
Infl. Adjusted (%) 3.92 4.01
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -21.23 -20.48
Start to Recovery (months) 26 25
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -18.92 -18.53
Start to Recovery (months) 31 30
Longest Negative Period (months) 50 50
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 7.09 6.92
Sharpe Ratio 0.61 0.64
Sortino Ratio 0.80 0.84
Ulcer Index 4.33 4.13
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.92 0.96
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.31 0.32
Metrics calculated over the period 1 May 1996 - 30 April 2026
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Lifepath Fund Edge Select Moderately Conservative
Author iShares Merrill Lynch
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 40.42% 37%
Fixed Income 59.58% 63%
Commodities 0% 0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 8.18 8.38
Infl. Adjusted (%) 5.24 5.42
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -21.23 -20.48
Start to Recovery (months) 26 25
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -18.92 -18.53
Start to Recovery (months) 31 30
Longest Negative Period (months) 50 50
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 7.21 7.08
Sharpe Ratio 0.69 0.73
Sortino Ratio 0.92 0.99
Ulcer Index 3.88 3.72
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 1.13 1.18
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.39 0.41
Metrics calculated over the period 1 January 1985 - 30 April 2026
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Drawdowns

A drawdown refers to the decline in value from a relative peak value to a relative trough. A maximum drawdown is the maximum observed loss from a peak to a trough of a portfolio before a new peak is attained.

DRAWDOWN COMPARISON
Period: 1 May 1996 - 30 April 2026 (30 years)
Period: 1 January 1985 - 30 April 2026 (~41 years)
30 Years
(1996/05 - 2026/04)

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Lifepath Fund Edge Select Moderately Conservative
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
-21.23 26 Nov 2007
Dec 2009
-20.48 25 Nov 2007
Nov 2009
-18.92 31 Jan 2022
Jul 2024
-18.53 30 Jan 2022
Jun 2024
-8.33 5 Feb 2020
Jun 2020
-7.78 5 Feb 2020
Jun 2020
-7.15 28 Feb 2001
May 2003
-6.14 27 Feb 2001
Apr 2003
-5.80 8 Jun 2011
Jan 2012
-5.64 9 May 2011
Jan 2012
-5.36 5 Jul 1998
Nov 1998
-5.27 7 Sep 2018
Mar 2019
-5.01 4 Jul 1998
Oct 1998
-4.75 6 Sep 2018
Feb 2019
-4.45 13 May 2015
May 2016

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Lifepath Fund Edge Select Moderately Conservative
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
-21.23 26 Nov 2007
Dec 2009
-20.48 25 Nov 2007
Nov 2009
-18.92 31 Jan 2022
Jul 2024
-18.53 30 Jan 2022
Jun 2024
-10.86 13 Sep 1987
Sep 1988
-10.69 13 Sep 1987
Sep 1988
-8.33 5 Feb 2020
Jun 2020
-7.78 5 Feb 2020
Jun 2020
-7.56 6 Aug 1990
Jan 1991
-7.15 28 Feb 2001
May 2003
-7.10 6 Aug 1990
Jan 1991
-6.14 27 Feb 2001
Apr 2003
-5.80 8 Jun 2011
Jan 2012
-5.78 6 Jan 1990
Jun 1990
-5.64 9 May 2011
Jan 2012

Rolling Returns

By selecting the 'Rolling Period', the chart and data will update. To study a different date range, change the Simulation Settings.

You can explore the Rolling Returns for a single portfolio, or check the return differential, by switching on "Head To Head" toggle.

Rolling Returns Comparison
Annualized Rolling Returns Chart
Rolling Returns Chart - Inflation Adjusted
Time Period: 1 January 1985 - 30 April 2026 (~41 years)


Head To Head (Ptf 1 vs Ptf 2):
US Inflation Adjusted:

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Yearly Returns

For each year, the following table provides the return and intra-year drawdown. The highlighted returns represent the highest values for that specific year.

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Lifepath Fund Edge Select Moderately Conservative
Year Return
(%)
Drawdown
(%)
Return
(%)
Drawdown
(%)
2026
3.43 -3.44 3.00 -3.34
2025
12.87 -1.39 12.53 -1.54
2024
7.57 -2.89 8.33 -2.70
2023
11.93 -6.77 13.70 -6.23
2022
-15.14 -18.92 -14.91 -18.53
2021
8.05 -2.34 6.44 -2.24
2020
11.47 -8.33 11.65 -7.78
2019
16.20 -1.68 16.41 -1.82
2018
-3.49 -5.27 -2.89 -4.75
2017
11.24 0.00 11.44 0.00
2016
6.11 -1.80 6.14 -1.87
2015
-0.37 -4.45 -0.48 -4.33
2014
6.00 -1.78 6.29 -1.64
2013
9.07 -2.99 8.82 -3.06
2012
9.09 -2.74 9.99 -2.86
2011
3.66 -5.64 3.41 -5.80
2010
10.07 -3.83 10.48 -3.50
2009
15.04 -9.43 17.30 -8.37
2008
-12.05 -16.28 -11.92 -16.14
2007
7.94 -1.18 6.98 -1.47
2006
10.06 -1.54 9.60 -1.69
2005
5.27 -1.53 5.47 -1.53
2004
9.19 -2.78 8.54 -2.54
2003
16.31 -1.16 16.19 -1.02
2002
-1.88 -6.04 -0.79 -4.95
2001
-0.13 -5.51 0.35 -5.56
2000
3.22 -3.16 2.03 -3.51
1999
8.91 -2.48 9.63 -2.17
1998
13.44 -5.36 13.94 -5.01
1997
14.26 -3.07 12.19 -3.09
1996
8.55 -1.74 9.06 -1.42
1995
21.33 0.00 21.86 0.00
1994
-0.37 -4.89 -1.15 -5.18
1993
13.45 -2.48 15.17 -1.67
1992
4.84 -2.92 6.09 -2.25
1991
19.41 -2.35 24.65 -2.13
1990
0.16 -7.10 1.69 -7.56
1989
17.85 -0.92 19.80 -0.51
1988
12.45 -1.92 12.42 -1.76
1987
5.68 -10.86 3.90 -10.69
1986
22.44 -3.57 19.56 -3.61
1985
28.90 -0.72 27.56 -0.71
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A practical guide to build wealth with Lazy Portfolios and passive investing
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