Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive Portfolio vs Aim Ways Shield Strategy Portfolio Portfolio Comparison

Simulation Settings
Period: January 1985 - October 2025 (~41 years)
Consolidated Returns as of 31 October 2025
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 October 2025.
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Results
30 Years
(1995/11 - 2025/10)
All Data
(1985/01 - 2025/10)
Inflation Adjusted:
Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive Portfolio
1.00$
Invested Capital
November 1995
12.73$
Final Capital
October 2025
8.85%
Yearly Return
13.28%
Std Deviation
-45.65%
Max Drawdown
41months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
November 1995
6.02$
Final Capital
October 2025
6.17%
Yearly Return
13.28%
Std Deviation
-46.54%
Max Drawdown
63months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1985
65.33$
Final Capital
October 2025
10.78%
Yearly Return
13.22%
Std Deviation
-45.65%
Max Drawdown
41months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1985
21.24$
Final Capital
October 2025
7.77%
Yearly Return
13.22%
Std Deviation
-46.54%
Max Drawdown
63months
Recovery Period
Aim Ways Shield Strategy Portfolio
1.00$
Invested Capital
November 1995
14.15$
Final Capital
October 2025
9.23%
Yearly Return
8.87%
Std Deviation
-19.36%
Max Drawdown
24months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
November 1995
6.69$
Final Capital
October 2025
6.54%
Yearly Return
8.87%
Std Deviation
-24.13%
Max Drawdown
35months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1985
47.79$
Final Capital
October 2025
9.93%
Yearly Return
8.66%
Std Deviation
-19.36%
Max Drawdown
24months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1985
15.54$
Final Capital
October 2025
6.95%
Yearly Return
8.66%
Std Deviation
-24.13%
Max Drawdown
35months
Recovery Period

As of October 2025, in the previous 30 Years, the Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive Portfolio obtained a 8.85% compound annual return, with a 13.28% standard deviation. It suffered a maximum drawdown of -45.65% that required 41 months to be recovered.

As of October 2025, in the previous 30 Years, the Aim Ways Shield Strategy Portfolio obtained a 9.23% compound annual return, with a 8.87% standard deviation. It suffered a maximum drawdown of -19.36% that required 24 months to be recovered.

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.
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Asset Allocations and ETFs

The compared portfolios have the following asset allocations.

Weight
(%)
Ticker Name
29.00
VUG
Vanguard Growth
21.00
VEU
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US
19.00
VTV
Vanguard Value
9.00
EEM
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets
3.00
IJS
iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value
3.00
IJT
iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth
5.00
IEI
iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond
4.00
LQD
iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond
3.00
MBB
iShares MBS
2.00
BIL
SPDR Blmbg Barclays 1-3 Mth T-Bill
1.00
BNDX
Vanguard Total International Bond
1.00
HYG
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond
Weight
(%)
Ticker Name
21.00
SPY
SPDR S&P 500
16.00
QQQ
Invesco QQQ Trust
5.00
USMV
iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA
22.00
LQD
iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond
16.00
IEI
iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond
20.00
GLD
SPDR Gold Trust
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Portfolio Returns as of Oct 31, 2025

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
(1995/11 - 2025/10)
All Data
(1985/01 - 2025/10)
Inflation Adjusted:
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Initial Amount $ Final Amount $ Total Return (%) Annualized (%)
Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive
Merrill Lynch
1 $ 12.73 $ 1 172.72% 8.85%
Aim Ways Shield Strategy
Aim Ways
1 $ 14.15 $ 1 314.80% 9.23%

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Initial Amount $ Final Amount $ Total Return (%) Annualized (%)
Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive
Merrill Lynch
1 $ 6.02 $ 502.13% 6.17%
Aim Ways Shield Strategy
Aim Ways
1 $ 6.69 $ 569.35% 6.54%

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Initial Amount $ Final Amount $ Total Return (%) Annualized (%)
Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive
Merrill Lynch
1 $ 65.33 $ 6 433.19% 10.78%
Aim Ways Shield Strategy
Aim Ways
1 $ 47.79 $ 4 678.68% 9.93%

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Initial Amount $ Final Amount $ Total Return (%) Annualized (%)
Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive
Merrill Lynch
1 $ 21.24 $ 2 024.36% 7.77%
Aim Ways Shield Strategy
Aim Ways
1 $ 15.54 $ 1 453.85% 6.95%

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Return (%) as of Oct 31, 2025
YTD
(10M)
1M 6M 1Y 5Y 10Y 30Y MAX
(~41Y)
https://www.lazyportfolioetf.com/wp-content/themes/dynamico-child/img/author/avatar_merrill_lynch.webp Edge Select Aggressive
Merrill Lynch
18.79 1.88 19.35 20.23 12.61 10.83 8.85 10.78
https://www.lazyportfolioetf.com/wp-content/themes/dynamico-child/img/author/avatar_aim_ways2.webp Shield Strategy
Aim Ways
20.84 2.14 15.84 21.34 11.01 10.60 9.23 9.93
Returns over 1 year are annualized.
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Portfolio Metrics as of Oct 31, 2025

The following metrics, updated as of 31 October 2025, provide an overview of performance and risk, with the best value in each row highlighted within the table.

METRIC COMPARISON
Period: 1 November 2024 - 31 October 2025 (1 year)
Period: 1 November 2020 - 31 October 2025 (5 years)
Period: 1 November 2015 - 31 October 2025 (10 years)
Period: 1 November 1995 - 31 October 2025 (30 years)
Period: 1 January 1985 - 31 October 2025 (~41 years)
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
30 Years
All (1985/01 - 2025/10)
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Edge Select Aggressive Shield Strategy
Author Merrill Lynch Aim Ways
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 84% 42%
Fixed Income 16% 38%
Commodities 0% 20%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 20.23 21.34
Infl. Adjusted (%) 16.89 17.98
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -3.25 -1.70
Start to Recovery (months) 4 2
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -3.25 -1.70
Start to Recovery (months) 4 2
Longest Negative Period (months) 5 1
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 8.39 5.59
Sharpe Ratio 1.90 3.05
Sortino Ratio 2.45 4.08
Ulcer Index 1.39 0.48
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 2.41 3.82
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 6.23 12.54
Metrics calculated over the period 1 November 2024 - 31 October 2025
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Edge Select Aggressive Shield Strategy
Author Merrill Lynch Aim Ways
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 84% 42%
Fixed Income 16% 38%
Commodities 0% 20%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 12.61 11.01
Infl. Adjusted (%) 7.75 6.22
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -23.81 -19.36
Start to Recovery (months) 26 24
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -23.81 -19.36
Start to Recovery (months) 26 24
Longest Negative Period (months) 32 30
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 13.20 9.96
Sharpe Ratio 0.73 0.81
Sortino Ratio 0.98 1.06
Ulcer Index 7.99 6.46
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.96 1.11
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.53 0.57
Metrics calculated over the period 1 November 2020 - 31 October 2025
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Edge Select Aggressive Shield Strategy
Author Merrill Lynch Aim Ways
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 84% 42%
Fixed Income 16% 38%
Commodities 0% 20%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 10.83 10.60
Infl. Adjusted (%) 7.44 7.22
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -23.81 -19.36
Start to Recovery (months) 26 24
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -23.81 -19.36
Start to Recovery (months) 26 24
Longest Negative Period (months) 32 30
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 12.72 8.99
Sharpe Ratio 0.70 0.96
Sortino Ratio 0.92 1.30
Ulcer Index 6.35 4.79
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.85 1.18
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.46 0.55
Metrics calculated over the period 1 November 2015 - 31 October 2025
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Edge Select Aggressive Shield Strategy
Author Merrill Lynch Aim Ways
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 84% 42%
Fixed Income 16% 38%
Commodities 0% 20%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 8.85 9.23
Infl. Adjusted (%) 6.17 6.54
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -45.65 -19.36
Start to Recovery (months) 41 24
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -33.96 -18.97
Start to Recovery (months) 56 39
Longest Negative Period (months) 118 44
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 13.28 8.87
Sharpe Ratio 0.50 0.79
Sortino Ratio 0.65 1.07
Ulcer Index 11.10 5.59
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.67 1.04
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.19 0.48
Metrics calculated over the period 1 November 1995 - 31 October 2025
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Edge Select Aggressive Shield Strategy
Author Merrill Lynch Aim Ways
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 84% 42%
Fixed Income 16% 38%
Commodities 0% 20%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 10.78 9.93
Infl. Adjusted (%) 7.77 6.95
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -45.65 -19.36
Start to Recovery (months) 41 24
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -33.96 -18.97
Start to Recovery (months) 56 39
Longest Negative Period (months) 118 44
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 13.22 8.66
Sharpe Ratio 0.58 0.78
Sortino Ratio 0.75 1.06
Ulcer Index 9.90 5.04
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.82 1.15
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.24 0.51
Metrics calculated over the period 1 January 1985 - 31 October 2025
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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 November 1995 - 31 October 2025 (30 years)
Period: 1 January 1985 - 31 October 2025 (~41 years)
30 Years
(1995/11 - 2025/10)

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Edge Select Aggressive Shield Strategy
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
-45.65 41 Nov 2007
Mar 2011
-33.96 56 Apr 2000
Nov 2004
-23.81 26 Jan 2022
Feb 2024
-19.36 24 Jan 2022
Dec 2023
-18.97 39 Sep 2000
Nov 2003
-18.89 23 Nov 2007
Sep 2009
-17.64 7 Jan 2020
Jul 2020
-16.85 11 May 2011
Mar 2012
-13.97 7 May 1998
Nov 1998
-11.27 7 Oct 2018
Apr 2019
-10.51 14 Jun 2015
Jul 2016
-7.66 4 Jul 1998
Oct 1998
-7.65 4 Feb 2020
May 2020
-7.41 6 Apr 2012
Sep 2012
-6.37 5 Apr 2000
Aug 2000

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Edge Select Aggressive Shield Strategy
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
-45.65 41 Nov 2007
Mar 2011
-33.96 56 Apr 2000
Nov 2004
-23.81 26 Jan 2022
Feb 2024
-22.86 17 Sep 1987
Jan 1989
-19.36 24 Jan 2022
Dec 2023
-18.97 39 Sep 2000
Nov 2003
-18.89 23 Nov 2007
Sep 2009
-17.64 7 Jan 2020
Jul 2020
-16.85 11 May 2011
Mar 2012
-15.96 7 Aug 1990
Feb 1991
-13.97 7 May 1998
Nov 1998
-13.14 20 Sep 1987
Apr 1989
-11.27 7 Oct 2018
Apr 2019
-10.51 14 Jun 2015
Jul 2016
-8.72 6 Jan 1990
Jun 1990

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 - 31 October 2025 (~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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Edge Select Aggressive Shield Strategy
Year Return
(%)
Drawdown
(%)
Return
(%)
Drawdown
(%)
2025
18.79 -3.25 20.84 -0.37
2024
15.15 -3.19 15.92 -2.13
2023
21.47 -8.85 20.08 -5.24
2022
-17.87 -23.81 -15.12 -19.36
2021
15.74 -3.70 9.82 -3.40
2020
17.62 -17.64 20.37 -7.65
2019
24.61 -5.32 22.48 -2.06
2018
-6.88 -11.27 -1.91 -5.03
2017
21.70 0.00 15.04 -0.68
2016
9.21 -4.97 7.35 -4.07
2015
-1.81 -9.34 -0.10 -4.62
2014
6.27 -3.59 8.59 -2.13
2013
20.62 -2.29 7.50 -4.38
2012
15.28 -7.41 10.74 -3.62
2011
-2.72 -16.85 6.97 -4.76
2010
14.37 -10.38 16.03 -3.39
2009
30.72 -15.46 21.59 -6.37
2008
-32.45 -35.23 -12.13 -18.60
2007
10.67 -4.82 12.84 -1.84
2006
16.89 -3.81 11.15 -3.29
2005
9.86 -4.16 5.77 -2.90
2004
13.59 -3.69 7.38 -3.99
2003
30.43 -3.69 21.21 -1.00
2002
-14.01 -20.65 -1.64 -7.75
2001
-9.00 -19.93 -4.77 -10.54
2000
-8.67 -12.07 -4.17 -8.87
1999
23.19 -2.88 20.24 -3.49
1998
18.05 -13.97 24.17 -7.66
1997
17.27 -6.20 10.96 -3.63
1996
15.00 -3.98 12.28 -2.24
1995
23.68 -0.91 24.80 0.00
1994
0.50 -7.08 -1.72 -5.64
1993
21.88 -3.14 12.49 -0.74
1992
3.09 -3.48 4.94 -2.92
1991
34.86 -4.62 23.27 -2.81
1990
-6.03 -15.96 -0.04 -6.64
1989
30.19 -2.36 17.40 -1.65
1988
18.97 -3.56 6.16 -3.42
1987
4.52 -22.86 8.56 -13.14
1986
25.81 -5.82 15.59 -2.72
1985
34.45 -2.58 23.91 -2.06
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