Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive Portfolio vs US Stocks Portfolio Portfolio Comparison

Simulation Settings

Period: January 1985 - March 2026 (~41 years)
Consolidated Returns as of 31 March 2026

Initial Amount: 1$

Rebalancing: at every Jan 1^st

Currency: USD

Inflation: US

(Change Settings)

The minimum date range must be at least 12 months. 'Date To' cannot be beyond March 2026.

Date From:

Date To:

Rebalancing:

Inflation:

Cashflows Reset

Initial Amount:

Contribution Amount:

Contribution Frequency:

Reset settings

Results

30 Years
(1996/04 - 2026/03)

All Data
(1985/01 - 2026/03)

Inflation Adjusted:

Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive Portfolio

1.00$
Invested Capital
April 1996
11.53$
Final Capital
March 2026
8.49%
Yearly Return
13.32%
Std Deviation
-45.65%
Max Drawdown
41months
Recovery Period

1.00$
Invested Capital
April 1996
5.47$
Final Capital
March 2026
5.83%
Yearly Return
13.32%
Std Deviation
-46.54%
Max Drawdown
63months
Recovery Period

1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1985
65.02$
Final Capital
March 2026
10.65%
Yearly Return
13.19%
Std Deviation
-45.65%
Max Drawdown
41months
Recovery Period

1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1985
20.94$
Final Capital
March 2026
7.65%
Yearly Return
13.19%
Std Deviation
-46.54%
Max Drawdown
63months
Recovery Period

US Stocks Portfolio

1.00$
Invested Capital
April 1996
17.05$
Final Capital
March 2026
9.92%
Yearly Return
15.67%
Std Deviation
-50.84%
Max Drawdown
53months
Recovery Period

1.00$
Invested Capital
April 1996
8.10$
Final Capital
March 2026
7.22%
Yearly Return
15.67%
Std Deviation
-51.65%
Max Drawdown
63months
Recovery Period

1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1985
84.93$
Final Capital
March 2026
11.37%
Yearly Return
15.32%
Std Deviation
-50.84%
Max Drawdown
53months
Recovery Period

1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1985
27.35$
Final Capital
March 2026
8.35%
Yearly Return
15.32%
Std Deviation
-51.65%
Max Drawdown
63months
Recovery Period

As of March 2026, in the previous 30 Years, the Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive Portfolio obtained a 8.49% compound annual return, with a 13.32% standard deviation. It suffered a maximum drawdown of -45.65% that required 41 months to be recovered.

As of March 2026, in the previous 30 Years, the US Stocks Portfolio obtained a 9.92% compound annual return, with a 15.67% standard deviation. It suffered a maximum drawdown of -50.84% that required 53 months to be recovered.

Mastering ETF Investing

A practical guide to build wealth with Lazy Portfolios and passive investing

Set your goal Evaluate with top metrics

Buy now 🇺🇸 English book

Buy now 🇮🇹 Italian book

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.

Resources & Extras

Asset Allocations and ETFs

The compared portfolios have the following asset allocations.

Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive Portfolio

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

US Stocks Portfolio

Weight (%)	Ticker	Name
100.00	VTI	Vanguard Total Stock Market

Test Your Asset Allocation

Evaluate your portfolio strategy in 7 different currencies

Try the Backtest Tool

Portfolio Returns as of Mar 31, 2026

Returns are calculated in USD, assuming:

no fees or capital gain taxes.
rebalancing: at every Jan 1^st.
dividend reinvestment, when applicable.

Return Comparison

Capital Growth

30 Years
(1996/04 - 2026/03)

All Data
(1985/01 - 2026/03)

Inflation Adjusted:

Swipe left to see all data

	Initial Amount $	Final Amount $	Total Return (%)	Annualized (%)
Edge Select Aggressive Merrill Lynch	1 $	11.53 $	1 052.98%	8.49%
US Stocks	1 $	17.05 $	1 605.40%	9.92%
	Apr 1996	Mar 2026

Loading data
Please wait

Swipe left to see all data

	Initial Amount $	Final Amount $	Total Return (%)	Annualized (%)
Edge Select Aggressive Merrill Lynch	1 $	5.47 $	447.37%	5.83%
US Stocks	1 $	8.10 $	709.63%	7.22%
	Apr 1996	Mar 2026

Loading data
Please wait

Swipe left to see all data

	Initial Amount $	Final Amount $	Total Return (%)	Annualized (%)
Edge Select Aggressive Merrill Lynch	1 $	65.02 $	6 402.25%	10.65%
US Stocks	1 $	84.93 $	8 392.53%	11.37%
	Jan 1985	Mar 2026

Loading data
Please wait

Swipe left to see all data

	Initial Amount $	Final Amount $	Total Return (%)	Annualized (%)
Edge Select Aggressive Merrill Lynch	1 $	20.94 $	1 994.34%	7.65%
US Stocks	1 $	27.35 $	2 635.40%	8.35%
	Jan 1985	Mar 2026

Loading data
Please wait

Swipe left to see all data

		Return (%) as of Mar 31, 2026
		YTD (3M)	1M	6M	1Y	5Y	10Y	30Y	MAX (~41Y)
	Edge Select Aggressive Merrill Lynch	-1.35	-5.49	1.40	19.15	8.51	10.87	8.49	10.65
	US Stocks -- Market Benchmark	-4.01	-5.00	-1.66	18.11	10.74	13.67	9.92	11.37
Returns over 1 year are annualized.

Explore All Lazy Portfolios

Tailored Portfolios for every Investment Strategy

USD

CAD

EUR

Readings that may interest you

Portfolio Metrics as of Mar 31, 2026

The following metrics, updated as of 31 March 2026, provide an overview of performance and risk, with the best value in each row highlighted within the table.

METRIC COMPARISON

Period: 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026 (1 year)

Period: 1 April 2021 - 31 March 2026 (5 years)

Period: 1 April 2016 - 31 March 2026 (10 years)

Period: 1 April 1996 - 31 March 2026 (30 years)

Period: 1 January 1985 - 31 March 2026 (~41 years)

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

30 Years

All (1985/01 - 2026/03)

Swipe left to see all data

	Edge Select Aggressive	US Stocks
Author	Merrill Lynch
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks	84%	100%
Fixed Income	16%	0%
Commodities	0%	0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%)	19.15	18.11
Infl. Adjusted (%)	16.30	15.28
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%)	-5.49	-5.51
Start to Recovery (months)	1*	2*
Longest Drawdown Depth (%)	-5.49	-5.51
Start to Recovery (months)	1*	2*
Longest Negative Period (months)	5*	6*
Drawdowns / Negative periods marked with * are in progress
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%)	8.86	9.84
Sharpe Ratio	1.71	1.43
Sortino Ratio	2.08	1.93
Ulcer Index	1.52	1.55
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation	2.16	1.84
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown	3.49	3.29
Metrics calculated over the period 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026

Swipe left to see all data

	Edge Select Aggressive	US Stocks
Author	Merrill Lynch
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks	84%	100%
Fixed Income	16%	0%
Commodities	0%	0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%)	8.51	10.74
Infl. Adjusted (%)	4.00	6.14
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%)	-23.81	-24.81
Start to Recovery (months)	26	24
Longest Drawdown Depth (%)	-23.81	-24.81
Start to Recovery (months)	26	24
Longest Negative Period (months)	31	30
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%)	12.81	15.40
Sharpe Ratio	0.41	0.48
Sortino Ratio	0.54	0.65
Ulcer Index	8.02	8.63
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation	0.66	0.70
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown	0.36	0.43
Metrics calculated over the period 1 April 2021 - 31 March 2026

Swipe left to see all data

	Edge Select Aggressive	US Stocks
Author	Merrill Lynch
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks	84%	100%
Fixed Income	16%	0%
Commodities	0%	0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%)	10.87	13.67
Infl. Adjusted (%)	7.39	10.10
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%)	-23.81	-24.81
Start to Recovery (months)	26	24
Longest Drawdown Depth (%)	-23.81	-24.81
Start to Recovery (months)	26	24
Longest Negative Period (months)	32	30
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%)	12.60	15.38
Sharpe Ratio	0.69	0.75
Sortino Ratio	0.91	0.99
Ulcer Index	6.31	6.88
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation	0.86	0.89
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown	0.46	0.55
Metrics calculated over the period 1 April 2016 - 31 March 2026

Swipe left to see all data

	Edge Select Aggressive	US Stocks
Author	Merrill Lynch
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks	84%	100%
Fixed Income	16%	0%
Commodities	0%	0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%)	8.49	9.92
Infl. Adjusted (%)	5.83	7.22
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%)	-45.65	-50.84
Start to Recovery (months)	41	53
Longest Drawdown Depth (%)	-33.96	-43.94
Start to Recovery (months)	56	67
Longest Negative Period (months)	118	139
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%)	13.32	15.67
Sharpe Ratio	0.47	0.49
Sortino Ratio	0.62	0.64
Ulcer Index	11.10	14.32
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation	0.64	0.63
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown	0.19	0.20
Metrics calculated over the period 1 April 1996 - 31 March 2026

Swipe left to see all data

	Edge Select Aggressive	US Stocks
Author	Merrill Lynch
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks	84%	100%
Fixed Income	16%	0%
Commodities	0%	0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%)	10.65	11.37
Infl. Adjusted (%)	7.65	8.35
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%)	-45.65	-50.84
Start to Recovery (months)	41	53
Longest Drawdown Depth (%)	-33.96	-43.94
Start to Recovery (months)	56	67
Longest Negative Period (months)	118	139
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%)	13.19	15.32
Sharpe Ratio	0.57	0.53
Sortino Ratio	0.74	0.70
Ulcer Index	9.86	12.73
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation	0.81	0.74
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown	0.23	0.22
Metrics calculated over the period 1 January 1985 - 31 March 2026

Mastering ETF Investing

A practical guide to build wealth with Lazy Portfolios and passive investing

Set your goal Evaluate with top metrics

Buy now 🇺🇸 English book

Buy now 🇮🇹 Italian book

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 April 1996 - 31 March 2026 (30 years)

Period: 1 January 1985 - 31 March 2026 (~41 years)

30 Years
(1996/04 - 2026/03)

Chart Table

Loading data
Please wait

Swipe left to see all data

Edge Select Aggressive			US Stocks
Drawdown (%)	Recovery (#Months)	From To	Drawdown (%)	Recovery (#Months)	From To
			-50.84	53	Nov 2007 Mar 2012
-45.65	41	Nov 2007 Mar 2011
			-43.94	67	Sep 2000 Mar 2006
-33.96	56	Apr 2000 Nov 2004
			-24.81	24	Jan 2022 Dec 2023
-23.81	26	Jan 2022 Feb 2024
			-20.84	7	Jan 2020 Jul 2020
-17.64	7	Jan 2020 Jul 2020
			-17.57	5	Jul 1998 Nov 1998
-16.85	11	May 2011 Mar 2012
			-14.20	7	Oct 2018 Apr 2019
-13.97	7	May 1998 Nov 1998
-11.27	7	Oct 2018 Apr 2019
-10.51	14	Jun 2015 Jul 2016
			-8.84	12	Jun 2015 May 2016

Loading data
Please wait

Swipe left to see all data

Edge Select Aggressive			US Stocks
Drawdown (%)	Recovery (#Months)	From To	Drawdown (%)	Recovery (#Months)	From To
			-50.84	53	Nov 2007 Mar 2012
-45.65	41	Nov 2007 Mar 2011
			-43.94	67	Sep 2000 Mar 2006
-33.96	56	Apr 2000 Nov 2004
			-29.34	21	Sep 1987 May 1989
			-24.81	24	Jan 2022 Dec 2023
-23.81	26	Jan 2022 Feb 2024
-22.86	17	Sep 1987 Jan 1989
			-20.84	7	Jan 2020 Jul 2020
-17.64	7	Jan 2020 Jul 2020
			-17.57	5	Jul 1998 Nov 1998
-16.85	11	May 2011 Mar 2012
			-16.20	9	Jun 1990 Feb 1991
-15.96	7	Aug 1990 Feb 1991
			-14.20	7	Oct 2018 Apr 2019

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 March 2026 (~41 years)

Rolling Period:

Edge Select Aggressive
US Stocks

Head To Head (Ptf 1 vs Ptf 2):

US Inflation Adjusted:

Loading data
Please wait

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.

Swipe left to see all data

	Edge Select Aggressive		US Stocks
Year	Return (%)	Drawdown (%)	Return (%)	Drawdown (%)
2026	-1.35	-5.49	-4.01	-5.51
2025	19.85	-3.25	17.10	-8.31
2024	15.15	-3.19	23.81	-4.34
2023	21.47	-8.85	26.05	-9.11
2022	-17.87	-23.81	-19.51	-24.81
2021	15.74	-3.70	25.67	-4.46
2020	17.62	-17.64	21.03	-20.84
2019	24.61	-5.32	30.67	-6.45
2018	-6.88	-11.27	-5.21	-14.20
2017	21.70	0.00	21.21	0.00
2016	9.21	-4.97	12.83	-5.73
2015	-1.81	-9.34	0.36	-8.84
2014	6.27	-3.59	12.54	-3.17
2013	20.62	-2.29	33.45	-3.03
2012	15.28	-7.41	16.45	-6.82
2011	-2.72	-16.85	0.97	-17.58
2010	14.37	-10.38	17.42	-13.26
2009	30.72	-15.46	28.89	-17.72
2008	-32.45	-35.23	-36.98	-38.08
2007	10.67	-4.82	5.37	-5.23
2006	16.89	-3.81	15.69	-3.22
2005	9.86	-4.16	6.31	-4.48
2004	13.59	-3.69	12.79	-3.56
2003	30.43	-3.69	30.75	-4.27
2002	-14.01	-20.65	-20.47	-27.18
2001	-9.00	-19.93	-10.97	-23.65
2000	-8.67	-12.07	-10.57	-15.87
1999	23.19	-2.88	23.81	-6.42
1998	18.05	-13.97	23.26	-17.57
1997	17.27	-6.20	30.99	-4.56
1996	15.00	-3.98	20.96	-6.17
1995	23.68	-0.91	35.79	-1.17
1994	0.50	-7.08	-0.17	-7.43
1993	21.88	-3.14	10.62	-2.77
1992	3.09	-3.48	9.11	-2.40
1991	34.86	-4.62	32.39	-4.47
1990	-6.03	-15.96	-6.08	-16.20
1989	30.19	-2.36	28.12	-3.05
1988	18.97	-3.56	17.32	-3.42
1987	4.52	-22.86	2.61	-29.34
1986	25.81	-5.82	14.57	-7.92
1985	34.45	-2.58	31.27	-4.77

Mastering ETF Investing

A practical guide to build wealth with Lazy Portfolios and passive investing

Set your goal Evaluate with top metrics

Buy now 🇺🇸 English book

Buy now 🇮🇹 Italian book

Table of contents

Resources & Extras

Asset Allocations and ETFs

Portfolio Returns as of Mar 31, 2026

Portfolio Metrics as of Mar 31, 2026

Drawdowns

Rolling Returns

Yearly Returns