Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Portfolio vs Alpha Architect Robust Portfolio Portfolio Comparison

With the current simulation settings, as of June 2026, in the previous 30 Years:

• the Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Portfolio obtained a 8.82% compound annual return, with a 15.90% standard deviation. It suffered a maximum drawdown of -57.21% that required 63 months to be recovered.
• the Alpha Architect Robust Portfolio obtained a 9.33% compound annual return, with a 11.26% standard deviation. It suffered a maximum drawdown of -44.20% that required 42 months to be recovered.

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Asset Allocations and ETFs

The compared portfolios have the following asset allocations.

Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Portfolio

1YRebalanced: every 12M
at every Jan 1^st

Weight (%)	Ticker		Name
10.00	DLS		WisdomTree International SmallCp Div
10.00	EEM		iShares MSCI Emerging Markets
10.00	IJR		iShares Core S&P Small-Cap
10.00	IJS		iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value
10.00	SPY		SPDR S&P 500
10.00	VTV		Vanguard Value
10.00	VEA		Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets
10.00	SCZ		iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap
10.00	EFV		iShares MSCI EAFE Value
10.00	VNQ		Vanguard Real Estate

Alpha Architect Robust Portfolio

1YRebalanced: every 12M
at every Jan 1^st

Weight (%)	Ticker		Name
30.00	MTUM		iShares Edge MSCI USA Momentum Fctr
10.00	VNQ		Vanguard Real Estate
7.50	DLS		WisdomTree International SmallCp Div
7.50	IJS		iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value
7.50	VTV		Vanguard Value
7.50	EFV		iShares MSCI EAFE Value
20.00	IEI		iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond
10.00	GSG		iShares S&P GSCI Commodity Indexed Trust

Portfolio Returns as of Jun 30, 2026

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Portfolio Metrics as of Jun 30, 2026

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

Your practical guide to Building Wealth.

Master ETF Investing & maximize profits with Lazy Portfolios & Passive Strategies.

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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.

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.

Time to Target

What it shows: Months to reach your target capital from each historical entry point, accounting for your initial investment and periodic contributions.

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.

Your practical guide to Building Wealth.

Master ETF Investing & maximize profits with Lazy Portfolios & Passive Strategies.

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