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

Simulation Settings
Period: January 1982 - May 2025 (~43 years)
Consolidated Returns as of 31 May 2025
Initial Amount: 1$
Rebalancing: at every Jan 1st
Currency: USD
Inflation: US
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Results
30 Years
(1995/06 - 2025/05)
All Data
(1982/01 - 2025/05)
Inflation Adjusted:
Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Portfolio
1.00$
Invested Capital
June 1995
11.42$
Final Capital
May 2025
8.46%
Yearly Return
15.77%
Std Deviation
-57.21%
Max Drawdown
63months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
June 1995
5.42$
Final Capital
May 2025
5.79%
Yearly Return
15.77%
Std Deviation
-57.92%
Max Drawdown
71months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1982
88.12$
Final Capital
May 2025
10.87%
Yearly Return
15.43%
Std Deviation
-57.21%
Max Drawdown
63months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1982
25.86$
Final Capital
May 2025
7.78%
Yearly Return
15.43%
Std Deviation
-57.92%
Max Drawdown
71months
Recovery Period
Alpha Architect Robust Portfolio
1.00$
Invested Capital
June 1995
13.80$
Final Capital
May 2025
9.14%
Yearly Return
11.15%
Std Deviation
-44.20%
Max Drawdown
42months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
June 1995
6.55$
Final Capital
May 2025
6.46%
Yearly Return
11.15%
Std Deviation
-45.12%
Max Drawdown
65months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1982
91.15$
Final Capital
May 2025
10.95%
Yearly Return
10.84%
Std Deviation
-44.20%
Max Drawdown
42months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Invested Capital
January 1982
26.75$
Final Capital
May 2025
7.86%
Yearly Return
10.84%
Std Deviation
-45.12%
Max Drawdown
65months
Recovery Period

As of May 2025, in the previous 30 Years, the Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Portfolio obtained a 8.46% compound annual return, with a 15.77% standard deviation. It suffered a maximum drawdown of -57.21% that required 63 months to be recovered.

As of May 2025, in the previous 30 Years, the Alpha Architect Robust Portfolio obtained a 9.14% compound annual return, with a 11.15% standard deviation. It suffered a maximum drawdown of -44.20% that required 42 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
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
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
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Portfolio Returns as of May 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
(1995/06 - 2025/05)
All Data
(1982/01 - 2025/05)
Inflation Adjusted:
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Initial Amount $ Final Amount $ Total Return (%) Annualized (%)
Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy
Paul Merriman
1 $ 11.42 $ 1 042.46% 8.46%
Alpha Architect Robust
Alpha Architect
1 $ 13.80 $ 1 279.99% 9.14%

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Initial Amount $ Final Amount $ Total Return (%) Annualized (%)
Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy
Paul Merriman
1 $ 5.42 $ 441.90% 5.79%
Alpha Architect Robust
Alpha Architect
1 $ 6.55 $ 554.57% 6.46%

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Initial Amount $ Final Amount $ Total Return (%) Annualized (%)
Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy
Paul Merriman
1 $ 88.12 $ 8 711.64% 10.87%
Alpha Architect Robust
Alpha Architect
1 $ 91.15 $ 9 015.34% 10.95%

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Initial Amount $ Final Amount $ Total Return (%) Annualized (%)
Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy
Paul Merriman
1 $ 25.86 $ 2 485.82% 7.78%
Alpha Architect Robust
Alpha Architect
1 $ 26.75 $ 2 574.94% 7.86%

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Return (%) as of May 31, 2025
YTD
(5M)
1M 6M 1Y 5Y 10Y 30Y MAX
(~43Y)
https://www.lazyportfolioetf.com/wp-content/themes/dynamico-child/img/author/avatar_paul_merriman.webp Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy
Paul Merriman
6.33 4.51 1.47 10.33 11.42 7.10 8.46 10.87
https://www.lazyportfolioetf.com/wp-content/themes/dynamico-child/img/author/avatar_alpha_architect.webp Robust
Alpha Architect
6.26 4.58 2.60 12.74 10.66 7.54 9.14 10.95
Returns over 1 year are annualized.
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Portfolio Metrics as of May 31, 2025

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

METRIC COMPARISON
Period: 1 June 2024 - 31 May 2025 (1 year)
Period: 1 June 2020 - 31 May 2025 (5 years)
Period: 1 June 2015 - 31 May 2025 (10 years)
Period: 1 June 1995 - 31 May 2025 (30 years)
Period: 1 January 1982 - 31 May 2025 (~43 years)
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
30 Years
All (1982/01 - 2025/05)
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Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Robust
Author Paul Merriman Alpha Architect
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 100% 70%
Fixed Income 0% 20%
Commodities 0% 10%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 10.33 12.74
Infl. Adjusted (%) 7.78 10.13
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -4.57 -3.45
Start to Recovery (months) 6 3
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -4.57 -3.45
Start to Recovery (months) 6 3
Longest Negative Period (months) 8 5
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 10.29 8.33
Sharpe Ratio 0.55 0.96
Sortino Ratio 0.74 1.27
Ulcer Index 2.10 1.39
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 1.00 1.53
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 2.26 3.70
Metrics calculated over the period 1 June 2024 - 31 May 2025
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Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Robust
Author Paul Merriman Alpha Architect
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 100% 70%
Fixed Income 0% 20%
Commodities 0% 10%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 11.42 10.66
Infl. Adjusted (%) 6.50 5.77
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -24.70 -17.99
Start to Recovery (months) 27 28
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -24.70 -17.99
Start to Recovery (months) 27 28
Longest Negative Period (months) 34 32
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 15.72 12.03
Sharpe Ratio 0.56 0.67
Sortino Ratio 0.79 0.90
Ulcer Index 7.98 6.30
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.73 0.89
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.46 0.59
Metrics calculated over the period 1 June 2020 - 31 May 2025
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Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Robust
Author Paul Merriman Alpha Architect
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 100% 70%
Fixed Income 0% 20%
Commodities 0% 10%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 7.10 7.54
Infl. Adjusted (%) 3.91 4.33
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -27.54 -19.09
Start to Recovery (months) 11 8
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -24.70 -17.99
Start to Recovery (months) 27 28
Longest Negative Period (months) 44 32
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 15.57 11.52
Sharpe Ratio 0.34 0.50
Sortino Ratio 0.45 0.65
Ulcer Index 7.86 5.58
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.46 0.65
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.26 0.39
Metrics calculated over the period 1 June 2015 - 31 May 2025
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Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Robust
Author Paul Merriman Alpha Architect
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 100% 70%
Fixed Income 0% 20%
Commodities 0% 10%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 8.46 9.14
Infl. Adjusted (%) 5.79 6.46
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -57.21 -44.20
Start to Recovery (months) 63 42
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -57.21 -44.20
Start to Recovery (months) 63 42
Longest Negative Period (months) 68 62
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 15.77 11.15
Sharpe Ratio 0.39 0.62
Sortino Ratio 0.51 0.79
Ulcer Index 12.16 8.38
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.54 0.82
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.15 0.21
Metrics calculated over the period 1 June 1995 - 31 May 2025
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Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Robust
Author Paul Merriman Alpha Architect
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 100% 70%
Fixed Income 0% 20%
Commodities 0% 10%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 10.87 10.95
Infl. Adjusted (%) 7.78 7.86
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -57.21 -44.20
Start to Recovery (months) 63 42
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -57.21 -44.20
Start to Recovery (months) 63 42
Longest Negative Period (months) 68 62
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 15.43 10.84
Sharpe Ratio 0.47 0.68
Sortino Ratio 0.62 0.88
Ulcer Index 10.69 7.26
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.70 1.01
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.19 0.25
Metrics calculated over the period 1 January 1982 - 31 May 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 June 1995 - 31 May 2025 (30 years)
Period: 1 January 1982 - 31 May 2025 (~43 years)
30 Years
(1995/06 - 2025/05)

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Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Robust
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
-57.21 63 Nov 2007
Jan 2013
-44.20 42 Nov 2007
Apr 2011
-27.54 11 Jan 2020
Nov 2020
-24.70 27 Jan 2022
Mar 2024
-20.46 13 Apr 1998
Apr 1999
-20.10 30 Feb 2001
Jul 2003
-19.09 8 Jan 2020
Aug 2020
-17.99 28 Nov 2021
Feb 2024
-15.11 22 Feb 2018
Nov 2019
-13.76 10 May 2011
Feb 2012
-12.58 28 Feb 2001
May 2003
-12.10 14 Jun 2015
Jul 2016
-11.72 9 Oct 2018
Jun 2019
-10.75 5 Jul 1998
Nov 1998
-8.65 5 Sep 2000
Jan 2001

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Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Robust
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
-57.21 63 Nov 2007
Jan 2013
-44.20 42 Nov 2007
Apr 2011
-27.54 11 Jan 2020
Nov 2020
-25.26 17 Sep 1987
Jan 1989
-24.70 27 Jan 2022
Mar 2024
-21.87 17 Jan 1990
May 1991
-20.46 13 Apr 1998
Apr 1999
-20.10 30 Feb 2001
Jul 2003
-19.09 8 Jan 2020
Aug 2020
-18.97 17 Sep 1987
Jan 1989
-17.99 28 Nov 2021
Feb 2024
-16.41 10 Jan 1982
Oct 1982
-15.11 22 Feb 2018
Nov 2019
-13.76 10 May 2011
Feb 2012
-12.58 28 Feb 2001
May 2003

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 1982 - 31 May 2025 (~43 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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Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Robust
Year Return
(%)
Drawdown
(%)
Return
(%)
Drawdown
(%)
2025
6.33 -1.54 6.26 -2.37
2024
8.12 -4.57 13.94 -3.80
2023
15.12 -11.49 8.53 -6.88
2022
-15.37 -24.70 -10.29 -17.33
2021
19.37 -3.67 17.40 -3.99
2020
6.40 -27.54 7.53 -19.09
2019
23.62 -6.09 20.35 -3.33
2018
-11.86 -15.11 -6.10 -11.72
2017
21.78 -0.19 18.49 0.00
2016
12.36 -6.13 8.13 -3.96
2015
-1.21 -10.45 -0.63 -6.68
2014
3.86 -4.78 5.13 -2.85
2013
24.33 -3.16 19.10 -2.13
2012
18.52 -9.57 12.28 -6.42
2011
-6.03 -21.49 2.08 -13.76
2010
17.95 -12.96 14.95 -9.68
2009
32.93 -22.58 17.10 -18.31
2008
-39.47 -43.68 -29.35 -32.35
2007
3.86 -8.69 9.03 -3.32
2006
25.26 -4.59 14.56 -2.50
2005
14.55 -4.36 13.33 -2.38
2004
24.50 -4.95 18.01 -4.18
2003
45.35 -4.40 28.95 -2.12
2002
-8.70 -19.82 0.96 -8.47
2001
-4.24 -16.27 -7.16 -12.58
2000
-0.62 -8.65 9.39 -3.34
1999
20.93 -3.33 18.95 -2.74
1998
4.55 -20.46 13.95 -10.75
1997
7.53 -6.22 16.27 -2.68
1996
14.79 -4.92 20.00 -2.93
1995
16.47 -2.82 26.04 -0.64
1994
-2.37 -7.70 -1.64 -6.68
1993
30.62 -3.22 14.31 -2.17
1992
7.12 -3.87 8.50 -1.40
1991
32.16 -5.51 23.44 -3.45
1990
-15.66 -21.87 -1.58 -6.78
1989
27.73 -3.75 26.71 -1.47
1988
25.20 -2.71 15.37 -2.21
1987
6.29 -25.26 7.28 -18.97
1986
33.82 -4.97 23.86 -4.64
1985
40.18 -2.65 30.79 -1.26
1984
7.34 -6.12 6.69 -5.23
1983
26.91 -2.38 19.86 -1.91
1982
9.42 -16.41 23.06 -3.32
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