Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Portfolio vs Gold Portfolio Portfolio Comparison

Simulation Settings
Period: January 1976 - April 2025 (~49 years)
Consolidated Returns as of 30 April 2025
Rebalancing: at every Jan 1st
Currency: USD
Inflation: US
(Change Settings)
The minimum date range must be at least 12 months. 'Date To' cannot be beyond April 2025.
Reset settings
Close
Results
30 Years
All (since January 1976)
Inflation Adjusted:
Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Portfolio
1.00$
Initial Capital
May 1995
11.13$
Final Capital
April 2025
8.36%
Yearly Return
15.76%
Std Deviation
-57.21%
Max Drawdown
63months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Initial Capital
May 1995
5.27$
Final Capital
April 2025
5.70%
Yearly Return
15.76%
Std Deviation
-57.92%
Max Drawdown
71months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Initial Capital
January 1976
210.74$
Final Capital
April 2025
11.46%
Yearly Return
15.32%
Std Deviation
-57.21%
Max Drawdown
63months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Initial Capital
January 1976
36.57$
Final Capital
April 2025
7.57%
Yearly Return
15.32%
Std Deviation
-57.92%
Max Drawdown
71months
Recovery Period
Gold Portfolio
1.00$
Initial Capital
May 1995
7.75$
Final Capital
April 2025
7.06%
Yearly Return
15.69%
Std Deviation
-42.91%
Max Drawdown
107months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Initial Capital
May 1995
3.67$
Final Capital
April 2025
4.43%
Yearly Return
15.69%
Std Deviation
-45.71%
Max Drawdown
158months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Initial Capital
January 1976
21.54$
Final Capital
April 2025
6.42%
Yearly Return
18.33%
Std Deviation
-61.78%
Max Drawdown
319months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Initial Capital
January 1976
3.74$
Final Capital
April 2025
2.71%
Yearly Return
18.33%
Std Deviation
-82.52%
Max Drawdown
542months
Recovery Period

As of April 2025, in the previous 30 Years, the Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Portfolio obtained a 8.36% compound annual return, with a 15.76% standard deviation. It suffered a maximum drawdown of -57.21% that required 63 months to be recovered.

As of April 2025, in the previous 30 Years, the Gold Portfolio obtained a 7.06% compound annual return, with a 15.69% standard deviation. It suffered a maximum drawdown of -42.91% that required 107 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.
Build wealth
with Lazy Portfolios and Passive Investing
Set your goal
Use top metrics to evaluate
Join the passive investing strategy
Exclusive new asset allocations in EUR and USD

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
100.00
GLD
SPDR Gold Trust
Evaluate your portfolio strategy in 7 different currencies

Portfolio Returns as of Apr 30, 2025

Returns are calculated in USD, assuming:
  • no fees or capital gain taxes.
  • rebalancing: at every Jan 1st.
  • dividend reinvestment, when applicable.
RETURN COMPARISON
Period: 1 January 1976 - 30 April 2025 (~49 years)
Swipe left to see all data
Return (%) as of Apr 30, 2025
YTD
(4M)
1M 6M 1Y 5Y 10Y 30Y MAX
(~49Y)
https://www.lazyportfolioetf.com/wp-content/themes/dynamico-child/img/author/avatar_paul_merriman.webp Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy
Paul Merriman
1.75 0.18 0.66 10.21 11.38 6.65 8.36 11.46
https://www.lazyportfolioetf.com/wp-content/themes/dynamico-child/img/author/avatar_gold.webp Gold
-- Market Benchmark
25.46 5.42 19.83 43.38 13.85 10.35 7.06 6.42
Return over 1 year are annualized.
Tailored Portfolios for every Investment Strategy

Capital Growth as of Apr 30, 2025

Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Portfolio: an investment of 1$, since May 1995, now would be worth 11.13$, with a total return of 1012.65% (8.36% annualized).

Gold Portfolio: an investment of 1$, since May 1995, now would be worth 7.75$, with a total return of 675.13% (7.06% annualized).


Loading data
Please wait
Paul Merriman Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Portfolio: an investment of 1$, since January 1976, now would be worth 210.74$, with a total return of 20974.05% (11.46% annualized).

Gold Portfolio: an investment of 1$, since January 1976, now would be worth 21.54$, with a total return of 2054.05% (6.42% annualized).


Loading data
Please wait

Portfolio Metrics as of Apr 30, 2025

The following metrics, updated as of 30 April 2025, provide an overview of performance and risk, with the best value in each row highlighted within the table.

METRIC COMPARISON
Period: 1 May 2024 - 30 April 2025 (1 year)
Period: 1 May 2020 - 30 April 2025 (5 years)
Period: 1 May 2015 - 30 April 2025 (10 years)
Period: 1 May 1995 - 30 April 2025 (30 years)
Period: 1 January 1976 - 30 April 2025 (~49 years)
Swipe left to see all data
Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Gold
Author Paul Merriman
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 100% 0%
Fixed Income 0% 0%
Commodities 0% 100%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 10.21 43.38
Infl. Adjusted Return (%) 7.73 40.16
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -4.57 -4.49
Start to Recovery (months) 5* 3
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -4.57 -4.49
Start to Recovery (months) 5* 3
Longest Negative Period (months) 8* 3
Drawdowns / Negative periods marked with * are in progress
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 10.25 12.01
Sharpe Ratio 0.53 3.21
Sortino Ratio 0.71 4.47
Ulcer Index 2.10 1.52
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 1.00 3.61
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 2.23 9.66
Metrics calculated over the period 1 May 2024 - 30 April 2025
Swipe left to see all data
Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Gold
Author Paul Merriman
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 100% 0%
Fixed Income 0% 0%
Commodities 0% 100%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 11.38 13.85
Infl. Adjusted Return (%) 6.51 8.87
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -24.70 -18.08
Start to Recovery (months) 27 40
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -24.70 -18.08
Start to Recovery (months) 27 40
Longest Negative Period (months) 34 39
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 15.72 14.73
Sharpe Ratio 0.56 0.77
Sortino Ratio 0.79 1.14
Ulcer Index 7.98 6.97
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.72 0.94
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.46 0.77
Metrics calculated over the period 1 May 2020 - 30 April 2025
Swipe left to see all data
Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Gold
Author Paul Merriman
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 100% 0%
Fixed Income 0% 0%
Commodities 0% 100%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 6.65 10.35
Infl. Adjusted Return (%) 3.45 7.04
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -27.54 -18.08
Start to Recovery (months) 11 40
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -24.70 -18.08
Start to Recovery (months) 27 40
Longest Negative Period (months) 44 41
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 15.52 14.10
Sharpe Ratio 0.32 0.61
Sortino Ratio 0.42 0.91
Ulcer Index 7.86 6.65
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.43 0.73
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.24 0.57
Metrics calculated over the period 1 May 2015 - 30 April 2025
Swipe left to see all data
Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Gold
Author Paul Merriman
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 100% 0%
Fixed Income 0% 0%
Commodities 0% 100%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 8.36 7.06
Infl. Adjusted Return (%) 5.70 4.43
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -57.21 -42.91
Start to Recovery (months) 63 107
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -57.21 -42.91
Start to Recovery (months) 63 107
Longest Negative Period (months) 68 145
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 15.76 15.69
Sharpe Ratio 0.39 0.31
Sortino Ratio 0.50 0.45
Ulcer Index 12.16 20.47
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.53 0.45
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.15 0.16
Metrics calculated over the period 1 May 1995 - 30 April 2025
Swipe left to see all data
Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Gold
Author Paul Merriman
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 100% 0%
Fixed Income 0% 0%
Commodities 0% 100%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 11.46 6.42
Infl. Adjusted Return (%) 7.57 2.71
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -57.21 -61.78
Start to Recovery (months) 63 319
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -57.21 -61.78
Start to Recovery (months) 63 319
Longest Negative Period (months) 68 329
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 15.32 18.33
Sharpe Ratio 0.47 0.12
Sortino Ratio 0.62 0.18
Ulcer Index 10.16 35.07
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.75 0.35
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.20 0.10
Metrics calculated over the period 1 January 1976 - 30 April 2025
Build wealth
with Lazy Portfolios and Passive Investing

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 1995 - 30 April 2025 (30 years)
Period: 1 January 1976 - 30 April 2025 (~49 years)

Loading data
Please wait
Swipe left to see all data
Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Gold
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
-57.21 63 Nov 2007
Jan 2013
-42.91 107 Sep 2011
Jul 2020
-37.17 95 Feb 1996
Dec 2003
-27.54 11 Jan 2020
Nov 2020
-25.83 15 Mar 2008
May 2009
-24.70 27 Jan 2022
Mar 2024
-20.46 13 Apr 1998
Apr 1999
-20.10 30 Feb 2001
Jul 2003
-18.08 40 Aug 2020
Nov 2023
-15.11 22 Feb 2018
Nov 2019
-12.10 14 Jun 2015
Jul 2016
-8.65 5 Sep 2000
Jan 2001
-8.64 10 Dec 2004
Sep 2005
-8.63 10 May 2006
Feb 2007
-8.37 6 Dec 2009
May 2010

Loading data
Please wait
Swipe left to see all data
Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Gold
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
Drawdown
(%)
Recovery
(#Months)
From
To
-61.78 319 Oct 1980
Apr 2007
-57.21 63 Nov 2007
Jan 2013
-42.91 107 Sep 2011
Jul 2020
-27.54 11 Jan 2020
Nov 2020
-25.85 14 Jan 1976
Feb 1977
-25.83 15 Mar 2008
May 2009
-25.26 17 Sep 1987
Jan 1989
-24.70 27 Jan 2022
Mar 2024
-24.27 5 Feb 1980
Jun 1980
-21.87 17 Jan 1990
May 1991
-20.46 13 Apr 1998
Apr 1999
-20.28 4 Nov 1978
Feb 1979
-20.10 30 Feb 2001
Jul 2003
-19.82 18 Jun 1981
Nov 1982
-18.08 40 Aug 2020
Nov 2023

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 1976 - 30 April 2025 (~49 years)


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
Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy Gold
Year Return
(%)
Drawdown
(%)
Return
(%)
Drawdown
(%)
2025
1.75 -1.54 25.46 0.00
2024
8.12 -4.57 26.66 -4.49
2023
15.12 -11.49 12.69 -7.22
2022
-15.37 -24.70 -0.77 -15.91
2021
19.37 -3.67 -4.15 -10.32
2020
6.40 -27.54 24.81 -10.12
2019
23.62 -6.09 17.86 -4.10
2018
-11.86 -15.11 -1.94 -11.66
2017
21.78 -0.19 12.81 -4.09
2016
12.36 -6.13 8.03 -15.02
2015
-1.21 -10.45 -10.67 -17.81
2014
3.86 -4.78 -2.19 -12.44
2013
24.33 -3.16 -28.33 -28.33
2012
18.52 -9.57 6.60 -10.45
2011
-6.03 -21.49 9.57 -14.48
2010
17.95 -12.96 29.27 -5.09
2009
32.93 -22.58 24.03 -7.20
2008
-39.47 -43.68 4.92 -25.83
2007
3.86 -8.69 30.45 -4.20
2006
25.26 -4.59 22.55 -8.63
2005
14.55 -4.36 17.76 -4.91
2004
24.50 -4.95 4.65 -8.31
2003
45.35 -4.40 19.89 -8.88
2002
-8.70 -19.82 25.57 -6.72
2001
-4.24 -16.27 0.75 -6.10
2000
-0.62 -8.65 -5.44 -9.93
1999
20.93 -3.33 0.85 -11.47
1998
4.55 -20.46 -0.83 -12.01
1997
7.53 -6.22 -21.41 -21.41
1996
14.79 -4.92 -4.59 -8.95
1995
16.47 -2.82 0.98 -2.46
1994
-2.37 -7.70 -2.17 -3.91
1993
30.62 -3.22 17.68 -11.51
1992
7.12 -3.87 -5.73 -6.97
1991
32.16 -5.51 -8.56 -10.05
1990
-15.66 -21.87 -3.11 -15.14
1989
27.73 -3.75 -2.84 -12.30
1988
25.20 -2.71 -15.26 -18.05
1987
6.29 -25.26 24.53 -1.97
1986
33.82 -4.97 18.96 -8.14
1985
40.18 -2.65 6.00 -6.67
1984
7.34 -6.12 -19.38 -21.80
1983
26.91 -2.38 -16.31 -23.52
1982
9.42 -16.41 14.94 -20.13
1981
-0.23 -10.99 -32.60 -32.60
1980
24.58 -12.52 15.19 -24.27
1979
19.34 -9.15 126.55 -4.46
1978
21.17 -9.46 37.01 -20.28
1977
13.48 -1.92 22.64 -4.00
1976
22.54 -3.46 -4.10 -25.85
Build wealth
with Lazy Portfolios and Passive Investing