Armstrong Original
0.60%November 09 | MyPlanIQ portfolio symbol P_20722

  • Portfolio Overview
  • Asset Allocation and ETFs
  • Performance
  • Calculators
  • Rolling Returns
  • Drawdowns

Portfolio Overview


Frank Armstrong, author of The Informed Investor, proposed this portfolio for an MSN Money article. The two key points of the portfolio are that it has four asset classes (US, International, REIT, Bonds) and relies on market indices rather than active management.

The portfolio uses index funds because index funds eliminate manager risk. It overweights small-cap stocks as small-cap stocks have historically outperformed large caps stocks. The portfolio has a strong value tilt, based on the theory that, over the long haul, beaten-down stocks will perform better than high-flying growth stocks.

This should be a low cost, well performing portfolio.

The fund selection for testing the strategy is listed below with the ETF alternatives:
  • 9.25% in Vanguard Small Cap Value VISVX (SCZ)
  • 9.25% in Vanguard Value VIVAX (SPY, IYY)
  • 6.25% in Vanguard Small-Cap Growth VISGX (VBK)
  • 6.25% in Vanguard 500 Index VFINX (IVW)
  • 31% in Vanguard Total International Stock VGTSX (EFA)
  • 8% in Vanguard REIT VGSIX (IYR, VNQ, RWX)
  • 30% in Vanguard Short-Term Bond VBISX (BND, AGG)
Things to note about the portfolio:
  • This is designed as a lazy portfolio with limited rebalancing specified
  • With 70% in equities, this would be considered an aggressive portfolio
  • REIT is possibly underweighted

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Asset Allocation


Symbol Category/Sector Target Weight
VISVX
VANGUARD SMALL-CAP VALUE INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES 		US Equity 9.25%
VIVAX
VANGUARD VALUE INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES 		US Equity 9.25%
VISGX
VANGUARD SMALL-CAP GROWTH INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES 		US Equity 6.25%
VFINX
VANGUARD 500 INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES 		US Equity 6.25%
VGTSX
VANGUARD TOTAL INTERNATIONAL STOCK INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES 		International Equity 31%
VGSIX
VANGUARD REIT INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES 		Real Estate 8%
VBISX
VANGUARD SHORT-TERM BOND INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES 		Fixed Income 30%


Historical Performance


Armstrong Original Historical Returns

Name YTD Return 1Yr AR 3Yr AR 5Yr AR 10Yr AR 15Yr AR 20Yr AR Common Inception
Armstrong Original NA 6.15% 4.65% 3.90% 5.30% 5.39% 6.49% … …
VFINX (VANGUARD 500 INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES) NA 15.78% 10.45% 11.06% 12.65% 10.87% 9.74% … …
VSMGX (VANGUARD LIFESTRATEGY MODERATE GROWTH FUND INVESTOR SHARES) NA 7.93% 2.88% 4.55% 5.86% 5.57% 6.03% … …
Data as of 08/31/2023, Common starting date is 12/31/1999

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Armstrong Original Historical Return Chart

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Calculators


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Rolling Returns


From 12/31/1999 to 11/09/2023, the worst annualized return of 3-year rolling returns for Armstrong Original is -9.55%.
From 12/31/1999 to 11/09/2023, the worst annualized return of 5-year rolling returns for Armstrong Original is -1.43%.
From 12/31/1999 to 11/09/2023, the worst annualized return of 10-year rolling returns for Armstrong Original is 3.99%.
From 12/31/1999 to 11/09/2023, the worst annualized return of 20-year rolling returns for Armstrong Original is 5%.

Maximum Drawdown

Armstrong Original Maximum Drawdown