Core-Satellite
70% static 60/40 core, 30% GTAA Aggressive satellite.
Holding now
Signal from Aug 2026 close- VTI42%
- BND28%
- DBC10.0%
- IWD10.0%
- EEM10.0%
- VTIUS Total Market42.0%
- BNDUS Aggregate Bonds28.0%
- DBCCommodities10.0%
- IWDUS Large Value10.0%
- EEMEmerging Markets10.0%
Signal preview: if the month ended today
- VTI42%
- BND28%
- DBC10.0%
- MTUM10.0%
- EEM10.0%
Unofficial. The rules only trade on month-end closes.
Trailing returns
Through Sep 25, 2026 · 3Y+ annualised1M
+0.0%
YTD
+8.0%
1Y
+11.3%
3Y
+15.0%
5Y
+7.6%
10Y
+9.7%
Growth of $100
Backtest from Nov 3, 2008 to Sep 25, 2026 (17.8 years)
Growth of $100, rebased to the start of the selected range. Month-end prices, dividends reinvested, no taxes or trading costs.
Risk & return, full backtest
CAGR
+9.8%
Volatility
10.7%
Max drawdown
-18.0%
Sharpe
0.81
Sortino
1.13
Calmar
0.54
Best year
+19.0%
Worst year
-13.0%
Drawdowns
Percent below the prior peak, vs the S&P 500
Calendar-year returns
Faded bars are partial years · 66% of months positive
Strategy Lab
Stress-test the implementation: trade on the signal day's close or later, split the portfolio into tranches that rebalance on different days (reduces timing luck), use managed futures instead of T-bills as the defensive asset, or swap a fund for a same-asset-class alternative.
The idea
Keep most of the portfolio in a boring static core and let a tactical model run the satellite. Swap either side in the blend builder.
The rules
- 170% Classic 60/40.
- 230% GTAA Aggressive.
Funds used
- BND US Aggregate Bonds
- BWX Intl Treasuries
- DBC Commodities
- EEM Emerging Markets
- EFA Intl Developed (EAFE)
- GLD Gold
- IEF 7-10Y Treasuries
- IWD US Large Value
- IWM US Small Cap
- IWN US Small Value
- LQD IG Corporate Bonds
- MTUM US Momentum
- TLT 20+Y Treasuries
- VNQ US REITs
- VTI US Total Market
Early history uses proxy funds: SPY.
Recent allocations
Decided at each month-end, held the following month
- Aug 2026
- Jul 2026
- Jun 2026
- May 2026
- Apr 2026
- Mar 2026
- Feb 2026
- Jan 2026
- Dec 2025
- Nov 2025
- Oct 2025
- Sep 2025