Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive Portfolio vs JL Collins Simple Path to Wealth Portfolio Portfolio Comparison

Simulation Settings
Period: January 1985 - January 2025 (~40 years)
Consolidated Returns as of 31 January 2025
Rebalancing: at every Jan 1st
Currency: USD
Inflation: US
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Results
30 Years
All (since January 1985)
Inflation Adjusted:
Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive Portfolio
1.00$
Initial Capital
February 1995
12.91$
Final Capital
January 2025
8.90%
Yearly Return
13.25%
Std Deviation
-45.65%
Max Drawdown
41months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Initial Capital
February 1995
6.12$
Final Capital
January 2025
6.22%
Yearly Return
13.25%
Std Deviation
-46.54%
Max Drawdown
63months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Initial Capital
January 1985
56.41$
Final Capital
January 2025
10.58%
Yearly Return
13.29%
Std Deviation
-45.65%
Max Drawdown
41months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Initial Capital
January 1985
18.73$
Final Capital
January 2025
7.58%
Yearly Return
13.29%
Std Deviation
-46.54%
Max Drawdown
63months
Recovery Period
JL Collins Simple Path to Wealth Portfolio
1.00$
Initial Capital
February 1995
15.40$
Final Capital
January 2025
9.54%
Yearly Return
11.80%
Std Deviation
-38.53%
Max Drawdown
38months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Initial Capital
February 1995
7.30$
Final Capital
January 2025
6.85%
Yearly Return
11.80%
Std Deviation
-39.55%
Max Drawdown
42months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Initial Capital
January 1985
50.66$
Final Capital
January 2025
10.29%
Yearly Return
11.84%
Std Deviation
-38.53%
Max Drawdown
38months
Recovery Period
1.00$
Initial Capital
January 1985
16.82$
Final Capital
January 2025
7.30%
Yearly Return
11.84%
Std Deviation
-39.55%
Max Drawdown
42months
Recovery Period

As of January 2025, in the previous 30 Years, the Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive Portfolio obtained a 8.90% compound annual return, with a 13.25% standard deviation. It suffered a maximum drawdown of -45.65% that required 41 months to be recovered.

As of January 2025, in the previous 30 Years, the JL Collins Simple Path to Wealth Portfolio obtained a 9.54% compound annual return, with a 11.80% standard deviation. It suffered a maximum drawdown of -38.53% that required 38 months to be recovered.

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Asset Allocations and ETFs

The compared portfolios have the following asset allocations.

Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive Portfolio
Weight
(%)		 ETF
Ticker		 Name
29.00
VUG
Vanguard Growth
21.00
VEU
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US
19.00
VTV
Vanguard Value
9.00
EEM
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets
3.00
IJS
iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value
3.00
IJT
iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth
5.00
IEI
iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond
4.00
LQD
iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond
3.00
MBB
iShares MBS
2.00
BIL
SPDR Blmbg Barclays 1-3 Mth T-Bill
1.00
BNDX
Vanguard Total International Bond
1.00
HYG
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond
JL Collins Simple Path to Wealth Portfolio
Weight
(%)		 ETF
Ticker		 Name
75.00
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market
25.00
BND
Vanguard Total Bond Market
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Portfolio Returns as of Jan 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
Period: 1 January 1985 - 31 January 2025 (~40 years)
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Return (%) as of Jan 31, 2025
YTD
(1M) 		1M 6M 1Y 5Y 10Y 30Y MAX
(~40Y)
//www.lazyportfolioetf.com/wp-content/themes/dynamico-child/img/author/avatar_merrill_lynch.webp Edge Select Aggressive
Merrill Lynch 		2.56 2.56 6.08 18.35 10.10 9.41 8.90 10.58
//www.lazyportfolioetf.com/wp-content/themes/dynamico-child/img/author/avatar_jl_collins.webp Simple Path to Wealth
JL Collins 		2.42 2.42 7.88 20.11 10.83 10.24 9.54 10.29
Return over 1 year are annualized.
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Capital Growth as of Jan 31, 2025

Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive Portfolio: an investment of 1$, since February 1995, now would be worth 12.91$, with a total return of 1191.16% (8.90% annualized).

JL Collins Simple Path to Wealth Portfolio: an investment of 1$, since February 1995, now would be worth 15.40$, with a total return of 1440.36% (9.54% annualized).


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Merrill Lynch Edge Select Aggressive Portfolio: an investment of 1$, since January 1985, now would be worth 56.41$, with a total return of 5540.52% (10.58% annualized).

JL Collins Simple Path to Wealth Portfolio: an investment of 1$, since January 1985, now would be worth 50.66$, with a total return of 4965.92% (10.29% annualized).


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Portfolio Metrics as of Jan 31, 2025

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

METRIC COMPARISON
Period: 1 February 2024 - 31 January 2025 (1 year)
Period: 1 February 2020 - 31 January 2025 (5 years)
Period: 1 February 2015 - 31 January 2025 (10 years)
Period: 1 February 1995 - 31 January 2025 (30 years)
Period: 1 January 1985 - 31 January 2025 (~40 years)
Swipe left to see all data
Edge Select Aggressive Simple Path to Wealth
Author Merrill Lynch JL Collins
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 84% 75%
Fixed Income 16% 25%
Commodities 0% 0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 18.35 20.11
Infl. Adjusted Return (%) 15.37 17.09
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -3.19 -3.90
Start to Recovery (months) 2 3
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -3.19 -3.90
Start to Recovery (months) 2 3
Longest Negative Period (months) 3 2
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 8.35 9.21
Sharpe Ratio 1.58 1.63
Sortino Ratio 1.90 2.00
Ulcer Index 1.24 1.36
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 2.20 2.18
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 5.75 5.16
Metrics calculated over the period 1 February 2024 - 31 January 2025
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Edge Select Aggressive Simple Path to Wealth
Author Merrill Lynch JL Collins
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 84% 75%
Fixed Income 16% 25%
Commodities 0% 0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 10.10 10.83
Infl. Adjusted Return (%) 5.68 6.39
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -23.81 -22.24
Start to Recovery (months) 26 25
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -23.81 -22.24
Start to Recovery (months) 26 25
Longest Negative Period (months) 32 31
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 15.29 14.89
Sharpe Ratio 0.50 0.57
Sortino Ratio 0.67 0.75
Ulcer Index 8.43 8.29
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.66 0.73
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.42 0.49
Metrics calculated over the period 1 February 2020 - 31 January 2025
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Edge Select Aggressive Simple Path to Wealth
Author Merrill Lynch JL Collins
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 84% 75%
Fixed Income 16% 25%
Commodities 0% 0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 9.41 10.24
Infl. Adjusted Return (%) 6.15 6.95
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -23.81 -22.24
Start to Recovery (months) 26 25
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -23.81 -22.24
Start to Recovery (months) 26 25
Longest Negative Period (months) 32 31
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 12.97 12.31
Sharpe Ratio 0.60 0.70
Sortino Ratio 0.80 0.93
Ulcer Index 6.57 6.18
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.73 0.83
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.40 0.46
Metrics calculated over the period 1 February 2015 - 31 January 2025
Swipe left to see all data
Edge Select Aggressive Simple Path to Wealth
Author Merrill Lynch JL Collins
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 84% 75%
Fixed Income 16% 25%
Commodities 0% 0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 8.90 9.54
Infl. Adjusted Return (%) 6.22 6.85
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -45.65 -38.53
Start to Recovery (months) 41 38
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -33.96 -30.50
Start to Recovery (months) 56 52
Longest Negative Period (months) 118 122
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 13.25 11.80
Sharpe Ratio 0.50 0.61
Sortino Ratio 0.65 0.80
Ulcer Index 11.10 9.47
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.67 0.81
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.20 0.25
Metrics calculated over the period 1 February 1995 - 31 January 2025
Swipe left to see all data
Edge Select Aggressive Simple Path to Wealth
Author Merrill Lynch JL Collins
ASSET ALLOCATION
Stocks 84% 75%
Fixed Income 16% 25%
Commodities 0% 0%
PERFORMANCES
Annualized Return (%) 10.58 10.29
Infl. Adjusted Return (%) 7.58 7.30
DRAWDOWN
Deepest Drawdown Depth (%) -45.65 -38.53
Start to Recovery (months) 41 38
Longest Drawdown Depth (%) -33.96 -30.50
Start to Recovery (months) 56 52
Longest Negative Period (months) 118 122
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 13.29 11.84
Sharpe Ratio 0.56 0.60
Sortino Ratio 0.73 0.79
Ulcer Index 9.99 8.62
Ratio: Return / Standard Deviation 0.80 0.87
Ratio: Return / Deepest Drawdown 0.23 0.27
Metrics calculated over the period 1 January 1985 - 31 January 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 February 1995 - 31 January 2025 (30 years)
Period: 1 January 1985 - 31 January 2025 (~40 years)

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Edge Select Aggressive Simple Path to Wealth
Drawdown
(%) 		Recovery
(#Months)		 From
To		 Drawdown
(%) 		Recovery
(#Months)		 From
To
-45.65 41 Nov 2007
Mar 2011
-38.53 38 Nov 2007
Dec 2010
-33.96 56 Apr 2000
Nov 2004
-30.50 52 Sep 2000
Dec 2004
-23.81 26 Jan 2022
Feb 2024
-22.24 25 Jan 2022
Jan 2024
-17.64 7 Jan 2020
Jul 2020
-16.85 11 May 2011
Mar 2012
-15.46 6 Feb 2020
Jul 2020
-13.97 7 May 1998
Nov 1998
-13.02 5 Jul 1998
Nov 1998
-12.27 10 May 2011
Feb 2012
-11.27 7 Oct 2018
Apr 2019
-10.58 7 Oct 2018
Apr 2019
-10.51 14 Jun 2015
Jul 2016

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Edge Select Aggressive Simple Path to Wealth
Drawdown
(%) 		Recovery
(#Months)		 From
To		 Drawdown
(%) 		Recovery
(#Months)		 From
To
-45.65 41 Nov 2007
Mar 2011
-38.53 38 Nov 2007
Dec 2010
-33.96 56 Apr 2000
Nov 2004
-30.50 52 Sep 2000
Dec 2004
-23.81 26 Jan 2022
Feb 2024
-23.27 20 Sep 1987
Apr 1989
-22.86 17 Sep 1987
Jan 1989
-22.24 25 Jan 2022
Jan 2024
-17.64 7 Jan 2020
Jul 2020
-16.85 11 May 2011
Mar 2012
-15.96 7 Aug 1990
Feb 1991
-15.46 6 Feb 2020
Jul 2020
-13.97 7 May 1998
Nov 1998
-13.02 5 Jul 1998
Nov 1998
-12.27 10 May 2011
Feb 2012

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 1985 - 31 January 2025 (~40 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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Edge Select Aggressive Simple Path to Wealth
Year Return
(%)		 Drawdown
(%)		 Return
(%)		 Drawdown
(%)
2025
 2.56 0.00 2.42 0.00
2024
 15.15 -3.19 18.20 -3.90
2023
 21.47 -8.85 20.89 -8.12
2022
 -17.87 -23.81 -17.91 -22.24
2021
 15.74 -3.70 18.79 -3.72
2020
 17.62 -17.64 17.70 -15.46
2019
 24.61 -5.32 25.21 -4.59
2018
 -6.88 -11.27 -3.94 -10.58
2017
 21.70 0.00 16.80 0.00
2016
 9.21 -4.97 10.25 -3.99
2015
 -1.81 -9.34 0.41 -6.60
2014
 6.27 -3.59 10.86 -1.99
2013
 20.62 -2.29 24.56 -2.57
2012
 15.28 -7.41 13.13 -4.80
2011
 -2.72 -16.85 2.71 -12.27
2010
 14.37 -10.38 14.62 -9.46
2009
 30.72 -15.46 22.58 -13.96
2008
 -32.45 -35.23 -26.02 -28.15
2007
 10.67 -4.82 5.76 -3.89
2006
 16.89 -3.81 12.84 -2.48
2005
 9.86 -4.16 5.33 -3.14
2004
 13.59 -3.69 10.65 -2.89
2003
 30.43 -3.69 24.06 -2.85
2002
 -14.01 -20.65 -13.29 -18.79
2001
 -9.00 -19.93 -6.12 -16.19
2000
 -8.67 -12.07 -5.08 -11.10
1999
 23.19 -2.88 17.67 -4.79
1998
 18.05 -13.97 19.59 -13.02
1997
 17.27 -6.20 25.61 -3.67
1996
 15.00 -3.98 16.62 -4.42
1995
 23.68 -0.91 31.38 -0.57
1994
 0.50 -7.08 -0.79 -6.83
1993
 21.88 -3.14 10.39 -1.89
1992
 3.09 -3.48 8.62 -1.93
1991
 34.86 -4.62 28.11 -3.49
1990
 -6.03 -15.96 -2.40 -11.23
1989
 30.19 -2.36 24.50 -1.72
1988
 18.97 -3.56 14.83 -2.69
1987
 4.52 -22.86 2.34 -23.27
1986
 25.81 -5.82 14.71 -6.46
1985
 34.45 -2.58 29.02 -3.12
Mastering Etf Investing
The first official book of
Mastering ETF Investing
Build wealth
with Lazy Portfolios and Passive Investing
Buy now
English book
Buy now
Italian book