Asset Allocation
| Position | Category/Sector | Target Weight |
|---|---|---|
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 20% |
IEF iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds | 20% |
SHY iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Short-Term Bond | 20% |
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | High Yield Bonds | 20% |
^GSPC S&P 500 Index | 20% |
Find the right asset allocation for bonds
Add portfolio to the optimizer to find optimal allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio OptimizerPerformance
Performance Chart
The chart shows the growth of an initial investment of $10,000 in bonds, comparing it to the performance of the S&P 500 index or another benchmark. All prices have been adjusted for splits and dividends. The portfolio is rebalanced Every 3 months.
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Returns By Period
As of Jun 13, 2026, the bonds returned 2.73% Year-To-Date and 4.13% of annualized return in the last 10 years.
| Position | 1D | 1M | YTD | 6M | 1Y | 3Y* | 5Y* | 10Y* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Benchmark S&P 500 Index | 1.65% | 1.97% | 10.35% | 10.82% | 26.39% | 19.66% | 12.33% | 13.81% |
Portfolio bonds | 0.42% | 1.53% | 2.73% | 3.03% | 8.92% | 6.70% | 2.20% | 4.13% |
| Portfolio components: | ||||||||
^GSPC S&P 500 Index | 1.65% | 1.97% | 10.35% | 10.82% | 26.39% | 19.66% | 12.33% | 13.81% |
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.13% | 1.25% | 1.78% | 2.29% | 6.95% | 8.47% | 3.83% | 5.03% |
IEF iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF | 0.11% | 1.16% | -0.36% | -0.15% | 3.89% | 2.73% | -1.03% | 0.59% |
SHY iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF | 0.05% | 0.36% | 0.60% | 0.79% | 3.34% | 4.16% | 1.78% | 1.65% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | -0.06% | 2.87% | 0.21% | 0.32% | 3.82% | -1.84% | -6.36% | -1.78% |
Monthly Returns
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Apr 11, 2007, bonds's average daily return is +0.02%, while the average monthly return is +0.42%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 13.8 years.
Historically, 66% of months were positive and 34% were negative. The best month was Dec 2008 with a return of +7.6%, while the worst month was Oct 2008 at -6.2%. The longest winning streak lasted 8 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 5 months.
On a daily basis, bonds closed higher 55% of trading days. The best single day was Oct 13, 2008 with a return of +3.8%, while the worst single day was Mar 18, 2020 at -3.3%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0.38% | 1.34% | -2.59% | 2.27% | 1.34% | 0.02% | 2.73% | ||||||
| 2025 | 1.11% | 1.74% | -1.44% | -0.03% | 0.63% | 2.36% | 0.09% | 1.12% | 1.79% | 0.94% | 0.51% | -0.54% | 8.54% |
| 2024 | -0.03% | 0.18% | 1.24% | -3.11% | 2.35% | 1.50% | 2.23% | 1.64% | 1.58% | -2.28% | 2.15% | -2.31% | 5.04% |
| 2023 | 4.36% | -2.71% | 3.14% | 0.61% | -1.16% | 1.37% | 0.27% | -1.01% | -3.49% | -2.06% | 5.81% | 4.26% | 9.27% |
| 2022 | -2.93% | -1.26% | -1.76% | -5.42% | 0.15% | -3.60% | 4.31% | -3.58% | -5.47% | 0.76% | 4.02% | -2.41% | -16.38% |
| 2021 | -1.24% | -1.13% | -0.35% | 1.89% | 0.22% | 1.77% | 1.65% | 0.55% | -1.98% | 1.65% | 0.36% | 0.78% | 4.16% |
Benchmark Metrics
bonds has an annualized alpha of 3.07%, beta of 0.19, and R2 of 0.37 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since April 11, 2007.
- This portfolio participates in less of S&P 500 Index's moves in both directions, but captures a larger share of gains (28.93%) than losses (26.10%) - typical of diversified or defensive assets.
- Beta of 0.19 may look defensive, but with R2 of 0.37 this portfolio is largely uncorrelated with S&P 500 Index - low beta reflects independence, not downside protection. See the Volatility section for a true picture of this portfolio's risk.
- R2 of 0.37 means the benchmark explains less than half of this portfolio's behavior - treat beta with caution or consider switching to a more representative benchmark.
- Alpha
- 3.07%
- Beta
- 0.19
- R²
- 0.37
- Upside Capture
- 28.93%
- Downside Capture
- 26.10%
Expense Ratio
bonds has an expense ratio of 0.19%, which is considered low. Below, you can find the expense ratios of the portfolio's funds side by side and easily compare their relative costs.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
bonds ranks 30 for risk / return — below 30% of Portfolios on our site. The returns aren't fully compensating for the risk involved. This isn't necessarily a dealbreaker, but factor it into your decision — especially if you're risk-averse.
Return / Risk — by metrics
The table below presents risk-adjusted performance metrics for bonds and compares them with S&P 500 Index.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| Portfolio | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.82 | 2.14 | -0.31 |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.63 | 2.89 | -0.26 |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.39 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.40 | 2.91 | -0.52 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.87 | 13.08 | -3.22 |
How much return does each position deliver for the risk it carries? Higher values mean better reward for the risk taken.
| Position | Risk / Return Rank | Sharpe ratio | Sortino ratio | Omega ratio | Calmar ratio | Martin ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
^GSPC S&P 500 Index | 83 | 2.14 | 2.89 | 1.39 | 2.91 | 13.08 |
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 67 | 1.81 | 2.73 | 1.35 | 2.98 | 13.11 |
IEF iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF | 24 | 0.83 | 1.26 | 1.14 | 0.96 | 2.67 |
SHY iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF | 87 | 2.53 | 4.14 | 1.52 | 3.78 | 15.00 |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 15 | 0.40 | 0.65 | 1.07 | 0.51 | 1.22 |
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Dividends
Dividend yield
bonds provided a 3.61% dividend yield over the last twelve months.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 3.61% | 3.54% | 3.57% | 3.01% | 2.25% | 1.32% | 1.68% | 2.29% | 2.43% | 2.07% | 2.08% | 2.19% |
| Portfolio components: | ||||||||||||
^GSPC S&P 500 Index | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 5.89% | 5.71% | 6.01% | 5.74% | 5.30% | 4.02% | 4.88% | 4.99% | 5.54% | 5.12% | 5.27% | 5.90% |
IEF iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF | 3.89% | 3.77% | 3.62% | 2.91% | 1.96% | 0.83% | 1.08% | 2.08% | 2.24% | 1.82% | 1.81% | 1.90% |
SHY iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF | 3.68% | 3.81% | 3.92% | 2.99% | 1.30% | 0.26% | 0.94% | 2.12% | 1.72% | 0.98% | 0.71% | 0.54% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 4.57% | 4.43% | 4.30% | 3.38% | 2.67% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 2.27% | 2.63% | 2.43% | 2.60% | 2.61% |
Drawdowns
Drawdowns Chart
The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.
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Worst Drawdowns
The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the bonds. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.
The maximum drawdown for the bonds was 19.70%, occurring on Oct 20, 2022. Recovery took 691 trading sessions.
The current bonds drawdown is 0.50%.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bear market2022 | -19.70%Oct 2022 | 9mo 26d | 2y 9mo | 3y 7moDec 2021 - Jul 2025 |
Financial crisis2007–2009 | -14.23%Mar 2009 | 10mo 11d | 6mo 6d | 1y 4moMay 2008 - Sep 2009 |
COVID crash2020 | -10.01%Mar 2020 | 9d | 1mo 12d | 1mo 21dMar 2020 - Apr 2020 |
2013 pullback2013 | -5.52%Aug 2013 | 3mo 20d | 6mo 1d | 9mo 21dMay 2013 - Feb 2014 |
2016 pullback2016 | -4.50%Jan 2016 | 9mo 9d | 2mo 12d | 11mo 21dApr 2015 - Apr 2016 |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
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Diversification
Diversification Metrics
Number of Effective Assets
The portfolio contains 5 assets, with an effective number of assets of 5.00, reflecting the diversification based on asset allocation. Your capital is spread almost evenly across your holdings, indicating a well-balanced allocation. Note that true diversification also depends on the correlations between assets — check the diversification ratio below.
Diversification Ratio
1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | All Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Diversification Ratio | 1.30 | 1.32 | 1.35 | 1.53 | 1.75 |
The portfolio has a diversification ratio of 1.75, in line with the typical range across portfolios. There's room to improve by adding less correlated assets.
bonds correlation to the S&P 500 Index
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.59 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007 | 0.53 |
Benchmark Correlations
Correlation vs. S&P 500 Index. ^GSPC has the highest benchmark correlation at 1.00, while IEF has the lowest at -0.27.
Asset Correlations Table
Find what bonds is missing
See which holdings overlap, where bonds is concentrated, and which low-correlation assets could fill the gaps.
Analyze Diversification