United States · Our Portfolios compared
Crossroads vs a plain 60/40 mix of stocks and bonds
A 60/40 mix, 60% stocks and 40% bonds, is the plain yardstick for a middle level of risk. Here it is 60% US stocks (VTI) and 40% US bonds (BND), set back to 60/40 at the close of each year. Crossroads is the middle of our ten US portfolios: five funds built to swing about 10% in a typical year.
At a glance
Closing prices to November 2, 2026 · updated after every trading day
Since January 2013, Crossroads grew 12.1% a year against 9.4% for the 60/40 mix. Its worst fall was 16.0% against 20.7%, and it swung 11.1% in a typical year against 9.6%.
Crossroads both grew more and fell less. Over the last 5 years, Crossroads grew 12.0% a year and the 60/40 mix 6.6%.
Since January 2013
| Portfolio or fund | Growth per year | Worst fall | Yearly swing |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossroadsRisk 5 of 10 | +12.1% | -16.0% | 11.1% |
| 60/40 mix60% US stocks (VTI), 40% US bonds (BND), reset each year | +9.4% | -20.7% | 9.6% |
The last 5 years
| Portfolio or fund | Growth per year | Worst fall | Yearly swing |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossroadsRisk 5 of 10 | +12.0% | -16.0% | 12.9% |
| 60/40 mix60% US stocks (VTI), 40% US bonds (BND), reset each year | +6.6% | -20.7% | 11.3% |
Growth per year is the average yearly return; worst fall is the deepest drop from a high; yearly swing is how much the value typically moves in a year (volatility). Complete months only, dividends reinvested, after trading costs.
Growth since January 2013
Gain or loss each year
| Year | Crossroads | 60/40 mix |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | +21.5% | +19.2% |
| 2014 | +16.1% | +9.9% |
| 2015 | +3.2% | +0.4% |
| 2016 | -1.5% | +8.7% |
| 2017 | +11.8% | +14.1% |
| 2018 | -3.9% | -3.2% |
| 2019 | +28.7% | +21.9% |
| 2020 | +21.4% | +15.7% |
| 2021 | +21.7% | +14.6% |
| 2022 | -12.5% | -16.9% |
| 2023 | +20.3% | +17.9% |
| 2024 | +10.4% | +14.8% |
| 2025 | +28.7% | +13.1% |
| 2026 to November 2 | +10.3% | +6.5% |
Where these figures come from
The portfolios' results before November 3, 2026 come from a walk-forward test: each December their five funds were chosen from earlier prices only, then held for the next year. The 2026 portfolios were built on November 3, 2026 from prices up to December 31, 2025, and from then on they are recorded as they happen.
The 60/40 mix is built from the two funds' own records: bought at 60% US stocks (VTI) and 40% US bonds (BND), dividends reinvested, and set back to 60/40 at the close of each year, paying the same 0.10% of every amount traded as the portfolios.
What each portfolio holds is part of Pro. See the portfolios on Our Portfolios. A risk level describes how much a portfolio swings, not who should own it: this is research we publish for every reader alike, not advice for your situation.
For educational and informational purposes only, not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Backtests are hypothetical; past performance does not guarantee future results.