United States · Our Portfolios compared
Crossroads, a medium-risk portfolio, vs US stocks (VTI)
Crossroads is the middle of our ten US portfolios: five funds built to swing about 10% in a typical year. US stocks (VTI) is the US stock market in a single fund. Here are the two side by side: how much each grew, and how far each fell on the way.
At a glance
Closing prices to November 2, 2026 · updated after every trading day
Since January 2013, Crossroads grew 12.1% a year against 14.3% for US stocks (VTI). Its worst fall was 16.0% against 24.8%, and it swung 11.1% in a typical year against 14.5%.
US stocks (VTI) grew more; Crossroads fell less. Over the last 5 years, Crossroads grew 12.0% a year and US stocks (VTI) 11.0%.
Since January 2013
| Portfolio or fund | Growth per year | Worst fall | Yearly swing |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossroadsRisk 5 of 10 | +12.1% | -16.0% | 11.1% |
| US stocks (VTI)The fund on its own, dividends reinvested | +14.3% | -24.8% | 14.5% |
The last 5 years
| Portfolio or fund | Growth per year | Worst fall | Yearly swing |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossroadsRisk 5 of 10 | +12.0% | -16.0% | 12.9% |
| US stocks (VTI)The fund on its own, dividends reinvested | +11.0% | -24.8% | 15.7% |
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 | US stocks (VTI) |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | +21.5% | +33.4% |
| 2014 | +16.1% | +12.6% |
| 2015 | +3.2% | +0.4% |
| 2016 | -1.5% | +12.8% |
| 2017 | +11.8% | +21.2% |
| 2018 | -3.9% | -5.2% |
| 2019 | +28.7% | +30.7% |
| 2020 | +21.4% | +21.0% |
| 2021 | +21.7% | +25.7% |
| 2022 | -12.5% | -19.5% |
| 2023 | +20.3% | +26.0% |
| 2024 | +10.4% | +23.8% |
| 2025 | +28.7% | +17.1% |
| 2026 to November 2 | +10.3% | +11.3% |
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.
US stocks (VTI) is the fund's own record, dividends reinvested.
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.