Model portfolios by risk level
The Risk Ladder
Ten US portfolios and five each for Canada and the UK, one for every risk level, from the calmest to the most volatile. Anyone can see how they have done. What each one holds is part of Pro.
Portfolios
| Portfolio | YTD | 1 year | 3 years | 5 years | Since start |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BedrockRisk 1 of 10 | +0.6% | +0.5% | +6.1% | +3.7% | +5.6% |
| ShorelineRisk 2 of 10 | +4.7% | +5.2% | +11.3% | +6.1% | +7.2% |
| KeelRisk 3 of 10 | +6.3% | +7.0% | +14.7% | +7.9% | +8.6% |
| TrailheadRisk 4 of 10 | +8.7% | +10.7% | +19.2% | +11.0% | +11.1% |
| CrossroadsRisk 5 of 10 | +11.3% | +13.3% | +20.5% | +12.0% | +12.1% |
| RidgelineRisk 6 of 10 | +14.1% | +16.1% | +21.7% | +12.7% | +13.1% |
| HighlandRisk 7 of 10 | +16.6% | +18.6% | +22.0% | +13.1% | +14.4% |
| UpdraftRisk 8 of 10 | +16.3% | +16.9% | +24.0% | +11.2% | +13.7% |
| JetstreamRisk 9 of 10 | +21.5% | +20.3% | +23.4% | +10.8% | +13.8% |
| SummitRisk 10 of 10 | +9.7% | +12.0% | +25.8% | +12.3% | +14.3% |
| For comparison: US stocks (VTI) | +11.8% | +12.1% | +23.1% | +11.0% | +14.3% |
| For comparison: US bonds (BND) | -0.4% | -0.1% | +5.4% | -0.2% | +1.7% |
1, 3 and 5 years run to the end of October 2026; 3 years, 5 years and since start are yearly averages. Dividends reinvested, after trading costs.
Risk 1 of 10 · United States
Bedrock
The calmest rung: short-term and floating-rate bonds, with a small precious-metals sleeve.
Started January 2013 · 2026 so far +0.6% to October 30, 2026
Five funds, at least 10% each, chosen from United States listings.
See what each portfolio holds.
Pro shows the five funds and the weights behind every Risk Ladder portfolio, how far each has drifted since January 1, and opens any of them in the backtester. Included with Pro and up.
Gain or loss each year
Performance, January 2013 to October 2026
| Measure | Bedrock | US stocks (VTI) |
|---|---|---|
| Start balance | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| End balance | $21,266 | $63,795 |
| Yearly return | 5.6% | 14.3% |
| Volatility | 4.7% | 14.5% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.78 | 0.87 |
| Worst fall | -8.2% | -24.8% |
Returns before November 3, 2026 come from a walk-forward test: each December the 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 are recorded as they happen from then on. They are rebuilt the same way from prices to December 31, 2026.
A risk level describes how much a portfolio swings, not who should own it. These portfolios are research we publish for every reader alike, not advice for your situation. See our methodology for how prices and dividends are handled.
For educational and informational purposes only, not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Backtests are hypothetical; past performance does not guarantee future results.