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Core-4 (Ferri)

Core-4 (Ferri) is a fixed-allocation portfolio reviewed on a annual cadence. Its hypothetical backtest runs through 2026-08-19. BestFolio supplies the public rule or approach and backtest context; current signals, allocations, and paid interactive data remain restricted to Pro access. The recorded 2007 publication or construction boundary separates pre-publication simulation from later market observations under fixed rules; all returns remain hypothetical. Users review each scheduled signal and place any resulting trades in their own brokerage. BestFolio does not execute trades or provide personalized investment advice.

Cadence
Annual
Backtest data through
2026-08-19
History boundary
The recorded 2007 publication or construction boundary separates pre-publication simulation from later market observations under fixed rules; all returns remain hypothetical.
Rule / approach
1. Allocate 48% to VTI (Vanguard Total US Stock Market) 2. Allocate 24% to VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock) 3. Allocate 20% to BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market) 4. Allocate 8% to VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate, US REITs) 5. Rebalance…
BestFolio supplies
the public rule or approach and backtest context; current signals, allocations, and paid interactive data remain restricted to Pro access
Customer action
Review each scheduled signal and place any required trades in your own brokerage; BestFolio does not execute orders.
Costs and exclusions
net of a modeled one-way transaction cost (10 bps, scaled up to 3x under stress); taxes, fund-expense drift, or market impact are not modeled
Freshness
The latest available backtest ends 2026-08-19. A run timestamp is not exposed here, so no stronger freshness claim is made.
Next expected action
First trading day of 2027 (annual); scheduled 2027-01-04 at 09:30 ET. Review the published signal before placing any trade.

Core-4 (Ferri) at a glance

Core-4 (Ferri) is a fixed-allocation portfolio by Rick Ferri across US Equity, International Equity, US Bonds, REITs, rebalanced annual. Backtested 1987-12-31 to 2026-08-19 (38.5 years): 9.3% CAGR, 0.84 Sharpe, -48.3% max drawdown, 13.3% volatility.

Type
Fixed Allocation
Author
Rick Ferri
Rebalancing
Annual
Risk
Moderate
Period
1987-12-31 to 2026-08-19
CAGR
9.3%
Sharpe
0.84
Max Drawdown
-48.3%
Volatility
13.3%

Core-4 (Ferri) Fixed Allocation Portfolio

Rick Ferri's Core-4 portfolio provides broad global diversification with a tilt toward real estate: 48% US stocks (VTI), 24% international stocks (VXUS), 20% US bonds (BND), and 8% REITs (VNQ). With 72% in equities, this is suited for investors with long time horizons.

Core-4 (Ferri): frequently asked questions

What is Core-4 (Ferri)?
Rick Ferri's 4-fund portfolio: 48% US stocks, 24% international, 20% bonds, 8% REITs.
Who created the Core-4 (Ferri) strategy?
Core-4 (Ferri) was developed by Rick Ferri. It is based on Ferri, R. All About Asset Allocation (2010).
What is the historical return and maximum drawdown of Core-4 (Ferri)?
Backtested from 1987-12-31 to 2026-08-19, Core-4 (Ferri) returned 9.3% CAGR with a -48.3% maximum drawdown and a Sharpe ratio of 0.84. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How often is Core-4 (Ferri) rebalanced?
Core-4 (Ferri) is rebalanced annual. BestFolio publishes the updated allocation signal each period.
Is Core-4 (Ferri) a fixed or tactical strategy?
Core-4 (Ferri) is a fixed-allocation (strategic) portfolio: it holds a set allocation and rebalances on schedule rather than rotating based on market signals.

Backtest Performance (1987-12-31 to 2026-08-19)

MetricCore-4 (Ferri)
CAGR9.3%
Max Drawdown-48.3%
Sharpe0.84
Sortino1.07
Volatility13.3%
Calmar0.19
Total Return3023.9%
Backtest Period38.5 years

Strategy Details

Type
Fixed / Strategic
Rebalancing
annual
Risk Level
moderate
Variants
1
Author
Rick Ferri
Source
Ferri, R. All About Asset Allocation (2010)

Asset Classes

  • US Equity
  • International Equity
  • US Bonds
  • REITs

Categories

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