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Golden Ratio at a glance

Golden Ratio is a tactical asset allocation (TAA) strategy by Bogleheads Community across US Large-Cap Growth, US Small-Cap Value, Long-Term Treasuries, Gold, rebalanced annual. Backtested 1994-12-30 to 2026-07-03 (31.5 years): 9.3% CAGR, 1.13 Sharpe, -21.7% max drawdown, 8.9% volatility.

Type
Tactical (TAA)
Author
Bogleheads Community
Rebalancing
Annual
Risk
Moderate
Period
1994-12-30 to 2026-07-03
CAGR
9.3%
Sharpe
1.13
Max Drawdown
-21.7%
Volatility
8.9%

Golden Ratio Tactical Asset Allocation Strategy

The Golden Ratio portfolio blends growth equities, value factor, long treasuries, gold, managed futures, and cash using golden ratio proportions. 21% US large-cap growth (VUG), 21% US small-cap value (AVUV), 26% long-term treasuries (VGLT), 16% gold (GLD), 10% managed futures (DBMF), and 6% cash (BIL). Designed for strong risk-adjusted returns through diversification across assets with low or negative correlations.

Golden Ratio: frequently asked questions

What is Golden Ratio?
Multi-asset portfolio blending growth equities, value factor, long treasuries, gold, managed futures, and cash. The allocation follows golden ratio proportions across uncorrelated asset classes. Managed futures provide crisis alpha while small-cap value adds a return premium. Since 1992: 9.3% CAGR, -17.3% max DD, 1.18 Sortino.
Who created the Golden Ratio strategy?
Golden Ratio was developed by Bogleheads Community. It is based on Bogleheads Community. Golden Ratio Portfolio.
What is the historical return and maximum drawdown of Golden Ratio?
Backtested from 1994-12-30 to 2026-07-03, Golden Ratio returned 9.3% CAGR with a -21.7% maximum drawdown and a Sharpe ratio of 1.13. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How often is Golden Ratio rebalanced?
Golden Ratio is rebalanced annual. BestFolio publishes the updated allocation signal each period.
Is Golden Ratio a tactical asset allocation strategy?
Yes. Golden Ratio is a tactical asset allocation (TAA) strategy: it adjusts its holdings based on market signals each period rather than holding a fixed allocation.

Backtest Performance (1994-12-30 to 2026-07-03)

MetricGolden Ratio
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)9.3%
Maximum Drawdown-21.7%
Sharpe Ratio1.13
Sortino Ratio1.64
Annualized Volatility8.9%
Calmar Ratio0.43
Total Return1540.9%
Backtest Period31.5 years

Strategy Details

Type
Tactical (TAA)
Rebalancing
annual
Risk Level
moderate
Variants
1
Author
Bogleheads Community
Source
Bogleheads Community. Golden Ratio Portfolio

Asset Classes

  • US Large-Cap Growth
  • US Small-Cap Value
  • Long-Term Treasuries
  • Gold
  • Managed Futures
  • Cash/T-Bills

Further reading

New to this approach? Read what tactical asset allocation is and how it works.

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