Stocks/Bonds 80/20 Portfolio: ETF allocation and returns (2024)

FAQs

Stocks/Bonds 80/20 Portfolio: ETF allocation and returns? ›

The Stocks/Bonds 80/20 Portfolio is a Very High Risk portfolio and can be implemented with 2 ETFs. It's exposed for 80% on the Stock Market. In the last 30 Years, the Stocks/Bonds 80/20 Portfolio obtained a 9.53% compound annual return, with a 12.48% standard deviation.

This investment strategy seeks total return through exposure to a diversified portfolio of primarily equity, and to a lesser extent, Fixed Income asset classes with a target allocation of 80% equities and 20% Fixed Income. Target allocations can vary +/-5%.

Warren Buffet's 2013 letter explains the 90/10 rule—put 90% of assets in S&P 500 index funds and the other 10% in short-term government bonds.

"A newer investor with a modest portfolio may like the ease at which to acquire ETFs (trades like an equity) and the low-cost aspect of the investment. ETFs can provide an easy way to be diversified and as such, the investor may want to have 75% or more of the portfolio in ETFs."

For example, if you're 30, you should keep 70% of your portfolio in stocks. If you're 70, you should keep 30% of your portfolio in stocks. However, with Americans living longer and longer, many financial planners are now recommending that the rule should be closer to 110 or 120 minus your age.

The Stocks/Bonds 80/20 Portfolio is a Very High Risk portfolio and can be implemented with 2 ETFs. It's exposed for 80% on the Stock Market. In the last 30 Years, the Stocks/Bonds 80/20 Portfolio obtained a 9.53% compound annual return, with a 12.48% standard deviation.

A 70/30 portfolio is an investment portfolio where 70% of investment capital is allocated to stocks and 30% to fixed-income securities, primarily bonds.

Warren Buffett has long recommended the S&P 500 index fund and ETF, and through his holding company Berkshire Hathaway, he also owns two of these types of investments: the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) and the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEMKT: SPY).

According to this rule, stocks can potentially return 10% annually, bonds 5%, and cash 3%. While these figures are not guarantees, they serve as a guideline for investors to forecast potential returns and adjust their portfolio accordingly.

On a personal level, Buffett isn't a fan of bonds either. He has about 99% of his wealth in one stock—Berkshire Hathaway.

What is the 4% rule for ETF? ›

Say an investor has retired with a $1 million portfolio. In her first year of retirement, under the 4% rule, she should withdraw 4% of that portfolio, or $40,000 ($1 million x 0.04). For each subsequent year, she should adjust the withdrawal amount for inflation.

SPY, VOO and IVV are among the most popular S&P 500 ETFs. These three S&P 500 ETFs are quite similar, but may sometimes diverge in terms of costs or daily returns. Investors generally only need one S&P 500 ETF.

Experts agree that for most personal investors, a portfolio comprising 5 to 10 ETFs is perfect in terms of diversification.

Indeed, a good mix of equities (yes, even at age 70), bonds and cash can help you achieve long-term success, pros say. One rough rule of thumb is that the percentage of your money invested in stocks should equal 110 minus your age, which in your case would be 40%. The rest should be in bonds and cash.

If you are a moderate-risk investor, it's best to start with a 60-30-10 or 70-20-10 allocation. Those of you who have a 60-40 allocation can also add a touch of gold to their portfolios for better diversification. If you are conservative, then 50-40-10 or 50-30-20 is a good way to start off on your investment journey.

For most retirees, investment advisors recommend low-risk asset allocations around the following proportions: Age 65 – 70: 40% – 50% of your portfolio. Age 70 – 75: 50% – 60% of your portfolio. Age 75+: 60% – 70% of your portfolio, with an emphasis on cash-like products like certificates of deposit.

A good asset allocation varies by individual and can depend on various factors, including age, financial targets, and appetite for risk. Historically, an asset allocation of 60% stocks and 40% bonds was considered optimal.

Usually expressed on a percentage basis, your asset allocation is what portion of your total portfolio you'll invest in different asset classes, like stocks, bonds and cash or cash equivalents.

How Do I Use the 80-20 Rule to Invest? When building a portfolio, you could consider investing in 20% of the stocks in the S&P 500 that have contributed 80% of the market's returns. Or you might create an 80-20 allocation: 80% of investments could be lower risk index funds while 20% might could be growth funds.

Put 80% of your money into retirement accounts like 401ks or IRAs, and 20% in high-yield investments. Invest 80% of your money in passive index funds or ETFs and the remaining 20% in real estate. Put 80% of your money into blue-chip stocks and 20% in bonds or small and midsized companies.