Adaptive Momentum

A systematic momentum strategy with 20 years of backtested results and built-in risk controls.

24.7% Avg Annual Return (IRA, 2006–2026)
0 Negative Calendar Years — IRA Portfolio
−9.9% Worst Drawdown (vs −49.3% S&P 500)
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How It Works

Momentum Ranking

Each month, every investment in the universe is scored based on how it has performed over the past 3, 6, and 12 months. The top-ranked names are held; the rest are passed over. Things that are working tend to keep working.

Safety Filters

Two layers of protection. If an individual holding falls below its own trend line, it's replaced with cash or the next-best alternative. If the broad market turns negative, the entire portfolio can rotate to cash — regardless of how individual holdings look. This is what kept all portfolios out of the 2008 and 2020 crashes.

Regime Awareness

The system reads two Federal Reserve data series to classify the current economic environment as Inflationary, Goldilocks, or Restrictive. Sleeve weights shift automatically — tilting toward commodities in inflationary periods, stocks in goldilocks, and bonds when rates are restrictive.

The Portfolios

IRA Portfolio

The primary retirement account strategy. Invests across five asset classes: US stocks, international stocks (via US-listed ADRs), bonds, commodities, and a small options position. Rebalances monthly.

Avg Annual Return (CAGR)24.7%
Sharpe Ratio1.75
Worst Drawdown−9.9%
Negative Years0 of 20

Taxable Portfolio

A regular brokerage account strategy built for tax efficiency. Rebalances every other month to avoid wash-sale rule complications. Includes international stocks to qualify for the foreign tax credit. Same core approach as the IRA, tuned for after-tax performance.

Avg Annual Return (CAGR)25.0%
Sharpe Ratio1.58
Worst Drawdown−9.8%
Negative Years1 of 20

TSP Portfolio (Federal Employees)

Built specifically for Thrift Savings Plan accounts. Works within the limited TSP fund menu — no outside ETFs or stocks — to deliver systematic momentum returns. Relevant to the 6+ million federal employees and retirees with TSP accounts.

Avg Annual Return (CAGR)9.6%
Sharpe Ratio1.06
Worst Drawdown−8.2%
vs S&P 500 Worst Drawdown−49.3%