How an all-equity portfolio fared in the 2008 financial crisis

All equities — 100% equities · quarterly rebalance · physical costs on (coins) · window 2007-10-09 to 2013-03-28 · computed 2026-07-06 with the same engine the app runs.

$4,255$10,000$10,0002007-10-092013-03-28

Solid: this portfolio, real (CPI-deflated) value of $10,000.

Total return (real)−9.7%
Total return (nominal)+0.3%
CAGR (real)−1.9%
Max drawdown (real)−57.4%
Recoverynot recovered in window
Purchasing-power ratio0.90×
Ulcer index28.5
Worst calendar year2008: −38.5%
Physical costs paid$0
Liquidation value$10,026

A $10,000 stake in an all-equity portfolio (100% equities, rebalanced quarterly, physical costs on coins applied) entering the 2008 financial crisis would have ended the window worth $9,029 in real, CPI-deflated terms — a real return of −9.7%. Along the way it fell at most 57.4% from its peak (not recovered in window), with an ulcer index of 28.5. This allocation carries no physical sleeves, so no ownership costs applied.

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The link above prefills the allocation — adjust weights, costs, and windows from there. Sources and formulas: methodology.

Educational estimates — not financial advice