How an all-equity portfolio fared in the 1970s inflation decade

All equities — 100% equities · quarterly rebalance · physical costs on (coins) · window 1970-01-02 to 1980-01-31 · computed 2026-07-06 with the same engine the app runs.

$4,977$10,000$11,4761970-01-021980-01-31

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

Total return (real)−40.4%
Total return (nominal)+22.8%
CAGR (real)−5.0%
Max drawdown (real)−56.6%
Recoverynot recovered in window
Purchasing-power ratio0.60×
Ulcer index34.7
Worst calendar year1974: −29.7%
Physical costs paid$0
Liquidation value$12,275

A $10,000 stake in an all-equity portfolio (100% equities, rebalanced quarterly, physical costs on coins applied) entering the 1970s inflation decade would have ended the window worth $5,965 in real, CPI-deflated terms — a real return of −40.4%. Along the way it fell at most 56.6% from its peak (not recovered in window), with an ulcer index of 34.7. 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