A broadly diversified stock portfolio tilted toward US growth with impressively low ongoing costs

Report created on Feb 4, 2026

Risk profile Info

4/7
Balanced
Less risk More risk

Diversification profile Info

4/5
Broadly Diversified
Less diversification More diversification

Positions

This portfolio is simple and tight: three broad stock ETFs, about three quarters in the US and one quarter international, with a mild tilt toward US growth companies. For a “balanced” risk profile, it’s actually very equity-heavy, which means higher potential growth but also larger swings in value. Simplicity like this is powerful because it’s easier to understand and maintain than a long list of overlapping funds. This allocation is well-balanced and aligns closely with global standards for a stock-focused approach. Someone using this setup might consider whether they truly want an all‑equity core, or if adding a stabilizing element like bonds or cash-alternatives would better match their comfort with drawdowns.

Growth Info

Using the historic Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.63%, a hypothetical $10,000 invested at the start would have grown to about $42,000 over 10 years, if that rate persisted. That’s very strong compared to many broad equity benchmarks, especially given the diversified global mix. However, history also shows a max drawdown of about -34%, meaning at some point the portfolio would have dropped roughly a third from its peak. That’s normal for stock-heavy allocations but can feel painful in real time. This track record is encouraging, but it’s crucial to remember that past performance does not guarantee future results, especially after a strong decade for US markets.

Projection Info

The Monte Carlo analysis, which runs many “what if” simulations using historical return and volatility patterns, suggests a wide range of outcomes. A median (50th percentile) ending value of around 642% indicates strong growth potential, while the 5th percentile at roughly 120% shows that even many weak scenarios still end positive. Monte Carlo is useful because it shows a distribution of possible futures rather than a single forecast, but it also reuses historical behavior that might not repeat. Markets can change, so these projections should be seen as rough weather maps, not precise predictions. Still, the high percentage of positive outcomes supports the idea that this growth‑oriented mix has historically rewarded patience.

Asset classes Info

  • Stocks
    99%
  • Cash
    1%

The portfolio is essentially 99% in stocks, with only a tiny 1% cash slice and no bonds or alternative assets. That’s a clear growth posture and explains why the risk score is in the moderate‑to‑higher range. Stock‑only portfolios can build wealth quickly over long periods, but they also tend to suffer deep temporary losses in major downturns. Compared to typical “balanced” benchmarks that often blend stocks and bonds, this setup is more aggressive. For someone truly wanting a balanced risk experience, blending in a meaningful allocation to less volatile assets could smooth the ride. As it stands, this is more akin to a long‑term growth portfolio than a traditional mixed‑asset one.

Sectors Info

  • Technology
    33%
  • Financials
    15%
  • Telecommunications
    11%
  • Consumer Discretionary
    10%
  • Industrials
    10%
  • Health Care
    9%
  • Consumer Staples
    4%
  • Basic Materials
    3%
  • Energy
    3%
  • Utilities
    2%
  • Real Estate
    2%

Sector exposure is broad, covering all major areas, with notable weight in technology (about a third), followed by financials, communication services, consumer cyclical, and industrials. This mirrors many global equity benchmarks where tech and related growth industries dominate the top holdings. Your portfolio’s sector composition matches benchmark data, which is a strong indicator of diversification. The tilt toward growth areas means higher sensitivity to interest rates and innovation cycles; tech‑heavy mixes can shine in expansionary periods but may fall harder when expectations cool. If the large tech and growth tilt feels too concentrated, shifting a bit toward more defensive areas (like consumer staples or utilities) through broader exposure can help balance cyclical risk without giving up diversification.

Regions Info

  • North America
    77%
  • Europe Developed
    10%
  • Asia Emerging
    4%
  • Japan
    4%
  • Asia Developed
    3%
  • Australasia
    1%
  • Africa/Middle East
    1%
  • Latin America
    1%

Geographically, roughly 77% is in North America, with the rest spread across Europe, Asia, and other regions. This allocation is well-balanced and aligns closely with global standards, though it leans somewhat more toward the US than a pure world‑cap index. That US home bias has been very rewarding over the past decade as US stocks outperformed many other regions. However, different regions lead at different times, and international exposure can help when leadership rotates. The existing 25% international slice is meaningful and improves diversification across currencies, economies, and political environments. Periodically checking whether this US vs. international split still matches long‑term preferences can help keep geographic risk in line with personal views and comfort.

Market capitalization Info

  • Mega-cap
    49%
  • Large-cap
    29%
  • Mid-cap
    15%
  • Small-cap
    4%
  • Micro-cap
    1%

Most of the portfolio sits in mega and large companies, with modest exposure to mid, small, and micro caps. That pattern closely resembles broad market indexes, where big names naturally dominate. Large companies tend to be more stable and liquid, while smaller companies can be more volatile but may offer higher long‑term growth potential. This blend is sensible and mirrors common benchmarks, giving a healthy mix of stability and upside. If a stronger tilt toward small and mid caps is desired, one could slightly increase exposure to funds emphasizing those sizes, but that would also increase volatility. As is, the market‑cap mix looks mainstream, diversified, and easy to live with through different market cycles.

Redundant positions Info

  • iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF
    Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF Shares
    High correlation

Two of the three holdings—the total US market fund and the US growth ETF—are highly correlated, meaning they tend to move in very similar ways. Correlation is a measure of how assets move together; when it’s high, they often rise and fall at the same time, which limits the diversification benefit. In this case, the growth ETF is essentially layering extra growth‑stock risk on top of a fund that already holds many of the same companies. This can be fine if the growth tilt is intentional, but simplifying by using fewer overlapping funds could make the structure cleaner, easier to track, and more efficient without significantly changing overall exposure to US stocks.

Risk vs. return

This chart shows the Efficient Frontier, calculated using your current assets with different allocation combinations. It highlights the best balance between risk and return based on historical data. "Efficient" portfolios maximize returns for a given risk or minimize risk for a given return. Portfolios below the curve are less efficient. This is informational and not a recommendation to buy or sell any assets.

Click on the colored dots to explore allocations.

On a risk‑return chart known as the Efficient Frontier, “efficiency” means getting the best possible trade‑off between volatility and expected return using the assets you already hold. With three highly similar equity funds, there’s limited room to move along that curve without changing the overall equity level. Optimization here would mostly involve tweaking the relative weights between US total market, US growth, and international to either slightly reduce risk or slightly increase expected return. Before optimizing, focusing on reducing unnecessary overlap between highly correlated positions can simplify decisions. For someone wanting a more classically “balanced” risk profile, adding a lower‑volatility asset class would have a much bigger impact than tiny reallocations within these three equity funds.

Dividends Info

  • iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF 0.40%
  • Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF Shares 1.10%
  • Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF Shares 3.00%
  • Weighted yield (per year) 1.40%

The overall dividend yield of about 1.4% is on the lower side, reflecting the growth orientation and US focus. The international fund has the highest yield among the three, while the growth ETF is especially low, which is typical because many growth companies reinvest profits instead of paying them out. Dividends can be useful for investors who like regular cash flow, but for long‑term growth, reinvesting them can be powerful. In this setup, returns are expected to come more from price appreciation than income. If a higher income stream becomes a priority in the future, shifting part of the allocation toward higher‑yielding equity or adding an income‑focused sleeve could gradually adjust the portfolio’s cash‑flow profile.

Ongoing product costs Info

  • iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF 0.18%
  • Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF Shares 0.03%
  • Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF Shares 0.05%
  • Weighted costs total (per year) 0.07%

The total ongoing cost (TER) around 0.07% is impressively low and a major strength of this portfolio. The costs are impressively low, supporting better long-term performance because less money is being siphoned off in fees each year. Over decades, even a small fee difference can translate into thousands of dollars of additional value. This cost level is well below many actively managed funds and below average for many retail portfolios, which is a big positive. One area to think about is whether the dedicated growth ETF’s higher fee is truly earning its place, given its overlap with the total market fund. Streamlining overlapping funds can sometimes shave costs even further while keeping the same general exposure.

What next?

Ready to invest in this portfolio?

Select a broker that fits your needs and watch for low fees to maximize your returns.

Select broker

Create your own report?

Analyze your portfolio

Join our community!

Join Discord

The information provided on this platform is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or investment advice. Insightfolio does not provide investment advice, personalized recommendations, or guidance regarding the purchase, holding, or sale of financial assets. The tools and content are intended for educational purposes only and are not tailored to individual circumstances, financial needs, or objectives.

Insightfolio assumes no liability for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Users are solely responsible for verifying the information and making independent decisions based on their own research and careful consideration. Use of the platform should not replace consultation with qualified financial professionals.

Investments involve risks. Users should be aware that the value of investments may fluctuate and that past performance is not an indicator of future results. Investment decisions should be based on personal financial goals, risk tolerance, and independent evaluation of relevant information.

Insightfolio does not endorse or guarantee the suitability of any particular financial product, security, or strategy. Any projections, forecasts, or hypothetical scenarios presented on the platform are for illustrative purposes only and are not guarantees of future outcomes.

By accessing the services, information, or content offered by Insightfolio, users acknowledge and agree to these terms of the disclaimer. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our platform.

Instrument logos provided by Elbstream.

Help us improve Insightfolio

Your feedback makes a difference! Share your thoughts in our quick survey. Take the survey