PP Periodic Table

[MediumTex]

On the subject of LT treasurys, TLT, VUSTX, etc., I think that VUSTX is, over time, probably a reasonable proxy for LT treasury exposure for purposes of backtesting.

The problem is that such minor tweaks when evaluating past performance gets us farther away from the reality of what an investor might actually experience.

A case in point is 2008, when I think using VUSTX instead of TLT or actual bonds would have made 2008 PP returns less impressive.

[Roy]

On the subject of LT treasurys, TLT, VUSTX, etc., I think that VUSTX is, over time, probably a reasonable proxy for LT treasury exposure for purposes of backtesting.

The problem is that such minor tweaks when evaluating past performance gets us farther away from the reality of what an investor might actually experience.

A case in point is 2008, when I think using VUSTX instead of TLT or actual bonds would have made 2008 PP returns less impressive.

Yes.  And when longer maturities suffered during inflation, holding the shorter VUSTX helped.  Now, I wonder if people, fearing inflation (or inflation talk and rising rates suppositions) are looking at VUSTX as a proxy for the HP long Bonds going forward.  Overall, they'll likely do OK with either given enough time, but I do think that the TLT-type holdings would likely be a better volatility-match for the Gold.

[EdwardjK]

Clive,

What is the source of the data in your periodic table?

Thanks,

Ed

[julian]

Clive,

Do you have  a ss that u can post with these returns