In Part 2 of this 4-part series, Paul Merriman compares the accumulation results of the U.S. 4-Fund Portfolio against the S&P 500, using both all-equity and 60/40 strategies.

Paul analyzes five decades of data, showing how diversification affects returns, volatility, and long-term wealth creation.

Paul also highlights the tables you’ll want to download and follow along with as he explains the numbers:

• Table B1: Fine-Tuning Table – S&P 500
• Table B4: Fine-Tuning Table – U.S. 4-Fund Portfolio
• Table H2a: Sound Investing Portfolios – 100% Equities
• Table H2: Sound Investing Portfolios – 60/40 Portfolios
• Table C1 & C4: Fixed Contributions for Accumulation Analysis

Next week: We'll look at the distributions in retirement using the S&P 500 in both the 100% equity and 60% equities/ 40% bonds.