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Permanent Global Portfolio ETF Plan
Investment Model Portfolios

This plan adds two more ETFs: Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF VEA and Vanguard Emerging Market Stocks VWO to the aggressive growth stock category. Each of VTI, VEU, VWO is allocated 5% of the portfolio. This is a global version of Permanent Portfolio ETF Plan (a US centric plan). Please refer to Permanent Global Portfolio ETF Version for the static version.

The following is the description of Permanent Portfolio ETF Plan.

This plan uses ETFs to mimic the Permanent Portfolio mutual fund PRPFX holdings: GLD, SLV, FXF, IGE, IYR, VTI, LQD, SHY, IEF. See a lazy portfolio Permanent Portfolio Fund ETF Version for static version. 

We take PRPFX's allocaiton based on its recent report

Portfolio Structure

Gold  20%, Silver    5%

Swiss Franc Assets 10%

U.S. and Foreign Real Estate and Natural Resource Stocks 15%

Aggressive Growth Stocks 15%

U.S. Treasury Bills, Bonds and Other Dollar Assets 35%

The following is the original Harry Browne's permanent portfolio: 

In his Fail-Safe Investing book, Harry Browne proposed this one size fit all portfolio that he called 'permanent portfolio'. His theory has been discussed in numerous articles like this. A mutual fund PRPFX was constucted and named after his theory. The following consists of the portfolio's components.

  • 25% in U.S. stocks, to provide a strong return during times of prosperity. For this portion of the portfolio, Browne recommends a basic S&P 500 index fund such as VFINX.
  • 25% in long-term U.S. Treasury bonds for deflation protection.  
  • 25% in cash in order to hedge against periods of “tight money” or recession. In this case, “cash” means a money-market fund.
  •  25% in precious metals (gold, specifically) in order to provide protection during periods of inflation. Browne recommends gold bullion coins.

We use VFINX, VUSTX, VFITX, VFISX, CASH and GLD for the above components. Investors can compare the model portfolios in this plan with this static portfolio.

See Long Term Harry Browne's Permanent Portfolio Performance

Investment options of Permanent Global Portfolio ETF Plan

Total Available Funds: 11
Asset Class Ticker Description
COMMODITIES
Commodities Precious Metals GLD SPDR Gold Shares
Commodities Precious Metals SLV iShares Silver Trust
Others
Currency FXF CurrencyShares Swiss Franc Trust
Natural Resources IGE iShares S&P North Amer Natural Resources
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE VNQ Vanguard REITs Index ETF
US EQUITY
LARGE BLEND VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF
FIXED INCOME
Long-Term Bond LQD iShares iBoxx $ Invest Grade Corp Bond
SHORT GOVERNMENT SHY iShares Barclays 1-3 Year Treasury Bond
LONG GOVERNMENT IEF iShares Barclays 7-10 Year Treasury
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY
Foreign Large Blend VEA Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF
Emerging Market
DIVERSIFIED EMERGING MKTS VWO Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock ETF

Investment model portfolios

We provide two types of investment model portfolios for Permanent Global Portfolio ETF Plan participants. You can customize and follow a model portfolio in your plan account.

Types of portfolio strategies

These portfolios are proactively monitored and rebalanced on a monthly basis when needed, ensuring it remains in line with its target allocation.

Let us know (Email us) if you need help to create a custom model portfolio for your plan.

Example model portfolios

The following provides historical returns for example model portfolios with a moderate risk profile (at most 60% in stocks) and their comparison with benchmark index funds. You can customize these portfolios according to your own risk profile.

Strategic Asset Allocation Model Portfolio

The following portfolio is based on the MyPlanIQ Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) strategy.

Name YTD Return 1Yr AR 3Yr AR 5Yr AR 10Yr AR 15Yr AR 20Yr AR Inception
Permanent Global Portfolio ETF Plan Strategic Asset Allocation - Optimal Moderate 1.19% 6.77% 4.55% 8.56% 5.36% 5.70% 5.71% 5.22%
VFINX (VANGUARD 500 INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES) -4.31% 8.32% 8.91% 18.53% 12.39% 13.02% 10.12% 8.27%
VSMGX (VANGUARD LIFESTRATEGY MODERATE GROWTH FUND INVESTOR SHARES) 0.22% 6.30% 4.36% 9.01% 5.84% 6.67% 5.91% 5.57%
Data as of 03/31/2025, AR inception is 12/31/2000

Tactical Asset Allocation Model Portfolio

The following portfolio is based on the MyPlanIQ Tactical Asset Allocation (TAA) strategy.

Name YTD Return 1Yr AR 3Yr AR 5Yr AR 10Yr AR 15Yr AR 20Yr AR Inception
Permanent Global Portfolio ETF Plan Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate NA 23.99% 4.97% 6.31% 2.94% 4.54% 5.98% 6.12%
VFINX (VANGUARD 500 INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES) NA 37.82% 8.86% 15.20% 12.89% 14.04% 10.46% 8.70%
VSMGX (VANGUARD LIFESTRATEGY MODERATE GROWTH FUND INVESTOR SHARES) NA 22.89% 2.25% 6.63% 6.01% 7.19% 6.10% 5.79%
Data as of 10/31/2024, AR inception is 12/31/2000