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William Bernstein`s `Coward`s` Lazy Portfolio ETF Version
Investment Model Portfolios

This is the ETF Version of Bernstein Coward Plan.

William Bernstein is the author of several books including The Intelligent Asset Allocator and The Four Pillars of Investing. He introduced the Coward's Portfolio in 1996. The "coward" refers not to the investor's risk tolerance but to the strategy of hedging one's bets and having slices of a number of asset classes. This portfolio has extensive global stock coverage. However, he puts all of the fixed income into short term bonds.

The following are the allocations

  • Total Stock Market 15%
  • Large Value 10%
  • Small Blend 5%
  • Small Value 10%
  • Europe Stk 5%
  • Pacific Stk 5%
  • Emerging Mkts 5%
  • REITs 5%
  • Short Term Bond 40%

For more information, refer to BogleHeads Lazy Portfolio.

The above model portfolio should be compared with the moderate model portfolios in this plan.

 

Investment options of William Bernstein`s `Coward`s` Lazy Portfolio ETF Version

Total Available Funds: 9
Asset Class Ticker Description
FIXED INCOME
Short-Term Bond BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF
US EQUITY
SMALL BLEND VB Vanguard Small Cap ETF
SMALL VALUE VBR Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF
LARGE VALUE VTV Vanguard Value ETF
LARGE BLEND VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE VNQ Vanguard REIT Index ETF
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY
DIVERSIFIED PACIFIC/ASIA VPL Vanguard Pacific Stock ETF
EUROPE STOCK VGK Vanguard European ETF
Emerging Market
DIVERSIFIED EMERGING MKTS VWO Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock ETF

Investment model portfolios

We provide two types of investment model portfolios for William Bernstein`s `Coward`s` Lazy Portfolio ETF Version 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
William Bernstein`s `Coward`s` Lazy Portfolio ETF Version Strategic Asset Allocation - Optimal Moderate NA 20.38% 2.79% 6.17% 5.41% 6.38% 5.48% 5.41%
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

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
William Bernstein`s `Coward`s` Lazy Portfolio ETF Version Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate NA 22.85% 3.29% 6.89% 4.46% 5.28% 6.62% 6.77%
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