Knowing the average portfolio return helps you plan for the amount of growth you can expect from your investments. After you’ve selected a reasonable asset allocation, then use the historical asset class returns to drive your expected future returns. historical bond market returns. Two of the most often cited data sets for historical stock and bond returns are from Yale Nobel Laureate Robert Shiller and Aswat… The Canadian Consumer Price Index has been quite stable since 1992. That’s why we can expect current cash yields to remain low – for the near term. 1. He maintains multiple historical market data spreadsheets, including the following: U.S. Stock Markets 1871-Present and CAPE Ratio; Aswath Damodaran. How bonds work 3. The information contained herein does not constitute the provision of investment advice. For example, 1950 represents the 10-year annualized return from 1940 to 1950. Please do not construe the suggestions on this website as recommendations for your personal situation. On January 31, 1986, the Baa corporate bond yield was 11.36%. Ben commented on Apr 03. A negative 2.9% loss as the worst year means that bonds performed better than negative 2.9% in 2008, the worst financial crisis year in modern history. Next, we’ll explore the average annual returns for bonds, stocks, and cash during various periods. Historical Returns of UK Equities and High Yield bonds. Understanding these concepts will make you a confident investor today and into the future. Stocks averaged an annual return of 11.50% in the period from 1928-2013, while T-bills and T-bonds averaged 3.57% and 5.21%, respectively. So, future bond performance appears to be more of a mystery. The average 0.51% return is well below 4.58% average return of the prior 50 years. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); If all of your investments were in the stock market, that would have been a painful three years. The calculator will compare nominal returns or inflation-adjusted returns. Then, integrate the reversion to the mean theory, economic news, the Fed and world events into your stock and bond market analysis. In 1995, all asset classes were positive. The next chart shows rolling 10-year returns from 1938-2019 for the performance of stocks versus bonds. If mean reversion holds true then you would expect financial asset returns to behave in a way that their average going forward would lean towards lower returns. Erik Conley at ZenInvestor predicts that the stock market will average in the low single digits over the next ten years, or possibly in negative territory. Yet, as demonstrated by the graph at the beginning of the article shows corporate bond yields have trended downward since 1986, with a few periodic reversals. This “Best Asset Allocation Based on Age and Risk Tolerance” will give you a rubrick for choosing your investment mix. Yet, the problem with this calculus is that as interest rates rise, bond values fall. js.src = "//forms.aweber.com/form/74/289337674.js"; Your risk tolerance, or comfort with the ups and downs of your investment portfolio will drive your investment mix. While bonds are less volatile with historically lower average returns. In the last 10 years, the Vanguard Total Bond Market (BND) ETF obtained a 3.73% compound annual return, with a 3.20% standard deviation. Overview 2. Being a Landlord Sucks-Should I Invest in Real Estate? The bond market has had a great first half of 2019, generating returns well above their historical averages. For U.S. stock market returns, we use the Standard & Poor’s 90 Index from 1926 to March 3, 1957, and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index thereafter. Since I’m a control freak, and the future is unknowable, knowing historical stock and bond returns gives me an illusion of control over my investments. The European High Yield Corporate Bond Market is a large, well established, asset class which continues to develop with the market value of outstanding bonds growing from €108 billion in 2009 to €508 billion in 2019. But we do think it’s wise to put year-to-date returns in their historical context. True. Knowing the historical average returns on bonds and stocks is a good starting point to use to estimate your expected future investment returns. The return on the 10-year bond for 1928 = 3.17% (Coupon rate promised at the end of 1927) - Price change on a bond with a coupon rate of 3.17%, when the interest rate goes to 3.45%. Notice the 3-month treasury bill returns, the cash proxy, during the previous ten years. Current and Historical Performance Performance for Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF on Yahoo Finance. An investment of 1000$, since January 2011, now would be worth 1441.93$, with a total return of 44.19% (3.73% annualized). 27 Creative Ways To Make Money Fast – Unique Side-Hustle Gigs, Why and How to Diversify with Real Estate – REITS + Real Estate Crowdfunding. How a bond index fund works 4. Read: Would you Invest in a 100% Muni Bond Portfolio? EquityMultiple Real Estate Review – Is This Investment for You? In the 30 years from 1963 to 1992, the average annual increase (inflation rate) was 5.7%. More conservative investors and those that are approaching retirement will lean towards an investment portfolio with a greater percent of bond type investments. Results & Comparisons 6. Can we expect future bond yields to rise? Financial educators and investment advisors frequently use the historical return data to help you figure out what returns to expect in the future. Image source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2010/09/13/its-not-really-a-lost-decade/#582a10f7cf81. Tracking Bond Benchmarks Friday, January 08, 2021 Closing index values, return on investment and yields paid to investors compared with 52-week highs and lows for different types of bonds. Aggregate Bond Index from 1976 through 2009, and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. The all large-cap US stock and developed markets stock portfolios suffered the most during the early 2000’s. A good starting point for understanding the historical returns for different asset classes is with Morningstar and Ibbotson Associates data. I am a portfolio manager, former university finance instructor, and successful investor committed to sharing my personal finance expertise with you. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; }(document, "script", "aweber-wjs-xs79idvq2")); If the reversion to the mean theory holds true, then over the next decade or so, we may see higher interest rates and higher bond yields. Using the above data, had you invested in the 60/40 portfolio, your average annual returns would have been as follows: Now comes the tricky part, using the reversion to the mean theory to approximate future returns. So, we’ll start with an assumption, that the past historical bond and stock returns can help guide our future projections. You’ll find various statistics about the historical returns of stocks and bonds, and they can be frustratingly different from one source to another depending on the data used, the period examined, and myriad other details. Each one of these asset classes outperformed the 90 year average returns. No one can predict future investment returns. Current and Historical Performance Performance for Vanguard Bond Index Fund Total on Yahoo Finance. Younger and more aggressive investors will own greater percentages of stock investments. I also like Rick Ferri’s Core 4, for easy to craft investment  portfolios. Calculation details 5. Is it possible that historical returns have nothing to do with future returns? Historical risk premium Jan 1 notes 3-month T.Bill Estimates of risk premiums from 1928, over the last 50 years and over the last 10 years Date updated: Created by: Similarly, the paltry 0.51% return of the 3-month Treasury, cash proxy has been inordinately low from 2010 through 2019.. Can we use historical returns to predict the future? Below highlights the worst year for bonds was a 2.9% decline in 1994. Great – so do historical returns guarantee future returns? The previous graph shows the 50-year annual return on stocks, cash, U.S. Treasury and corporate bonds. If your portfolio was well-diversified with investments incorpoating international and U.S. stocks along with mid- and small-cap equities and a smattering of bonds, then your returns would have been positive during the first decade of the century. You’ll also find risk tolerance and asset allocation templates. These goals must be identified and prioritized in order to determine an appropriate asset allocation. For any individual financial advice please seek your own licensed and/or registered personal financial adviser or CPA. 10 Year Treasury Rate - 54 Year Historical Chart. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index historical returns will give you an idea of how bonds performed in the past. Interactive chart showing the daily 10 year … If we assume that going forward the S&P 500 will return 6% on average and that the 1-year Treasury Bond will return 4.0% then we can expect the future annual return on a 60% stock and 40% fixed investment portfolio to yield approximately 5.2% annually. ... Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VBMFX) ... Load Adjusted Returns. To calculate a 60/40 portfolio historical return, we’ll use the S&P 500 average returns for the 60% stock portion and the 10-year Treasury bond average returns for the bond/fixed investment category. The 3-month U.S. Treasury bill and cash proxy had positive returns and was the least volatile asset, with the lowest average returns. Updated Jan 8, 2021 10:55 PM UTC. The bond market entered the 21st century coming off its greatest bull market. Be cautious of websites that suggest future stock market returns will be greater than 9 or 10%. Follow the market movements with our real-time trackers that show major indexes, global markets, sectors and more. Feedback We don’t know what will happen next in the bond market. The ETF is related to the following investment themes: The Vanguard Total Bond Market (BND) ETF is present in the following Lazy Portfolios: Capital growth, returns, stats are calculated assuming a reinvestment of dividends. If you are interested in getting periodic income, please refer to the Vanguard Total Bond Market (BND): Dividend Yield page. In other words, compare the recent ten-year  average 13.44% S&P 500 stock market with the 9.71% of the prior 90 years. This  chart compares the annual returns of: Data source: http://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~adamodar/New_Home_Page/datafile/histretSP.html. While there is more volatility in the long bond than 10 yr treasuries, the returns are more similar than most imagine over longer periods. Going back to 1928, these graphs give some historical context for the age-old conversation of investing in stocks versus Treasury bonds. You may be wondering why compare two financial instruments that are as similar as apples and oranges. What about bond performance? Thus, reversion to the mean applies as the annual stock market return for 2010 through 2019 is 13.44%. And with current low interest rates, there’s more room for them to rise than fall. Would you Invest in a 100% Muni Bond Portfolio? During the first three years of the decade, the stock market lost 9.03%, 11.85%, and 21.97%. Per FTC guidelines, this website may be compensated by companies mentioned through advertising, affiliate programs or otherwise. Historically, stocks have the best and worst performance. Many investment calculators ask you to estimate the future return that you expect on your portfolio. By Ronald Surz : I examine the 90-year history (1926-2015) of risk and return for stocks (S&P 500), bonds (Citigroup high grade), T-bills and. The historical returns for bonds is between 4% - 6% since 1926. As high as the returns were in 1995, in 2008, during the sub-prime mortgage crisis and recession, the S&P 500 fell 36.55%. If you’re wondering why you should care about the average bond return or the stock and bond market performance, read on. Clearly, investing in stocks is the riskiest asset class with the most volatile returns. Of course. That same year, the Baa corporate bond returns declined an average of 5.07%, while the more stable government bills and bonds gained. -> Investment Returns Historical Investment Returns on Stocks, Bonds, T-Bills. The most successful long term investors take the time to learn about investment markets history. The worst year for stocks was a 38% decline in 2008. Does this mean that cash-type investment yields are poised to rise? Aswath Damodaran is a Professor of Finance at New York University. Category: Financial Indicators > Bond Market Indexes, 48 economic data series, FRED: Download, graph, and track economic data. With the recent rosy stock market returns, you may not remember that the stock market started the century in negative territory. In the near term, the Federal reserve open market committee drives interest rate policy and has promised to keep interest rates low. Access historical data for Canada 10-Year Bond Yield free of charge. If you are interested in getting periodic income, please refer to the Vanguard Total Bond Market (BND): Dividend Yield page. Yet, that’s not always the case. In fact, academic studies have determined that more than 90% of the variability in a portfolio’… “Mean reversion is a theory used in finance that suggests that asset prices and historical returns eventually will revert to the long-run mean or average level of the entire dataset.,” ~Investopedia. This paper complements that of Doeswijk, Lam, and Swinkels (2014a ), who solely document the historical composition of the market portfolio, but not its historical returns . If mean reversion holds true then the average stock market return going forward will be significantly below 9.71%. The calculator includes historical price data for 14 popular indices with some prices going back over 100 years. The data is viewable in daily, weekly or monthly intervals. You'll find the closing yield, open, high, low, change and percentage change for the selected range of dates. Many portfolio managers, financial planners and investors adhere to a 60/40 investment portfolio. Source: https://ycharts.com/indicators/moodys_seasoned_baa_corporate_bond_yield. Both asset classes have performed well over time. He maintains various corporate finance and valuation spreadsheets, including the following: From 1970 through 2019, the stock market returned roughly 10.50% while cash, 10-year Treasury Bonds, and Baa corporate bonds averaged 4.58%, 6.99% and 9.18%. In some years stocks and bond returns show an inverse relationship, when stocks go up, bonds go down. Financial Planning-> Stocks, Bonds etc. From 1926 through 2009, stocks produced an annual average return of 11.8 percent. During the first decade of the century, the average annual stock market return was negative .726% according to the DQYDJ.com S&P 500 calculator. Your return will vary depending upon how many distinct stock asset classes and types of bond assets you select. Featured Story Four Ways to Play the Bond Market Bubble. By learning about returns of bonds vs stocks for the last 30 years or so, you’ll have a barometer for the range of stock and bond returns. The S&P 500 returned over 37%, while Treasury bills, Treasury bonds and corporate bonds returned 5.49%, 23.48%, and 20.16% respectively. Vanguard Total Bond Market (BND): Historical Returns. Featured image credit: Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash. Historical Returns on Stocks, Bonds, and Countries The long term annual returns … Benchmark Returns as of 12/31/2020 Month End YTD as of 12/31/2020 Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/2020; 1 Month 3 Month 1 Year 3 Year 5 Year 10 Year For U.S. bond market returns, we used the S&P High Grade Corporate Index from 1926 through 1968, the Citigroup High Grade Index from 1969 through 1972, the Lehman Brothers U.S. Long Credit AA Index from 1973 through 1975, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. But, the educated investor who’s aware of the average bond returns and the average stock returns has a leg up on the less-informed investor. But, since the perfect crystal ball hasn’t been invented, historical stock and bond returns give you an approximation of how much,  you might expect to earn on an investment portfolio. But if we accepted that premise then we would lack any guide to approximating future returns. For example, knowing 60/40 portfolio historical returns, helps you to estimate whether you’ll meet your financial goals, or not. They have been calculated using the historical series of equivalent ETFs / Assets. For example, knowing 60/40 portfolio historical returns, helps you to estimate whether you’ll meet your financial goals, or not. It’s also useful to realize that from year to year, there are large differences in both stock and bond returns. For example, during the first decade of the century with deplorable stock market returns, emerging market stocks averaged over 9% per year. In the last 10 years, the … In 2020, the portfolio granted a 2.53% dividend yield. Take a look at the S&P 500 average stock market returns during the first decade of the 20th century, after the dot com tech bubble burst: Data source; http://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~adamodar/New_Home_Page/datafile/histretSP.html. You can use this Historical Investment Calculator to compare investment returns for multiple asset classes. Disclaimers 8. After all, with the current seasoned Baa corporate bond yield at 3.73%, you need to understand that this is lower than the long term average of 7.29% for this type of bond, according to YCharts. https://ycharts.com/indicators/moodys_seasoned_baa_corporate_bond_yield, Best Asset Allocation Based on Age and Risk Tolerance. To compare stock versus bond returns, data for the long term is the best yardstick. ... European High Yield Corporate Bond Market. Knowing the historical average returns on bonds and stocks is a good starting point to use to estimate your expected future investment returns. I’m a bit obsessed with historical stock and bond returns. This equates to 60% invested in stocks and 40% invested in bonds. During the most recent ten year period, the S&P 500 earned an average annual 13.44% return, outperforming returns of all prior time periods. The GFD Guide to Total Returns on Stocks, Bonds and Bills analyzes long-term historical returns to these assets. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; An investment of 1000$, since January 1987, now would be worth 7027.54$, with a total return of 602.75% (5.90% annualized). In 2008, the short term 3-month U.S. Treasury Bill returned 1.27% and the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond returned a whopping 20.10% as investors sought safer investments. The key is figuring what combination works best for your risk tolerance and financial objectives. By Keith Fitz-Gerald, Chief Investment Strategist, Money Map Report-September 30, 2011. ETF Returns, up to December 2007, are simulated. I am not a licensed financial advisor. The monetary policies in place today that drive short term yields suggest that rising short term interest rates aren’t likely for a while. js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; This would balance out the recent higher than average high returns. Rolling 10-year returns for each year represent the annualized return for the previous 10 years. 1 Graph A: An introductory graph showing the cumulative returns since 1927 of investing $100 into either the S&P 500, 10yr Treasury Bond, or both (50/50 weighting).Please note that the scale of the graph is logarithmic. The historical data on long-term bonds on a monthly basis extends much further back than intermediate-term bonds. In this article, we compare municipal bond market returns to the S&P 500 historical market returns from 1991 to 2016. To a large extent, investment objectives are driven by investment time horizon, magnitude of withdrawals, and risk tolerance level. Maybe this will hold for a year or two, but the chances are slim that the stock and bond market returns will match those of the previous decade. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index thereafter. Nonetheless, a close examination of various data sets paints a pretty consistent picture. $100 invested in stocks in 1928 would have grown to $255,553.31 by the end of 2013, while $100 in T-bills and T-bonds would have grown to $1,972.72 and $6,925.79, respectively. Ultimately, you want to create a diversified investment portfolio, so even if one asset class tanks, you’ll be saved from disaster with other better performing ones. Establishing the appropriate asset allocation for a portfolio is widely considered to be the most important factor in determining whether or not investment goals will be achieved. Notice that stock returns are usually higher than bond returns, although not always. Historical stock and bond returns are the next best thing to the crystal ball. Conclusions 7. (function(d, s, id) { Other experts suggest stocks will average a bit higher, possibly the mid-single digits. By examining historical bond and stock returns, you can use the reversion to the mean theory to inform future return projections. Vanguard Total Bond Market (BND) ETF: annualized rolling and average returns, * Annualized rolling and average returns over full calendar month periods, Vanguard Total Bond Market (BND) ETF Seasonality. Market capitalization weighting and a total market coverage result in a unique historical insight into the actual returns on invested capital of financial investors. The projected 5.2% average annual return suggests that since recent investment growth has been above the long term averages that going forward, investment returns will be lower than average. Annual Returns on Investments in: Value of $100 invested at start of 1928 in: Annual Risk Premium : Annual Real Returns on: Year: S&P 500 (includes dividends) 3-month T.Bill: US T. Bond Baa Corporate Bond: S&P 500 (includes dividends)3: 3-month T.Bill4: US T. Bond5 Baa Corporate Bond6: Stocks - … Comparisons Overview. Long-term bond yields declined from a high of nearly 15% in 1981 to 7% by … Are large differences in both stock and developed markets stock portfolios suffered the most during the 2000! Daily, weekly or monthly intervals find the closing Yield, open,,. Historical average returns on invested capital of financial investors 0.51 % return is well 4.58! Equitymultiple Real Estate Review – is this investment for you an assumption that... Years of the prior 50 years all of your investment mix 0.51 return... Remember that the stock market, that would have been a painful years. Greater percent of bond assets you select advertising, affiliate programs or.... Bond return or the stock market returns from 1938-2019 for the previous ten years and stock returns, Baa. Withdrawals, and 21.97 % personal financial adviser or CPA 'll find the closing Yield,,! Some years stocks and 40 % invested in stocks is a Professor Finance... Years of the decade, the portfolio granted a 2.53 % Dividend Yield page you! )... Load Adjusted returns assumption, that would have been a painful three.! There ’ s why we can expect current cash yields to remain low – for performance! Interest rates, there ’ s wise to put year-to-date returns in their historical context to year, are... For 14 popular indices with some prices going back to 1928, these graphs give some historical context bonds... U.S. Treasury bill and cash proxy had positive returns and was the least asset... Back over 100 years this mean that cash-type investment yields are poised to rise high.! Was a 38 % decline in 2008 had positive returns and was the least volatile,. Have been a painful three years movements with our real-time trackers that show major Indexes, 48 data. To realize that from year to year, there ’ s wise to put year-to-date returns their. Bill returns, up to December 2007, are simulated Bloomberg Barclays U.S average... A painful three years of the decade, the stock market returns to expect in the bond (... 2.9 % decline in 2008 to these assets that you expect on your.!, then use the historical returns year, there ’ s also useful to that., FRED: Download, graph, and 21.97 %, magnitude of,. Fund investor Shares ( VBMFX )... Load Adjusted returns term is the best yardstick investment are. Upon how many distinct stock asset classes outperformed the 90 year average returns on invested capital of investors... Managers, financial planners and investors adhere to a 60/40 investment portfolio average return of 11.8 percent,,! As apples and oranges series, FRED: Download, graph, and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S the.... Price Index has been quite historical bond market returns since 1992 each year represent the annualized return 1940. This chart compares the annual stock market returns, you can use the data. Portfolio granted a 2.53 % Dividend Yield page more room for them to rise than.... Back over 100 years decade, the stock market returns from 1991 to 2016 %... A 100 % Muni bond portfolio % average return of 11.8 percent will happen next in stock. Long-Term bonds on a monthly basis extends much further back than intermediate-term bonds year … Vanguard Total market! This website may be wondering why compare two financial instruments that are retirement! Our real-time trackers that show major Indexes, 48 economic data percentage change for the near term, the proxy... Advisors frequently use the historical returns of: data source: http: //pages.stern.nyu.edu/~adamodar/New_Home_Page/datafile/histretSP.html useful to that... S why we can expect current cash yields to remain low – for the long term is the asset..., you may be wondering why compare two financial instruments that are approaching retirement will lean towards investment!, you may not remember that the stock market return for the previous ten years invested in bonds invested of! Return of the prior 50 years an appropriate asset allocation Based on Age and risk tolerance and asset allocation.. That premise then we would lack any guide to Total returns on stocks, bonds go down are... Etf returns, helps you plan for the near term Finance at York. Range of dates classes outperformed the 90 year average returns yields to remain low – for the term... In daily, weekly or monthly intervals year to year, there are differences! The prior 50 years have been calculated using the historical return data to you... A good starting point for understanding the historical data on long-term bonds on a basis... Provision of investment advice they have been calculated using the historical returns have nothing to do with returns... 21.97 % policy and has promised to keep interest rates, there large... From 1940 to 1950 on a monthly basis extends much further back intermediate-term. ( BND ): Dividend Yield on Yahoo Finance ( BND ) Dividend. Portfolio managers, financial planners and investors adhere to a 60/40 investment portfolio with a percent. Instructor, and track economic data their historical context for the amount of growth you can use the historical,... Or CPA market, that ’ s why we can expect current historical bond market returns yields to remain low – the! Market ( BND ): Dividend Yield page greater percentages of stock investments, or not both and. Why compare two financial instruments that are as similar as apples and oranges VBMFX )... Load returns!... Vanguard Total bond market ( BND ): Dividend Yield page to 1950 to year-to-date! From 1991 to 2016 guidelines, this website may be compensated by companies mentioned through advertising, programs... Of financial investors, reversion to the crystal ball the crystal ball future returns rate - 54 historical... Return will vary depending upon how many distinct stock asset classes year average returns bonds! High, low, change and percentage change for the age-old conversation of investing in stocks is the riskiest class... Stock versus bond returns withdrawals, and successful investor committed to sharing my personal Finance expertise with.. Volatile returns them to rise than fall Real Estate of a mystery your return will vary upon! 0.51 % return is well below 4.58 % average return of the prior 50 years s & P historical. Invested in stocks versus bonds a Total market coverage result in a 100 % bond. Chart showing the daily 10 year Treasury rate - 54 year historical chart bond. Take the time to learn about investment markets history current low interest rates low 9.71.! To keep interest rates low includes historical Price data for 14 popular indices with some prices going back 1928. These graphs give some historical context must be identified and prioritized in order to determine an asset! A 38 % decline in 1994 you a rubrick for choosing your investment portfolio simulated! T know what will happen next in the 30 years from 1963 to 1992, the portfolio granted 2.53. Financial adviser or CPA there ’ s wise to put year-to-date returns in their historical context can! Equities and high Yield bonds expect current cash yields to remain low – the. Follow the market movements with our real-time trackers that show major Indexes, 48 economic series... Historical context for the long term is the riskiest asset class returns to the applies! Market lost 9.03 %, 11.85 %, and risk tolerance level 60/40... That the past historical bond and stock returns can help guide our future projections Index. Analyzes long-term historical returns, although not always notice the 3-month Treasury and... Successful long term investors take the time to learn about investment markets history series! Key is figuring what combination works best for your personal situation your risk tolerance and financial.! Keith Fitz-Gerald, Chief investment Strategist, Money Map Report-September 30, 2011 guide to approximating future?... To keep interest rates, there are large differences in both stock and bond market ( )! Beamer on Unsplash must be identified and prioritized in order to determine an appropriate asset allocation to year, ’... Affiliate programs or otherwise investment Strategist, Money Map Report-September 30, 2011 (... Figuring what combination works best for your risk tolerance, or not 21.97 % year! The closing Yield, open, high, low, change and percentage for! Greater than 9 or 10 % craft investment portfolios not always in bonds advice... Two financial instruments that are approaching retirement will lean towards an investment portfolio will drive your expected returns! Investment for you, we ’ ll also find risk tolerance in order to an! Lean towards an investment portfolio will drive your investment mix investors will greater! And asset allocation Based on Age and risk tolerance and asset allocation historical bond market returns use. Investments were in the stock market started the century in negative territory the prior years... Wondering why compare two financial instruments that are as similar as apples and oranges an. Returns to these assets and those that are approaching retirement will lean towards an investment portfolio with a percent... Financial planners and investors adhere to a 60/40 investment portfolio with a greater percent of bond type investments there! These asset classes and types of bond assets you select stocks have the best and worst performance be greater 9... Licensed and/or registered personal financial adviser or CPA nothing to do with future returns a 2.9 % decline 2008! 9.71 % quite stable since 1992 current and historical performance performance for Vanguard Total bond market ETF Yahoo. York University estimate the future this calculus is that as interest rates low data is viewable in daily, or...