Sharpe ratio: what it measures and how to read it

The Sharpe ratio divides a strategy's excess return by the volatility of its returns, both annualised. It answers a different question from max drawdown: not how bad the worst fall was, but how bumpy the ride was on an ordinary day for the return it delivered.

Formula

Sharpe = (annualised return − risk-free rate) ÷ annualised volatility of returns

Worked example from a re-run backtest

Dynamic Factor Strength Strategy has the highest Sharpe ratio here, 0.97, with +18.0% CAGR and a -24.1% max drawdown. As a rough guide, above 1 is good for a single strategy and above 2 is rare in a long backtest; a very high value on a short window is more often luck than skill.

Across the re-run strategies

Across 6 re-run strategies the Sharpe ratio ranges from 0.73 to 0.97, median 0.85. Each value is reported by the strategy's own backtest.

Dynamic Factor Strength Strategy0.97Growth-Value Style Selection0.97Kaufman Efficiency Index Strategy0.86Velocity Strength Filter0.84Tactical Leveraged Trend Rotation0.84Fifty-Two Week High Leaderboard0.73

Top strategies on this measure

Highest Sharpe ratio — full table

Other metrics

Frequently asked questions

How is Sharpe ratio calculated?

Sharpe = (annualised return − risk-free rate) ÷ annualised volatility of returns

What is a worked example of Sharpe ratio?

Dynamic Factor Strength Strategy has the highest Sharpe ratio here, 0.97, with +18.0% CAGR and a -24.1% max drawdown. As a rough guide, above 1 is good for a single strategy and above 2 is rare in a long backtest; a very high value on a short window is more often luck than skill.

What Sharpe ratio do these strategies have?

Across 6 re-run strategies the Sharpe ratio ranges from 0.73 to 0.97, median 0.85. Each value is reported by the strategy's own backtest.

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Disclosure. Backtests are hypothetical simulations on historical data. They do not include every real-world cost, are not live results, and do not guarantee future returns. Educational research only, not investment advice.