Two US stocks & ETFs strategies from the top of the return-to-drawdown ranking, compared on the same measures: how far each fell, how fast each grew, and how much return each bought per unit of risk.
| Growth-Value Style Selection | Velocity Strength Filter | |
|---|---|---|
| Max drawdown | -35.0% | -27.4% |
| CAGR | +29.6% | +17.6% |
| Calmar (CAGR ÷ drawdown) | 0.85 | 0.64 |
| Sharpe | 0.97 | 0.84 |
| Total return | +1223.0% | +403.3% |
| Risk tier | High drawdown | High drawdown |
| Strategy type | Factor | Momentum rotation |
| Period | 2016-10-21 – 2026-10-02 | 2016-10-21 – 2026-10-02 |
Velocity Strength Filter had the shallower worst fall (-27.4%). Growth-Value Style Selection compounded faster (+29.6% a year). On return per unit of drawdown Growth-Value Style Selection leads, 0.85 against 0.64.
$10,000 start, 2016-10-21 – 2026-10-02, SPY dashed.
$10,000 start, 2016-10-21 – 2026-10-02, SPY dashed.
Velocity Strength Filter, at -27.4%.
Growth-Value Style Selection on the Calmar ratio (0.85 vs 0.64); Growth-Value Style Selection on the Sharpe ratio (0.97).
Both are US stocks & ETFs strategies re-run with their current code on historical prices, over the same period (2016-10-21 – 2026-10-02).
All strategy backtests, lowest drawdown first
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.