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.
| Tactical ETF Regime Switcher | Return Stacking with Capital-Efficient Overlays | |
|---|---|---|
| Max drawdown | -14.6% | -33.5% |
| CAGR | +35.9% | +43.7% |
| Calmar (CAGR ÷ drawdown) | 2.46 | 1.30 |
| Sharpe | 1.56 | 1.17 |
| Total return | +535.6% | +3572.0% |
| Risk tier | Lower drawdown | High drawdown |
| Strategy type | Momentum rotation | Momentum rotation |
| Period | 2020-09-18 – 2026-10-02 | 2016-10-21 – 2026-10-02 |
Tactical ETF Regime Switcher had the shallower worst fall (-14.6%). Return Stacking with Capital-Efficient Overlays compounded faster (+43.7% a year). On return per unit of drawdown Tactical ETF Regime Switcher leads, 2.46 against 1.30; the two backtests cover different periods, so read the comparison with that in mind.
$10,000 start, 2020-09-18 – 2026-10-02.
$10,000 start, 2016-10-21 – 2026-10-02, SPY dashed.
Tactical ETF Regime Switcher, at -14.6%.
Tactical ETF Regime Switcher on the Calmar ratio (2.46 vs 1.30); Tactical ETF Regime Switcher on the Sharpe ratio (1.56).
Both are US stocks & ETFs strategies re-run with their current code on historical prices, over 2020-09-18 – 2026-10-02 and 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.