Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes that gold has significantly outperformed major stock indices this year, with a year-to-date increase of over 40%, highlighting its status as a key asset in the current economic climate influenced by Federal Reserve interest rate cuts [1][2]. Market Performance - The London gold price has risen to 3801.950, marking an increase of 43.170 or 1.15% [1]. - Major stock indices such as the Dow Jones, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 have shown positive year-to-date performances of 8.70%, 16.43%, and 12.96% respectively [2]. Gold Investment Strategies - The article discusses two established asset allocation models: the Permanent Portfolio and the All-Weather Portfolio. - The Permanent Portfolio, proposed by Harry Browne, allocates 25% to stocks, 25% to long-term bonds, 25% to short-term bonds, and 25% to gold, aiming for stability across different economic conditions [3][4]. - The All-Weather Portfolio, created by Ray Dalio, suggests a more dynamic allocation of 30% to stocks, 40% to long-term bonds, 15% to intermediate bonds, 7.5% to gold, and 7.5% to other commodities, focusing on risk balance and efficiency [12][14]. Historical Performance - Both the Permanent and All-Weather Portfolios have achieved annualized returns of approximately 8%-9% from 1971 to 2024, with low volatility and high success rates, generating positive returns in 8 to 9 out of 10 years [15][16]. - The article notes that aside from 2022, when both portfolios experienced losses due to aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, they have generally performed well [18]. Recommendations for Gold Allocation - The article suggests varying gold allocation based on risk tolerance: - Aggressive investors may allocate 5%-10% to gold for extreme risk hedging. - Moderate investors might consider 10%-15%, aligning with Dalio's recent advice to increase gold allocation to 15%. - Conservative investors could allocate 20%-25% to gold, following the Permanent Portfolio model [18].

Core Viewpoint - The article argues that simpler investment strategies, such as the classic "60/40 portfolio" (60% stocks and 40% bonds), often outperform more complex alternatives, highlighting the limitations of human predictive abilities in investing [2][4][5]. Group 1: Performance Comparison - Over the past 25 years, the "60/40 portfolio" achieved an annualized return of 6.89%, while Bridgewater's "All Weather Portfolio" returned only 6.49% [2] - Other complex strategies, such as the "Permanent Portfolio" (equally divided among stocks, bonds, commodities, and cash), yielded a lower annualized return of 4.45% [2] - A "30/70 portfolio" (30% stocks and 70% bonds) also underperformed with a 5.55% annualized return over the same period [2] Group 2: Institutional Investor Insights - Research tracking public pension funds and university endowments from 2008 to 2023 revealed that public pensions had an average annualized return of 6.88%, while a market index portfolio could have achieved 7.84% [3] - University endowment funds also returned around 6.88%, while a market index portfolio would have yielded 9.27% during the same period [3] - The difference in returns, although seemingly small at 1-2 percentage points annually, accumulates significantly over decades, suggesting that complex asset allocations have hindered long-term performance [3] Group 3: Investment Philosophy - The article emphasizes that the market's inherent complexity and uncertainty make it difficult for investors to predict outcomes accurately, leading to higher costs and lower returns when pursuing complex strategies [4] - The "60/40 portfolio" embodies a fundamental asset allocation philosophy, balancing risk and return effectively over time [4] - The article suggests that rather than seeking intricate strategies, investors should focus on controlling costs, diversifying, and adhering to key investment principles for long-term success [4][5]

Core Viewpoint - The article narrates the investment journey of a 90s female investor who transitioned from speculative trading in a bull market to a disciplined asset allocation strategy, emphasizing the importance of systematic investment approaches for wealth growth [1][2]. Investment Journey - The investor began her financial journey in 2016 during a bear market, influenced by simplified investment strategies like "asset allocation" and "regular investment" [3]. - Her initial experiences included significant gains in the booming renewable energy sector, followed by a painful loss of 100,000 yuan, which prompted a shift towards a more structured investment approach [4][5]. Investment Philosophy - The investor's philosophy evolved to prioritize risk management and long-term stability over short-term gains, leading to the adoption of a diversified asset allocation strategy [5][6]. - The "Permanent Portfolio" strategy, which balances four asset classes to mitigate risks across different economic cycles, became a cornerstone of her investment approach [5][6]. Asset Allocation Strategy - The current asset allocation consists of 45% equities, 25% bonds, 15% gold, and 15% cash, tailored to her risk tolerance and investment goals [6][7]. - Specific fund selections include a mix of domestic and international equities, bonds, and gold, with a focus on low-volatility and dividend-paying assets [8][10]. Performance Metrics - The investor's portfolio has shown a cumulative return of approximately 11% since its inception, with a maximum drawdown of 3.94%, significantly lower than the benchmark index [11][12]. - The strategy emphasizes liquidity and risk control, allowing for stable growth while meeting daily financial needs [11]. Personal Insights - The investor highlights the psychological benefits of a stable investment strategy, which alleviates anxiety related to market fluctuations and enhances confidence in making significant life decisions [13]. - Key advice for new investors includes using only disposable income for investments, abandoning the notion of quick wealth, and focusing on improving personal skills and knowledge for long-term benefits [14].