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ConservativeWeeklyLong-Term U.S. Treasuries Capital preservation

U.S. Treasury

A weekly model on long-term U.S. Treasuries that holds a position only when conditions are favorable — and sits in cash the rest of the time. Built for capital preservation above all.

Hypothetical track record Dec 1988 – May 2026 · 37.4 years · Gross of fees · Long Treasuries + money-market view
+6.23%
Annualized return
study period, to 31 May 2026
−2.94%
Maximum drawdown
peak-to-trough, daily closes
88.42%
Batting average · monthly
share of positive months
2.45
Sortino ratio
annualized, net of 3% risk-free
Growth of $1,000
Hypothetical · log scale · Dec 1988 = $1,000
U.S. Treasury Long Treasuries (Buy & Hold)

For this audience, drawdown carries equal weight to return. The study’s stated maximum drawdown is −2.94%, measured on daily closes; the chart above plots the month-end series, whose deepest decline is −2.14%. The benchmark’s worst case was far deeper.

Drawdown — the risk argument
Decline from prior peak · model vs benchmark
U.S. Treasury Long Treasuries

Holding long bonds outright meant a drawdown beyond 35% in the 2022 sell-off. By staying in cash unless conditions favored being invested, the model held its worst case to −2.94%.

Performance in down markets
The 10 worst months for FGOVX · and the model in those same months
FGOVX U.S. Treasury
—
FGOVX average
—
U.S. Treasury average
Across the 10 worst months for the benchmark in the study period

A drawdown curve shows the shape of risk; this shows its worst individual moments. These are the ten months the benchmark fell hardest — the months a client remembers — and what the model did while it happened. Because the decision is weekly rather than monthly, the model can finish a falling month higher than the benchmark.

What this model does

The defensive anchor — preservation above all.

This is the most conservative strategy in the collection. Each week it evaluates long-term U.S. Treasuries and takes a position only when conditions favor it — otherwise it holds cash.

It is invested less than 40% of the time, which keeps it out of harm's way during the deep, prolonged sell-offs that periodically hit the bond market. The aim is not to maximize return; it is to compound steadily while keeping drawdowns minimal. It suits investors who prioritize capital preservation and stability, and it can serve as the defensive anchor alongside more growth-oriented models.

Time invested38.91%
Signals / year2.98
Win / loss ratio106.09%
BenchmarkLong Treasuries
Monthly & annual returns
Hypothetical · most recent first · 2026 back to 1989 · heat-mapped
Full statistics

Everything an auditor would ask for.

Annualized return
6.23%
Max drawdown · daily
−2.94%
Sharpe ratio · annual
1.12
Sortino ratio · annual
2.45
Batting average · monthly
88.42%
Win / loss ratio
106.09%
% Time invested
38.91%
Ulcer index
0.68
Signals / year
2.98
Study period
Dec 1988 – May 2026
Span
37.4 yrs
Benchmark
Long Treasuries B&H

Sharpe and Sortino are annualized on a single return frequency — monthly mean and monthly standard deviation, both scaled to annual — net of a 3% risk-free rate. Because the numerator is the arithmetic annualized return, these ratios are not reproducible from the geometric annualized return shown above. Batting average is the share of positive months and is not annualized. Ratios are computed on the record through 31 August 2026; the annualized return and maximum drawdown above are the figures stated in the source study, which ends 29 May 2026.

Important disclosures

All performance shown is hypothetical and back-tested — it does not reflect actual trading with client assets and has inherent limitations (designed with the benefit of hindsight; may not reflect the impact of real market conditions). Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Results are gross of fees; transaction / custodial fees and taxes are not reflected and would reduce results. This is not an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any investment. Charts use representative illustrative data; final disclaimer wording to be confirmed with counsel / compliance.

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