STUDIES HUB
Studies: See the Numbers
Visual, offline-friendly studies on portfolios, fees, and behavior — built from historical-style data, not predictions. Use them to sanity-check simple rules before you commit real money.
Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Prefer plain-English concepts before charts? Start with the Learn hub, then come back here to see how the rules hold up in data.
STUDIES HUB
Browse by theme
FOUNDATION
Why investing works (and what to expect)
Studies focused on the big picture: why long-term investing is rational, and what outcomes are realistic.
STUDY
Why invest?
The long-run case for owning productive assets instead of holding cash.
Read study →STUDY
60/40 vs stocks
What a balanced portfolio changes (risk, drawdowns, long-run outcomes).
Read study →COSTS & DRAG
Costs compound (fees, cash drag, FX drag)
These studies quantify the silent taxes that reduce long-term returns. This is the “money leaks” category.
STUDY
Fees compound
How small annual fees turn into large lifetime costs.
Read study →STUDY
Cash drag
Why holding too much cash creates a persistent performance gap.
Read study →STUDY
FX drag
Monthly vs quarterly conversions and how FX habits affect outcomes.
Read study →STUDY
UCITS vs US ETF total drag
Fees + tax layers + FX friction: the full cost stack compared.
Read study →DIVERSIFICATION
Diversification (what it really changes)
Studies focused on diversification mechanics and how it affects long-term portfolio behavior.
STUDY
Diversification basics
The core reason diversification is rational—and what it can’t fix.
Read study →STUDY
Dividends: growth vs yield
Yield vs total return, and why the “dividend” label misleads people.
Read study →CONTRIBUTIONS
DCA vs lump sum
A single study focused on contribution timing. Use it to pick a strategy you can actually stick with.
STUDY
DCA vs lump sum (study)
Evidence and tradeoffs: expected value vs psychological comfort.
Read study →REBALANCING
Rebalancing (how to maintain risk)
Rebalancing is not about “timing.” It’s about keeping your risk stable without constant tinkering.
STUDY
Annual rebalancing
A simple baseline strategy and what it changes in portfolio behavior.
Read study →STUDY
Rebalance bands vs annual
Threshold rebalancing vs calendar rebalancing: tradeoffs and behavior.
Read study →DIVIDENDS
Dividends (yield vs total return)
Dividend investing is commonly misunderstood. These studies focus on what actually drives outcomes.
STUDY
Dividends: growth vs yield (study)
Why chasing yield can backfire and what “dividends” really mean in total return terms.
Read study →TAX DRAG
Tax drag (accumulating vs distributing)
This category will quantify the after-tax difference between accumulating and distributing ETFs under different scenarios.
STUDY
Accumulating vs distributing tax drag
Scenario-based comparison: when distributions create extra leakage (and when it doesn’t matter).
Read study →NEED PLAIN EXPLANATIONS?
Revisit the Learn hub
If any chart feels abstract, go back to the Learn guides for simple explanations of ETFs, diversification, fees, and taxes — then return here and the plots will make more sense.
Open Learn hub →READY TO APPLY THIS?
Compare brokers and open an account
Once you’re comfortable with risk, fees, and behavior, move from studies to action: pick a low-cost broker that fits your region and automate as much as possible.
Open Brokers hub →Studies hub FAQ
In what order should I go through these studies?
Go in order: Group 1 (compounding, fees, cash), then Group 2 (risk, allocation, entry pattern), then Group 3 (rebalancing, dividend style). If you only do three, do Steps 1–3.
Are these studies based on real data or are they made up?
The studies use historical-style monthly total-return paths designed to behave like broad stock, bond, and dividend ETFs. They’re meant to show trade-offs clearly, not to recreate one exact historical period tick-by-tick.
How should I combine the studies with the Learn guides?
Learn gives you the concepts; Studies shows the same idea in outcomes. If a chart confuses you, read the related Learn guide, then return to the study.
Do I need statistics or coding to use these?
No. The charts are pre-built. You just compare relative differences: which line ends higher, which has deeper drawdowns, and whether you can tolerate that path for years.
Are these studies investment advice?
No. Educational illustrations only. They don’t account for your personal circumstances and don’t recommend specific trades or securities.
QuantRoutine provides educational content only. Nothing on this page is an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any security or to open an account with any specific broker. Investments can lose value, and past performance does not guarantee future results. You are responsible for your own investment, tax, and legal decisions. Always review any product’s current terms, fees, and eligibility on the official website before acting.