What if you invested monthly in an All-world stock ETF (VT) for 15 years?
See what a 15-year monthly plan into VT—an all-world stock ETF holding the U.S., developed, and emerging markets at once—would have looked like using real price data, and what 'ultimate diversification' means and where it falls short.
Investment conditions
Asset · All-world stock ETF (VT)
Method · Recurring monthly investment
Period · 2011-07-01 ~ 2026-07-01
Amount · $222 / month
As of · 2026-07-01
Key metrics
These results do not reflect taxes. Based on historical data.
Risk & recovery
As important as returns. This service does not hide maximum drawdown or loss periods.
Maximum drawdown (MDD)
-33.8%
Largest drop from peak
Longest loss period
6months
Months in loss: 7
Recovery period
4months
Growth over time
Invested principal (dashed) and portfolio value (solid). Values below match the calculation.
Total invested $40,222 → Final value $105,419 (+162.1%), Maximum drawdown (MDD) -33.8%
Why this period and asset
VT holds thousands of stocks across developed and emerging markets worldwide in a single fund, earning the label 'ultimate diversification.' Over 2011–2026, U.S. large-cap tech led the strength, and since the U.S. is more than half of VT, its performance was heavily shaped by the U.S. Still, with Europe, Japan, and emerging markets included, it had stretches smoother than a U.S.-only index. It also went through episodes where the whole world fell together, like the 2020 pandemic crash and the 2022 rate-hike correction.
Interpreting the result
This scenario shows both the strength of 'the whole world in one fund' and the limit that broad diversification cannot avoid a market-wide decline. On the results screen, be sure to check the maximum drawdown, the underwater period, and the recovery time. Even with broad diversification, when the whole world falls together as in 2020 and 2022, drawdowns are hard to avoid. Monthly investing buys more units during declines but does not remove losses themselves.
Caveats & limits
Even worldwide diversification falls when the entire market declines. As a foreign asset, USD/KRW affects won-based returns, and mixed currencies create a compound currency effect. The ETF's expense ratio, trading costs, and taxes erode performance. Past behavior does not guarantee future results, and this page does not recommend buying any specific asset.
Data sources & limits
- Price data source: Yahoo Finance / FinanceDataReader
- Collected on: 2026-07-23
- Effective trading date: 2026-07-01
- Price basis: Adjusted close (reflects dividends and stock splits)
- Trading fees and taxes are not reflected — figures are pre-tax.
- Based on historical data; does not guarantee future returns.
Frequently asked questions
Does worldwide diversification mean no losses?
No. Even broad regional and stock diversification cannot prevent your balance from dropping below your principal when global markets fall together, as in 2020 and 2022. Diversification reduces swings; it does not remove losses.
VT is heavily U.S.—is it similar to a U.S. ETF?
With the U.S. over half of VT, its performance is heavily U.S.-driven. But Europe, Japan, and emerging markets are included, so the maximum drawdown and recovery path can differ from a U.S.-only index. Compare the two scenarios.
Is one all-world ETF all I need?
This page does not recommend asset allocation. VT holds only stocks, so bonds, cash, and other asset classes are not included. When the whole stock market falls, it falls too—check that on the results screen.
Related scenarios
📋 Results are based on historical data; past returns do not guarantee future returns.
📋 This service is provided for educational purposes to help you understand investing, not as investment advice.