Top_Dual adjusts equity exposure based on how stressed or calm markets are, increasing risk in stable environments and reducing it when uncertainty rises. The focus is not on forecasting markets, but on managing risk systematically.

Top_Research represents the complete universe of rule-based trading strategies, which are systematically implemented within the GR_Strategies portfolios in both USD and EUR.

Date Top_Dual DAX SP500
03 Jun 2026 -0.56 % -1.31 % -0.70 %
Jun 2026 -0.48 % -1.23 % -0.30 %
2026 3.04 % 1.25 % 10.91 %
Start 2023 42.69 % 78.09 % 105.73 %
Ann. Return 10.68 % 17.90 % 22.86 %
Sharpe ratio 1.35 1.19 1.54

How the strategy works
Top_Dual continuously compares the current level of market risk with its own historical behavior. This creates a natural reference range that shows whether market conditions are relatively calm or unusually stressed.


Adjusting exposure
When market risk is low compared to the past, the strategy allows for higher equity exposure. As risk increases and moves toward the upper end of its historical range, equity exposure is gradually reduced. In highly stressed environments, risk exposure can be reduced significantly.


Gradual, not binary
The allocation does not switch abruptly between “in” and “out”. Instead, exposure is adjusted step by step, which helps avoid sudden shifts and supports a smoother investment experience.

Objective
Top_Dual aims to participate in market upside during stable periods while systematically protecting capital during phases of elevated uncertainty. The goal is a more balanced and resilient return profile across different market conditions.

Top_Dual – Dynamic Risk Allocation

Top_Dual analysis since start

Cumulative Return
+42.7%
since Jan 2023
Ann. Return
+10.7%
annualized (CAGR)
Sharpe Ratio
1.35
annualized · Rf = 0
Max Drawdown
−6.8%
since Jan 2023
Last updated: 03 June 2026  |   Top_Dual
Monthly Returns since Jan 2023 (USD)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
2023 1.6 -4.1 3.2 1.6 -3.0 4.1 2.0 -0.5 -2.0 -0.7 4.3 4.0 10.5 %
2024 0.7 3.2 5.8 -1.5 2.1 1.5 3.3 1.1 1.2 -0.9 4.2 -3.8 17.8 %
2025 2.3 1.6 0.7 -2.1 0.2 0.7 -0.8 0.4 2.8 -0.9 2.6 -1.3 6.4 %
2026 2.5 3.8 -5.0 1.3 1.1 -0.5 3.0 %
Performance & Risk Metrics — Top_Dual

Performance Metrics

Top_Dual
Cumulative Return (%) 42.69
Ann. Return (%) 11.02
Ann. Sharpe Ratio 1.37
MAR Ratio 1.61

Risk Metrics

Top_Dual
Ann. StdDev. (%) 8.05
SemiDeviation (%) 0.37
Max DrawDown (%) 6.84
Value-at-Risk (%) -0.83

Daily Metrics

daily metrics (%)
Av. Return (%) 0.04
Best Day (%) 1.61
Worst Day (%) -2.57
Av. Up-Day (%) 0.39
Av. Down-Day (%) -0.40
Pct Up-Days (%) 56.00
Pct Down-Days (%) 43.00

Monthly Metrics

monthly metrics (%)
Av. Return (%) 0.86
Best Month (%) 5.79
Worst Month (%) -4.97
Av. Up-Month (%) 2.30
Av. Down-Month (%) -1.92
Pct Up-Months (%) 66.00
Pct Down-Months (%) 34.00
Drawdown Analysis — Top_Dual (Top 5)
From Trough To / Recovery Depth Days
2023-02-02 2023-03-10 2023-04-13 -6.84 % 49
2026-03-02 2026-03-27 — in progress -6.34 % 67
2025-04-03 2025-04-08 2025-09-26 -5.54 % 122
2023-09-15 2023-10-27 2023-12-01 -5.07 % 55
2024-11-25 2024-12-30 2025-03-31 -4.51 % 85
Top_Dual vs. Other Asset Classes — since Jan 2023

Top_Dual TLT VNQ UUP EFA DBC GLD DAX SPY
Annualized Return 10.7% -0.5% 7.9% 4.1% 17.3% 10.2% 28.4% 17.9% 22.9%
Annualized Std Dev 7.9% 14.3% 17.1% 6.7% 14.8% 16.1% 19.2% 15.0% 14.9%
Annualized Sharpe 1.35 -0.04 0.46 0.61 1.17 0.63 1.48 1.19 1.54
Worst Drawdown 6.8% 22.4% 21.8% 10.1% 14.1% 13.8% 19.2% 16.0% 18.8%
Correlation — Top_Dual vs. DAX & S&P 500

More analysis for Top_Dual

Rolling 12-Month Return · Volatility · Sharpe Ratio

Risk Analysis — Return · Sharpe · Max Drawdown

Top_Dual Return vs. Asset Classes — 1-Year & 3-Year
Extended analysis dating back to 2014

Top_Dual TLT VNQ UUP EFA DBC GLD SPY DAX
Annualized Return 11.6% 1.4% 7.2% 3.6% 6.7% 2.7% 10.7% 13.9% 11.9%
Annualized Std Dev 8.1% 14.6% 19.7% 7.1% 16.9% 17.5% 15.8% 17.2% 18.8%
Annualized Sharpe 1.43 0.09 0.37 0.50 0.39 0.16 0.67 0.81 0.63
Worst Drawdown 8.6% 48.4% 42.4% 14.2% 34.2% 59.9% 24.5% 33.7% 29.6%
Long-Term Monthly Return Table — Top_Dual since 2011
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
2014 1.5 -1.5 4.3 0.7 3.6 3.5 -0.3 12.2 %
2015 3.8 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -1.2 -1.4 2.3 -3.2 -0.6 1.4 -0.6 -0.3 -0.1 %
2016 -0.6 1.8 3.3 1.0 1.2 4.7 0.3 -2.3 -1.3 -2.0 1.0 2.5 9.8 %
2017 0.6 4.1 -0.2 1.8 1.7 -0.4 1.5 2.0 -0.4 1.7 2.2 0.2 15.6 %
2018 3.7 -3.6 0.1 1.2 2.2 -0.1 1.9 4.0 0.7 -4.7 2.4 -2.8 4.6 %
2019 2.9 2.6 3.2 2.0 -0.7 4.7 2.1 3.6 0.0 -0.5 1.2 1.7 25.2 %
2020 2.7 -2.7 3.1 3.6 2.0 -0.4 5.4 2.3 -1.6 -2.8 9.1 3.0 25.8 %
2021 -1.6 1.3 5.7 3.4 0.9 1.0 3.5 1.4 -3.9 4.8 -2.0 3.5 19.1 %
2022 -4.7 0.3 3.2 1.0 -0.4 -1.9 1.5 -1.9 -2.8 3.4 1.1 -1.4 -2.8 %
2023 1.6 -4.1 3.2 1.6 -3.0 4.1 2.0 -0.5 -2.0 -0.7 4.3 4.0 10.5 %
2024 0.7 3.2 5.8 -1.5 2.1 1.5 3.3 1.1 1.2 -0.9 4.2 -3.8 17.8 %
2025 2.3 1.6 0.7 -2.1 0.2 0.7 -0.8 0.4 2.8 -0.9 2.6 -1.3 6.4 %
2026 2.5 3.8 -5.0 1.3 1.1 -0.5 3.0 %
Drawdown & Recovery Analysis — S&P 500 (SPY)
Observation: Since early 2024, market drawdowns have remained sharp — but recovery times have compressed dramatically. For active managers this creates a structural disadvantage: by the time a hedge or exit is executed, the market has often already recovered, leaving the manager in cash during the rebound and forcing a late re-entry. The charts below quantify this dynamic historically.

Some more information

My portfolio comprises:


  • Top_Dual & Top_Target momentum and accumulation strategies, are focusing on harnessing and leveraging market trends for consistent and sustainable growth.
  • Top_Switch, an Asset rotation strategy is dynamically reallocating capital across asset classes to optimize returns and mitigate risks.
  • Top_Vola strategy, is tailored to capitalize on both sudden and sustained market fluctuations, enhancing risk - adjusted returns.
  • Top_Rank, a systematic ranking strategy that continuously allocates capital to the strongest-performing assets, ensuring disciplined participation in prevailing market leadership.
  • Top_Trend (=CTA) strategy, which forms the backbone of diversification with a 30 % allocation. This strategy excels in capturing trends and providing stability during market
  • Additional advanced and highly specialized approaches, crafted to adapt seamlessly to complex and evolving market dynamics.

Together, these strategies create a robust and well - balanced portfolio framework. By blending simplicity with sophistication, the approach ensures adaptability, consistency, and long - term success, even in the face of unpredictable market conditions.

Uncorrelated Strategies


The cornerstone of success lies in the deliberate and precise integration of diverse, genuinely uncorrelated strategies, executed with unwavering discipline and emotional composure. My approach is devoid of the influence of greed or fear, guided instead by the principles of expertise and professionalism. Each decision is the product of meticulous analysis and a technically sound methodology, consciously avoiding impulsive or reactionary behavior. Furthermore, all decisions are grounded 100% in mathematical and statistical principles, ensuring objectivity and consistency. By consciously excluding any human influence, the process eliminates the risk of emotional bias or subjective judgment. This steadfast adherence to strategy allows me to navigate the complexities of the markets with confidence and consistency, maintaining an unyielding commitment to excellence.

Trading


The elegance of these strategies lies in their straightforward yet effective design. Each morning, data is carefully downloaded, and within 15 minutes, calculations ensure that theoretical models align seamlessly with practical execution. By evening, new orders are automatically dispatched to the exchange, just before the market closes. This approach is not a feat of magic, but rather a testament to disciplined craftsmanship. It guarantees that execution timing remains uninfluenced — an essential factor in maintaining the robustness and reliability of the strategy.

Data Used


Back-testing is often dismissed as mere theory or abstract mathematics. However, I recognize that the performance up to December 2022 reflects a combination of real - time trading outcomes and newly implemented systems. While historical achievements provide valuable insights, I find little satisfaction in endlessly revisiting past successes. My focus is clear and uncompromising—cutting through bureaucracy to channel my energy toward the present and future, where true progress is made.

Dedication


In collaboration with my dear friend and developer, Helmuth Vollmeier, in a fit of genius or maybe just sheer madness, we decided to hit the reset button on everything in 2022. It was like a software update for our lives — new and improved. Unfortunately, the joy of our new start was short-lived as Helmuth passed away suddenly in February 2023, leaving me deeply saddened. Despite facing phases of doubt and questioning the meaning of it all, I returned to my desk, immersing myself in learning once again, now without my dear friend Helmuth by my side! I dedicate this work to Helmuth Vollmeier, one of my best friends, my intellectual partner, my daily communicator, and companion!