Top_Trend is a rule-based trend-following strategy that seeks to capture sustained market movements across multiple asset classes. Rather than predicting market turning points, the strategy follows established trends and adjusts exposure as trends evolve.

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_Trend DAX SP500
03 Jun 2026 -0.89 % -1.31 % -0.70 %
Jun 2026 0.89 % -1.23 % -0.30 %
2026 -2.14 % 1.25 % 10.91 %
Start 2023 48.61 % 78.09 % 105.73 %
Ann. Return 11.87 % 17.75 % 22.66 %
Sharpe ratio 0.76 1.19 1.53

How the strategy works
Top_Trend continuously analyzes price behavior to determine whether markets are trending upward, downward, or moving sideways. Positions are taken only when a clear and persistent trend is identified.


Adjusting exposure
When trends are strong and stable, the strategy maintains or increases exposure in the direction of the trend. As trends weaken or reverse, positions are reduced or closed systematically. This allows the strategy to stay aligned with prevailing market direction while limiting exposure during uncertain phases.


Systematic and disciplined
Decisions are rule-based and applied consistently across markets. The strategy does not rely on forecasts, opinions, or discretionary judgment, but on predefined rules that react to observable market behavior.

Objective
Top_Trend aims to participate in prolonged market trends while avoiding extended exposure during non-trending or highly erratic market conditions. The goal is to provide diversification and resilience, particularly during periods when traditional asset allocations struggle.

Top_Trend analysis since start

Cumulative Return
+48.6%
since Jan 2023
Ann. Return
+11.9%
annualized (CAGR)
Sharpe Ratio
0.76
annualized · Rf = 0
Max Drawdown
−15.5%
since Jan 2023
Last updated: 03 June 2026  |   Top_Trend
Monthly Returns since Jan 2023 (USD)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
2023 0.3 4.7 -1.0 3.2 1.1 4.9 4.7 -4.1 -2.0 2.7 1.6 -0.4 16.4 %
2024 6.1 6.5 12.7 2.7 -1.0 -1.9 -3.2 -0.8 1.2 -8.0 10.3 0.7 26.2 %
2025 7.3 -5.4 0.2 -3.1 -3.0 2.1 -5.7 2.5 5.1 2.4 3.1 -1.1 3.4 %
2026 3.4 1.8 -11.8 3.2 1.2 0.9 -2.1 %
Performance & Risk Metrics — Top_Trend

Performance Metrics

Top_Trend
Cumulative Return (%) 48.61
Ann. Return (%) 11.87
Ann. Sharpe Ratio 0.76
MAR Ratio 0.77

Risk Metrics

Top_Trend
Ann. StdDev. (%) 15.60
SemiDeviation (%) 0.76
Max DrawDown (%) 15.45
Value-at-Risk (%) -1.73

Daily Metrics

daily metrics (%)
Av. Return (%) 0.05
Best Day (%) 4.70
Worst Day (%) -6.93
Av. Up-Day (%) 0.68
Av. Down-Day (%) -0.76
Pct Up-Days (%) 56.00
Pct Down-Days (%) 43.00

Monthly Metrics

monthly metrics (%)
Av. Return (%) 1.07
Best Month (%) 12.74
Worst Month (%) -11.81
Av. Up-Month (%) 3.71
Av. Down-Month (%) -3.51
Pct Up-Months (%) 63.00
Pct Down-Months (%) 37.00
Drawdown Analysis — Top_Trend (Top 5)
From Trough To / Recovery Depth Days
2024-04-25 2024-11-04 2025-01-22 -15.45 % 194
2025-01-31 2025-07-31 2026-01-22 -14.61 % 254
2026-01-29 2026-03-23 — in progress -13.48 % 91
2023-03-09 2023-03-13 2023-04-13 -10.62 % 26
2023-07-31 2023-09-26 2024-01-24 -6.24 % 128

Open position Top_Trend as of today (USD 5.000.000)

ticker market contracts position sector
BO2 Soybean Oil-CBT(Floor Trading Only) 26 Long commodity
CL2 Crude Oil Light-NYMEX-MCL 27 Long commodity
CT_ Cotton #2-NYCE 17 Long commodity
EBS Euro German Schatz-EUREX 72 Short irate
FLG Gilt-Long(8.75-13yr)-EURONEXT(LIFFE) 10 Short irate
HG2 CopperHG-COMEX(MHG) 56 Long commodity
NQ_ Nasdaq 100 Index x 10 MNQ 2 Long index
SXE Index-DJ Euro STOXX x 10 ESTX50 23 Long index
TU_ T-Note-U.S 2y-CBT 48 Short irate
YM_ Dow Jones Industrial Index (CBT) x 10 MYM 10 Long index
Top_Trend vs. Other Asset Classes — since Jan 2023

GR_Trend TLT VNQ UUP EFA DBC GLD DAX SPY
Annualized Return 11.9% -0.5% 7.8% 4.1% 17.1% 10.1% 28.2% 17.8% 22.7%
Annualized Std Dev 15.6% 14.2% 17.1% 6.7% 14.7% 16.1% 19.1% 14.9% 14.8%
Annualized Sharpe 0.76 -0.04 0.46 0.61 1.16 0.63 1.48 1.19 1.53
Worst Drawdown 15.5% 22.4% 21.8% 10.1% 14.1% 13.8% 19.2% 16.0% 18.8%
Correlation — Top_Trend vs. DAX & S&P 500

More analysis for Top_Trend

Rolling 12-Month Return · Volatility · Sharpe Ratio

Risk Analysis — Return · Sharpe · Max Drawdown

Top_Trend Return vs. Asset Classes — 1-Year & 3-Year
Extended analysis dating Top_Trend

GR_Trend TLT VNQ UUP EFA DBC GLD SPY DAX
Annualized Return 20.0% 2.1% 7.4% 2.4% 6.7% 1.7% 7.0% 13.8% 8.2%
Annualized Std Dev 16.7% 14.6% 19.5% 7.1% 17.6% 16.9% 16.2% 16.8% 19.2%
Annualized Sharpe 1.20 0.15 0.38 0.34 0.38 0.10 0.43 0.82 0.43
Worst Drawdown 17.6% 48.4% 42.4% 14.2% 34.2% 66.1% 45.6% 33.7% 38.8%
Long-Term Monthly Return Table — Top_Trend since 2011
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
2011 1.4 9.2 -2.2 11.2 0.5 -4.0 9.1 -6.7 -1.6 -2.8 8.9 4.5 28.7 %
2012 2.3 -0.1 1.7 2.5 9.2 -6.7 4.6 -1.3 -4.4 -0.5 2.4 1.5 10.9 %
2013 -1.0 1.3 1.5 -1.3 0.1 -4.0 -0.2 -3.3 3.6 6.3 2.9 1.4 6.8 %
2014 -4.0 6.4 -3.7 5.0 2.3 -3.1 -1.1 11.1 1.6 -3.6 6.3 4.5 22.3 %
2015 12.6 -0.3 7.8 -4.4 2.5 -3.6 4.8 -4.0 1.4 -2.0 5.7 -5.5 14.2 %
2016 3.4 5.9 -8.3 -4.4 -1.5 11.9 -2.4 0.3 4.2 -10.0 7.6 0.8 5.4 %
2017 0.5 13.5 -3.4 2.6 1.2 -1.6 9.2 2.6 -6.4 9.1 6.7 5.1 44.4 %
2018 13.7 -1.3 -4.3 4.3 3.0 2.5 1.7 2.5 1.3 -7.4 1.5 -0.5 16.7 %
2019 1.3 3.1 -0.9 3.4 -0.4 11.7 -2.3 10.4 -1.3 0.8 1.9 2.8 33.8 %
2020 4.5 4.6 -6.8 -1.5 0.4 -0.7 1.8 3.7 -6.0 -2.5 9.0 8.7 14.5 %
2021 1.8 5.4 2.4 16.6 3.5 -7.0 1.8 3.7 2.6 7.8 -1.7 -0.6 40.5 %
2022 1.0 3.6 18.4 13.5 -3.9 4.5 -2.5 8.4 14.3 -2.6 -9.1 0.4 51.5 %
2023 0.3 4.7 -1.0 3.2 1.1 4.9 4.7 -4.1 -2.0 2.7 1.6 -0.4 16.4 %
2024 6.1 6.5 12.7 2.7 -1.0 -1.9 -3.2 -0.8 1.2 -8.0 10.3 0.7 26.2 %
2025 7.3 -5.4 0.2 -3.1 -3.0 2.1 -5.7 2.5 5.1 2.4 3.1 -1.1 3.4 %
2026 3.4 1.8 -11.8 3.2 1.2 0.9 -2.1 %
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!