The Million Portfolio extends its lead over its plan as of June 2026.
Those of you who have been following us for a while already know The Million Portfolio, the portfolio with which it all began and that we continue to use, edition after edition, to illustrate in a practical way the most important concepts of long-term index investing.
The approach has not changed since day one: a fully indexed, globally diversified, low-cost portfolio, funded through recurring contributions, with an ambitious yet achievable goal: accumulating €1,000,000 for retirement. This is not a theoretical exercise but a real investment strategy, with a risk profile of 8 out of 10, that has already gone through every major market cycle of recent years.
Less than a year ago, we celebrated the fact that it had surpassed +100% in cumulative returns.
Today, as of the end of June 2026, the portfolio has not only held up—it has accelerated.
Where we come from: the story of a disciplined portfolio
On our blog, we have documented each stage of the journey because it can serve as inspiration for many investors:
- In 2022, we saw it stay the course despite the war in Ukraine and the inflation crisis, when cumulative returns fell as low as +57.5%.
- In 2023, after two bear markets, we reviewed its resilience.
- In March 2024, we celebrated its return to all-time highs.
- In July 2025, it surpassed +100% returns and €100,000 in value for the first time.
Each of these milestones tells the same story from a different perspective: the key was never timing the market, but never abandoning the plan.
The numbers as of June 2026
The portfolio closed the first half of 2026 with the following results:
- Cumulative return (TWR) of +136.2%, compared with the +117.1% expected. This is not the first time in the portfolio’s history that it has been clearly above its expected return trajectory. During more difficult periods, however, the opposite was true.
- Annualised return (CAGR) of 6.8%, seven-tenths of a percentage point above the expected 6.1%.
- Current value of €118,886, representing a capital gain of €51,335 since inception.
It is worth remembering where those nearly €119,000 come from: an initial investment of €9,000 in June 2013 and, from then on, almost entirely from recurring contributions. In total, around €67,500 has been invested, which is now worth €118,886. The remaining more than €51,000 is purely the result of investment growth and the power of compound interest.
Over the past year, the portfolio has gone from +101% to +136% TWR and from around €100,000 to almost €120,000 in value. Monthly contributions have also gradually increased over time to the current €390 per month (compared with €365 a year ago), helping keep the plan on track.
The asset allocation remains consistent with an 8/10 risk profile: an aggressive yet well-diversified strategy, appropriate for a still very long investment horizon. Today, the portfolio consists of 61.6% equities, 22.4% bonds, 7.9% gold, 6.9% real estate, and 1.2% cash. The significant exposure to global equities has been the main driver of returns, while bonds and gold continue to play their role as stabilising assets.
The context: an exceptional half-year for all our portfolios
This acceleration is neither a coincidence nor an isolated case. It is consistent with what we explained in our Exceptional Portfolio Returns Report as of June 2026: despite a volatile spring marked by geopolitical tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel, markets delivered a record quarter, with the S&P 500 rising 15% and the Nasdaq gaining 21%, their best quarter since 2020.
Against this backdrop, the average inbestMe investor (risk profile 7) has accumulated +93.1% since 2017, with a 7.1% annualised return (CAGR), well above its benchmark category. Higher-risk portfolios, such as the risk profile 8 portfolio featured here, have comfortably exceeded 100% cumulative returns.
The Million Portfolio is therefore not a lucky exception—it is a real-life example, with its own name and more than ten years of history, of what our diversified portfolios are achieving.
On the road to one million: the probability keeps improving
Our Goal Forecaster helps put all this into a long-term perspective. According to its Monte Carlo simulations, the one-million-euro goal is currently considered “on track”, with a 57% probability of being achieved or exceeded. One year ago, that probability stood at 51%. Staying committed to the plan, together with favourable market performance, has increased it by six percentage points.
The average outcome of the Monte Carlo simulations projects a final portfolio value of €1,110,000, after total contributions of €203,000.
In other words, around 80% of the final wealth is expected to come from investment growth rather than from the money contributed.
A 57.1% probability of achieving the goal does not mean the work is done. The simulator itself points out that the plan is progressing well, but recommends reviewing it once a year and, if possible, increasing contributions slightly to raise the probability towards 60% or 65%. The encouraging news is that the plan is moving in the right direction, with both time and flexibility still available to make adjustments.
Consistency remains the key
Ten years later, the lesson is the same—only now supported by even more data. There have been painful corrections, including the COVID crash in 2020, the 2022 bear market, and this spring’s volatility, as well as powerful recoveries. The portfolio has moved above and below its expected return trajectory over time, and today it sits comfortably above it. Yet the direction has never changed.
Interestingly, looking at the annual results (see chart above), there have been only three clearly negative years. In other words, 78% of the years have delivered positive returns, despite this being a relatively high-risk portfolio.
It is also important to remain cautious: the portfolio could fall back below +100% cumulative returns, perhaps sooner than expected. Over a 30-year investment horizon, we will undoubtedly experience many more crises of different kinds. That is precisely why investors should avoid becoming overly euphoric when returns exceed expectations, just as they should not give in to fear when returns temporarily fall short.
The Million Portfolio shows that achieving an ambitious financial goal is possible in a realistic, automated and uncomplicated way: a solid plan, recurring contributions, global diversification and low costs. It is a methodology that is within reach of anyone, according to their own savings capacity.
Once again, we would like to recognise everyone who, like the Million Portfolio, remains committed to their investment plan.
It is not always easy, but as this portfolio demonstrates, consistency tends to pay off.
