Msci World Backtest Instant

The index launched just before the 1987 Black Monday crash (-23% in one month). This is a critical reminder: even diversified global equity can crash simultaneously. Recovery took 22 months. The early 1990s recession and Gulf War saw flat returns.

Executive Summary

| Metric | Value | |--------|-------| | Total Return (cumulative) | ~1,840% | | Annualized Return (CAGR) | 8.1% | | Annualized Volatility | 15.2% | | Sharpe Ratio (risk-free = 3% avg) | 0.34 | | Maximum Drawdown | -52.7% (Oct 2007 – Feb 2009) | | Worst Year | -40.3% (2008) | | Best Year | +36.2% (1997) | | Positive years | 28 out of 39 (~72%) | msci world backtest

Annualized return ~23%. The MSCI World became increasingly tech-heavy (US tech weight grew from ~10% to 28%). Backtest shows this period was driven by multiple expansion, not earnings. Warning: many backtests fail to adjust for the fact that MSCI removed some tech losers post-2000 (survivorship bias). The index launched just before the 1987 Black

Zero transaction costs, no taxes, perfect liquidity, monthly rebalancing to cap weights. The early 1990s recession and Gulf War saw flat returns

7/10 (Deducted points for survivorship bias, dividend tax ambiguity, and currency overhang)

Yes, but only alongside a Monte Carlo simulation and a rolling-window analysis. A single line from 1987 to 2026 is a trap.