Frequently Asked Questions

Portfoliowiser is a tactical asset allocation (TAA) platform that provides rules-based investment signals using ETFs. It helps investors systematically rotate between asset classes based on momentum, trend, and macro indicators — removing emotion from the investment process.

Tactical asset allocation (TAA) is an investment approach that actively adjusts portfolio weights across asset classes — such as stocks, bonds, commodities, and real estate — based on quantitative signals. Unlike buy-and-hold, TAA strategies aim to participate in uptrends and reduce exposure during downturns.

No. Robo-advisors manage your money directly. Portfoliowiser provides investment signals and portfolio models — you execute trades in your own brokerage account. You stay in full control of your money at all times.

Basic familiarity with ETFs and brokerage accounts is helpful, but not required. Our platform includes educational resources, strategy explanations, and a guided quiz to help you find the right portfolio for your risk profile. Every strategy card explains how it works in plain language.

Most tools offer either passive indexing or active stock-picking. Portfoliowiser sits in between — offering systematic, rules-based strategies that have been backtested across decades of market data. We provide a comprehensive strategy library, portfolio blending, a portfolio finder, and full transparency into every signal and trade.

Each strategy is based on published academic research or well-known quantitative methods (e.g., dual momentum, canary signals, trend health filters). We implement these methods with precise fidelity to the original research, then validate them against decades of historical data.

We use daily and monthly ETF price data from established market data providers. All strategies are computed using total return data (including dividends) to ensure accurate backtesting and signal generation.

Signals are updated monthly, after each month's closing prices are available (typically the first business day of each month). Some strategies also use daily data for intermediate trend health checks.

Momentum investing is based on the empirical observation that assets that have performed well recently tend to continue performing well in the near term. Our strategies use various momentum lookback periods (1, 3, 6, or 12 months) to rank and select top-performing ETFs.

When a strategy's signals indicate unfavorable market conditions (e.g., negative trend, breadth failure), it moves part or all of the portfolio into safe-haven assets like Treasury bonds (e.g., BIL, IEF, TLT). This defensive rotation is what helps TAA strategies limit drawdowns.

Yes. Every strategy and portfolio shows a full equity curve, annual returns, drawdown history, allocation heatmap, and key metrics (CAGR, max drawdown, Sharpe ratio) going back to the earliest available data — typically 2005 or earlier.

A strategy is a single rules-based model (e.g., Dual Momentum). A portfolio blends multiple strategies together with specific weights (e.g., 30% Trend + 40% Macro + 30% Sector) to achieve better diversification and smoother returns.

The free Explorer plan gives you access to 15 curated strategies from the library, up to 8 simulations per month, 3 strategy comparisons per month (2 strategies side-by-side), 1 portfolio finder query per month showing 1 result, 10 AI assistant messages per month, and full access to our Knowledge Hub articles. It is a great way to explore the platform before upgrading.

Pro unlocks all strategies in the library, 50 simulations per month, 15 strategy comparisons per month (up to 4 side-by-side), unlimited portfolio finder queries with 5 results each, 50 AI assistant messages per month, 5 saved scenario slots, 3 saved portfolio slots, and signal tracking with email alerts for up to 5 items.

Institutional gives you everything in Pro with no limits — unlimited simulations, comparisons (up to 6 side-by-side), finder queries, AI assistant messages, saved scenarios, saved portfolios, and tracked items. It also includes PDF export for strategies and portfolios.

Yes. All plans let you run simulations, but the free Explorer plan is limited to 8 per month on the 15 available strategies. Pro and Institutional plans let you run more simulations across all strategies with full parameter customization — adjust momentum lookback periods, trend health filters, number of holdings, canary thresholds, and more.

The Portfolio Finder is a search engine for pre-built portfolios. Filter by CAGR, max drawdown, Sharpe ratio, or strategy style to find portfolios that match your investment goals. Each result includes full backtest metrics and a one-click detailed dashboard.

The Builder lets you combine multiple strategies with custom weights to create your own blended portfolio. You can adjust parameters for each component, see the combined equity curve, and save your creation for monthly tracking.

When you track a saved strategy or portfolio, you receive automatic email notifications at the start of each month with the latest allocation signals. This tells you exactly which ETFs to hold and in what proportions — so you can rebalance in minutes without logging in.

Currently Portfoliowiser is a web application optimized for desktop and tablet use. A mobile-optimized experience is on our roadmap.

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) processed securely through Stripe. We do not store your card details on our servers.

You are billed on the date you subscribe and then monthly on the same date. For example, if you subscribe on March 15, your next billing date is April 15.

Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time from your Account settings. Upgrades take effect immediately. Downgrades take effect at the end of your current billing period.

We offer a free Explorer plan that you can use indefinitely with no credit card required. This lets you explore the platform before deciding to upgrade. There is no time-limited trial — upgrade only when you are ready.

Not currently, but annual plans with a discount are on our roadmap. Subscribe monthly for now and you will be notified when annual pricing becomes available.

You can cancel anytime from your Account settings page. Go to My Workspace → Account → Subscription and click "Cancel Plan." No phone calls or emails needed — it is fully self-service.

You retain full access to your paid features until the end of your current billing period. After that, your account automatically downgrades to the free Explorer plan.

Your saved scenarios and portfolios remain in your account after downgrading. However, if you exceed the free plan's limits (which has zero save slots), you will not be able to create new saves or access tracking features until you resubscribe.

We offer a full refund within 14 days of your first subscription payment if you are not satisfied. After the first 14 days, we do not offer refunds for partial billing periods, but you can cancel anytime to prevent future charges. Contact support@portfoliowiser.com for refund requests.

We do not currently offer a pause feature. You can cancel and resubscribe at any time.

Visit app.portfoliowiser.com and click "Sign Up." You can register with your email address. No credit card is required for the free Explorer plan.

Yes. We use industry-standard encryption (TLS/SSL) for all data in transit. Your authentication is handled through secure protocols, and we never store payment information on our servers (handled by Stripe). We follow security best practices to protect your data.

No, never. We do not sell, share, or trade your personal data with third parties. We use anonymized analytics solely to improve the platform. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Yes. Go to My Workspace → Account and click "Delete Account." This permanently removes your account and all associated data. This action cannot be undone.

Currently, email changes require contacting support. Email support@portfoliowiser.com from your registered email address to request a change.

No. Portfoliowiser provides signals and allocations — you execute trades in your own brokerage account. This means you maintain full custody and control of your assets at all times.

You can use any brokerage that offers commission-free ETF trading. Popular choices include Interactive Brokers, Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Vanguard. We do not have partnerships with or recommend any specific broker.

At the start of each month, check the Current Allocations page for your tracked strategies and portfolios. Compare the new target allocations with your current holdings, and place trades to rebalance accordingly. Most rebalancing takes 5-10 minutes per month.

TAA strategies are monthly, so executing within the first few business days of the month is fine. Signals are based on month-end closing prices, and small timing differences typically have minimal impact on long-term performance.

There is no minimum required by Portfoliowiser — it depends on your brokerage. However, for practical diversification across multiple ETFs, we suggest a minimum of $5,000-$10,000. With fractional shares (offered by many brokers), you can start with less.

The strategies use US-listed ETFs, which are accessible to investors in many countries. However, availability depends on your local brokerage and regulations (e.g., EU PRIIP restrictions may limit access to some US ETFs). Check with your broker for specific ETF availability.

No. Backtested performance is based on historical data and does not guarantee future results. Past performance, while informative for understanding a strategy's behavior across different market regimes, is not a reliable predictor of future returns.

It varies by strategy. Conservative strategies (e.g., bond-focused TAA) have historically shown max drawdowns of 5-15%. Aggressive equity strategies may show 15-30%. Blended portfolios typically fall in the 10-20% range. All drawdown data is transparently displayed.

One of the key advantages of TAA is its ability to rotate into defensive assets during sustained downturns. During events like 2008 and 2022, many TAA strategies significantly outperformed buy-and-hold approaches by moving to bonds or cash equivalents. However, they can experience whipsaw losses during choppy, sideways markets.

Key risks include: (1) Whipsaw — frequent signals during trendless markets can cause small repeated losses; (2) Tracking error — returns will differ significantly from passive benchmarks; (3) Model risk — any quantitative model may underperform in unprecedented market regimes; (4) Execution risk — delayed or incorrect trade execution can impact results.

Our backtests use ETF price data and assume commission-free trading, which is now standard at most brokers. We do not model taxes, as these vary by jurisdiction and account type (taxable vs. tax-advantaged). We recommend implementing TAA strategies in tax-advantaged accounts where possible.

No. Portfoliowiser is an informational and educational platform. We provide quantitative models, backtested data, and investment signals for self-directed investors. Nothing on the platform constitutes personalized investment advice. You should consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

No. Portfoliowiser is a software platform that provides investment research tools and educational content. We are not a registered investment advisor (RIA), broker-dealer, or financial planner.

Our Terms of Service are available at the bottom of every page and at portfoliowiser.com/terms. They outline the terms of use, limitations of liability, and your rights as a user.

Our Privacy Policy is linked in the footer of every page and available at portfoliowiser.com/privacy. It details how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.