SOUND INVESTING PODCAST

10/29/2025

https://anchor.fm/s/10bb8090/podcast/play/110389387/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2025-9-29%2F51a29034-04bb-6964-d35e-11b89b24008f.mp3 Paul Merriman
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Show Notes

About This Episode

๐Ÿ“ˆ Table G-1b: Fine-Tuning Table — S&P 500 vs U.S. SCV Equity Portfolio Outperformance
Prepared by Daryl Balls, this 54-year comparison (1970–2024) demonstrates how small-cap value has consistently outperformed the S&P 500 over time. The two rightmost columns — highlighting rolling 15-year and 20-year outperformance — are especially compelling, showing that even after periods of apparent weakness, SCV regains its strength.
โžก๏ธ Explore Table G-1b: Fine-Tuning S&P vs SCV


๐Ÿ“‰ Tables B1, H2, H2A, and D1.4: Core Bootcamp Comparisons
From the Foundation’s Sound Investing Bootcamp series, these tables reveal how diversified equity portfolios have performed versus the S&P 500, both in accumulation and distribution phases. They help investors see that broad diversification — especially adding small-cap value — historically improves returns and risk-adjusted outcomes.

  • Table B1: All-Equity Portfolio Returns by Asset Class (1928–2024)
  • Table H2: 60/40 Portfolio Distribution Outcomes (1970–2024)
  • Table H2A: All-Equity Portfolio Distribution Outcomes (1970–2024)
  • Table D1.4: Historical Equity Premiums and Drawdowns

โžก๏ธ See all Bootcamp Tables


Paul, Chris, and Daryl explain that small-cap value premiums come in bursts — often following years of average performance. As Paul notes, SCV has had multiple 15- to 20-year stretches of breaking even with the S&P 500, followed by explosive 3- to 10-year “catch-up” periods that deliver outsized gains. The data in Table G-1b makes this clear: over 54 years, SCV continues to deliver a meaningful performance edge.

As Daryl reminds listeners, “those two columns on the right are powerful.” They show that long-term investors who remain patient — and maintain a disciplined exposure to small-cap value — have been well rewarded.


  • Patience is the premium. Factor returns are unpredictable year to year, but history rewards persistence.
  • Diversification is defense. Combining S&P 500 with small-cap value reduces regret during both booms and busts.
  • Data over drama. The Foundation’s free tools, calculators, and tables are designed to help you make rational, informed choices for the long term.


๐ŸŽง Listen now on Spotify or YouTube to hear Paul, Chris, and Daryl discuss new tools like the Two Funds for Life Calculator , updates to the Best-in-Class ETF Recommendations , and their vision for the next generation of financial education.

Featured Tables and ChartsWhy Small-Cap Value Still Packs a PunchEducational Takeaways

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