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Cautious Fund Surfing | SPY vs. SHY | 2x
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A symphony is an automated trading strategy — Learn more about symphonies here

About

A rules-based, risk-controlled tactical bet that uses SPY vs SHY momentum and SPY volatility to decide between a 2x levered stock position (SSO) and a safe bond position (SGOV), with multi-timeframe checks and a diversification sleeve.
NutHow it works
What it does in plain language: - It compares the momentum of stocks (SPY) to bonds (SHY) over several recent periods using a simple momentum gauge (RSI). If SPY looks weaker than SHY on a window, the system considers a stock-tilt using a levered fund (SSO), but only if recent stock volatility is not too high. - It checks SPY’s recent price swings (volatility). If those swings are small enough (below a threshold that depends on the chosen risk tier: 1%, 1.5%, or 2%), it buys SSO to gain amplified exposure to stocks. If volatility is higher than the threshold, it instead holds a safer position in SGOV (short-term bonds). - It repeats this logic across several look-back windows (14, 21, 28, 35, 42 days) to avoid tricks from a single short-term spike, effectively layering multiple checks before placing a levered bet. - When not triggering SSO, SGOV serves as the safe fallback to dampen risk. In addition, a fixed diversification sleeve (SIVR, IAK, PGR, AJG) is present with specified weights for broader exposure. - The overall approach is intentionally cautious: use leverage only when momentum is favorable and volatility is under control; otherwise tilt toward safer assets or cash. The design emphasizes protecting capital in choppy markets while allowing opportunistic upside when conditions align.
CheckmarkValue prop
Out-of-sample edge: ~43% annualized return vs ~23% for S&P, Sharpe ~2.20 vs ~1.14, drawdown ~11% vs ~15%, and Calmar ~3.92. A momentum- and volatility-filtered tilt to leveraged stocks with diversification sleeve.

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Invest in this strategy
OOS Start Date
Mar 4, 2025
Trading Setting
Threshold 1%
Type
Stocks
Category
Risk-managed momentum, leveraged equity, spy/shy signals, multi-timeframe, tactical allocation, spy, sso, sgov, diversification
Tickers in this symphonyThis symphony trades 8 assets in total
Ticker
Type
AJG
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Stocks
IAK
iShares U.S. Insurance ETF
Stocks
PGR
Progressive Corporation
Stocks
SGOV
iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF
Stocks
SHY
iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF
Stocks
SIVR
abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF
Stocks
SPY
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Stocks
SSO
ProShares Ultra S&P500
Stocks

FAQ

A Composer symphony is an automated trading strategy that executes trades based on parameters of your choice. Some symphonies are similar to holding one ETF in normal conditions and rotating to a different ETF when market conditions shift, for example a 5% drop in the S&P 500, while others use complex rules with dozens of triggers. However, complex doesn’t always mean better. A simple, well-structured symphony can be just as effective as an intricate one. Learn more about how symphonies work here.

The symphony is currently performing the same as yesterday today. Performance updates in real time during market hours.

The symphony is currently allocated toAJG, IAK, PGR, SSOandSIVR. Holdings automatically adjust as market conditions change based on the strategy's rules.

Year-to-date, the symphony has returned 23.70%. You can adjust the performance chart above to view returns across different time horizons.

The maximum drawdown for the symphony is 11.93%. The maximum drawdown measures the largest peak-to-trough decline. It's an important metric to evaluate risk and the strategy's behavior during market stress.

To invest in the symphony, simply click the Invest button on this page. You'll need to open an account with Composer if you don't have one yet, then you can start investing. Composer will automatically execute the trades for you based on the strategy's rules. Composer also supports trading individual stocks, ETFs, and options.