The Index Matrix App
Powerful perspective. Better investment decisions.
A unique and captivating view of market risk for long-term investors
Updated through 2023, the Index Matrix is a browser-based app that displays the historical returns for 41 US and non-US asset class indexes (Asia/Pacific, Australia, Canada, Europe and Scandinavia, Japan, and UK) using a visually powerful heat-mapping technique.
From any starting year along the diagonal, investors can view yearly returns from 1927 to 2023 (for most US indexes) and annualized returns (up from the diagonal) for longer periods up to 97 years. Heat mapping of return ranges offers a big picture view of the “green pastures” the US stock market offers to patient investors who can get beyond the “barbed wire” of short-term volatility.
The Index Matrix app includes many other features as well (see below).
Note: An annual subscription includes PDF downloads of 24″ x 36″ wall posters and 8.5″ x 11″ investor handouts (see posters below).
App Features
Select Index
Choose one of 23 indexes from the pulldown menu.
Keep Returns Off
Create a more powerful visual without the clutter of returns.
Turn Returns On
Get deeper in the weeds by showing the returns in the cells.
Show After Inflation
Most useful with the fixed-income indexes.
Choose Timeframe
Choose a specific year range with returns on or off.
Highlight Year Range
Show 1-5, 6-10, or 11-15 year range across all starting years to show benefit of patience.
Show Details
Review the metrics for the index for a year range.
Compare
Show returns for all indexes and sort by annual return and risk.
Posters & Handouts
Total US Stock Market Matrix
The poster is based on the Dimensional US Market Index matrix from 1928-2023.
One version has no returns in the cells and the other version includes returns.
US Small Value Stock Matrix
The poster is based on the Dimensional US Small Cap Value Index matrix from 1928-2023.
One version has no returns in the cells and the other version includes returns.
Yearly Returns Are Random (boxes)
For the period 1995 to 2023, this poster shows a set of core asset classes ranked from highest return to lowest return each year. It’s purpose is to illustrate the randomness of asset class leadership year-to-year and the folly of under- or over-weighting asset classes based on predictions of future performance.
One version has no returns in the cells and the other version includes returns.
Yearly Returns Are Random (lines)
This poster tracks the yearly changes in rank for the asset classes and includes an asset class mix for comparison of volatility.
The History of Market Ups and Downs
This poster shows US market history in a different perspective from the matrix posters. Using monthly data, an up market is defined as a sustained rise in stock prices prior to a 20% or more decline. A down market ends after a 20% gain in the market. The duration and degree of each cycle is displayed along with a “growth of $1” line.
Benefit from over 90 years of stock market history
Our tool’s heat map visualization helps investors and financial advisors direct focus away from over 4,500 return numbers (US indexes) to more powerful and relevant long-term trends.
Train your advisory team
Market history isn’t typically taught in Certified Financial Planner™ courses. Use our app to prep next-gen advisors for client interactions.
Mitigate clients’ market anxiety
It’s not enough to tell yourself or your clients “this has happened before.” With The Index Matrix app and printed images (posters and handouts), you can actually show them.