Asset Allocation Interactive (AAI) - Research Affiliates adds Correlation, and Valuation Models coverage that Total Real Returns skips.
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
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Friday, December 26, 2025
Tool Comparison
Asset Allocation Interactive (AAI) - Research Affiliates vs Total Real Returns comparison
Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.
Quick takeaways
Total Real Returns includes Risk Metrics categories that Asset Allocation Interactive (AAI) - Research Affiliates omits.
In depth comparison
Asset Allocation Interactive (AAI) - Research Affiliates
interactive.researchaffiliates.com
A free interactive platform that publishes Research Affiliates’ capital market expectations each month. You can explore expected returns, correlations, and efficient frontiers across a wide set of asset classes and geographies. Excel downloads are available (though without full time-series) and charts can be exported. All results are model-based, hypothetical, and provided for informational purposes only.
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- Two expected-return models: one valuation-driven and one based on yield and growth, with the option to blend them.
- Interactive Portfolio Builder lets you create, save, and analyze custom portfolios.
- Coverage spans more than 140 assets and model portfolios, available in six base currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD). Expectations are refreshed monthly and remain free to access.
- Country dashboards provide data for 41 equity markets (22 developed, 19 emerging), including GDP trends, CAPE ratios, and inflation views.
- Correlation view displays a full heat-map matrix of expected cross-asset relationships.
Community votes (overall)
Total Real Returns
totalrealreturns.com
Web tool for CPI-U inflation-adjusted ("real") and nominal total return charts with dividends reinvested, plus returns tables and drawdowns (EOD; daily updates ~8pm ET).
Categories
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- CPI-U inflation-adjusted "Total Real Return" charts with dividends reinvested (purchasing-power view).
- Toggle inflation adjustment on/off (real vs. nominal dollars) on chart pages.
- Compare multiple symbols on a single chart by entering comma-separated tickers.
- Controls for custom date ranges and normalization modes (Start=1, End=1, IPO=1, Off).
- Per-symbol performance breakdown includes overall return, exponential trendline/annualized rates (with R^2), growth of $10,000, annual returns, and drawdowns.
Community votes (overall)
Where they differ
Asset Allocation Interactive (AAI) - Research Affiliates
Distinct strengths include:
- Two expected-return models: one valuation-driven and one based on yield and growth, with the option to blend them.
- Interactive Portfolio Builder lets you create, save, and analyze custom portfolios.
- Coverage spans more than 140 assets and model portfolios, available in six base currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD). Expectations are refreshed monthly and remain free to access.
- Country dashboards provide data for 41 equity markets (22 developed, 19 emerging), including GDP trends, CAPE ratios, and inflation views.
Total Real Returns
Distinct strengths include:
- CPI-U inflation-adjusted "Total Real Return" charts with dividends reinvested (purchasing-power view).
- Toggle inflation adjustment on/off (real vs. nominal dollars) on chart pages.
- Compare multiple symbols on a single chart by entering comma-separated tickers.
- Controls for custom date ranges and normalization modes (Start=1, End=1, IPO=1, Off).
Feature-by-feature breakdown
| Attribute | Asset Allocation Interactive (AAI) - Research Affiliates | Total Real Returns |
|---|---|---|
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets | Shared: Data Visualizations Unique: Correlation, Valuation Models | Shared: Data Visualizations Unique: Risk Metrics |
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes | Stocks, Bonds, Commodities, Real Estate | Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Currencies |
Experience levels Who each product is built for | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate |
Platforms Where you can access the product | Web | Web |
Pricing High-level pricing models | Free | Free |
Key features Core capabilities called out by each vendor | Unique
| Unique
|
Tested Verified by hands-on testing inside Find My Moat | Yes | Not yet |
Editor pick Featured inside curated shortlists | Highlighted | Standard listing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which workflows do Asset Allocation Interactive (AAI) - Research Affiliates and Total Real Returns both support?
Both platforms cover Data Visualizations workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.
Do Asset Allocation Interactive (AAI) - Research Affiliates and Total Real Returns require subscriptions?
Both Asset Allocation Interactive (AAI) - Research Affiliates and Total Real Returns keep freemium access with optional paid upgrades, so you can trial each platform before committing.
How can you access Asset Allocation Interactive (AAI) - Research Affiliates and Total Real Returns?
Both Asset Allocation Interactive (AAI) - Research Affiliates and Total Real Returns prioritize web or desktop access. Investors wanting a mobile-first workflow may need to rely on responsive web views.
What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?
Asset Allocation Interactive (AAI) - Research Affiliates differentiates itself with Two expected-return models: one valuation-driven and one based on yield and growth, with the option to blend them., Interactive Portfolio Builder lets you create, save, and analyze custom portfolios., and Coverage spans more than 140 assets and model portfolios, available in six base currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD). Expectations are refreshed monthly and remain free to access., whereas Total Real Returns stands out for CPI-U inflation-adjusted "Total Real Return" charts with dividends reinvested (purchasing-power view)., Toggle inflation adjustment on/off (real vs. nominal dollars) on chart pages., and Compare multiple symbols on a single chart by entering comma-separated tickers..
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.