Educational investment analysis Not investment advice · Not a fiduciary

Alpha Test Only

Getting Started

Simple steps to start an analysis

You choose the inputs. Steady Otter runs the analysis. No starting mix is required: use the default equal-weight mix, or enter your own percentages.

Financial assumptions, algorithm work, and compute resources are separate controls.

  1. List the ETFs you’re interested in

    Enter ticker symbols separated by commas, or use our AI Wizard to pre-populate the ETF pool for you. This is the pool the analysis will explore.

    ETF entry field with the example tickers VTI, VXUS, BND and GLDM, separated by commas. AI Wizard in the editor, with an example idea for global equities and a small bond sleeve, ready to select matching catalog ETFs.

  2. Add a hypothetical starting mix Optional

    The default starting mix gives each ETF equal weight. Optionally, enter your own percentages as the benchmark to compare with alternatives.

    Weights use 1% steps. Optional ETFs may be zero or meet the minimum-position setting; a positive ticker-specific minimum overrides it. Set ticker maxima and choose monthly rebalancing or drift, analysis depth and compute effort.

    Seed benchmark entry with example weights of VTI 20%, VXUS 10%, BND 50% and GLDM 20%, totaling 100%. The equal-weight option is off.

Then let Steady Otter do the work.

Search alternative mixes
and compare growth, downside, costs, and assumptions.

Historical results and modeled outcomes, clearly separated.

A scenario you can change.

Hypothetical starting amount$100,000
Modeled horizon10 years
Explore a hypothetical starting amount of $100,000 with $500 added each month.

Explore
the what-ifs.

Change hypothetical starting amounts and monthly contributions, then compare a range of modeled outcomes.

Review costs and simplified tax assumptions alongside the projections. Use invented numbers—your actual finances aren’t needed.

How much to dig?

Algorithm budget

Balanced requests more candidate exploration and modeled paths than Quick, with more work to execute.

147,712 proposals

Illustrative main search · 30 ETFs

Balanced
SEPARATE FROM SEARCH DEPTH

Compute effort

Search depth sets the work to do; compute effort sets the resources to do it. Runtime depends on both, as well as the ETF universe and available capacity.

4 hours

Illustrative resource levels

1 GPU
Look at sectors and holdings

Diversity

Set separate preferences for ETF weights, underlying holdings, and sectors. Look beyond fund names to uncover shared holdings and find a mix that spreads your exposure.

Sets a soft preference for spreading weights across ETFs.

Balanced

Potential Results

VTI, VXUS, BND, GLDM, QQQM, AVUV, VEA, VWO

A soft preference for less concentration in the underlying stock holdings across all ETFs in your mix, based on available holdings.

Balanced

Potential Results

NVDA 4%, GOOG 3%, GE 2%, NEM 2%

Compares captured equity-sector concentration among displayed mixes. Historical selection stays unchanged.

Min

Potential Results

Technology, Financial Services