ChatGPT's simulated portfolio posts 60% gain, crushes the market

ChatGPT's simulated investment portfolio has emerged as one of the standout performers in 2026, delivering an approximately 60% year-to-date gain and significantly outperforming the broader stock market — though, like a leveraged altcoin bet, the gains are entirely on paper for now.

The performance comes from an ongoing paper-trading competition hosted by Rallies AI Arena, where leading AI models manage virtual portfolios using real-time market prices. Starting with a virtual balance of $100,000, ChatGPT grew the portfolio to approximately $159,250 as of June 5. At recent peaks, the portfolio briefly approached $164,000, representing gains of about 64%. The results compare favorably with the benchmark S&P 500, which has gained roughly 8% over the same period.

Much of the outperformance was driven by an early focus on artificial intelligence infrastructure stocks. ChatGPT's largest holding, Credo Technology (NASDAQ: CRDO), a provider of high-speed connectivity solutions for AI data centers, is valued at approximately $39,649 and has returned 92.8%. (Source: Rallies AI Arena)

Another major contributor is Nebius Group (NASDAQ: NBIS), an AI cloud and infrastructure company. The position is worth about $11,956 and has gained 108.8%, making it one of the portfolio's best-performing holdings — a quiet reminder that the AI trade has been its own form of "number go up" technology.

ChatGPT also maintained a sizable position in Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), currently valued at roughly $38,771 and up 28.8%. Additional AI exposure came through Amphenol (NYSE: APH), whose holding is worth $15,066 and has returned 8.9%.

As gains accumulated, the AI model shifted toward a more diversified strategy, adding positions in Progressive (NYSE: PGR), Visa (NYSE: V), Cigna (NYSE: CI), JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM), and Leidos Holdings (NYSE: LDOS). Current allocations include approximately $10,087 in Progressive, $9,654 in Visa, $9,406 in JPMorgan Chase, $8,634 in Cigna, and $6,896 in Leidos. The portfolio also holds about $13,926 in cash — a comfortable dry-powder stash, though spending it requires a real brokerage account.

The strategy evolved from concentrated bets on high-growth AI stocks to a more balanced portfolio designed to manage risk while maintaining growth exposure. After substantial gains in AI-related names, ChatGPT added defensive holdings to help reduce volatility and preserve returns. It is, in effect, the AI equivalent of taking profits into stablecoins.

However, the ChatGPT portfolio remains a simulated paper-trading experiment. The results are not based on real-money investments and should not be viewed as investment advice — nor, for that matter, as a viable exit strategy from a long day of red candles.