News and Articles
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Abercrombie Fitch Can Improve Their Employees Retirement Plan By Providing More Diversification Choi
12/06/2010
This report reviews Abercrombie Fitch Co. Savings and Retirement Plan . We will discuss the investment choices and present the plan rating by MyPlanIQ. Current economic and market conditions are discussed in the context of the investment portfolios in the plan. We will then show how participants in Abercrombie Fitch Co. Savings and Retirement Plan can achieve reasonable investment results using asset allocation strategies.
Plan Review and Rating
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Abercrombie Fitch Co. Savings and Retirement Plan's 401K plan consists of 24 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 3 major assets: US Equity, Foreign Equity, Fixed Income. The list of minor asset classes covered:
Foreign Large Growth: EFG Intermediate-term Bond: AGG, CIU, BIV, BND Large Blend: IVV, IYY, IWV, VTI, VV, SPY, DLN, RSP, SCHX Large Growth: IVW, IWZ, JKE, VUG, ELG, QQQQ, RPG, SCHG Large Value: IVE, IWW, JKF, VTV, ELV, PWV, RPV, SCHV Mid-cap Value: IJJ, IWS, JKI, VOE, EMV, PWP, RFV, UVU Moderate Allocation: AOM Retirement Income: Small Growth: IJT, IWO, JKK, VBK, DSG, PWT, RZG, UKK Small Value: IJS, IWN, JKL, VBR, DSV, PWY, RZV, UVT Target Date 2000-2010: TZD Target Date 2011-2015: TZE Target Date 2016-2020: TZG Target Date 2021-2025: TZI Target Date 2026-2030: TZL Target Date 2031-2035: TZO Target Date 2036-2040: TZV Target Date 2041-2045: Target Date 2050+:
As of Dec 2, 2010, this plan investment choice is rated as based on MyPlanIQ Plan Rating methodology that measures the effectiveness of a plan's available investment funds. It has the following detailed ratings:
Diversification -- Rated as (11%) Fund Quality -- Rated as (40%) Portfolio Building -- Rated as (59%) Overall Rating: (39%)
Current Economic and Market Conditions
We have experienced an uncertain 2010: plenty of worries on whether the US economy will climb out of the great recession and recover.
- The Federal Reserve embarked on Quantitative Easing II (QE2) to stimulate the economy.
- The housing market is still at its low but largely stabilized.
- The unemployment rate is stuck at 9%.
Americans continue to face an uncertain future, given (among others) the high unemployment rate, large federal and local government debts and global trade imbalance. With such an economic backdrop, the stock and debt markets are going to be volatile. Despite this, markets have been resilient and appear positioned to rebound.
In this market it is even more critical to properly diversify and respond market changes. MyPlanIQ offers two asset allocation strategies: strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies ( SAA and TAA for participants in Abercrombie Fitch Co. Savings and Retirement Plan).
Strategic Asset Allocation is based on well known modern portfolio theory and its key features include: diversification, proper fund selection and periodically re-balancing.
Tactical Asset Allocation works on a diversified array of assets provided by funds in a plan and adjusts asset mixes based on market conditions such as asset price momentum utilized by TAA.
Portfolio Discussions
The chart and table below show the historical performance of moderate model portfolios employing strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies. For comparison purpose, we also include the moderate model portfolios of a typical 3 asset SIB (Simpler Is Better) plan . This SIB plan has the following candidate index funds and their ETFs equivalent:
US Equity: (SPY or VTI) Foreign Equity: (EFA or VEU) Fixed Income: (AGG or BND) Performance chart (as of Dec 2, 2010)
Performance table (as of Dec 2, 2010)
Currently, asset classes in US Equity (SPY,VTI), Foreign Equity (EFA,VEU) and Fixed Income (AGG,BND) are doing relatively well. These asset classes are available to Abercrombie Fitch Co. Savings and Retirement Plan participants.
To summarize, Abercrombie Fitch Co. Savings and Retirement Plan plan participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles.
labels:investment,
Symbols:ANF,SPY,VTI,EFA,VEU,AGG,BND,AOM,CIU,BIV,EFG,IVE,IWW,JKF,VTV,ELV,PWV,RPV,SCHV,TZD,TZE,TZG,TZI,TZO,TZL,TZV,IVV,IYY,IWV,VV,DLN,RSP,SCHX,IVW,IWZ,JKE,VUG,ELG,QQQQ,RPG,SCHG,IJJ,IWS,JKI,VOE,EMV,PWP,RFV,UVU,IJS,IWN,JKL,VBR,DSV,PWY,RZV,UVT,IJT,IWO,JKK,VBK,DSG,PWT,
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Apartment Investment and Management Company 401K Plan Provides Reasonable Diversification
12/06/2010
This report reviews Apartment Investment and Management Company 401(k) Retirement Plan . We will discuss the investment choices and present the plan rating by MyPlanIQ. Current economic and market conditions are discussed in the context of the investment portfolios in the plan. We will then show how participants in Apartment Investment and Management Company 401(k) Retirement Plan can achieve reasonable investment results using asset allocation strategies.
Plan Review and Rating
Apartment Investment and Management Company 401(k) Retirement Plan's 401K plan consists of 22 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 4 major assets: US Equity, Foreign Equity, REITs, Fixed Income. The list of minor asset classes covered:
Foreign Large Growth: EFG Inflation-protected Bond: TIP Intermediate-term Bond: AGG, CIU, BIV, BND Large Blend: IVV, IYY, IWV, VTI, VV, SPY, DLN, RSP, SCHX Large Growth: IVW, IWZ, JKE, VUG, ELG, QQQQ, RPG, SCHG Large Value: IVE, IWW, JKF, VTV, ELV, PWV, RPV, SCHV Mid-cap Blend: IJH, IWR, JKG, VO, MDY, EMM, PJG, DON, EZM, MVV Real Estate: IYR, ICF, VNQ Retirement Income: Small Blend: IJR, IWM, JKJ, VB, DSC, PJM, DES, SAA, UWM, SCHA Small Growth: IJT, IWO, JKK, VBK, DSG, PWT, RZG, UKK Small Value: IJS, IWN, JKL, VBR, DSV, PWY, RZV, UVT Target Date 2000-2010: TZD Target Date 2016-2020: TZG Target Date 2026-2030: TZL Target Date 2036-2040: TZV Target Date 2050+:
As of Dec 2, 2010, this plan investment choice is rated as based on MyPlanIQ Plan Rating methodology that measures the effectiveness of a plan's available investment funds. It has the following detailed ratings:
Diversification -- Rated as (76%) Fund Quality -- Rated as (36%) Portfolio Building -- Rated as (87%) Overall Rating: (68%)
Current Economic and Market Conditions
We have experienced an uncertain 2010: plenty of worries on whether the US economy will climb out of the great recession and recover.
- The Federal Reserve embarked on Quantitative Easing II (QE2) to stimulate the economy.
- The housing market is still at its low but largely stabilized.
- The unemployment rate is stuck at 9%.
Americans continue to face an uncertain future, given (among others) the high unemployment rate, large federal and local government debts and global trade imbalance. With such an economic backdrop, the stock and debt markets are going to be volatile. Despite this, markets have been resilient and appear positioned to rebound.
In this market it is even more critical to properly diversify and respond market changes. MyPlanIQ offers two asset allocation strategies: strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies ( SAA and TAA for participants in Apartment Investment and Management Company 401(k) Retirement Plan).
Strategic Asset Allocation is based on well known modern portfolio theory and its key features include: diversification, proper fund selection and periodically re-balancing.
Tactical Asset Allocation works on a diversified array of assets provided by funds in a plan and adjusts asset mixes based on market conditions such as asset price momentum utilized by TAA.
Portfolio Discussions
The chart and table below show the historical performance of moderate model portfolios employing strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies. For comparison purpose, we also include the moderate model portfolios of a typical 4 asset SIB (Simpler Is Better) plan . This SIB plan has the following candidate index funds and their ETFs equivalent:
US Equity: (SPY or VTI) Foreign Equity: (EFA or VEU) REITs: (IYR or VNQ or ICF) Fixed Income: (AGG or BND) Performance chart (as of Dec 2, 2010)
Performance table (as of Dec 2, 2010)
Currently, asset classes in US Equity (SPY,VTI), Foreign Equity (EFA,VEU) and REITs (IYR,VNQ,ICF) are doing relatively well. These asset classes are available to Apartment Investment and Management Company 401(k) Retirement Plan participants.
To summarize, Apartment Investment and Management Company 401(k) Retirement Plan plan participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles.
labels:investment,
Symbols:AIV,SPY,VTI,EFA,VEU,IYR,VNQ,ICF,AGG,BND,CIU,BIV,EFG,IVE,IWW,JKF,VTV,ELV,PWV,RPV,SCHV,TZD,TZG,TZL,TZV,IVV,IYY,IWV,VV,DLN,RSP,SCHX,IVW,IWZ,JKE,VUG,ELG,QQQQ,RPG,SCHG,IJH,IWR,JKG,VO,MDY,EMM,PJG,DON,EZM,MVV,IJS,IWN,JKL,VBR,DSV,PWY,RZV,UVT,IJR,IWM,JKJ,VB,DSC,PJ,
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Allergan Inc. Savings and Investment Plan: More Diversification and Better Fund Quality Can Help
12/04/2010
This report reviews ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN . We will discuss the investment choices and present the plan rating by MyPlanIQ. Current economic and market conditions are discussed in the context of the investment portfolios in the plan. We will then show how participants in ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN can achieve reasonable investment results using asset allocation strategies.
Plan Review and Rating
ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN's 401K plan consists of 13 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 3 major assets: US Equity, Foreign Equity, Fixed Income. The list of minor asset classes covered:
Foreign Large Blend: EFA, VEU, GWL, PFA Intermediate-term Bond: AGG, CIU, BIV, BND Large Blend: IVV, IYY, IWV, VTI, VV, SPY, DLN, RSP, SCHX Large Growth: IVW, IWZ, JKE, VUG, ELG, QQQQ, RPG, SCHG Large Value: IVE, IWW, JKF, VTV, ELV, PWV, RPV, SCHV Moderate Allocation: AOM Short Government: SHY, SHV, VGSH, PLK, USY Small Blend: IJR, IWM, JKJ, VB, DSC, PJM, DES, SAA, UWM, SCHA Small Growth: IJT, IWO, JKK, VBK, DSG, PWT, RZG, UKK Small Value: IJS, IWN, JKL, VBR, DSV, PWY, RZV, UVT World Stock: IOO, VT
As of Dec 2, 2010, this plan investment choice is rated as based on MyPlanIQ Plan Rating methodology that measures the effectiveness of a plan's available investment funds. It has the following detailed ratings:
Diversification -- Rated as (21%) Fund Quality -- Rated as (16%) Portfolio Building -- Rated as (31%) Overall Rating: (24%)
Current Economic and Market Conditions
We have experienced an uncertain 2010: plenty of worries on whether the US economy will climb out of the great recession and recover.
- The Federal Reserve embarked on Quantitative Easing II (QE2) to stimulate the economy.
- The housing market is still at its low but largely stabilized.
- The unemployment rate is stuck at 9%.
Americans continue to face an uncertain future, given (among others) the high unemployment rate, large federal and local government debts and global trade imbalance. With such an economic backdrop, the stock and debt markets are going to be volatile. Despite this, markets have been resilient and appear positioned to rebound.
In this market it is even more critical to properly diversify and respond market changes. MyPlanIQ offers two asset allocation strategies: strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies ( SAA and TAA for participants in ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN).
Strategic Asset Allocation is based on well known modern portfolio theory and its key features include: diversification, proper fund selection and periodically re-balancing.
Tactical Asset Allocation works on a diversified array of assets provided by funds in a plan and adjusts asset mixes based on market conditions such as asset price momentum utilized by TAA.
Portfolio Discussions
The chart and table below show the historical performance of moderate model portfolios employing strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies. For comparison purpose, we also include the moderate model portfolios of a typical 3 asset SIB (Simpler Is Better) plan . This SIB plan has the following candidate index funds and their ETFs equivalent:
US Equity: (SPY or VTI) Foreign Equity: (EFA or VEU) Fixed Income: (AGG or BND) Performance chart (as of Dec 2, 2010)
Performance table (as of Dec 2, 2010)
Currently, asset classes in US Equity (SPY,VTI), Foreign Equity (EFA,VEU) and Fixed Income (AGG,BND) are doing relatively well. These asset classes are available to ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN participants.
To summarize, ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN plan participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles.
labels:investment,
Symbols:AGN,SPY,VTI,EFA,VEU,AGG,BND,AOM,CIU,BIV,GWL,PFA,IVE,IWW,JKF,VTV,ELV,PWV,RPV,SCHV,IVV,IYY,IWV,VV,DLN,RSP,SCHX,IOO,VT,SHY,SHV,VGSH,PLK,USY,IVW,IWZ,JKE,VUG,ELG,QQQQ,RPG,SCHG,IJS,IWN,JKL,VBR,DSV,PWY,RZV,UVT,IJR,IWM,JKJ,VB,DSC,PJM,DES,SAA,UWM,SCHA,IJT,IWO,JKK,
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Aflac 401K Retirement Plan Review
12/04/2010
This report reviews Aflac Incorporated 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan . We will discuss the investment choices and present the plan rating by MyPlanIQ. Current economic and market conditions are discussed in the context of the investment portfolios in the plan. We will then show how participants in Aflac Incorporated 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan can achieve reasonable investment results using asset allocation strategies.
Plan Review and Rating
AFLAC Inc (Ticker:AFL) has the "Aflac Incorporated 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan".
Aflac Incorporated 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan's 401K plan consists of 11 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 3 major assets: US Equity, Foreign Equity, Fixed Income. The list of minor asset classes covered:
Foreign Large Blend: EFA, VEU, GWL, PFA Intermediate-term Bond: AGG, CIU, BIV, BND Large Blend: IVV, IYY, IWV, VTI, VV, SPY, DLN, RSP, SCHX Large Growth: IVW, IWZ, JKE, VUG, ELG, QQQQ, RPG, SCHG Large Value: IVE, IWW, JKF, VTV, ELV, PWV, RPV, SCHV Mid-cap Growth: IJK, IWP, VOT, EMG, PWJ, RFG, UKW Moderate Allocation: AOM Small Growth: IJT, IWO, JKK, VBK, DSG, PWT, RZG, UKK
As of Dec 2, 2010, this plan investment choice is rated as based on MyPlanIQ Plan Rating methodology that measures the effectiveness of a plan's available investment funds. It has the following detailed ratings:
Diversification -- Rated as (35%) Fund Quality -- Rated as (33%) Portfolio Building -- Rated as (36%) Overall Rating: (35%)
Current Economic and Market Conditions
We have experienced an uncertain 2010: plenty of worries on whether the US economy will climb out of the great recession and recover.
- The Federal Reserve embarked on Quantitative Easing II (QE2) to stimulate the economy.
- The housing market is still at its low but largely stabilized.
- The unemployment rate is stuck at 9%.
Americans continue to face an uncertain future, given (among others) the high unemployment rate, large federal and local government debts and global trade imbalance. With such an economic backdrop, the stock and debt markets are going to be volatile. Despite this, markets have been resilient and appear positioned to rebound.
In this market it is even more critical to properly diversify and respond market changes. MyPlanIQ offers two asset allocation strategies: strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies ( SAA and TAA for participants in Aflac Incorporated 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan).
Strategic Asset Allocation is based on well known modern portfolio theory and its key features include: diversification, proper fund selection and periodically re-balancing.
Tactical Asset Allocation works on a diversified array of assets provided by funds in a plan and adjusts asset mixes based on market conditions such as asset price momentum utilized by TAA.
Portfolio Discussions
The chart and table below show the historical performance of moderate model portfolios employing strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies. For comparison purpose, we also include the moderate model portfolios of a typical 3 asset SIB (Simpler Is Better) plan . This SIB plan has the following candidate index funds and their ETFs equivalent:
US Equity: (SPY or VTI) Foreign Equity: (EFA or VEU) Fixed Income: (AGG or BND)
Performance chart (as of Dec 2, 2010)
Performance table (as of Dec 2, 2010)
Currently, asset classes in US Equity (SPY,VTI), Foreign Equity (EFA,VEU) and Fixed Income (AGG,BND) are doing relatively well. These asset classes are available to Aflac Incorporated 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan participants.
To summarize, Aflac Incorporated 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan plan participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles.
labels:investment,
Symbols:AFL,SPY,VTI,EFA,VEU,AGG,BND,AOM,CIU,BIV,GWL,PFA,IVE,IWW,JKF,VTV,ELV,PWV,RPV,SCHV,IVV,IYY,IWV,VV,DLN,RSP,SCHX,IVW,IWZ,JKE,VUG,ELG,QQQQ,RPG,SCHG,IJK,IWP,VOT,EMG,PWJ,RFG,UKW,IJT,IWO,JKK,VBK,DSG,PWT,RZG,UKK,
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High Dividend ETFs Exhibited Strong Trends Amid Rising Stock Markets
12/04/2010
High dividend ETFs can be used to build an income producing portfolio that has lower risk while achieving similar or higher total returns. This was demonstrated in our previous article and has strong academic research backings. MyPlanIQ tracks a list of well known high dividend ETFs including stocks and bonds. For more information, please visit MyPlanIQ 360 Degree Market View
We make the following observations for last week's development:
- International Real Estate (RWX) now takes 2nd. spot in our following trend table.
- All domestic and international dividend ETFs continued their up trend along with the rising stock markets.
- Preferred stock ETF (PFF) is the laggard, not only placed in the bottom spot, but had a down week. This might be due to the lackluster bond markets in the last week.
- U.S. REIT (IYR) actually had a decreasing trend score, illustrating investors rotation to general stock markets.
Assets Class | Symbols | 12/03 Trend Score | 11/26 Trend Score | Direction |
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index |
EEM |
10.99% |
6.85% |
^ |
SPDR DJ Wilshire Intl Real Estate |
RWX |
10.73% |
7.15% |
^ |
SPDR S&P 500 |
SPY |
8.73% |
6.13% |
^ |
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation |
VIG |
8.39% |
6.04% |
^ |
iShares Dow Jones US Real Estate |
IYR |
8.36% |
9.56% |
v |
iShares Dow Jones Intl Select Div Idx |
IDV |
8.12% |
5.1% |
^ |
PowerShares Intl Dividend Achievers |
PID |
7.92% |
6.45% |
^ |
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Indx |
VYM |
7.72% |
5.51% |
^ |
PowerShares HighYield Dividend Achievers |
PEY |
7.34% |
7.32% |
^ |
iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index |
DVY |
7.23% |
6.34% |
^ |
First Trust Value Line Dividend Index |
FVD |
7.12% |
5.9% |
^ |
iShares MSCI EAFE Index |
EFA |
6.94% |
3.67% |
^ |
SPDR S&P Dividend |
SDY |
6.87% |
6.81% |
^ |
iShares S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index |
PFF |
5.52% |
6.97% |
v |
In conclusion, the high yield dividend ETFs have healthy trends and a noticeable outlier is U.S. REITs that is worth monitoring.
labels: investment, Symbols, IYR, RWX, EEM, PID, IDV, PEY, EFA, SPY, SDY, PFF, DVY, FVD, VYM, VIG,
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Can Warren Buffet and John Hussman Ratios be Used to Trigger ETF Asset Movement
12/04/2010
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Using Shiller's CAPE Index to Trigger ETF Asset Movement
12/03/2010
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As Gold/Precious Metals Correct, Agriculture Commodities Stay Strong
12/03/2010
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Shiller CAPE Says US Stocks are 37% Over Valued
12/01/2010
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ETF Cloning of the Schwab VA
11/30/2010
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Major Asset Trends: Emerging Market Stocks Had a Bigger Drop while U.S. REIT Held Up Well
11/30/2010
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Fixed Income Trends: Credit Markets Largely Stabilized
11/30/2010
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Currencies Nov 29
11/30/2010
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Countries Nov 29
11/30/2010
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Commodities Nov 29
11/30/2010
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US Sectors Nov 29
11/30/2010
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ETF's for Income Nov 29
11/29/2010
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Smart Money Nov 29
11/29/2010
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John Hussman's Index: Stocks Are 13% Overvalued
11/26/2010
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Warren Buffett Total Stock Market Value to GNP Ratio Reviewed
11/26/2010
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