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Articles on EMM

  • ETF Cloning of the Schwab VA

    11/30/2010

    In a previous article noted that Variable Annuities have well chosen sub account funds that can lead to a portfolio that can deliver good returns. We now examine the Schwab Select Annuity, compare it with the Fidelity Personal Retirement Annuity and see how well an ETF clone performs

    In Summary, the Fidelity Personal Retirement Annuity's plan consists of 56 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 5 major assets: US Equity, Foreign Equity, REITs, Emerging Market Equity and Fixed Income.

    Asset Class

    Schwab

    Fidelity

    US

    35

    13

    International

    5

    5

    Sector

    3

    12

    Balanced

    2

    8

    Fixed income

    9

    7

    Emerging Markets

    1

    3

    Real estate

    1

    1

    Target Date

    0

    7


    We are now going to build a clone plan and see how it performs. We will simplify the choice and not duplicate styles.

    US Funds

    Style Fidelity ETF

    LARGE BLEND

     DGAGX  KBCAX  PIODX  PJIAX  SICWX  SWHGX  SWPPX

     VTI

    LARGE GROWTH

     AAGOX  JGIIX  NMTBX  SDGAX

     VUG

    LARGE VALUE

     ACGMX  ACSDX  AVLIX  KDCAX  MEIIX

     

     VTV

    MID-CAP BLEND

     GMCBX  GTAVX  RMVSX  SOPVX

     VO

    Mid-Cap Growth

     AMGOX  BGRFX  DFCIX  TEGAX

     IJK

    Mid-Cap Growth

     FMCCX

     

    MID-CAP VALUE

    ABASX
    AVUA 
    IPVIX 

     IJJ

    SMALL BLEND

    KDSAX
    SMEIX

     VB

    Small Growth  PGOFX  SIGWX  SSDAX  VBK
    Small Value  CSSBX  DEVLX  FBVAX  VBR


    The US funds choice is very wide and here we will not mirror all the choices just one in each style category.

    International Funds

    Style Fidelity ETF

    World Stock

     JWGRX

     EFA

    World Stock

     OGLYX

     VT


    Similarly we will match one style in each category in the international asset class.

    Emerging markets

    Style Fidelity ETF

    Emerging Markets

     LZEMX

     EEM

     

       


    We select two emerging market ETF's to provide an alternative style.

    Real Estate

    Styles Fidelity ETF

    REAL ESTATE

     IYR

    IYR, RWX


    Real estate is under represented -- an international REIT would strengthen this asset class. We will add an international REIT Fund to the ETF's.

    Fixed Income

    Style Fidelity ETF

    Emerging Markets Bond

     MSIEX

     EMB

    High Yield Bond

     FHNIX

     HYG

    Inflation-Protected Bond

     PRRIX

     TIP

    Intermediate-Term Bond

     FBNDX

    BND

    Intermediate-Term Bond

     PTTRX

     

    Cash

     CASH

    CASH

    Short-Term Bond

     PTLDX

     SHY


    The fixed income class is well balanced with good choices and diversification. We match this with the exception of having a second intermediate term bond.

    We are not attempting to match any of the balanced funds as there is no opportunity to use these in a standalone portfolio. While the managed funds are available, the fee structure is such that the returns are going to leak into other people's pockets and it will pay you to be on top of your own investments -- either directly or through a professional.

    We now compare the returns of the two plans using tactical and asset allocation strategies with a moderate risk portfolio.

     

    Performance chart (as of Nov 19, 2010)

    Performance table (as of Nov 19, 2010)



    The Variable Annuity Portfolios have a clear lead over its ETF clone. The reason for this is the larger number of funds to allow styles rotation.

    In fact, to get similar performance using ETF's, you would need to go to one of the richest plans -- provided by TD Ameritrade. The comparison is below.

    Performance chart (as of Nov 19, 2010)

    Performance table (as of Nov 19, 2010)

     


    One important note is that the returns are before fees are assessed. Variable annuities are complex instruments with fees that can be in excess of 2% of the asset base per year. Even so, the historical returns are good and there is the benefit that gains are not taxed.

    Looking at the fund design for Variable Annuities can be instructive to allow you to build a plan that enables portfolios that give you good risk adjusted returns.

     

    labels:investment,

    Symbols:AGG,AOK,AOM,BIV,BND,BSV,CIU,CSJ,DBC,DBE,DBN,DBR,DBT,DBU,DEM,DES,DGG,DKA,DLN,DON,DPN,DRF,DSC,DWM,EEM,EFA,EFG,EFV,ELG,ELV,EMG,EMM,EMV,EXI,EZM,GBF,GII,GMM,GWL,HYG,ICF,IGE,IJH,IJJ,IJK,IJR,IOO,IP,IPF,IPW,ITE,IVE,IVV,IVW,IWM,IWP,IWR,IWS,IWV,IWW,IWZ,IXC,IXJ,IXP,

     

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  • Top Tier ETF Broker Playoffs II

    10/26/2010

    ETF’s continue to broaden their appeal both in terms of flexibility and low cost. With commission free ETF’s, more money stays in the investors pocket rather than disappearing in fees. We have completed the first analysis of TD Ameritrade and Schwab, we now proceed to examine Vanguard and Fidelity – two long term ETF providers.
     
    Vanguard is one of the largest index fund and ETF providers offering commission-free trading to its brokerage clients that use its lineups of 62 proprietary ETFs. Commission free ETF's are also offered by Fidelity and Schwab but Vanguard has the highest number of proprietary funds available.

    These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 5 major assets: Us Equity , Foreign Equity , Emerging Market Equity , Reits , Fixed Income .

    The list of minor asset classes covered:
    Communications: IXP , PTE , DGG , LTL 
    Consumer Discretionary: RXI , VCR 
    Consumer Staples: KXI , VDC , PSL , DPN , RHS 
    Diversified Emerging Mkts: EEM , GMM , PXH , DEM , SCHE 
    Diversified Pacific/asia: EPP , VPL , GMF , PAF 
    Equity Energy: ITE , IXC , IPW , DBE , RYE , DKA 
    Europe Stock: IEV , VGK , PEF , DEB 
    Financial: IYF , VFH , IPF , PFI , DRF , RYF 
    Foreign Large Blend: EFA , VEU , GWL , PFA 
    Foreign Small/mid Growth: IFSM , VSS , SCHC 
    Health: IYH , IXJ , VHT , XBI , PBE , DBR , RYH 
    High Yield Bond: HYG , JNK , PHB 
    Industrials: IYJ , EXI , VIS 
    Intermediate Government: IEI , VGIT , ITE 
    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 
    Long Government: TLT , TLH , IEF , EDV , VGLT , TLO , PLW 
    Long-term Bond: CLY , LQD , BLV , VCLT 
    Mid-cap Blend: IJH , IWR , JKG , VO , MDY , EMM , PJG , DON , EZM , MVV 
    Mid-cap Growth: IJK , IWP , VOT , EMG , PWJ , RFG , UKW 
    Mid-cap Value: IJJ , IWS , JKI , VOE , EMV , PWP , RFV , UVU 
    Natural Resources: IYM , IGE , VAW , XLB , XME , PYZ , DBN , RTM , UYM 
    Real Estate: IYR , ICF , VNQ 
    Short Government: SHY , SHV , VGSH , PLK , USY 
    Short-term Bond: CSJ , BSV , VCSH 
    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 
    Technology: MTK , PTF , DBT , RYT , ROM 
    Utilities: GII , PUI , DBU , RYU , UPW 
    World Stock: IOO , VT

    As of Oct 22, 2010, this plan investment choice is rated as based on MyPlanIQ Plan Rating methodology that was designed to measure how effective a plan's available investment funds are . It has the following detailed ratings:

    Diversification
     -- Rated as average (57%) 
    Fund Quality -- Rated as average (60%) 
    Portfolio Building -- Rated as average (39%) 
    Overall Rating: average (50%)

    The chart and table below show the historical performance of moderate model portfolios employing strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies ( SAA and TAA , both provided by MyPlanIQ). For comparison purpose, we also include the moderate model portfolios of a typical 5 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 ) 
    Emerging Market Equity:( EEM or VWO ) 
    Reits:( IYR or VNQ or ICF ) 
    Fixed Income:( AGG or BND ) 

    Performance chart (as of Oct 22, 2010)
    Performance table (as of Oct 22, 2010)

    Portfolio Name
    1Yr AR
    1Yr Sharpe
    3Yr AR
    3Yr Sharpe
    5Yr AR
    5Yr Sharpe
    13%
    83%
    6%
    35%
    13%
    81%
    15%
    116%
    2%
    6%
    8%
    42%
    11%
    72%
    7%
    54%
    15%
    105%
    14%
    103%
    3%
    13%
    9%
    41%


    Currently, asset classes in Emerging Market Equity( EEM , VWO ) , Reits( IYR , VNQ , ICF ) and Fixed Income( AGG , BND ) are doing relatively well. These asset classes are available to Vanguard 62 participants.

     
    Fidelity now makes trading 25 iShares ETFs for free. These ETFs cover complete US equity sizes and styles (large/mid/small caps and growth/blend/value styles). It covers international equity markets well too. In additon, it has good fixed income ETFs. The missing major asset classes are REITs and commodities. We hope those will be made free too. A plan called Fidelity Commission Efficient ETFs extends this plan by including several addtional ETFs (which cost $7.95 flat commission per trade).
    Fidelity 25 Commission Free ETFs's 401K plan consists of 25 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 4 major assets: Us Equity , Foreign Equity , Emerging Market Equity , Fixed Income . The list of minor asset classes covered:
    Diversified Emerging Mkts: EEM , GMM , PXH , DEM , SCHE 
    Emerging Markets Bond: PCY 
    Foreign Large Blend: EFA , VEU , GWL , PFA 
    Foreign Small/mid Value: SCZ 
    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 
    Long-term Bond: CLY , LQD , BLV , VCLT 
    Mid-cap Blend: IJH , IWR , JKG , VO , MDY , EMM , PJG , DON , EZM , MVV 
    Mid-cap Growth: IJK , IWP , VOT , EMG , PWJ , RFG , UKW 
    Mid-cap Value: IJJ , IWS , JKI , VOE , EMV , PWP , RFV , UVU 
    Muni National Long: MUB , TFI , PZA , MLN 
    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 Oct 22, 2010, this plan investment choice is rated as based on MyPlanIQ Plan Rating methodology that was designed to measure how effective a plan's available investment funds are.

    It has the following detailed ratings:
    Diversification -- Rated as average (63%) 
    Fund Quality -- Rated as poor (9%) 
    Portfolio Building -- Rated as below average (14%) 
    Overall Rating: below average (27%)

    The chart and table below show the historical performance of moderate model portfolios employing strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies ( SAA and TAA , both provided by MyPlanIQ). 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 ) 
    Emerging Market Equity:( EEM or VWO ) 
    Fixed Income:( AGG or BND ) 

    Performance chart (as of Oct 22, 2010)
     

    Performance table (as of Oct 22, 2010)

    Portfolio Name
    1Yr AR
    1Yr Sharpe
    3Yr AR
    3Yr Sharpe
    5Yr AR
    5Yr Sharpe
    3%
    24%
    3%
    19%
    11%
    71%
    10%
    68%
    -0%
    -3%
    7%
    28%
    2%
    14%
    6%
    47%
    14%
    90%
    10%
    75%
    2%
    5%
    8%
    37%


    Currently, asset classes in Foreign Equity( EFA , VEU ) , Emerging Market Equity( EEM , VWO ) and Fixed Income( AGG , BND ) are doing relatively well. These asset classes are available to Fidelity 25 Commission Free ETFs participants.

    To summarize:
    • Vanguard 62 Commission Free ETFs plan participants have seen returns in the 8-13% range for a moderate portfolio with strategic and tactical asset allocation based on having a five asset class portfolio.
    • Fidelity 25 Commission Free ETFs plan participants have seen returns in the 7-11% range for a moderate portfolio with strategic and tactical asset allocation based on having a five asset class portfolio.
    Given the greater number and greater diversification, the Vanguard plan would be the one most likely to continue to deliver better risk adjusted returns and so is declared the winner and moves on to the final round

    labels:investment,

    Symbols:AGG,BIV,BLV,BND,BSV,CIU,CLY,CSJ,DBE,DBN,DBR,DBT,DBU,DEB,DEM,DES,DGG,DKA,DLN,DON,DPN,DRF,DSC,DSG,DSV,EDV,EEM,EFA,ELG,ELV,EMG,EMM,EMV,EPP,EXI,EZM,GII,GMF,GMM,GWL,HYG,ICF,IEF,IEI,IEV,IFSM,IGE,IJH,IJJ,IJK,IJR,IJS,IJT,IOO,IPF,IPW,ITE,IVE,IVV,IVW,IWM,IWN,IWO,IW,


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  • Ford Motor Company 401K Plan: Diversified and High Quality

    10/24/2010

    In this article, we will discuss Ford Motor 401K 

     

    Ford Motor Company (Ticker: F) designs, develops, manufactures, and services cars and trucks worldwide. It operates in two sectors, Automotive and Financial Services. Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903 and is based in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford is one of the pioneers in automobile industry.

    Ford Motor 401K's 401K plan consists of 24 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 Blend: EFA , VEU , GWL , PFA
    Foreign Small/mid Growth: IFSM , VSS , SCHC
    Global Real Estate: IFGL , RWX
    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
    Mid-cap Blend: IJH , IWR , JKG , VO , MDY , EMM , PJG , DON , EZM , MVV
    Retirement Income:
    Small Blend: IJR , IWM , JKJ , VB , DSC , PJM , DES , SAA , UWM , SCHA
    Target Date 2016-2020: TZG
    Target Date 2026-2030: TZL
    Target Date 2036-2040: TZV
    Target Date 2050+:
    World Stock: IOO , VT

    As of Oct 22, 2010, this plan investment choice is rated as Above Average based on MyPlanIQ Plan Rating methodology that was designed to measure how effective a plan's available investment funds are . It has the following detailed ratings:

    Diversification -- Rated as above average (76%)
    Fund Quality -- Rated as above average (69%)
    Portfolio Building -- Rated as above average (71%)
    Overall Rating: above average (72%)

    The Fund Quality ranking is very reasonable. Its selection includes Fidelity Contrafund, Neuberger Berman Genesis Instl and Royce funds. 

    The chart and table below show the historical performance of moderate model portfolios employing strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies ( SAA and TAA , both provided by MyPlanIQ). 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 Oct 22, 2010)

    Performance table (as of Oct 22, 2010)

    Currently, asset classes in Us Equity( SPY , VTI ) , Foreign Equity( EFA , VEU ) , REITs ( IYR , VNQ , ICF ) and Fixed Income( AGG , BND ) are doing relatively well. These asset classes are available to Ford Motor 401K participants.

    To summarize, Ford Motor 401K plan provides above average choices to its plan participants. As one of the major automobile manufacturers, Ford employees can benefit from such a plan to support their retirement needs.

     

    labels:investment,

    Symbols:F,SPY,VTI,EFA,VEU,IYR,VNQ,ICF,AGG,BND,CIU,BIV,GWL,PFA,IFGL,RWX,TZG,TZL,TZV,IVV,IYY,IWV,VV,DLN,RSP,SCHX,IOO,VT,IVW,IWZ,JKE,VUG,ELG,QQQQ,RPG,SCHG,IJH,IWR,JKG,VO,MDY,EMM,PJG,DON,EZM,MVV,IFSM,VSS,SCHC,IJR,IWM,JKJ,VB,DSC,PJM,DES,SAA,UWM,SCHA,TIP,ETF,Portfolio,Building,401K,

     

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