 |
Vanguard ETF: |  |
7.4%* |
|
Diversified Core: | |
8.1%* |
|
Six Core Asset ETFs: | |
7.3%* |
Articles on GWL
- Top Tier ETF Broker Finalists
10/28/2010
We have examined four ETF Providers, Schwab, Ameritrade, Vanguard and Fidelity.
Schwab and Fidelity were removed from the list as Ameritrade and Vanguard both had more asset classes and more funds with which to build a portfolio generating higher returns.
Ameritrade with 101 funds and Vanguard with 62 funds are left with the ability to go into deeper analysis to see whether the extra funds in Ameritrade deliver added value.
TD Ameritrade have multiple ETF's in each minor asset category whereas Vanguard does not. Both brokers offer a very broad range of US equities
Performance chart (as of Oct 25, 2010)Performance table (as of Oct 25, 2010)
Portfolio Name 1Yr AR 1Yr Sharpe 3Yr AR 3Yr Sharpe 5Yr AR 5Yr Sharpe Vanguard 62 Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 14% 93% 5% 33% 13% 81% Vanguard 62 Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 17% 126% 2% 5% 8% 42% TD Ameritrade Commission Free ETFs Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 14% 96% 13% 84% 20% 128% TD Ameritrade Commission Free ETFs Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 10% 89% -1% -10% 8% 44% labels:investment,
Symbols:SPY,VTI,EFA,VEU,EEM,VWO,IYR,VNQ,ICF,AGG,BND,HYG,JNK,PHB,CIU,BIV,GII,PUI,DBU,RYU,UPW,IYH,IXJ,VHT,XBI,PBE,DBR,RYH,IXP,PTE,DGG,LTL,IYM,IGE,VAW,XLB,XME,PYZ,DBN,RTM,UYM,MTK,PTF,DBT,RYT,ROM,GWL,PFA,IVE,IWW,JKF,VTV,ELV,PWV,RPV,SCHV,IYF,VFH,IPF,PFI,DRF,RYF,KXI,
- 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 Name1Yr AR1Yr Sharpe3Yr AR3Yr Sharpe5Yr AR5Yr Sharpe13%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 Name1Yr AR1Yr Sharpe3Yr AR3Yr Sharpe5Yr AR5Yr Sharpe3%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.
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,
- 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 , VTAs 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)
Portfolio Name 1Yr AR 1Yr Sharpe 3Yr AR 3Yr Sharpe 5Yr AR 5Yr Sharpe Ford Motors 401K Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 7% 52% 8% 77% 11% 98% Ford Motors 401K Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 11% 107% 2% 9% 6% 34% Four Core Asset Index Funds REITs Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 12% 82% 6% 58% 10% 93% Four Core Asset Index Funds REITs Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 14% 100% 2% 5% 6% 25% 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,
- TD Ameritrade Commission Free ETF’s Empowers Both Strategic and Tactical Asset Allocation
10/19/2010
The recent news that TD Ameritrade are providing over 100 ETF’s commission free is a perfect fit for a retirement portfolio. Investors are able to trade once a month and pick from a wide range of ETF’s without incurring any trading fees. Combine this with an IRA where the tax consequences of trading are removed and you have an almost ideal scenario and back tested returns demonstrate the point.
There is a continuing dilemma between wanting to increase returns while mitigating downside risk against the perceived risk of adopting a tactical asset allocation strategy. It is clear that tactical asset allocation consistently delivers higher returns at a lower risk. At the same time many are uncomfortable moving away from buy and hold which has been the mantra over the past twenty years.
In a previous article we introduced the notion of a core-satellite portfolio where the assets are split between tactical and strategic asset allocation strategies as a way of introducing tactical asset allocation in a step-by-step fashion.
TD Ameritrade making so many ETF’s available commission free allows another alternative to be considered and that is maintaining classic strategic asset allocation – i.e. all asset classes are fully represented at all times but with so many funds in each class, use fund momentum to rotate styles such that the funds in each asset class are regularly optimized.
CategoryJan-08Jan-09Jan-10Apr-10Jul-10Oct-10US EquitiesIWNVUG, MGKIWNVIGIWSVOInternational EquitiesEWJEWGEWJEWAAAXJAAXJEmerging MarketsEWZEWZEWZILFVWOVWOReal EstateVNQVNQVNQVNQVNQVNQCommoditiesDBCDBCDBCDBCDBCDBCBalanced FundAOKAOKAOKAOKAOKFixed IncomeSHY, WIP, JNKSHM, BWXSHY, WIP, JNKVCSH, BWX, JNKCASH, AGG, JNKCASH, AGG, JNKWe used the MyPlanIQ system to build and monitor a moderate risk (40% fixed income) strategic asset allocation portfolio. With five risk based asset classes, each of those classes would have 12% of the assets dedicated to them but the funds would be evaluated every month and the optimal fund selected based on the momentum within the class.
This can be compared with a Six asset SIB for which there is just one fund in each asset class.
From the performance chart, it is clear that there is increased upside potential from being able to switch funds within an asset class. Unfortunately, there is less ability to minimize downside risk when an asset class is under downward pressure.Despite this, for those who want to stay with a buy and hold in terms of asset classes, using this approach can squeeze some extra returns from the strategy.
With the large number of funds in six asset classes, momentum based asset allocation can be seen in its best light.
Portfolio Performance ComparisonPortfolio Name1Yr AR1Yr Sharpe3Yr AR3Yr Sharpe5Yr AR5Yr Sharpe13%87%13%86%20%128%10%83%-1%-6%9%46%11%93%1%5%8%40%Takeaways- ETF’s provide the basis for an outstanding portfolio with either strategic or tactical asset allocation. This is clearly demonstrated with TD’s wide range of commission free funds
- Using a web based application takes a lot of the effort from finding the best funds for either strategy
- Strategic asset allocation with styles rotation can deliver solid results using a well trusted strategy
- Tactical asset allocation greatly benefits from the large number of funds
labels:investment,
Symbols:GSG,DBC,AOK,EEM,GMM,PXH,DEM,SCHE,PCY,VTI,VT,IEV,VGK,PEF,DEB,EFA,VEU,GWL,PFA,EFG,EFV,PID,DWM,IFSM,VSS,SCHC,SCZ,IFGL,RWX,HYG,JNK,PHB,TIP,IEI,VGIT,ITE,AGG,CIU,BIV,BND,EWJ,JPP,PJO,DXJ,IVV,IYY,IWV,VV,SPY,DLN,RSP,SCHX,IVW,IWZ,JKE,VUG,ELG,QQQQ,RPG,SCHG,IVE,IWW,Commission,Free,ETFs,Strategic,Asset,Allocation,Tactical,Asset,Allocation,Asset,Allocation,styles,rotation,
- Apple 401K: A Great Company with an Average Retirement Plan
10/19/2010
As one of the gee-whiz high tech companies, Apple Inc. (AAPL) is well known for its innovative consumer products such as Macs, iPods, iPhones and iPads. It is also a known fact for many high tech workers in San Francisco Bay Area that Apple provides wonderful employee benefits. In this article, we take a closer look at Apple's 401K plan'sfund lineups and its rating. We then discuss how participants in Apple 401K can achieve reasonable investment results using asset allocation strategies. We will also discuss how those portfolios are positioned in today’s market environment.
Apple 401K's 401K plan consists of 14 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 4 major assets: Fixed Income , US Equity , Foreign Equity , REITs . The list of minor asset classes covered:
Foreign Large Blend: EFA , VEU , GWL , PFAGlobal Real Estate: IFGL , RWXHigh Yield Bond: HYG , JNK , PHBIntermediate-Term Bond: AGG,CIU , BIV,BNDLARGE BLEND: IVV,IYY,IWV , VTI,VV , SPY , DLN , RSP , SCHXLARGE GROWTH: IVW,IWZ,JKE , VUG , ELG , QQQQ , RPG , SCHGModerate Allocation: AOMSMALL BLEND: IJR,IWM,JKJ , VB , DSC , PJM , DES , SAA,UWM , SCHAAs of 10/12/2010, this plan investment choice is rated as Averagebased 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 (80%)Fund Quality -- Rated as poor (9%)Portfolio Building -- Rated as above average (75%)Overall Rating: average (57%)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 four asset SIB (Simpler Is Better) plan . This SIB plan has the following candidate index funds and their ETFs equivalent:
REITs:( IYR or VNQ or ICF )Fixed Income:( AGG or BND )Foreign Equity:( EFA or VEU )US Equity:( SPY or VTI )
Performance Chart (As of 10/12/2010)
Performance table
Portfolio Name
1Yr AR
1Yr Sharpe
3Yr AR
3Yr Sharpe
5Yr AR
5Yr Sharpe
9%
88%
7%
82%
10%
104%
9%
119%
1%
2%
5%
30%
Four Core Asset Index Funds REITs Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate
11%
78%
5%
48%
10%
91%
Four Core Asset Index Funds REITs Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate
13%
98%
0%
-0%
6%
24%
Currently, asset classes in REITs, Fixed Income and High Yield Bonds are doing relatively well. These asset classes are available to Apple 401K participants.
To summarize, Apple 401K plan participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles. Currently, funds the tactical asset allocation strategy over weighs include REITs and High Yield Bonds. However, Apple can do better to her employees by improving its fund selection such as making better funds available.labels:investment,
Symbols:SPY,IVV,IWV,VTI,VV,DLN,IVW,IWZ,JKE,VUG,ELG,QQQQ,RPG,SCHG,AOM,IWM,IJR,VB,DSC,JKJ,SCHA,AGG,BND,CIU,BIV,HYG,JNK,PHB,EFA,VEU,GWL,PFA,ETFs,Portfolio,Building,401K,
labels: investment
Symbols: SPY, IVV, IWV, VTI, VV, DLN, IVW, IWZ, JKE, VUG, ELG, QQQQ, RPG, SCHG, AOM, IWM, IJR, VB, DSC, JKJ, SCHA, AGG, BND, CIU, BIV, HYG, JNK, PHB, EFA, VEU, GWL, PFA, ETFs, Portfolio Building, 401K
- Aflac Incorporated 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
This report reviews Aflac Incorporated 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan 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)
Portfolio Name 1Yr AR 1Yr Sharpe 3Yr AR 3Yr Sharpe 5Yr AR 5Yr Sharpe Aflac Incorporated 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 4% 34% 5% 64% 8% 81% Aflac Incorporated 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 10% 100% 2% 8% 6% 31% Three Core Asset ETF Index Funds Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate -4% -35% 1% 9% 4% 27% Three Core Asset ETF Index Funds Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 9% 60% -0% -3% 4% 13% 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.
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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