05/01/2011

Overall the US dollar gets hammered around the globe which is in line with expectations with QE-II and the Fed’s recent comments that the central bank will still keep purchasing bonds after QE – II expires. The trend score shows a rise in all major currencies across the globe. The momentum is still in favors of high yielders. Check this graph of the top currencies

The Australian dollar is the commodity based currency; show the high trend due to surge in commodities across the board. The economy remains strong and has good balance of trade figures as China and other major trading partners drive demand for mineral resources. The change US FX legislation (i.e. no hedging is allowed in the FX market and trades must be settled on a FIFO basis) makes the Australian currency ideal for trading as Australia allows hedging and normal trading. The Australian dollar 4 week returns show a rise indicating that the gains are still positive despite a one week dip. The FXA has risen 39.89% from 31-12-2008 which is also in line with the commodity advancement. The caution is to be taking in the FXA as the gains are heavy now and the profit taking can be seen by the investors.

The Swiss Franc has made remarkable return being a safe currency. The currency has risen by 23.63% from its 31-12-2008 level making it vulnerable for profit taking by investors and speculators.

The Swedish Krona is backed by the strong fundamental. The Swedish government is estimating that Sweden’s economy will expand 3.8 percent in 2012 and 3.6 percent in 2013. The growth forecast for this year was revised to 4.6 percent from the last month’s estimates of 3.7 percent growth. Steady rise is expected in the upcoming weeks in Swedish Krona.  

The chart shows the graph of bottom funds.

The Japanese yen shows remarkable returns over the last two year due to the recent disaster their currency suffered the major blow which has put their currency under pressure.

China continues to its march as a leading provider and its economy continue to grow. Until there is resolution on how the currency appreciates, there will be pressures on the returns.

The UK Pound is tending to be bound between $1.7 and $1.55. A real rally is not expected in the FXB until interest rates start to increase in the UK. Although inflation is on the rise it is mainly due to the increase in oil and commodity prices which cannot be controlled by the UK government so we are not expecting a rise in the interest rates till real inflation hits.

It is worth noting:

• The recent rise in the Canadian dollar brought the Canadian dollar above US Dollar parity. This rise is due to the recent rally in oil which is causing inflation worldwide but also appreciating the Canadian currency.
• G10 carry trade is shorting yen and buying the high yielders in anticipation of future interest rate hikes. Overall the gains are steady except in current period where after the deadly tsunami in Japan which caused whiplash in the 4 & 1 week returns. The carry trade is not back yet but the recent weakness in the yen causes concern because as long as the interests of the G10 are low the carry trade is rarely attractive.  
  

The dollar was weakened by the FED’s systematic devaluation making interest rates near to zero to improve the domestic economic growth. The devaluation in the dollar creates the rally in all major currencies especially the yen which enjoyed a substantial gain from 2008 to 2011 before the recent catastrophe. The Australian dollar and Swiss Franc delivered the best returns year to date.  Currently the high yielders are stealing the show against the dollar.

Exchange Tickers: (NYSE: DBN), (NYSE: UDN), (NYSE: FXA), (NYSE: FXB), (NYSE: FXC), (NYSE: FXE), (NYSE: FXF), (NYSE: FXS), (NYSE: FXY), (NYSE: FXM), (NYSE: CYB), (NYSE: BZF)

Symbols: DBN, UDN, FXA, FXB, FXC, FXE, FXF, FXS, FXY, FXM, CYB, BZF

Disclaimer

MyPlanIQ does not have any business relationship with the company or companies mentioned in this article. It does not set up their retirement plans. The performance data of portfolios mentioned above are obtained through historical simulation and are hypothetical.

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04/06/2011

Schwab ETF Plan Has Good Pedigree and Bright Prospects Retirement is now a "hair on fire" problem. There is much talk of working longer, downsizing, living on less. However, there is something you can do to help improve your risk adjusted returns. Look at your portfolios and plans to build a diversified portfolio with a systematic investment strategy.

This is not as hard as you might think -- to highlight this point, we feature a plan created by a non professional that matches up well with any of the other plans. Kevin Carr. is an individual investor who employs a long term strategy. He manages an individual common stock portfolio as well as many plans on MyPlan IQ.  If you have any questions regarding this plan please contact him.

This plan provides you with Schwab's experts’ top picks of low-cost ETFs representing approximately 50 ETFs, based on rigorous criteria including expenses, tracking error, trading volume, and more.  Schwab ETFs trade commission free.  There are no redemption periods so you can start today and not worry about holding periods.

We report on this Schwab ETF Select List which consists of 49 funds. These funds give exposure to 6 major assets: US Equity, Commodity, Foreign Equity, REITs, Emerging Market Equity, Fixed Income.

Many are looking for access to a well rounded ETF plan through Schwab. This fills this hole and as Schwab makes more of their own funds available, it will be possible to move them into the plan. On this review, the only comment would be to add another REIT choice. The other asset classes have a good number of selections without being overwhelming.

As of Apr 4, 2011, 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 great (99%)
Fund Quality -- Rated as average (47%)
Portfolio Building -- Rated as average (56%)
Overall Rating: above average (66%)

Thehigh diversification score means that all the major and minor asset classes have been ticked. Fund quality is lower because some of the ETF's don't have a long history but that shouldn't impede the ability for the future.

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 6 asset SIB (Simpler Is Better) plan . This SIB plan has the following candidate index funds and their ETFs equivalent:

US Equity: SPY or VTI
Commodity: DBC
Foreign Equity: EFA or VEU
REITs: IYR or VNQ or ICF
Emerging Market Equity: EEM or VWO
Fixed Income: AGG or BND
Performance chart (as of Apr 4, 2011)

Performance table (as of Apr 4, 2011)

This portfolio performs well against the six asset ETF benchmark

• SAA provides lower volatility while albeit delivering lower historical returns but as more of the newer funds are applied to the portfolio, there will be more opportunity for closing the gap
• The TAA portfolios run neck and neck over the five year period

In a future article, we will review performance over the last three months to see how the plan has performed in the light of recent events.

Kay Takeaways

• Building a plan of funds is not the preserve of the few -- anybody who has the interest and application to research can provide well constructed plans
• It is possible to benefit from those individuals while still having transparency and not being captive to any particular broker

Symbols: SPY, VTI, EFA, VEU, EEM, VWO, IYR, VNQ, ICF, AGG, BND, DBC, HYG, JNK, PHB, CIU, BIV, MUB, TFI, PZA, MLN, GII, PUI, DBU, RYU, UPW, IYH, IXJ, VHT, XBI, PBE, DBR, RYH, EFG, 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, EFV, PID, DWM, IYF, VFH, IPF, PFI, DRF, RYF, KXI, VDC, PSL, DPN, RHS, RXI, VCR, IYJ, EXI, VIS, IGOV, BWX, WIP, IVV, IYY, IWV, VV, DLN, RSP, SCHX, IOO, VT, SHY, SHV, VGSH, PLK, USY, TLT, TLH, IEF, EDV, VGLT, TLO, PLW, IEV, VGK, PEF, DEB, IVW, IWZ, JKE, VUG, ELG, QQQQ, RPG, SCHG, IJJ, IWS, JKI, VOE, EMV, PWP, RFV, UVU, IJH, IWR, JKG, VO, MDY, EMM, PJG, DON, EZM, MVV, IFSM, VSS, SCHC, IJS, IWN, JKL, VBR, DSV, PWY, RZV, UVT, IJR, IWM, JKJ, VB, DSC, PJM, DES, SAA, UWM, SCHA, GMM, PXH, DEM, SCHE, ITE, IXC, IPW, DBE, RYE, DKA, IEI, VGIT, IJK, IWP, VOT, EMG, PWJ, RFG, UKW, IJT, IWO, JKK, VBK, DSG, PWT, RZG, UKK, TIP, EPP, VPL, GMF, PAF, EWJ, JPP, PJO, DXJ, GSG

Disclosure:

MyPlanIQ does not have any business relationship with the company or companies mentioned in this article. It does not set up their retirement plans. The performance data of portfolios mentioned above are obtained through historical simulation and are hypothetical.

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12/14/2010

Samsung is an aggressive and innovative company. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. engages in the manufacture and sale of semiconductors, LCDs, telecommunication products, and digital media products. It has operations in Korea, the Americas, Europe, Asia, and China. The company was founded in 1938 and is based in Seoul, South Korea

Their 401K plan is one of the best we have seen and demonstrates employee concern. This report reviews Samsung 401K plan. We will discuss the investment choices and present the plan rating by MyPlanIQ.

Plan Review and Rating

Samsung 401K's plan consists of 33 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 5 major assets: US Equity, Foreign Equity, Emerging Market Equity, REITs, Fixed Income.

With 11 target date funds, there are plenty of alternatives for those who don't want to mess with investments but there is also plenty of upside for those who do.

The list of minor asset classes covered:

Diversified Emerging Mkts: EEM, GMM, PXH, DEM, SCHE
Equity Precious Metals: DBP
Foreign Large Blend: EFA, VEU, GWL, PFA
Global Real Estate: IFGL, RWX
High Yield Bond: HYG, JNK, PHB
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
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
Retirement Income:
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
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 13, 2010, this plan investment choice is rated as great 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 above average (80%)
Fund Quality -- Rated as great (97%)
Portfolio Building -- Rated as great (98%)
Overall Rating: great (92%)

Keys to the success of this portfolio

• US funds ideal balance in terms of the number of range of choices
• Strong fixed income choices
• Five asset classes in total
  

Current Economic and Market Conditions

With the current market uncertainties with bonds and stocks going through continuous shifts, it is even more critical to properly diversify and respond to market changes.

The Samsung 401K plan is well positioned to provide strength in equities and fixed income classes and to provide a great platform for building a high performance portfolio.

MyPlanIQ offers two asset allocation strategies: strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies (SAA and TAA for participants in Samsung 401K).

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 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
REITs: IYR or VNQ or ICF
Emerging Market Equity: EEM or VWO
Fixed Income: AGG or BND

Performance chart (as of Dec 13, 2010)

Performance table (as of Dec 13, 2010)

The five asset SIB is one of the best performing benchmarks and over the long haul, the Samsung plan has beaten the benchmark although in recent months, the five core SIB has slightly outperformed the Samsung 401K plan.

Currently US Equity, Commodities and Emerging Market are doing well. US Equity and Emerging Market are available to Samsung 401K participants.

In summary, Samsung are to be congratulated in putting together such a good plan for the US employees. Those who don't want to get involved with any investing decisions have several choices and those who want to get involved will certainly be rewarded for their efforts.

labels:investment,

Symbols:SPY,VTI,EFA,VEU,EEM,VWO,IYR,VNQ,ICF,AGG,BND,HYG,JNK,PHB,CIU,BIV,IYM,IGE,VAW,XLB,XME,PYZ,DBN,RTM,UYM,GWL,PFA,IVE,IWW,JKF,VTV,ELV,PWV,RPV,SCHV,TZD,IFGL,RWX,TZE,TZG,TZI,TZO,TZL,TZV,IVV,IYY,IWV,VV,DLN,RSP,SCHX,SHY,SHV,VGSH,PLK,USY,IVW,IWZ,JKE,VUG,ELG,QQQQ,RPG,

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12/08/2010

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 Vanguard Variable Annuity and see how well an ETF clone performs

The Vanguard Variable Annuity consists of 15 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 4 major assets: US Equity, Foreign Equity, REITs, Fixed Income.

As of Dec 3, 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 (83%) 
Fund Quality -- Rated as average (64%) 
Portfolio Building -- Rated as above average (75%) 
Overall Rating: above average (74%)

Compared to Schwab and Fidelity, the number of fund choices are significantly fewer leading to greater stress on the fund quality. This has a lower rating than the other two and so we would expect the returns to be lower.

We also note that the Vanguard annuity has additional restrictions. They limit the trading on any one fund to two sell-buy trips in a year. With the smaller number of funds, this could be a significant restriction.

The chart and table below show the historical performance of moderate model portfolios employing strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies ( SAA andTAA , 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 Dec 3, 2010)

Performance table (as of Dec 3, 2010)

The annuity performs well against our benchmark -- indicating a good choice of funds

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

The US funds choice is very wide. There are probably too many choices in this category and it would be better to have more choices in other asset classes.

We will not mirror all the choices with the ETF clone just one ETF in each style category.

International Funds

It would have been better to have some mid or small cap alternatives but still a good amount of choice.

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


Real Estate

Real estate is under represented -- an international REIT would strengthen this asset class.

We add an international REIT Fund to the ETF's.

Fixed Income

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 add an emerging markets bond to offset this.

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

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. 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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12/06/2010

This report reviews Allegheny Ludlum Corporation Personal Retirement and 401(k) Savings Account 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 Allegheny Ludlum Corporation Personal Retirement and 401(k) Savings Account Plan can achieve reasonable investment results using asset allocation strategies.

Plan Review and Rating

Allegheny Ludlum Corporation Personal Retirement and 401(k) Savings Account Plan's 401K plan consists of 55 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 5 major assets: US Equity, Foreign Equity, Commodity, Emerging Market Equity, Fixed Income. The list of minor asset classes covered:

Commodities Broad Basket: GSG, DBC
Conservative Allocation: AOK
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
Foreign Large Blend: EFA, VEU, GWL, PFA
Foreign Small/mid Growth: IFSM, VSS, SCHC
Health: IYH, IXJ, VHT, XBI, PBE, DBR, RYH
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
Latin America Stock: ILF, GML
Long Government: TLT, TLH, IEF, EDV, VGLT, TLO, PLW
Mid-cap Value: IJJ, IWS, JKI, VOE, EMV, PWP, RFV, UVU
Multisector Bond: AGG, GBF, BND, LAG
Natural Resources: IYM, IGE, VAW, XLB, XME, PYZ, DBN, RTM, UYM
Pacific/asia Ex-japan Stk: EPP, AAXJ, GMF, PAF, DND
Short Government: SHY, SHV, VGSH, PLK, USY
Short-term Bond: CSJ, BSV, VCSH
Small Growth: IJT, IWO, JKK, VBK, DSG, PWT, RZG, UKK
Technology: MTK, PTF, DBT, RYT, ROM

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 (91%)
Fund Quality -- Rated as (48%)
Portfolio Building -- Rated as (84%)
Overall Rating: (75%)

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 Allegheny Ludlum Corporation Personal Retirement and 401(k) Savings Account 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)
Emerging Market Equity: (EEM or VWO)
Fixed Income: (AGG or BND)

Performance chart (as of Dec 2, 2010)

Performance table (as of Dec 2, 2010)

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 Allegheny Ludlum Corporation Personal Retirement and 401(k) Savings Account Plan participants.

To summarize, Allegheny Ludlum Corporation Personal Retirement and 401(k) Savings Account Plan plan participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles. 

labels:investment,

Symbols:ATI,SPY,VTI,EFA,VEU,EEM,VWO,AGG,BND,DBC,AOK,CIU,BIV,IYH,IXJ,VHT,XBI,PBE,DBR,RYH,IYM,IGE,VAW,XLB,XME,PYZ,DBN,RTM,UYM,MTK,PTF,DBT,RYT,ROM,GWL,PFA,IVE,IWW,JKF,VTV,ELV,PWV,RPV,SCHV,IVV,IYY,IWV,VV,DLN,RSP,SCHX,SHY,SHV,VGSH,PLK,USY,TLT,TLH,IEF,EDV,VGLT,TLO,PLW,

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12/06/2010

11/30/2010

11/26/2010

10/28/2010

10/26/2010

12/03/2010

This report reviews Apache Design Solutions 401K 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 Apache Design Solutions 401K can achieve reasonable investment results using asset allocation strategies.

Plan Review and Rating

Apache Design Solutions 401K's 401K plan consists of 42 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 5 major assets: US Equity, Foreign Equity, REITs, Emerging Market Equity, Fixed Income. The list of minor asset classes covered:

Conservative Allocation: AOK
Diversified Emerging Mkts: EEM, GMM, PXH, DEM, SCHE
Foreign Large Blend: EFA, VEU, GWL, PFA
Foreign Small/mid Growth: IFSM, VSS, SCHC
Health: IYH, IXJ, VHT, XBI, PBE, DBR, RYH
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
Mid-cap Growth: IJK, IWP, VOT, EMG, PWJ, RFG, UKW
Mid-cap Value: IJJ, IWS, JKI, VOE, EMV, PWP, RFV, UVU
Moderate Allocation: AOM
Natural Resources: IYM, IGE, VAW, XLB, XME, PYZ, DBN, RTM, UYM
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 2016-2020: TZG
Target Date 2026-2030: TZL
Target Date 2036-2040: TZV
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 (85%)
Fund Quality -- Rated as (18%)
Portfolio Building -- Rated as (79%)
Overall Rating: (62%)

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 Apache Design Solutions 401K).

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 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 Dec 2, 2010)

Performance table (as of Dec 2, 2010)

Currently, asset classes in US Equity (SPY,VTI) and Emerging Market Equity (EEM,VWO) are doing relatively well. These asset classes are available to Apache Design Solutions 401K participants.

To summarize, Apache Design Solutions 401K plan participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles.

Symbols: APA , SPY , VTI , EFA , VEU , EEM , VWO , IYR , VNQ , ICF , AGG , BND , AOM , AOK , CIU , BIV , IYH , IXJ , VHT , XBI , PBE , DBR , RYH , IYM , IGE , VAW , XLB , XME , PYZ , DBN , RTM , UYM , GWL , PFA , IVE , IWW , JKF , VTV , ELV , PWV , RPV , SCHV , TZG , TZL , TZV , IVV , IYY , IWV , VV , DLN , RSP , SCHX , IOO , VT , IVW , IWZ , JKE , VUG , ELG , QQQQ , RPG , SCHG , IJJ , IWS , JKI , VOE , EMV , PWP , RFV , UVU , IFSM , VSS , SCHC , IJS , IWN , JKL , VBR , DSV , PWY , RZV , UVT , IJR , IWM , JKJ , VB , DSC , PJM , DES , SAA , UWM , SCHA , GMM , PXH , DEM , SCHE , IEI , VGIT , ITE , IJK , IWP , VOT , EMG , PWJ , RFG , UKW , IJT , IWO , JKK , VBK , DSG , PWT , RZG , UKK

12/03/2010