 |
Vanguard ETF: |  |
7.4%* |
|
Diversified Core: | |
8.1%* |
|
Six Core Asset ETFs: | |
7.3%* |
Articles on IVV
- US Large Cap Blend ETFs Return Can Be Beaten As Equity Markets Continue Ascent
05/05/2011
Large Cap Blend ETFs provide access to both growth and value stocks, looking for high returns while hedging that risk with more stable securities. Large Cap ETFs invest across the entire spectrum of the US market. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the US equity market are defined as large cap.
Despite strong returns, US Large Cap Blend ETFs, including the Russell Large Cap Index (IWB), have underperformed mid cap and small cap ETFs. With a one-year trend score of 8.52%, the Russell Large Cap Index falls towards the bottom of the US Style Return Table as seen below.
US Equity Style Return
4/29/2011
Assets Class Symbols 04/27
Trend
Score04/20
Trend
ScoreDirection Russell Smallcap Growth IWO 14.01% 13.06% ^ Russell Midcap Growth IWP 12.57% 11.91% ^ Russell Smallcap Index IWM 11.05% 9.92% ^ Russell Midcap Indedx IWR 10.9% 10.15% ^ Russell Midcap Value IWS 9.84% 9.03% ^ Russell Largecap Growth IWF 9.25% 8.24% ^ Russell Smallcap Value IWN 8.56% 7.26% ^ Russell Largecap Index IWB 8.52% 7.38% ^ Russell Largecap Value IWD 8.15% 6.96% ^ The trend score is defined as the average of 1,4,13,26 and 52 week total returns (including dividend reinvested).
US Large Cap Blend
4/29/2011
Description Symbol 1 Yr 3 Yr 5 Yr Avg. Volume(K) 1 Yr Sharpe SPDR S&P 500 SPY 15.13% 1.42% 2.64% 169,849 83.79% iShares S&P 500 Index IVV 14.66% 2.18% 2.45% 2,992 79.99% Vanguard Total Stock Market VTI 17.54% 3.35% 3.48% 1,833 92.09% iShares Russell 1000 IWB 15.83% 2.66% 2.84% 886 86.04% Rydex S&P Equal Weight RSP 18.18% 5.79% 4.44% 1,115 94.46% iShares S&P 100 OEF 12.47% 0.94% 2.15% 883 67.2% Vanguard Large Cap VV 15.8% 2.78% 3.54% 223 85.55% Schwab U.S. Large Cap SCHX 15.95% NA NA 297 87.97% Vanguard S&P 500 VOO NA NA NA 311 NA Among US Large Cap Blend ETFs the Ryder S&P Equal Weight ETF (RSP) and the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have performed the strongest, offering one-year returns of 18.18% and 17.54% respectively. The ETF in the sector with the highest level of average volume, the SPDR S&P 500 Index, returned 15.13% in the past year, near the middle of the pack.
While US Large Cap Blend ETFs have provided investors with strong returns in recent periods, many in the market believe that the sector is due for a retraction based on overheated valuations. For the time being, investors will likely find better returns elsewhere.
Symbols: SPY, IVV, VTI, IWB, RSP, OEF, VV, SCHX, VOO, IWO, IWP, IWM, IWR, IWS, IWF, IWN, IWB, IWD
Tickers: (NYSE: SPY) (NYSE: IVV) (NYSE: VTI) (NYSE: IWB)(NYSE: RSP)(NYSE: OEF)(NYSE: VV)(NYSE: SCHX)(NYSE: VOO) (NYSE: IWO) (NYSE: IWP) (NYSE: IWM) (NYSE: IWR) (NYSE: IWS) (NYSE: IWF) (NYSE: IWN) (NYSE: IWB) (NYSE: IWD)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.
- Japan Disaster -- Prevention is Better Than Cure -- How Does that Apply to Investing?
04/07/2011
Japan will take many years to reuild the physical and psychological damage caused by the triple disaster that struck them. Who could have known? There is a very important lesson that can easily be overlooked in the rush to stop radioactive leaks and start to rebuild. Like New Orleans where the levies were known to be a problem area, Japan's nuclear reactors were living on borrowed time, having had their life extended -- just another year. The temptation to delay is very seductive until disaster strikes.
For years, we have put off retirement investments for -- just another year. Many now face and ugly repair crisis as portfolios have been blighted by the financial melt-down and they are left with a hole. The good news is that there are actions you can and must take to repair the damage and make the most of the time you have left.
Asset allocation is critical in determining risk adjusted returns from your portfolio.To make this clear, we use SIB -- Simpler Is Better -- to show the potential difference in returns between the portfolios with different numbers of asset classes.
Each of the SIBs are built from one ETF per asset class.Asset Class Ticker Name LARGE BLEND VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF Foreign Large Blend VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF DIVERSIFIED EMERGING MKTS VWO Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock ETF REAL ESTATE VNQ Vanguard REIT Index ETF COMMODITIES BROAD BASKET DBC PowerShares DB Commodity Idx Trking Fund Intermediate-Term Bond BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF So the three asset SIB has (VTI), or (SPY), (VEU) or (EFA) and (BND) or (AGG). The four asset SIB adds emerging markets (EEM) or (VWO). The five asset SIB adds Real Estate (RWR) or (VNQ). The six asset SIB adds commodities (DBC) or (GCC). These are index funds, we are not attempting to pick the best fund for each asset class but to make sure we have each asset class covered.
The three asset portfolio is old school. The world comprises the US and the rest.
Four asset classes add emerging markets which provides an equities asset class that behaves differently from US and international.
Five asset classes provides real estate trusts which moves away from equities and provides an asset that delivers dividends and is uncorrelated.
Six asset classes provides commodities which is a great hedge against inflation and also times of international stress when equities can drop sharply.Let's now look at five year returns for each portfolio and what that would mean if these returns were applied over a decade in terms of additional money in your portfolio.
Portfolio Name 5Yr AR 10 Yr Additional Money Compared to 3 Asset Class Portfolio
Six Core Asset ETF Benchmark Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 13% 137% Six Core Asset ETF Benchmark Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 7% 34% Five Core Asset ETF Benchmark Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 10% 79% Five Core Asset ETF Benchmark Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 6% 22% Four Core Asset ETF (EM) Benchmark Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 8% 48% Four Core Asset ETF (EM) Benchmark Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 5% 22% Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 4% - Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 4% -
Unfortunately, most portfolios in retirement plans only support three asset classes. In a study of over 800 mainly retirement plans, we noted that the majority of plans supported only three asset classes which is going to have a significant impact on the potential returns for the participant.
How can you leverage the benefits of six asset classes if your plan only supports three asset classes? If you have an IRA, overweight the missing asset class (or more) in the IRA to compensate and create a more balanced portfolio that can deliver higher returns and lower risk.
Prevention is better than cure, which we all know. Just don't leave it -- one more year -- until you get started.
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.
Symbols:SSPY, VTI, EFA, VEU, AGG, BND, CIU, BIV, GWL, PFA, IVV, IYY, IWV, VV, DLN, RSP, SCHX, EEM, VWO, GMM, PXH, DEM, SCHE, DBC, GCC
Exchange Tickers: (SPY), (VTI), (EFA), (VEU), (AGG), (BND), (CIU), (BIV), (GWL), (PFA), (IVV), (IYY), (IWV), (VV), (DLN), (RSP), (SCHX), (EEM), (VWO), (GMM), (PXH), (DEM), (SCHE), (DBC), (GCC)
- Will We Learn From Japan's Triple Tragedy?
04/07/2011
While the disaster in Japan will take many years to be put right, there is a very important lesson that can easily be overlooked in the rush to stop radioactive leaks and repair the damage. Like New Orleans where the levies were known to be a problem area, Japan's nuclear reactors were living on borrowed time, having had their life extended -- just another year. The temptation to delay until next time is very seductive until disaster strikes and the cost to repair dwarfs the cost to prevent.
For many years we have put off focusing on our retirement investment for -- just another year. Many are facing the repair crisis as their portfolios have been blighted by the recent financial melt-down and they are left with a hole that they have to fill somehow. The good news is that there are actions you can and must take to repair the damage and make the most of the time you have left.
In a series of articles, we are going back to basics. Asset allocation is critical in determining the risk adjusted returns from your portfolio.To make this clear, we are going to use a simple benchmark vehicle -- SIB -- Simpler Is Better to show the potential difference in returns between the portfolios with different numbers of asset classes.
Each of the SIBs are built from one ETF per asset class. The ETFs we selected for these portfolios are as follows:Asset Class Ticker Name LARGE BLEND VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF Foreign Large Blend VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF DIVERSIFIED EMERGING MKTS VWO Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock ETF REAL ESTATE VNQ Vanguard REIT Index ETF COMMODITIES BROAD BASKET DBC PowerShares DB Commodity Idx Trking Fund Intermediate-Term Bond BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF So the three asset SIB has (VTI), or (SPY), (VEU) or (EFA) and (BND) or (AGG). The four asset SIB adds emerging markets (EEM) or (VWO). The five asset SIB adds Real Estate (RWR) or (VNQ). The six asset SIB adds commodities (DBC) or (GCC). These are index funds, we are not attempting to pick the best fund for each asset class but to make sure we have each asset class covered.
The three asset portfolio is old school. The world comprises the US and the rest. US equities are enough of a microcosm that I can find enough diversification to give me protection against certain segments of the markets declining. Even if that does happen, I have fixed income and international equities to bail me out. We know that this is no longer the case. We can see on our browsers how the DOW, FTSE and NIKKEI act as if they are the same index, just on a different timezone. With a three asset portfolio, you really have very limited diversification.
Unfortunately, most of the portfolios in retirement plans only support three asset classes. In a study of over 800 mainly retirement plans, we noted that the majority of plans supported only three asset classes which is going to have a significant impact on the potential returns for the participant.
We use Strategic Asset and Tactical Asset allocation investment strategies to compare returns.
Portfolio Name 1Yr AR 1Yr Sharpe 3Yr AR 3Yr Sharpe 5Yr AR 5Yr Sharpe Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 1% 30% 2% 31% 4% 35% Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 15% 129% 3% 15% 4% 18% Over a five year period, you will see five year returns are 4% for either strategy. This is what you might be getting from your retirement portfolio, and you can do better.
Adding emerging markets does give you a completely different asset
The list of minor asset classes covered by Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark The list of minor asset classes covered by Four Core Asset ETF (EM) Benchmark Foreign Large Blend: VEU
Intermediate-term Bond: BND
Large Blend: VTIDiversified Emerging Mkts: VWO
Foreign Large Blend: VEU
Intermediate-term Bond: BND
Large Blend: VTIAsset Class Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark Four Core Asset ETF (EM) Benchmark Fixed Income 1 1 Foreign Equity 1 1 Emerging Market Equity 0 1 US Equity 1 1 Total 3 4 As of Apr 6, 2011, Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark investment choice is rated as below average and Four Core Asset ETF (EM) Benchmark investment choice is rated as below 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:
Attribute Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark Four Core Asset ETF (EM) Benchmark Diversification poor (2%) poor (8%) Fund Quality below average (23%) average (39%) Portfolio Building poor (6%) below average (16%) Overall Rating below average (10%) below average (20%) Performance chart (as of Apr 6, 2011)
Performance table (as of Apr 6, 2011)
Portfolio Name 1Yr AR 1Yr Sharpe 3Yr AR 3Yr Sharpe 5Yr AR 5Yr Sharpe Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate -1% -10% 3% 31% 4% 36% Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 12% 88% 3% 16% 4% 19% Four Core Asset ETF (EM) Benchmark Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate -0% -2% 6% 57% 8% 56% Four Core Asset ETF (EM) Benchmark Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 13% 88% 4% 15% 5% 22% We note that applying a tactical asset allocation strategy with three asset classes and funds is of limited value. Tactical asset allocation relies on having other asset classes that are not correlated so that when one asset class is under performing, another one becomes a hedge and rises to compensate. However, with an additional asset class, you are able to double returns over the longer time horizon. Note that an extra 1% a year over a decade puts 10% more money in your portfolio (SAA to SAA) and 4% a year over a decade puts 50% more money in your portfolios (TAA to TAA)
Emerging markets are going to play a larger and larger part in our lives as countries such as China and India are increasingly powerful. We have already seen how these nations have sprung back from the great recession and are leading the recovery. This is an important part of any portfolio and if you want to know how to better your chances of a better retirement, now you know.
How can you do this if your plan only supports three asset classes? If you have an IRA, overweight the missing asset class (or two) in the IRA to compensate and create a more balanced portfolio that can deliver higher returns and lower risk.
Prevention is better than cure, which we all know. Just don't leave it -- one more year -- until you get started.
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.
Symbols: SPY, VTI, EFA, VEU, AGG, BND, CIU, BIV, GWL, PFA, IVV, IYY, IWV, VV, DLN, RSP, SCHX, EEM, VWO, GMM, PXH, DEM, SCHE
Exchange Tickers: (SPY), (VTI), (EFA), (VEU), (AGG), (BND), (CIU), (BIV), (GWL), (PFA), (IVV), (IYY), (IWV), (VV), (DLN), (RSP), (SCHX), (EEM), (VWO), (GMM), (PXH), (DEM), (SCHE)
- Schwab Mutual Funds Beat out ETFs
04/06/2011
l
Retirement investing is a "hair on fire" problem -- especially for baby boomers for whom retirement is a near and present danger. There is a real lack of consistent, unbiased information that a retiree can use to help improve risk adjusted returns. Blogger Jenny Hollingworth has been teaching herself about investing and has come to the point where she is going to choose a plan and make her first investments.
In her recent post New Steps she sorted through a list of alternatives and chose the Schwab OneSource Select List Funds.
The reason for her choice was:
- The highest possible rating for each plan is 5 stars. So I bypassed anything that didn’t have 5 (because really, why go for less?)
- Picked out a name I knew: Schwab. Specifically: Schwab OneSource Select List Funds. I selected it.
- This is an application to Charles Schwab's OneSource Select List mutual funds. These funds are No Load and No Transaction Fee (NTF) mutual funds. Based on Schwab's policy, the no load NTF funds have 90 days redemption fee period. As of 1/1/2010, there are total 140 OneSource Select List funds available from Schwab.
We are going to review the Schwab OneSource Select List Funds to see whether she chose a good plan. The plan consists of 137 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 6 major assets: US Equity, Commodity, Foreign Equity, REITs, Emerging Market Equity, Fixed Income.
Asset Class Ticker Name LARGE VALUE AAGPX American Beacon Lg Cap Value Inv Foreign Large Value AAIPX American Beacon Intl Equity Inv Retirement Income AANPX American Beacon Retire Inc & Apprec Inv High Yield Muni ABHYX American Century High-Yield Muni Inv Inflation-Protected Bond ACITX American Century Infl-Adj Bond Inv Muni National Long ACLVX American Century Long-Term Tax-Free Inv MID-CAP VALUE ACMVX American Century Mid Cap Value Inv Conservative Allocation AONIX American Century One Choice: Vry Cnsrv I MID-CAP VALUE ARDEX Aston/River Road Dividend All Cap Val N Target Date 2011-2015 ARFIX American Century LIVESTRONG 2015 Inv Retirement Income ARTOX American Century LIVESTRONG Inc Inv Target Date 2021-2025 ARWIX American Century LIVESTRONG 2025 Inv Target Date 2031-2035 ARYIX American Century LIVESTRONG 2035 Inv SMALL VALUE AVPAX American Beacon Small Cp Val Inv EUROPE STOCK AXEAX Threadneedle European Equity A Muni National Interm BMBSX Baird Intermediate Muni Bd Inv Technology BOGSX Black Oak Emerging Technology Small Growth BSCFX Baron Small Cap Moderate Allocation BUFBX Buffalo Balanced Technology BUFTX Buffalo Science & Technology DIVERSIFIED EMERGING MKTS CEMVX Causeway Emerging Markets Investor MID-CAP BLEND CHTTX Aston/Optimum Mid Cap N Intermediate Government CPTNX American Century Government Bond Inv Small Growth CSMVX Century Small Cap Select Inv REAL ESTATE CSRSX Cohen & Steers Realty Shares Long-Short CVSIX Calamos Market Neutral Income A SMALL BLEND DISSX Dreyfus Small Cap Stock Index Bank Loan EABLX Eaton Vance Floating Rate Adv Conservative Allocation EXDAX Manning & Napier Pro-Blend Cnsrv Term S Foreign Large Blend EXWAX Manning & Napier World Opportunities A Moderate Allocation FAGSX First American Strat Growth Allc A Financial FBRSX FBR Small Cap Financial ULTRASHORT BOND FEUGX Federated Adjustable Rate Secs Instl Intermediate Government FICMX Federated Income Instl Muni National Interm FIMTX Federated Intermediate Municipal Instl LARGE BLEND FMIHX FMI Large Cap Long-Short FMLSX Wasatch-1st Source Long/Short SHORT GOVERNMENT FSGVX Federated US Govt 1-3 Yr Instl Muni Short FSHIX Federated Shrt-Interm Dur Muni Instl Short-Term Bond FSTIX Federated Short-Term Income Instl Intermediate-Term Bond FTRFX Federated Total Return Bond Instl Svc SMALL BLEND GABSX Gabelli Small Cap Growth AAA Communications GABTX GAMCO Global Telecommunications AAA LARGE GROWTH HCAIX Harbor Capital Appreciation Inv Foreign Large Blend HIINX Harbor International Inv WORLD STOCK HLMGX Harding Loevner Global Equity Advisor Foreign Large Growth HLMNX Harding Loevner International Equity Inv Equity Energy ICENX ICON Energy S China Region ICHKX Guinness Atkinson China & Hong Kong LARGE VALUE INDZX RiverSource Diversified Equity Inc A Moderate Allocation JABAX Janus Balanced T Health JAGLX Janus Global Life Sciences T LARGE GROWTH JAMRX Janus Research T Small Growth JATTX Janus Triton T Foreign Large Blend JETAX Artio International Equity II A Target Date 2021-2025 JNSAX JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2025 A LARGE BLEND JRMSX INTECH Risk-Managed Core T Target Date 2011-2015 JSFAX JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2015 A Target Date 2026-2030 JSMAX JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2030 A Target Date 2016-2020 JTTAX JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2020 A LARGE BLEND JUEAX JPMorgan US Equity A LARGE VALUE JVLAX JHancock3 Disciplined Value A Small Growth KGSCX Kalmar Growth-with-Value Small Cap LARGE GROWTH LGILX Laudus Growth Investors US Large Cap Gr WORLD BOND LIFNX Laudus Mondrian Intl Fixed Income Foreign Large Blend LISOX Lazard Intl Strategic Equity Open Multisector Bond LSBRX Loomis Sayles Bond Retail DIVERSIFIED PACIFIC/ASIA MAPIX Matthews Asia Pacific Equity Income PACIFIC/ASIA EX-JAPAN STK MAPTX Matthews Pacific Tiger Investor China Region MCHFX Matthews China Investor Muni National Interm MITFX Marshall Intermediate Tax-Free Inv JAPAN STOCK MJFOX Matthews Japan Investor Foreign Large Blend MKIEX McKee International Equity Instl DIVERSIFIED PACIFIC/ASIA MPACX Matthews Asia Pacific Investor High Yield Bond MWHYX Metropolitan West High Yield Bond M Short-Term Bond MWLDX Metropolitan West Low Duration Bond M Intermediate-Term Bond MWTRX Metropolitan West Total Return Bond M MID-CAP BLEND NMMCX Northern Multi-Manager Mid Cap SMALL VALUE NOSGX Northern Small Cap Value Muni National Long NOTEX Northern Tax-Exempt Small Growth NSPAX ING Small Cap Opportunities A Foreign Small/Mid Value OAKEX Oakmark International Small Cap I WORLD STOCK OAKGX Oakmark Global I COMMODITIES BROAD BASKET PCRDX PIMCO Commodity Real Ret Strat D Emerging Markets Bond PEMDX PIMCO Emerging Markets Bond D LARGE BLEND PEOPX Dreyfus S&P 500 Index WORLD BOND PFODX PIMCO Foreign Bond (USD-Hedged) D Intermediate-Term Bond PGBOX JPMorgan Core Bond A Multisector Bond PONDX PIMCO Income D LARGE BLEND PRBLX Parnassus Equity Income - Inv Inflation-Protected Bond PRRDX PIMCO Real Return D SMALL VALUE PSOAX JPMorgan Small Cap Value A Intermediate-Term Bond PTTDX PIMCO Total Return D SMALL BLEND RYTFX Royce Total Return Svc Intermediate-Term Bond SAMIX RidgeWorth Intermediate Bond I Foreign Large Blend SICNX Schwab International Core Equity Inst Foreign Large Blend SIEIX RidgeWorth Intl Equity Index I ULTRASHORT BOND SIGVX RidgeWorth US Gov Sec Ultra-Short Bd I Target Date 2031-2035 SRJAX JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2035 A DIVERSIFIED EMERGING MKTS SSEMX SSgA Emerging Markets Instl High Yield Bond STHTX RidgeWorth High Income I Muni National Interm STTBX RidgeWorth Investment Grade T/E Bond I LARGE BLEND SWANX Schwab Core Equity Inv Global Real Estate SWASX Schwab Global Real Estate Select Target Date 2026-2030 SWDRX Schwab Target 2030 LARGE VALUE SWDSX Schwab Dividend Equity Financial SWFFX Schwab Financial Services Target Date 2011-2015 SWGRX Schwab Target 2015 Intermediate Government SWGSX Schwab GNMA Long-Short SWHEX Schwab Hedged Equity Health SWHFX Schwab Health Care Target Date 2021-2025 SWHRX Schwab Target 2025 Intermediate-Term Bond SWIIX Schwab Premier Income Instl Foreign Large Blend SWISX Schwab International Index Retirement Income SWKRX Schwab Monthly Income Enh Payout Retirement Income SWLRX Schwab Monthly Income Max Payout LARGE GROWTH SWLSX Schwab Large-Cap Growth Foreign Large Growth SWMIX Laudus International MarketMasters Sel Small Growth SWMSX Laudus Small-Cap MarketMasters Select Muni National Interm SWNTX Schwab Tax-Free Bond Moderate Allocation SWOBX Schwab Balanced Inv LARGE BLEND SWPPX Schwab S&P 500 Index SMALL BLEND SWSSX Schwab Small Cap Index LARGE GROWTH TGCNX TCW Select Equities N Mid-Cap Growth TGDNX TCW Growth Equities N EQUITY PRECIOUS METALS TGLDX Tocqueville Gold LARGE BLEND TICRX TIAA-CREF Social Choice Eq Retail LARGE GROWTH TIRTX TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Retail LARGE GROWTH TWCGX American Century Growth Inv Muni National Interm TWTIX American Century Interm-T Tx-Fr Bd Inv SHORT GOVERNMENT TWUSX American Century Short-Term Govt Inv LARGE VALUE TWVLX American Century Value Inv Foreign Large Value TWWDX Thomas White International Foreign Large Growth UMBWX Scout International SMALL VALUE VSFAX Federated Clover Small Value A Mid-Cap Growth WTMGX Westcore MIDCO Growth LARGE VALUE YAFFX Yacktman Focused Asset Class Number of funds Balanced Fund 21 REITs 2 Fixed Income 34 Commodity 1 Sector Fund 9 Foreign Equity 18 Emerging Market Equity 7 US Equity 41 Other 4 Total 137
As of Apr 5, 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 (98%)
Fund Quality -- Rated as average (54%)
Portfolio Building -- Rated as great (86%)
Overall Rating: above average (80%)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 5, 2011)Performance table (as of Apr 5, 2011)
Portfolio Name 1Yr AR 1Yr Sharpe 3Yr AR 3Yr Sharpe 5Yr AR 5Yr Sharpe Schwab OneSource Select List Funds Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 13% 106% 10% 91% 13% 110% Schwab OneSource Select List Funds Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 12% 152% 4% 32% 7% 52% Six Core Asset ETF Benchmark Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 10% 81% 9% 82% 13% 89% Six Core Asset ETF Benchmark Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 14% 121% 4% 20% 7% 34% With six asset classes and a wide number of funds, the returns beat the six asset class benchmark. With high scores in all categories, this plan delivers portfolios that have produced strong historical returns.
Symbols: SPY, VTI, EFA, VEU, EEM, VWO, IYR, VNQ, ICF, AGG, BND, DBC, HYG, JNK, PHB, AOM, AOK, CIU, BIV, ITM, MUB, TFI, PZA, MLN, IYH, IXJ, VHT, XBI, PBE, DBR, RYH, EFG, IXP, PTE, DGG, LTL, MTK, PTF, DBT, RYT, ROM, GWL, PFA, IVE, IWW, JKF, VTV, ELV, PWV, RPV, SCHV, SCZ, EFV, PID, DWM, IYF, VFH, IPF, PFI, DRF, RYF, IFGL, RWX, TZE, TZG, TZI, TZO, TZL, IGOV, BWX, WIP, IVV, IYY, IWV, VV, DLN, RSP, SCHX, IOO, VT, SHY, SHV, VGSH, PLK, USY, 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, IJS, IWN, JKL, VBR, DSV, PWY, RZV, UVT, IJR, IWM, JKJ, VB, DSC, PJM, DES, SAA, UWM, SCHA, GMM, PXH, DEM, SCHE, GBF, LAG, PCY, CSJ, BSV, VCSH, ITE, IXC, IPW, DBE, RYE, DKA, IEI, VGIT, IJK, IWP, VOT, EMG, PWJ, RFG, UKW, IJT, IWO, JKK, VBK, DSG, PWT, RZG, UKK, TIP, DBP, EPP, VPL, GMF, PAF, AAXJ, DND, EWJ, JPP, PJO, DXJ, GSG, BIL
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.
Originally from the UK, Jenny Hollingworth lives with her husband and two sons in Northern California. She is a wife, mother, writer, theatre director, coffee drinker, avid reader, keen walker, movie watcher, Jane Austen lover and observer of life, in no particular order. MyPlanIQ has no formal relationship with Jenny Hollingworth.
- Schwab Select ETF Plan Has Bright Prospects
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.
Asset Class Ticker Name LARGE BLEND SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF LARGE GROWTH SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF LARGE VALUE SCHV Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF MID-CAP BLEND VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF Mid-Cap Growth VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF MID-CAP VALUE VOE Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF SMALL BLEND SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF Small Growth VBK Vanguard Small Cap Growth ETF SMALL VALUE VBR Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF LARGE BLEND SCHB Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF LARGE VALUE VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield Indx ETF Foreign Large Blend SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF Foreign Large Growth EFG iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Foreign Large Value EFV iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index FOREIGN SMALL/MID GROWTH SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Eq ETF DIVERSIFIED EMERGING MKTS SCHE Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF Foreign Large Blend VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF WORLD STOCK VT Vanguard Total World Stock Index ETF EUROPE STOCK VGK Vanguard European ETF DIVERSIFIED PACIFIC/ASIA VPL Vanguard Pacific Stock ETF JAPAN STOCK EWJ iShares MSCI Japan Index China Region GXC SPDR S&P China Intermediate-Term Bond BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF SHORT GOVERNMENT SCHO Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF Intermediate Government SCHR Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Trsy ETF LONG GOVERNMENT TLH iShares Barclays 10-20 Year Treasury Bd Inflation-Protected Bond SCHP Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF Intermediate-Term Bond CIU iShares Barclays Intermediate Credit Bd High Yield Bond JNK SPDR Barclays Capital High Yield Bond WORLD BOND BWX SPDR Barclays Capital Intl Treasury Bond Muni National Long MUB iShares S&P National AMT-Free Muni Bd Consumer Discretionary XLY Consumer Discret Select Sector SPDR Consumer Staples XLP Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Equity Energy XLE Energy Select Sector SPDR Financial XLF Financial Select Sector SPDR Health XLV Health Care Select Sector SPDR Industrials XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Natural Resources XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR Technology XLK Technology Select Sector SPDR Communications IYZ iShares Dow Jones US Telecom Utilities XLU Utilities Select Sector SPDR COMMODITIES BROAD BASKET DBC PowerShares DB Commodity Index Tracking Commodities Agriculture DBA PowerShares DB Agriculture Commodities Precious Metals IAU iShares Gold Trust Commodities Industrial Metals DBB PowerShares DB Base Metals Commodities Energy USL United States 12 Month Oil MISCELLANEOUS SECTOR PFF iShares S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index REAL ESTATE VNQ Vanguard REIT Index ETF Asset Class Number of funds Balanced Fund 0 REITs 1 Fixed Income 9 Commodity 5 Sector Fund 11 Foreign Equity 8 Emerging Market Equity 3 US Equity 11 Other 1 Total 49 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)
Portfolio Name 1Yr AR 1Yr Sharpe 3Yr AR 3Yr Sharpe 5Yr AR 5Yr Sharpe Schwab ETF Select List Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 9% 82% 8% 72% 12% 89% Schwab ETF Select List Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 14% 118% 3% 15% 4% 20% Six Core Asset ETF Benchmark Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 9% 81% 10% 82% 13% 89% Six Core Asset ETF Benchmark Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 14% 121% 4% 20% 7% 34%
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.
- National Semiconductor Provides Good Funds in Their Retirement Plan
04/04/2011
- MidAmerican Energy Company's 401K Plan: More Diversification Needed
03/31/2011
- Relax: Doing Less With Your Investments
03/30/2011
- Will Harry Browne’s Permanent Portfolio Continue To Work?
03/29/2011
- Caterpillar's 401K Retirement Plan: Reasonable Investment Choices But Could Be More Systematic
03/28/2011
- Accenture 401K Retirement Plan: High Quality and Low Cost Funds with Proper Diversification
03/25/2011
- Online Pioneer Amazon.com Can Expand Its 401K Plan for More Diversification
03/22/2011
- Employees in Sprint Nextel Dial up An Average 401K Retirement Plan
03/22/2011
- Starbucks Should Expand Its 401K Retirement Plan, Just As What It Did in Their Business
03/11/2011
- Shell Versus Morningstar -- More is Better
02/27/2011
- Initiating Tracking of US Subclasses
02/22/2011
- E-Trade ETF Plan Hits Most of the High Notes
02/16/2011
- RSP Leads US Large Cap Blend Equities
02/14/2011
- JPMorgan Chase -- Top Tier Company -- Second Tier Retirement Plan
01/15/2011
- You Can Do Better Than Your Pension Funds
01/12/2011
- 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
- ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- Apartment Investment and Management Company 401(k) Retirement Plan Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- ASSURANT 401(k) PLAN A&PLAN B Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- Abercrombie Fitch Co. Savings and Retirement Plan Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- Apache Design Solutions 401K Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- Allegheny Ludlum Corporation Personal Retirement and 401(k) Savings Account Plan Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- AMERICAN EXPRESS RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- ALLEGHENY ENERGY EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP AND SAVINGS PLAN Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- BAKER 401(k) PLAN Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PROGRAM Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- PEABODY WESTERN-UMWA 401(K) PLAN Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- Peabody Investments Corp.Employee Retirement Account Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- Capital Accumulation Plan of The Chubb Corporation Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- CEPHALON, INC. 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- CABOT OIL & GAS CORPORATION SAVINGS INVESTMENT PLAN Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- CVS CAREMARK CORPORATION AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- Danaher Corporation Subsidiaries Retirement and Savings Plan Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- Danaher Corporation Subsidiaries Savings Plan Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- EQT CORPORATION SAVINGS AND PROTECTION PLAN Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
- Vanguard Variable Annuity Report On 12/06/2010
12/06/2010
- The Franklin Templeton NJBEST New Jersey 529 College Savings Plan Report On 12/07/2010
12/07/2010
- TD Ameritrade Commission Free ETFs Report On 12/07/2010
12/07/2010
- Qualcomm 401(k) Plan Report On 12/07/2010
12/07/2010
- Vanguard-VA-Clone Report On 12/07/2010
12/07/2010
- Tiffany Co. Employee Profit Sharing and Retirement Savings Plan Report On 03/21/2011
03/21/2011
- Sprint Nextel 401K Plan Report On 03/21/2011
03/21/2011