Vanguard ETF: | 7.4%* | ||
Diversified Core: | 8.1%* | ||
Six Core Asset ETFs: | 7.3%* |
Articles on IWN
- 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,
- TD Ameritrade Commission Free ETFs: Comprehensive Portfolio Building Blocks
10/19/2010
TD Ameritrade (Ticker: AMTD) just announced that it offers 100+ commission free ETFs for its clients.The 100+ (a precise number is 101) ETFs were selected by Morningstar that include ETFs from iShares, Vanguard, State Street, PowerShares, and others. In comparison, Schwab's free ETFs include only 11 of its own funds. Similarly, Vanguard offers 47 Vanguard ETFs for free. Fidelity was the first one that offers 25 iShares ETFs for free. See the official TD Ameritrade offering for more details.
MyPlanIQ views this is a very significant step for small investors (well we are not sure whether TD Ameritrade would still offer such a deal to very large accounts). We have constructed an investment plan TD Ameritrade Commission Free ETFs to take advantage of these ETFs. Though for the trades of these ETFs to be eligible for commission free, TD Ameritrade's customers have to hold these ETFs for more than 30 days, such a restriction is not significant for our plan since the plan only rebalances at most once per month. In this plan, the minimum holding period for each fund is set to be 1 month, which is equivalent to 30 days.TD Ameritrade Commission Free ETFs's 401K plan consists of 101 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 6 major assets: Emerging Market Equity , Foreign Equity , Fixed Income , US Equity , Commodity , REITs . We view this is the most comprehensive coverage of major asset classes.
The list of minor asset classes covered are:COMMODITIES BROAD BASKET: GSG , DBC
Conservative Allocation: AOK
DIVERSIFIED EMERGING MKTS: EEM , GMM , PXH , DEM , SCHE
Emerging Markets Bond: PCY
EQUITY: VTI,VT
EUROPE STOCK: IEV , VGK , PEF , DEB
Foreign Large Blend: EFA , VEU , GWL , PFA
Foreign Large Growth: EFG
Foreign Large Value: EFV , PID , DWM
FOREIGN SMALL/MID GROWTH: IFSM , VSS , SCHC
Foreign Small/Mid Value: SCZ
Global Real Estate: IFGL , RWX
High Yield Bond: HYG , JNK , PHB
Inflation-Protected Bond: TIP
Intermediate Government: IEI , VGIT , ITE
Intermediate-Term Bond: AGG,CIU , BIV,BND
JAPAN STOCK: EWJ , JPP , PJO , DXJ
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
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
Moderate Allocation: AOM
Multisector Bond: AGG,GBF , BND , LAG
Muni National Interm: ITM
Muni National Long: MUB , TFI , PZA , MLN
Muni National Short: SUB , SHM , PVI , SMB
PACIFIC/ASIA EX-JAPAN STK: EPP,AAXJ , GMF , PAF , DND
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
SPECIALTY-REAL ESTATE: RWR , PSR , URE
World Allocation: AOR , AOA
WORLD BOND: IGOV , BWX,WIP
WORLD STOCK: IOO , VTAs of Oct 15, 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 great (97%)
Fund Quality -- Rated as below average (29%)
Portfolio Building -- Rated as great (90%)
Overall Rating: above average (74%)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 five 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 )
Commodity:(DBC)
Foreign Equity:( EFA or VEU )
Emerging Market Equity:( EEM or VWO )
US Equity:( SPY or VTI )
Performance chart (as of Oct 15, 2010)Performance table (as of Oct 15, 2010)
Portfolio Name 1Yr AR 1Yr Sharpe 3Yr AR 3Yr Sharpe 5Yr AR 5Yr Sharpe TD Ameritrade Commission Free ETFs Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 13% 87% 13% 86% 20% 128% TD Ameritrade Commission Free ETFs Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 10% 85% -1% -6% 9% 47% Six Core Asset ETFs Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 10% 65% 9% 66% 17% 114% Six Core Asset ETFs Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 11% 84% 2% 9% 9% 42% To summarize, TD Ameritrade Commission Free ETFs plan is very comprehensive and allows investors to achieve significant performance with reasonable risk. With now all of the top discount brokers (Fidelity, Schwab and TD Ameritrade) offering such commission free ETFs, investors are now free from trading cost and focus on portfolio building in terms of better asset allocation strategies.
labels:investment,
Symbols:SUB,SHM,PVI,SMB,EPP,AAXJ,GMF,PAF,DND,SHY,SHV,VGSH,PLK,USY,CSJ,BSV,VCSH,AOR,AOA,IGOV,BWX,WIP,IOO,VT,RWR,PSR,URE,IJS,IWN,JKL,VBR,DSV,PWY,RZV,UVT,IJT,IWO,JKK,VBK,DSG,PWT,RZG,UKK,IJR,IWM,JKJ,VB,DSC,PJM,DES,SAA,UWM,SCHA,ITM,MUB,TFI,PZA,MLN,AGG,GBF,BND,LAG,IJJ,ETFs,Portfolio,Building,Asset,Allocation,Commission,Free,
- Top Tier ETF Providers Playoffs II
10/19/2010
Based on an article published by Bank Investment Consultant by Matt Ackermann, Vanguard, one of the largest index fund and ETF providers, will offer commission-free trading to its brokerage clients that use its lineups of 46 proprietary ETFs. This represents a comparable move as Fidelity and Schwab.
In addition to Fidelity and Schwab plans, MyPlanIQ now has a Vanguard major ETF plan. Notice since most Vanguard ETFs have short history, the performance data of the model portfolios are meaningful since 2003 (before that, most ETFs did not exist).
The following is the list of the ETFs supported in this plan (for up to date info, please see the Vanguard ETF page.
Consumer Discretionary VCR Consumer Staples VDC Dividend Appreciation VIG Emerging Markets VWO Energy VDE Europe Pacific VEA European VGK Extended Duration Treasury EDV Extended Market VXF Financials VFH FTSE All-World ex-US VEU FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap VSS Growth VUG Health Care VHT High Dividend Yield VYM Industrials VIS Information Technology VGT Intermediate-Term Bond BIV Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond VCIT Intermediate-Term Government Bond VGIT Large-Cap VV Long-Term Bond BLV Long-Term Corporate Bond VCLT Long-Term Government Bond VGLT Materials VAW Mega Cap 300 MGC Mega Cap 300 Growth MGK Mega Cap 300 Value MGV Mid-Cap VO Mid-Cap Growth VOT Mid-Cap Value VOE Mortgage-Backed Securities VMBS Pacific VPL REIT VNQ Short-Term Bond BSV Short-Term Corporate Bond VCSH Short-Term Government Bond VGSH Small-Cap VB Small-Cap Growth VBK Small-Cap Value VBR Telecommunication Services VOX Total Bond Market BND Total Stock Market VTI Total World Stock VT Utilities VPU Value VTV Vanguard ETFs's 401K plan consists of 43 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 5 major assets: Emerging Market Equity , Foreign Equity , Fixed Income , US Equity , REITs . 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
Industrials: IYJ,EXI , VIS
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 , VTAs of Oct 15, 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 (74%)
Fund Quality -- Rated as below average (33%)
Portfolio Building -- Rated as average (37%)
Overall Rating: average (47%)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 five 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 )
Emerging Market Equity:( EEM or VWO )
US Equity:( SPY or VTI )
Performance chart (as of Oct 15, 2010)Performance table (as of Oct 15, 2010)
Portfolio Name 1Yr AR 1Yr Sharpe 3Yr AR 3Yr Sharpe 5Yr AR 5Yr Sharpe Vanguard ETFs Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 10% 67% 6% 39% 13% 84% Vanguard ETFs Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 13% 92% 3% 9% 8% 39% Five Core Asset Index ETF Funds Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 10% 65% 7% 48% 15% 103% Five Core Asset Index ETF Funds Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 14% 99% 3% 10% 9% 41% Currently, asset classes in REITs( IYR , VNQ , ICF ) , Fixed Income( AGG , BND ) and Emerging Market Equity( EEM , VWO ) are doing relatively well. These asset classes are available to Vanguard ETFs participants.
To summarize, Vanguard ETFs plan participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles. Currently, the tactical asset allocation strategy indicates overweighing on reits , emerging market equity and fixed income funds.
labels:investment,
Symbols:SUB,SHM,PVI,SMB,EPP,AAXJ,GMF,PAF,DND,SHY,SHV,VGSH,PLK,USY,CSJ,BSV,VCSH,AOR,AOA,IGOV,BWX,WIP,IOO,VT,RWR,PSR,URE,IJS,IWN,JKL,VBR,DSV,PWY,RZV,UVT,IJT,IWO,JKK,VBK,DSG,PWT,RZG,UKK,IJR,IWM,JKJ,VB,DSC,PJM,DES,SAA,UWM,SCHA,ITM,MUB,TFI,PZA,MLN,AGG,GBF,BND,LAG,IJJ,ETFs,Portfolio,Building,Asset,Allocation,Commission,Free,
- Top Tier ETF Provider Playoffs
10/19/2010
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. In addition, while many of these ETF’s have a 30 day minimum hold, this is ideal for long term investing when making changes more often than that can be counter productive.
Four companies offer commission free ETF’s and we are going to compare the offerings in detail to determine which is likely to offer the best value to the investor.
In this article we are going to compare Schwab and TD Ameritrade.
Schwab (Ticker SCHW) is a relative late comer to the ETF party. They offer the fewest ETF’s and the ETF’s have the shortest history. They only provide their own ETF's commission free. However, Schwab has a huge network and powerful brand so we expect Schwab to be a significant player in the market.
Schwab ETFNEW Bond ETFsSchwab U.S. TIPS ETF™Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF™Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF™Domestic Equity ETFsSchwab U.S. Broad Market ETF™Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF™Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF™Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF™Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF™International Equity ETFsSchwab International Equity ETF™Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF™Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF™Notable properties about the Schwab offering- The expense ratios are low
- There are four asset classes with a good choice of funds
- We would have liked to have seen more choices with other providers
- We would have liked to have seen funds with a longer history
- We would expect real estate to be added before long
- We would expect more choices in the international and emerging market segments before long
As most of the funds are very new, it’s impossible to do real back testing with the funds. So we have selected a commission efficient portfolio that includes:Asset Class Ticker Name LARGE VALUE SCHV Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF LARGE BLEND SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF LARGE BLEND SCHB Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF LARGE GROWTH SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF LARGE GROWTH IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index SMALL VALUE IJS iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index SMALL BLEND SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF Small Growth IJT iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Foreign Large Blend SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF FOREIGN SMALL/MID GROWTH SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Eq ETF DIVERSIFIED EMERGING MKTS SCHE Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF Inflation-Protected Bond TIP iShares Barclays TIPS Bond Intermediate Government IEI iShares Barclays 3-7 Year Treasury Bond SHORT GOVERNMENT SHY iShares Barclays 1-3 Year Treasury Bond Inflation-Protected Bond SCHP Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF SHORT GOVERNMENT SCHO Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF Intermediate Government SCHR Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Trsy ETF LARGE VALUE VTV Vanguard Value Index LARGE BLEND VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF LARGE VALUE VTV Vanguard Value ETF DIVERSIFIED EMERGING MKTS VWO Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock ETF Foreign Small/Mid Value SCZ iShares MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index Foreign Large Blend EFA iShares MSCI EAFE Index
As of Oct 15, 2010, the Schwab ETF investment choice is rated asaverage 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 below average (19%)
Fund Quality -- Rated as average (59%)
Portfolio Building -- Rated as average (41%)
Overall Rating: average (40%)
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 five asset SIB (Simpler Is Better) plan . This SIB plan has the following candidate index funds and their ETFs equivalent:Fixed Income:( AGG or BND )
Foreign Equity:( EFA or VEU )
Emerging Market Equity:( EEM or VWO )
US Equity:( SPY or VTI )
Performance chart (as of Oct 15, 2010)
Performance table (as of Oct 15, 2010)Portfolio Name1Yr AR1Yr Sharpe3Yr AR3Yr Sharpe5Yr AR5Yr Sharpe2%17%6%44%14%88%1%10%5%38%12%88%10%71%1%2%9%40%10%76%1%4%8%37%
The Schwab Funds perform adequately against the SIB’s.TD Ameritrade (Ticker: AMTD) are also newcomers to the ETF space offering 100+ commission free ETFs. The main restriction is that customers have to hold these ETFs for more than 30 days to make such trades ecommission free.
This is an almost ideal platform for retirement investing with a 30 day redemption period. With a web based application to monitor all of the funds in the plan, it should be possible to put together a very solid portfolio and deliver excellent results.
These funds provide exposure to 6 major assets: Emerging Market Equity , Foreign Equity , Fixed Income , US Equity , Commodity , Real estate.
The list of minor asset classes covered:COMMODITIES BROAD BASKET: GSG , DBC
Conservative Allocation: AOK
DIVERSIFIED EMERGING MKTS: EEM , GMM , PXH , DEM , SCHE
Emerging Markets Bond: PCY
EQUITY: VTI,VT
EUROPE STOCK: IEV , VGK , PEF , DEB
Foreign Large Blend: EFA , VEU , GWL , PFA
Foreign Large Growth: EFG
Foreign Large Value: EFV , PID , DWM
FOREIGN SMALL/MID GROWTH: IFSM , VSS , SCHC
Foreign Small/Mid Value: SCZ
Global Real Estate: IFGL , RWX
High Yield Bond: HYG , JNK , PHB
Inflation-Protected Bond: TIP
Intermediate Government: IEI , VGIT , ITE
Intermediate-Term Bond: AGG,CIU , BIV,BND
JAPAN STOCK: EWJ , JPP , PJO , DXJ
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
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
Moderate Allocation: AOM
Multisector Bond: AGG,GBF , BND , LAG
Muni National Interm: ITM
Muni National Long: MUB , TFI , PZA , MLN
Muni National Short: SUB , SHM , PVI , SMB
PACIFIC/ASIA EX-JAPAN STK: EPP,AAXJ , GMF , PAF , DND
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
SPECIALTY-REAL ESTATE: RWR , PSR , URE
World Allocation: AOR , AOA
WORLD BOND: IGOV , BWX,WIP
WORLD STOCK: IOO , VT
As of Oct 15, 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 great (97%)
Fund Quality -- Rated as below average (28%)
Portfolio Building -- Rated as great (90%)
Overall Rating: above average (73%)
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 five 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 )
Commodity:(DBC)
Foreign Equity:( EFA or VEU )
Emerging Market Equity:( EEM or VWO )
US Equity:( SPY or VTI )
Performance chart (as of Oct 15, 2010)Portfolio Name1Yr AR1Yr Sharpe3Yr AR3Yr Sharpe5Yr AR5Yr Sharpe13%87%13%86%20%128%10%83%-1%-6%9%46%10%65%9%66%17%114%11%84%2%9%9%42%
Currently, asset classes in REITs( IYR , VNQ , ICF ) , Fixed Income( AGG , BND ) and Emerging Market Equity( EEM , VWO ) are doing relatively well. These asset classes are available to TD Ameritrade Commission Free ETFs participants.
Portfolio Performance ComparisonPortfolio Name1Yr AR1Yr Sharpe3Yr AR3Yr Sharpe5Yr AR5Yr Sharpe13%87%13%86%20%128%1%10%5%38%12%88%10%83%-1%-6%9%46%10%71%1%2%9%40%In this round, TD Ameritrade is the clear winner with tactical asset allocation while the Schwab SAA pretty much matches its counterpart.
TD Ameritrade's two key advantages are:- A large number of ETF’s in six asset classes to allow the construction of high performance portfolios
- Providing ETF’s with history from industry leading suppliers
TD Ameritrade is the clear winner and moves on to the final round.labels:investment,
Symbols:SUB,SHM,PVI,SMB,EPP,AAXJ,GMF,PAF,DND,SHY,SHV,VGSH,PLK,USY,CSJ,BSV,VCSH,AOR,AOA,IGOV,BWX,WIP,IOO,VT,RWR,PSR,URE,IJS,IWN,JKL,VBR,DSV,PWY,RZV,UVT,IJT,IWO,JKK,VBK,DSG,PWT,RZG,UKK,IJR,IWM,JKJ,VB,DSC,PJM,DES,SAA,UWM,SCHA,ITM,MUB,TFI,PZA,MLN,AGG,GBF,BND,LAG,IJJ,ETFs,Portfolio,Building,Asset,Allocation,Commission,Free,
- Lazy Portfolios -- The Playoffs II
10/19/2010
This is the second article as we attempt to whittle down the lazy portfolios to four finalists for great analysis of what makes for a great portfolio. We are in the bottom half of the alphabetical list and the eight are listed in reducing order asset classes and funds. We have stated that the winners should be those with the most asset classes and highest number of funds.
Portfolio Classes Funds ETF Equivalent Seven-12 7 12 Y SIX SIB SAA 6 6 y Gone Fishin' 5 10 y Swensen 6 4 6 Y Wasik`s Nano 4 5 Y Harry Browne 3 4 Y Schultheis 3 3 Y Lowell 2 8 Y We are using this series of comparisons to validate whether this proves to be true.- Craig L. Israelsen, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at Brigham Young University. The Seven Equally Weighted, twelve fund portfolio is aimed to protect against losses.
- The MyPlanIQ six asset SIB has index funds for each of the asset classes represented and rebalances monthly – this is primarily a benchmark portfolio
- Alexander Green proposed this The Gone Fishin' Portfolio which was outlined in his book 'The Gone Fishin' Portfolio'
- David Swensen, the Yale Endowment Manager, proposed this one size fit in all model portfolio for individual investors.
- John Wasik has been a professional journalist and author for 30 years specializing in personal finance. John proposed a portfolio which employs a handful of index or ETFs
- Harry Browne is the author of Fail-Safe Investing
- Bill Schulthe is is a former Smith Barney broker and author of "The Coffeehouse Investor."
- Jim Lowell edits MarketWatch's ETF Trader, an investment letter employing a momentum-based exchange-traded-fund strategy for long-term investors.
The returns are now presented in order of highest to lowest of the five year returns. How do the returns compare to what we would have expected?
Portfolio/AR(%) 1 Yr 3 Yr 5 Yr Inception Harry Browne 12.49 7.40 8.99 7.31 Six SIB SAA 12.54 1.61 7.44 8.26 Seven-12 15.55 0.80 6.41 6.16 Swensen Six 15.10 (0.24) 6.21 7.10 Gone Fishin' 12.98 (0.34) 5.64 6.72 Wasik`s Nano 15.34 (1.93) 4.74 4.66 Schultheis 9.23 (2.28) 4.68 4.59 Lowell 12.45 (6.26) 3.55 6.74 - The portfolios roughly follow the asset class/fund class as would be expected
- The Harry Browne portfolio stands out as the clear exception to the rule – it has a signnificant lead over the other portfolios
- The six asset SIB performed well – that was expected. Six asset classes with index funds should perform well
When we look at the drawdown for each of the portfolios, it will reveal which is the most painful to own.Portfolio/DD1 Yr3 Yr5 YrInceptionHarry Browne5%15%15%15%Swensen Six8%39%39%39%Six SIB SAA8%39%39%39%Schultheis9%39%39%39%Seven-128%40%40%40%Gone Fishin'9%42%42%42%Wasik`s Nano9%44%44%44%Lowell16%57%57%57%
Again the Harry Browne portfolio is the clear winner.
We select the top two – which are the Harry Browne and Six asset SIB to move to the final round where they will be put against the best two funds from the top half of the alphabet.
Takeaways- The portfolios followed the expected path against asset classes and funds
- The Harry Browne portfolio was the clear winner and was the exception – we will find out in the final article whether it proves the rule
- With the exception of the Harry Browne portfolio, the drawdown ratios are uncomfortably high
- ETF’s can be used to implement any of these strategies
labels:investment,
Symbols:ACWI,ACWX,ADRE,AGG,BIV,BLV,BND,BSV,BWX,CFT,CIU,CSJ,DBC,DBV,DIA,DVY,EDV,EEM,EFA,EFG,EFV,EMB,ETF,GLD,GOOG,GSG,GXC,HPQ,HYG,ICF,IEF,IEI,IFGL,IGOV,IGR,IJH,IJJ,IJK,IJR,IJS,IJT,IVE,IVV,IVW,IWB,IWC,IWD,IWF,IWM,IWN,Portfolio-Building,with,ETFs,Closed-End,Funds,Commodity,ETFs,Currency,ETFs,Developed,Market,ETFs,
- Lazy Portfolios -- The Playoffs
10/19/2010
- Investing with Styles Can Pay off
07/09/2010
- ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN Report On 12/03/2010
12/03/2010
This report reviews ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT 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 ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN can achieve reasonable investment results using asset allocation strategies.
Plan Review and Rating
ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN's 401K plan consists of 13 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 3 major assets: US Equity, Foreign Equity, Fixed Income. The list of minor asset classes covered:
Foreign Large Blend: EFA, VEU, GWL, PFA
Intermediate-term Bond: AGG, CIU, BIV, BND
Large Blend: IVV, IYY, IWV, VTI, VV, SPY, DLN, RSP, SCHX
Large Growth: IVW, IWZ, JKE, VUG, ELG, QQQQ, RPG, SCHG
Large Value: IVE, IWW, JKF, VTV, ELV, PWV, RPV, SCHV
Moderate Allocation: AOM
Short Government: SHY, SHV, VGSH, PLK, USY
Small Blend: IJR, IWM, JKJ, VB, DSC, PJM, DES, SAA, UWM, SCHA
Small Growth: IJT, IWO, JKK, VBK, DSG, PWT, RZG, UKK
Small Value: IJS, IWN, JKL, VBR, DSV, PWY, RZV, UVT
World Stock: IOO, VT
As of Dec 2, 2010, this plan investment choice is rated as based on MyPlanIQ Plan Rating methodology that measures the effectiveness of a plan's available investment funds. It has the following detailed ratings:
Diversification -- Rated as (21%)
Fund Quality -- Rated as (16%)
Portfolio Building -- Rated as (31%)
Overall Rating: (24%)Current Economic and Market Conditions
We have experienced an uncertain 2010: plenty of worries on whether the US economy will climb out of the great recession and recover.
- The Federal Reserve embarked on Quantitative Easing II (QE2) to stimulate the economy.
- The housing market is still at its low but largely stabilized.
- The unemployment rate is stuck at 9%.
Americans continue to face an uncertain future, given (among others) the high unemployment rate, large federal and local government debts and global trade imbalance. With such an economic backdrop, the stock and debt markets are going to be volatile. Despite this, markets have been resilient and appear positioned to rebound.
In this market it is even more critical to properly diversify and respond market changes. MyPlanIQ offers two asset allocation strategies: strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies ( SAA and TAA for participants in ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN).
Strategic Asset Allocation is based on well known modern portfolio theory and its key features include: diversification, proper fund selection and periodically re-balancing.
Tactical Asset Allocation works on a diversified array of assets provided by funds in a plan and adjusts asset mixes based on market conditions such as asset price momentum utilized by TAA.
Portfolio Discussions
The chart and table below show the historical performance of moderate model portfolios employing strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies. For comparison purpose, we also include the moderate model portfolios of a typical 3 asset SIB (Simpler Is Better) plan . This SIB plan has the following candidate index funds and their ETFs equivalent:
US Equity: (SPY or VTI)
Foreign Equity: (EFA or VEU)
Fixed Income: (AGG or BND)
Performance chart (as of Dec 2, 2010)Performance table (as of Dec 2, 2010)
Portfolio Name 1Yr AR 1Yr Sharpe 3Yr AR 3Yr Sharpe 5Yr AR 5Yr Sharpe ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 7% 61% 6% 65% 7% 69% ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 12% 118% 2% 8% 5% 29% 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 ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN participants.
To summarize, ALLERGAN, INC. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN plan participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles.
Symbols: AGN , SPY , VTI , EFA , VEU , AGG , BND , AOM , CIU , BIV , GWL , PFA , IVE , IWW , JKF , VTV , ELV , PWV , RPV , SCHV , IVV , IYY , IWV , VV , DLN , RSP , SCHX , IOO , VT , SHY , SHV , VGSH , PLK , USY , IVW , IWZ , JKE , VUG , ELG , QQQQ , RPG , SCHG , IJS , IWN , JKL , VBR , DSV , PWY , RZV , UVT , IJR , IWM , JKJ , VB , DSC , PJM , DES , SAA , UWM , SCHA , IJT , IWO , JKK , VBK , DSG , PWT , RZG , UKK
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