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Articles on IWR

  • Peabody Energy 401K Plan Provides Reasonable Investment Choices

    12/06/2010

    This report reviews PEABODY WESTERN-UMWA 401(K) 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 PEABODY WESTERN-UMWA 401(K) PLAN can achieve reasonable investment results using asset allocation strategies.

     

    Plan Review and Rating

     

    Peabody Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, mining, and production of coal worldwide.

    PEABODY WESTERN-UMWA 401(K) PLAN consists of 18 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
    Foreign Large Blend: EFA, VEU, GWL, PFA
    Foreign Large Value: EFV, PID, DWM
    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
    Retirement Income:
    Small Growth: IJT, IWO, JKK, VBK, DSG, PWT, RZG, UKK
    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

    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 (51%)
    Fund Quality -- Rated as (74%)
    Portfolio Building -- Rated as (67%)
    Overall Rating: (65%)

     

    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 PEABODY WESTERN-UMWA 401(K) 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)

    Portfolio Name1Yr AR1Yr Sharpe3Yr AR3Yr Sharpe5Yr AR5Yr Sharpe
    PEABODY WESTERN-UMWA 401(K) PLAN Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 3% 21% 6% 56% 12% 98%
    PEABODY WESTERN-UMWA 401(K) PLAN Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 9% 94% 2% 13% 7% 44%
    Four Core Asset ETF Index Funds Emerging Markets Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate 1% 6% 6% 49% 12% 78%
    Four Core Asset ETF Index Funds Emerging Markets Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate 10% 75% 2% 6% 7% 31%

    Currently, asset classes in US Equity (SPY,VTI), Foreign Equity (EFA,VEU) and Emerging Market Equity (EEM,VWO) are doing relatively well. These asset classes are available to PEABODY WESTERN-UMWA 401(K) PLAN participants.

    To summarize, PEABODY WESTERN-UMWA 401(K) PLAN plan participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles.

     

    labels:investment,

    Symbols:BTU,SPY,VTI,EFA,VEU,EEM,VWO,AGG,BND,CIU,BIV,GWL,PFA,IVE,IWW,JKF,VTV,ELV,PWV,RPV,SCHV,EFV,PID,DWM,TZD,TZE,TZG,TZI,TZL,IVV,IYY,IWV,VV,DLN,RSP,SCHX,IVW,IWZ,JKE,VUG,ELG,QQQQ,RPG,SCHG,IJH,IWR,JKG,VO,MDY,EMM,PJG,DON,EZM,MVV,GMM,PXH,DEM,SCHE,IJT,IWO,JKK,VBK,DSG, ,

     

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  • Bristol-Myers Can Broaden Its 401K Plan Investment Choices By Offering Emerging Market or REIT Funds

    12/06/2010

    This report reviews BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PROGRAM 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 BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PROGRAM can achieve reasonable investment results using asset allocation strategies.

     

    Plan Review and Rating

     

    Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, a global biopharmaceutical company, engages in discovering, developing, and delivering medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. The company focuses on areas of serious unmet medical need, such as affective (psychiatric) disorders, Alzheimers/dementia, cardiovascular (primarily atherosclerosis/thrombosis), diabetes, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, obesity, oncology, rheumatoid arthritis and related diseases, and solid organ transplant.

    BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PROGRAM consists of 26 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
    Foreign Large Growth: EFG
    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
    Retirement Income:
    Small Blend: IJR, IWM, JKJ, VB, DSC, PJM, DES, SAA, UWM, SCHA
    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 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 (30%)
    Fund Quality -- Rated as (45%)
    Portfolio Building -- Rated as (54%)
    Overall Rating: (44%)

     

    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 BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PROGRAM).

    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)

    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 BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PROGRAM participants.

    To summarize, BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PROGRAM plan participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles. 

     

    labels; investment

    Symbols:BMY,SPY,VTI,EFA,VEU,AGG,BND,CIU,BIV,EFG,GWL,PFA,IVE,IWW,JKF,VTV,ELV,PWV,RPV,SCHV,TZD,TZE,TZG,TZI,TZO,TZL,TZV,IVV,IYY,IWV,VV,DLN,RSP,SCHX,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,IJR,IWM,JKJ,V,

     

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  • Baker Hughes 401K Plan Provides Adequate Investment Choices

    12/06/2010

    This report reviews BAKER 401(k) 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 BAKER 401(k) PLAN can achieve reasonable investment results using asset allocation strategies.

     

    Plan Review and Rating

     

    Baker Hughes Incorporated and its subsidiaries supply wellbore related products, and technology services and systems for drilling, formation evaluation, completion and production, and reservoir technology and consulting to the oil and natural gas industry worldwide. It operates in two segments, Drilling and Evaluation, and Completion and Production.

    BAKER 401(k) PLAN consists of 30 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 Blend: IJH, IWR, JKG, VO, MDY, EMM, PJG, DON, EZM, MVV
    Moderate Allocation: AOM
    Retirement Income:
    Small Blend: IJR, IWM, JKJ, VB, DSC, PJM, DES, SAA, UWM, SCHA
    Small Growth: IJT, IWO, JKK, VBK, DSG, PWT, RZG, UKK
    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 2036-2040: TZV
    Target Date 2041-2045:
    Target Date 2050+:
    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 (51%)
    Fund Quality -- Rated as (75%)
    Portfolio Building -- Rated as (75%)
    Overall Rating: (68%)

     

    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 BAKER 401(k) 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)

    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 BAKER 401(k) PLAN participants.

    To summarize, BAKER 401(k) PLAN plan participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles.

     

    labels:investment,

    Symbols:BHI,SPY,VTI,EFA,VEU,AGG,BND,AOM,CIU,BIV,GWL,PFA,IVE,IWW,JKF,VTV,ELV,PWV,RPV,SCHV,TZD,TZE,TZG,TZI,TZL,TZV,IVV,IYY,IWV,VV,DLN,RSP,SCHX,IOO,VT,IVW,IWZ,JKE,VUG,ELG,QQQQ,RPG,SCHG,IJH,IWR,JKG,VO,MDY,EMM,PJG,DON,EZM,MVV,IJR,IWM,JKJ,VB,DSC,PJM,DES,SAA,UWM,SCHA,IJ, ,

     

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  • Allegheny Energy Can Improve Diversification By Offering More Choices in Its 401K Plan

    12/06/2010

    This report reviews ALLEGHENY ENERGY EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP AND SAVINGS 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 ENERGY EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP AND SAVINGS PLAN can achieve reasonable investment results using asset allocation strategies.

     

    Plan Review and Rating

     

    Allegheny Energy, Inc. owns and operates electric generation facilities, and delivers electric services to customers in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. The company owns or contractually controls coal-, gas-, and oil-fired generation facilities, as well as hydro generation facilities.

    ALLEGHENY ENERGY EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP AND SAVINGS PLAN's 401K plan consists of 28 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
    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
    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
    Multisector Bond: AGG, GBF, BND, LAG
    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
    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 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 (11%)
    Fund Quality -- Rated as (58%)
    Portfolio Building -- Rated as (48%)
    Overall Rating: (40%)

     

    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 ENERGY EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP AND SAVINGS 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)

    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 ALLEGHENY ENERGY EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP AND SAVINGS PLAN participants.

    To summarize, ALLEGHENY ENERGY EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP AND SAVINGS PLAN plan participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles.

     

    labels:investment,

    Symbols:AYE,SPY,VTI,EFA,VEU,AGG,BND,CIU,BIV,GWL,PFA,IVE,IWW,JKF,VTV,ELV,PWV,RPV,SCHV,TZD,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,SCHG,IJJ,IWS,JKI,VOE,EMV,PWP,RFV,UVU,IJH,IWR,JKG,VO,MDY,EMM,PJG,DON,EZM, ,

     

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  • American Express Provides Above Average Investment Choices in Its 401K Plan

    12/06/2010

    This report reviews AMERICAN EXPRESS RETIREMENT SAVINGS 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 AMERICAN EXPRESS RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN can achieve reasonable investment results using asset allocation strategies.

     

    Plan Review and Rating

     

    American Express Company provides charge and credit payment card products, and travel-related services worldwide. It offers a range of products and services, including charge and credit card products; expense management products and services; consumer and business travel services; stored value products, such as Travelers Cheques and prepaid products; network services; merchant acquisition, and merchant processing, point-of-sale, servicing and settlement, and marketing products and services for merchants; and fee services, including market and trend analyses along with related consulting services and customer loyalty and rewards programs. American Express was founded in 1850 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

     

    AMERICAN EXPRESS RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN consists of 24 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
    Foreign Large Blend: EFA, VEU, GWL, PFA
    Foreign Large Value: EFV, PID, DWM
    Foreign Small/mid Value: SCZ
    Intermediate-term Bond: AGG, CIU, BIV, BND
    Large Blend: IVV, IYY, IWV, VTI, VV, SPY, DLN, RSP, SCHX
    Long-term Bond: CLY, LQD, BLV, VCLT
    Mid-cap Blend: IJH, IWR, JKG, VO, MDY, EMM, PJG, DON, EZM, MVV
    Small Blend: IJR, IWM, JKJ, VB, DSC, PJM, DES, SAA, UWM, SCHA
    Us Equity: IVV, IYY, IWV, VTI, VV, SPY, DLN, RSP, SCHX

    As of Dec 2, 2010, this plan investment choice is rated as Above Average 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 Average (61%)
    Fund Quality -- Rated as Average (60%)
    Portfolio Building -- Rated as Good (96%)
    Overall Rating: Above Average (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 AMERICAN EXPRESS RETIREMENT SAVINGS 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 US Equity (SPY,VTI), Foreign Equity (EFA,VEU), Emerging Market Equity (EEM,VWO) and Fixed Income (AGG,BND) are doing relatively well. These asset classes are available to AMERICAN EXPRESS RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN participants.

    To summarize, AMERICAN EXPRESS RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN plan participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles.

     

    labels:investment,

    Symbols:AXP,SPY,VTI,EFA,VEU,EEM,VWO,AGG,BND,IVV,IYY,IWV,VV,DLN,RSP,SCHX,CIU,BIV,GWL,PFA,SCZ,EFV,PID,DWM,IJH,IWR,JKG,VO,MDY,EMM,PJG,DON,EZM,MVV,IJR,IWM,JKJ,VB,DSC,PJM,DES,SAA,UWM,SCHA,GMM,PXH,DEM,SCHE,CLY,LQD,BLV,VCLT, ,

     

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