Lowell-Sowers Growth
Investment Model Portfolios

Jim Lowell edits MarketWatch's ETF Trader, an investment letter employing a momentum-based exchange-traded-fund strategy for long-term investors. Large/small stocks, proposed his Sower's Growth Portfolio. This is a diversified portfolio of exchange-traded funds.  The view is that a growing economy tends to create a growing portfolio.

This portfolio is heavily equity and US focused. It is a diversified portfolio of exchange-traded funds including Big-caps ETF (DIAIYYONEQ PWC), Midcaps ETF(MDY), Small-caps ETF (IWM) and foreign ETF(EFA).

The fund selection for testing the strategy is listed below with the ETF alternatives:

  • 10% in Diamonds Trust DIA (SPY)
  • 15% in iShares DJ U.S. Total Market IYY (VTI, DVY)
  • 7.5% in Fidelity NASDAQ Composite ONEQ (QCLN, QQEQ)
  • 7.5% in Power Shares Dynamic Market PWC (VTV, VUG)
  • 10% in iShares Russell 2000 IWM (IWO, VBR)
  • 15% in Mid Cap SPDR Trust MDY (IJH, VO)
  • 25% in iShares MSCI International EAFE EFA (VEA, EFV)
  • 10% in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EEM (VWO)


Things to note about the portfolio:

  • With 100% in equities, this would be considered an aggressive portfolio
  • 65% in US equities is high in today’s market
  • There is no real estate (IYR, VNQ, ICF) or fixed income which would likely result in improved performance today

Investment options of Lowell-Sowers Growth

Total Available Funds: 8
Asset Class Ticker Description
US EQUITY
LARGE VALUE DIA "DIAMONDS Trust Series 1"
LARGE BLEND IYY iShares Dow Jones U.S. Index
LARGE GROWTH ONEQ Fidelity Nasdaq Composite Index Tracking
LARGE BLEND PWC PowerShares Dynamic Market
SMALL BLEND IWM iShares Russell 2000 Index
MID-CAP BLEND MDY MidCap SPDRs
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY
Foreign Large Blend EFA iShares MSCI EAFE Index
Emerging Market
DIVERSIFIED EMERGING MKTS EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index

Investment model portfolios

We provide two types of investment model portfolios for Lowell-Sowers Growth participants. You can customize and follow a model portfolio in your plan account.

Types of portfolio strategies

These portfolios are proactively monitored and rebalanced on a monthly basis when needed, ensuring it remains in line with its target allocation.

Let us know (Email us) if you need help to create a custom model portfolio for your plan.

Example model portfolios

The following provides historical returns for example model portfolios with a moderate risk profile (at most 60% in stocks) and their comparison with benchmark index funds. You can customize these portfolios according to your own risk profile.

Strategic Asset Allocation Model Portfolio

The following portfolio is based on the MyPlanIQ Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) strategy.

Tactical Asset Allocation Model Portfolio

The following portfolio is based on the MyPlanIQ Tactical Asset Allocation (TAA) strategy.

The return data shown below all delayed by 3 months. Their latest dates are all the same: 07/31/2019.
AR inception is since 12/31/2000.
Name YTD Return 1Yr AR 3Yr AR 5Yr AR 10Yr AR 15Yr AR 20Yr AR Inception
Lowell-Sowers Growth Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate NA -1.10% 3.06% 0.73% 4.91% 9.01% NA 8.41%
VFINX (VANGUARD 500 INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES) NA 7.83% 13.24% 11.18% 13.87% 8.93% 6.03% 6.82%
VSMGX (VANGUARD LIFESTRATEGY MODERATE GROWTH FUND INVESTOR SHARES) NA 3.59% 6.85% 5.29% 7.75% 6.01% 5.38% 5.43%