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
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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
- Strategic asset allocation portfolio: It invests in a diversified portfolio of multiple assets, buy-and-hold without frequently changing the asset allocation weights.
- Suitable: For long-term (more than 15 years, preferably more than 20 years), want to be tax efficient and can withstand interim drawdown or loss as high as 50% or more.
- Pros:
- Less error-prone
- Infrequent rebalancing or transactions
- Tax efficient for taxable brokerage investments
- Cons:
- Interim loss or drawdown can be substantial
- Possible low returns for an extended period, such as 10 years or longer
- Tactical asset allocation portfolio: it invests in a diversified portfolio of multiple assets, dynamically adjust stock and bond allocations to minimize losses during market stress.
- Suitable: For long-term (more than 10 years or preferably longer) capital. Investors are willing to rebalance as frequent as monthly.
- Pros:
- Reduce large interim loss or drawdown
- Less sensitive to investment entry point
- Likely to improve returns
- Cons
- Demand more frequent rebalancing or transactions
- Less tax efficient — more suitable in a tax-deferred account such as 401(k) or IRA
- Can experience a period of lower returns compared to a broad-based strategic allocation or a buy-and-hold benchmark, especially in some bull markets
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.
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% |
Ticker/Portfolio | Last 1 Week | 1 Yr | 3 Yr | 5 Yr | 10 Yr | 15 Yr | 20 Yr | Inception | YTD | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990 | 1989 | 1988 | 1987 | 1986 | 1985 | 1984 | 1983 | 1982 | 1981 | 1980 | 1979 | |
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Annualized Return (%) | Lowell-Sowers... Moderate | -1.30 | -1.10 | 3.06 | 0.73 | 4.91 | 9.01 | NA | 8.41 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 4.26 | -5.38 | 12.17 | -2.85 | -6.86 | 2.67 | 15.18 | 9.05 | 1.22 | 10.25 | 22.68 | -4.24 | 22.00 | 21.26 | 20.66 | 13.07 | 28.84 | 2.10 | -6.19 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
VFINX (VANGUA...R SHARES) | -1.28 | 7.83 | 13.24 | 11.18 | 13.87 | 8.93 | 6.03 | 6.82 | NA | 24.84 | 26.12 | -18.24 | 28.53 | 18.74 | 31.33 | -4.55 | 21.66 | 11.83 | 1.23 | 13.52 | 32.17 | 15.82 | 1.96 | 14.91 | 26.52 | -37.02 | 5.39 | 15.64 | 4.77 | 10.74 | 28.50 | -22.17 | -12.03 | -9.05 | 21.08 | 28.62 | 33.18 | 22.87 | 37.45 | 1.18 | 10.15 | 8.24 | 32.05 | -3.33 | 28.37 | 14.92 | 3.97 | 9.30 | 22.60 | 3.67 | 17.07 | 19.25 | -8.55 | 27.89 | -2.07 | |
VSMGX (VANGUA...R SHARES) | -0.93 | 3.59 | 6.85 | 5.29 | 7.75 | 6.01 | 5.38 | 5.43 | NA | 10.28 | 15.51 | -16.01 | 10.08 | 13.59 | 19.30 | -6.28 | 14.86 | 7.09 | -2.21 | 6.38 | 14.73 | 9.78 | 0.12 | 13.14 | 20.35 | -26.49 | 7.21 | 13.30 | 5.68 | 11.76 | 22.40 | -10.34 | -4.78 | 1.27 | 14.09 | 21.59 | 17.90 | 10.77 | 26.58 | 2.04 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
Sharpe Ratio | Lowell-Sowers... Moderate | NA | -0.27 | 0.12 | 0.06 | 0.35 | NA | NA | 0.58 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 0.35 | -0.58 | 1.56 | -0.33 | -0.79 | 0.34 | 1.83 | 1.22 | 0.08 | 0.65 | 1.39 | -0.62 | 0.87 | 1.00 | 1.36 | 0.93 | 3.24 | 0.13 | -0.80 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
VFINX (VANGUA...R SHARES) | NA | 0.23 | 0.32 | 0.74 | 0.56 | NA | NA | 0.44 | -0.70 | 1.44 | 1.69 | -0.81 | 2.17 | 0.53 | 2.40 | -0.34 | 3.16 | 0.89 | 0.08 | 1.19 | 2.90 | 1.25 | 0.08 | 0.82 | 0.97 | -0.92 | 0.15 | 1.24 | 0.25 | 0.88 | 1.63 | -0.90 | -0.68 | -0.59 | 0.98 | 1.24 | 1.62 | 1.63 | 4.33 | -0.18 | 0.91 | 0.58 | 1.92 | -0.53 | 1.73 | 0.60 | 0.00 | 0.31 | 1.49 | -0.24 | 0.80 | 0.65 | -1.27 | 1.19 | -3.84 | |
VSMGX (VANGUA...R SHARES) | NA | 0.29 | 0.15 | 0.51 | 0.38 | NA | NA | 0.49 | -0.10 | 0.48 | 1.37 | -1.22 | 1.32 | 0.70 | 2.78 | -0.86 | 3.76 | 0.83 | -0.26 | 1.01 | 2.16 | 1.23 | 0.01 | 1.18 | 1.12 | -0.98 | 0.41 | 1.36 | 0.50 | 1.49 | 2.09 | -0.75 | -0.58 | -0.23 | 1.08 | 1.57 | 1.57 | 0.93 | 4.20 | 4.63 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
Standard Deviation(%) | Lowell-Sowers... Moderate | NA | 10.73 | 9.56 | 9.15 | 10.52 | NA | NA | 12.14 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 8.85 | 11.49 | 7.40 | 9.14 | 8.70 | 7.86 | 8.27 | 7.38 | 14.20 | 15.73 | 16.24 | 8.33 | 21.75 | 17.98 | 13.63 | 13.02 | 8.68 | 7.59 | 10.66 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
VFINX (VANGUA...R SHARES) | NA | 19.39 | 18.60 | 17.94 | 18.44 | NA | NA | 18.12 | 28.69 | 12.67 | 13.09 | 24.19 | 13.11 | 34.69 | 12.48 | 17.11 | 6.68 | 13.11 | 15.51 | 11.39 | 11.07 | 12.74 | 23.36 | 18.07 | 27.22 | 40.99 | 16.02 | 10.04 | 10.29 | 11.10 | 17.04 | 25.96 | 21.55 | 22.20 | 18.17 | 20.48 | 18.21 | 11.77 | 7.77 | 9.92 | 8.83 | 9.93 | 14.69 | 16.06 | 13.09 | 17.07 | 33.80 | 16.55 | 11.67 | 12.80 | 13.62 | 18.09 | 14.61 | 16.53 | 23.80 | |
VSMGX (VANGUA...R SHARES) | NA | 10.43 | 10.86 | 10.39 | 10.40 | NA | NA | 11.50 | 14.60 | 7.69 | 8.26 | 14.34 | 7.62 | 19.08 | 6.43 | 8.81 | 3.80 | 8.31 | 8.51 | 6.28 | 6.80 | 7.99 | 14.68 | 11.10 | 18.01 | 27.95 | 10.37 | 7.43 | 6.96 | 7.25 | 10.38 | 15.37 | 12.42 | 12.30 | 10.07 | 11.65 | 9.10 | 7.74 | 5.41 | 15.57 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
Draw Down(%) | Lowell-Sowers... Moderate | NA | 10.07 | 13.09 | 13.34 | 13.34 | NA | NA | 18.85 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 5.82 | 13.09 | 3.44 | 6.33 | 9.35 | 7.56 | 3.74 | 5.50 | 12.41 | 11.23 | 8.70 | 8.65 | 11.89 | 18.85 | 9.55 | 14.57 | 3.31 | 5.24 | 13.18 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
VFINX (VANGUA...R SHARES) | NA | 18.76 | 18.76 | 24.59 | 33.83 | NA | NA | 55.25 | 18.76 | 8.45 | 9.97 | 24.59 | 5.14 | 33.83 | 6.63 | 19.40 | 2.60 | 10.29 | 12.05 | 7.30 | 5.59 | 9.60 | 18.71 | 15.66 | 27.17 | 47.73 | 9.88 | 7.47 | 7.01 | 7.47 | 13.79 | 33.02 | 29.18 | 16.55 | 11.81 | 19.20 | 10.79 | 7.45 | 2.50 | 8.48 | 4.84 | 5.63 | 5.57 | 19.19 | 7.35 | 7.24 | 33.08 | 11.63 | 7.51 | 10.58 | 7.02 | 13.21 | 15.61 | 16.03 | 2.40 | |
VSMGX (VANGUA...R SHARES) | NA | 9.62 | 13.24 | 22.29 | 22.43 | NA | NA | 41.18 | 9.62 | 4.17 | 8.15 | 21.74 | 3.53 | 22.43 | 3.12 | 11.47 | 1.14 | 6.20 | 8.34 | 4.70 | 5.67 | 6.27 | 12.90 | 8.64 | 19.61 | 36.81 | 6.11 | 6.13 | 4.74 | 5.89 | 8.91 | 20.06 | 17.93 | 8.77 | 6.26 | 11.99 | 6.02 | 4.75 | 1.82 | 1.89 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
Yield(%) | Lowell-Sowers... Moderate | NA | 1.53 | 1.03 | 0.97 | 1.09 | NA | NA | 1.29 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 1.11 | 1.14 | 0.65 | 0.72 | 0.96 | 0.90 | 0.94 | 1.51 | 1.44 | 0.98 | 1.19 | 0.74 | 2.19 | 2.35 | 1.65 | 1.20 | 0.99 | 1.01 | 1.59 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
VFINX (VANGUA...R SHARES) | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
VSMGX (VANGUA...R SHARES) | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
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