Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (ARCA: BIV)

Latest news for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (ARCA:BIV)

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 5-10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index includes all medium and larger issues of U.S. government, investment-grade corporate and investment-grade international dollar-denominated bonds that have maturities between 5 and 10 years and are publicly issued. All of its investments will be selected through the sampling process, and at least 80% of its assets will be invested in bonds held in the index.

Vanguard Intermediate Term Bond Index ETF

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Congressman Kurt Schrader of Oregon was last covered by Benzinga for his trades on Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) and SLB (NYSE: SLB), which were made on Oct. 13 and Oct. 26, respectively.

This US Rep Bought 3 Vanguard ETFs Paying Monthly Dividends, Saw Gains In Recent Trades

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An Eventful February Took Its Toll On TD Ameritrade&#39;s Investor Index

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Congressman Kurt Schrader of Oregon was last covered by Benzinga for his trades on Ameren Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aee#NYSE">AEE</a>) and SLB (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/slb#NYSE">SLB</a>), which were made on Oct. 13 and Oct. 26, respectively. Since those trades were made, Ameren has shown returns of roughly 15.6%, while SLB is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/22/11/29601078/house-energy-committee-member-buys-2-paying-dividend-stocks-sells-conocophillips-shares">down roughly 9.7%</a>.
Furthermore, SLB has been declining ever since it hit its 52-week high of $56.04 per share, which would have resulted in positive returns of 7.8% if actualized.
Schrader, a Democrat, has made over 450 trades in the past three years. His most trade was Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (BATS: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nulc#BATS">NULC</a>), which he recently sold between $15,000 to $50,000 in shares on Nov. 8, per Capitol Trades.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/22/12/29962461/this-congressman-is-up-over-28-on-amd-stock-buy-also-sees-gains-on-these-2-dividend-stocks">This Congressman Is Up Over 28% On AMD Stock Buy, Also Sees Gains On These 2 Dividend Payers</a>
Besides selling shares of this exchange-traded fund (ETF), Schrader purchased shares in three monthly dividend-paying <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/vanguard-review/">Vanguard</a> ETFs.
Continue reading to learn more about these trades and ETFs.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/vanguard-review/">Vanguard</a> Total International Bond ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bndx#NASDAQ">BNDX</a>) is offering a dividend yield of 4.31% or $2.12 per share annually, using monthly payments, with a track record of increasing its dividends once in the past year. The Vanguard Total International Bond ETF holds more than 4,500 bonds from both developed and emerging non-U.S. markets, with an average effective maturity of 8.9 years. This ETF is passively managed, using index sampling and employs hedging strategies that seek to mitigate uncertainty in exchange rates. Schrader purchased a range of between $1,000 to $15,000 in shares of Vanguard Total International Bond ETF for $47.68 per share, traded on Nov. 8 in an undisclosed filing, reported Capitol Trades.</li>
<li>Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (ARCA: BIV) is offering a dividend yield of 3.61% or $2.73 per share annually, through monthly payments, with a track record of increasing its dividends once in the past year. The Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF invests in U.S. government high-quality investment grade corporate and investment grade international dollar-denominated bonds, with an average effective maturity of 7.2 years. Congressman Schrader purchased a range of between $1,000 to $15,000 in shares of Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF for $72.49 per share, traded on Nov. 8 in an undisclosed filing, reported Capitol Trades.</li>
<li>Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vmbs#NASDAQ">VMBS</a>) is offering a dividend yield of 2.19% or $1.01 per share annually, making monthly payments, with an inconsistent track record of increasing its dividends. The Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF invests primarily in U.S. agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities issued by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, with a dollar-weighted average maturity of three to 10 years. Schrader purchased a range of between $1,000 to $15,000 in shares of Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF for $44.18 per share, traded on Nov. 8 in an undisclosed filing, reported Capitol Trades.</li>
</ul>
As of Sept. 29, 72 congress members violated the federal STOCK Act, which was formed to prevent insider trading. Although lawmakers like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) want to go a step further and ban members of Congress and their spouses from owning or <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/22/12/29945181/this-congresswoman-saw-returns-of-over-20-on-this-aerospace-company-check-out-3-dividend-stocks-she">trading individual stocks</a>.

Vanguard, the second-largest U.S. issuer of exchange traded funds, is at it again. &ldquo;It&rdquo; being lowering fees, something the firm did on a bunch of ETFs <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/19/11/14804696/3-vanguard-etfs-that-just-got-cheaper">just a few months ago</a>.
Last week, Vanguard unveiled fee cuts on four ETFs and three index fund share classes that are related to the equity ETF in that group. The other three ETF fee reductions pertain to fixed income funds.
&ldquo;In aggregate, these changes represent $12.9 million in savings returned to investors, bringing the total 2019 fiscal year client savings to $85.1 million,&rdquo; <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/vanguard-reports-expense-reductions-stock-170000512.html">according to the issuer.</a>
Here are the Vanguard ETFs that just got a little bit cheaper.
<h3>Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF)</h3>
The annual fee on the Vanguard Extended Market ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vxf#NYSE">VXF</a>) is now 0.06% per year, or $6 on a $10,000 investment, down from 0.07%.
Often overlooked relative to some other Vanguard equity ETFs, VXF is still a monster with $8.3 billion in assets under management and serves a very useful function: providing investors exposure to a broad basket of domestic mid- and small-cap stocks that are often under-represented or left out of traditional large-cap equity funds.
In other words, <a href="https://investor.vanguard.com/etf/profile/portfolio/vxf">VXF&#39;s 3,271 holdings</a> are the U.S. stocks on major exchanges not residing in the S&amp;P 500.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/20/02/15371708/3-alternative-energy-etfs-crushing-it-this-year">3 Renewable Energy ETFs Soaring This Year</a> 
<h3>Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (BIV)</h3>
Like the aforementioned VXF, the Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/biv#NYSE">BIV</a>) earned a fee cut, but of a slightly larger variety as BIV now charging 0.05% per year, down from 0.07%.
The $12.6 billion BIV follows the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 5&ndash;10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index and holds nearly 1,900 bonds with an average <a href="https://investor.vanguard.com/etf/profile/portfolio/biv">duration of 6.3 years</a>. Massive inflows to bond ETFs over the past year have allowed Vanguard to reduce expenses on many of its fixed income ETFs.
&ldquo;Driven in part by record fixed income ETF cash flow, Vanguard reported lower expense ratios on 16 of its 18 U.S. bond ETFs over the 2019 fiscal year reporting cycle,&rdquo; said the issuer.
<h3>Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BLV)</h3>
The Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/blv#NYSE">BLV</a>) also saw its expense ratio reduced to 0.05% per year from 0.07%.
This $4.8 billion ETF holds 2,338 bonds with an average duration of 15.8 years, making it sensitive to changes in interest rates. With its yield of 3.22%, it wouldn&#39;t be surprising to see BLV post another strong year of asset gathering in 2020.
<h3>Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV)</h3>
Like the other fixed funds highlighted here, the Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bsv#NYSE">BSV</a>) is now charging 0.05% annually, down from 0.07%. The $21.9 billion BSV holds almost 2,500 bonds.
&ldquo;Vanguard&#39;s U.S. fixed income ETFs experienced $37.1 billion in cash flow in 2019, a 103% increase from $18.3 billion in 2018,&rdquo; according to the issuer. &ldquo;Given the scale of the global bond market and relative small footprint of bond ETFs, Vanguard expects greater fixed income ETF adoption to continue.&rdquo;

'Vanguard Holds Half of PG&E's $920 Million Municipal Bonds' -Bloomberg

After nearly two solid years of plotting a strong upward trajectory, TD Ameritrade&#39;s investor Movement Index took its first decisive downturn in February.
The index &mdash; which measures sentiment among TDA investors based on holdings, trading activity and other trader behavior &mdash; fell by 23.6 percent over the course of the month, a drop of nearly two full points to 5.95.
Despite the volatility and rocky returns, TDA clients saw light at the end of the tunnel, remaining net buyers of equity for the 12th month in a row.
<h3>
	Investors Bought The Dip In Tech</h3>
Among the stocks that drew the most buying action during the volatile month were those that sustained the biggest drop.
Tech remained a popular industry for TDA investors, with Apple Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/aapl#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/msft#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/amzn#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) taking top spots in new or increased positions for TDA investors. This activity occurred in a month that saw the Nasdaq composite, of which those three companies make up about 25 percent, fall by more than 8 percent to a three-month low. The index, and those stocks, did make up the loss in short order. All three stocks are now trading above or within a few points of their all-time highs.
Among the other heavily acquired tech names in the month were NVIDIA Corporation&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/nvda#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Alibaba Group holdings Ltd. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/baba#NYSE">BABA</a>), which both showed strong revenue in their quarterly earnings reports.
<h3>
	Industrial Underdogs?</h3>
Tech wasn&#39;t the only comeback story to occur last month, as TDA investors lined up to incorporate some big manufacturing, defense and automotive names to their portfolios. Notably, these included stocks on a sustained downtrend like Ford Motor Company (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/f#NYSE">F</a>), which reported a drop in Febuary car sales of <a href="https://mms.businesswire.com/media/20180301005916/en/643701/1/February+2018+Sales+Final.pdf?download=1">about 7 percent</a>, and General Electric Company (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ge#NYSE">GE</a>), which has continued unveiling <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/18/02/11210194/analyst-ge-has-more-unpleasant-surprises-ahead">unpleasant surprises to investors</a> in the form of dividend and other cost cuts.
Defense and aeronautics company Boeing Co (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ba#NYSE">BA</a>) also joins the list of industrial stocks that garnered attention from TDA clients. However, unlike Ford and GE, Boeing weathered a stormy February with news of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/18/02/11187408/boeing-reports-11-new-orders-through-month-of-jan-31-2018">new orders</a>, including an informal agreement with the government for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/18/02/11266603/cnbc-now-tweets-breaking-white-house-boeing-reach-informal-deal-on-fixed-price-c">two new additions to the Air Force One fleet</a>.
<h3>
	Prescription To Sell</h3>
Biotech names topped the chart for those stocks that saw the most selling pressure from TDA investors. There was a trend toward profit taking, particularly in Bristol-Myers Squibb Co (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bmy#NYSE">BMY</a>), which reached a new all-time high of $67.40 mid-way through the month after announcing a partnership with Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/nktr#NASDAQ">NKTR</a>) that net Bristol-Meyers <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/18/02/11195322/bristol-myers-squibb-nektar-therapeutics-announce-global-development-commerciali">$1.8 billion in cash and equity</a>.
Other biotech firms that experienced a sell-off include Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gild#NASDAQ">GILD</a>), which saw a new 52-week high after it gained FDA approval of its HIV-1 treatment Biktarvy, as well as Bioverativ Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/biv#NASDAQ">BIV</a>) and Juno Therapeutics (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/juno#NASDAQ">JUNO</a>), which both saw a massive price jump late in January after each company announced an acquisition agreement with Sanofi SA (ADR) (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sny#NYSE">SNY</a>) and Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/celg#NASDAQ">CELG</a>), respectively
Among other names that TDA clients dropped from their portfolios were Facebook Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fb#NASDAQ">FB</a>) and Snap Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/snap#NYSE">SNAP</a>), which both had disappointing user metrics, and ConocoPhillips (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cop#NYSE">COP</a>) and Target Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tgt#NYSE">TGT</a>).
<a href="https://imx.tdameritrade.com/imx/p/imx-pub">Click here to check out the full February report as well as previous months&#39; IMX.</a>

An Eventful February Took Its Toll On TD Ameritrade's Investor Index

One of the primary reasons investors have embraced exchange-traded funds over the years is lower fees relative to actively managed equivalents. ETF issuers continue rewarding that faith with a &ldquo;race to the bottom&rdquo; outlook on ETF expenses.
Predictably, Vanguard plays a big role in the trend of lower ETF fees, and after a recent spate of fee cuts from rival issuers, the Pennsylvania-based fund giant is again making its low fee presence felt.
On Thursday, Vanguard, the second-largest U.S. ETF issuer, announced fee reductions on 35 mutual fund classes, including 11 ETFs. But before we get to that good news, there is some bad news ... sort of.
<h3>Fee Raise</h3>
Vanguard slightly raised the annual expense ratio on the Vanguard Health Care ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vht#NYSE">VHT</a>) to 0.1 percent from 0.09 percent. Fidelity, one of Vanguard&#39;s chief competitors, offers the ETF industry&#39;s<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/16/10/8556957/fidelity-has-a-say-in-etf-fee-tussle"> least expensive lineup</a> of sector ETFs.
<h3>Fee Cuts</h3>
The 11 ETF fee cuts unveiled by Vanguard include a significant portion of the issuer&#39;s fixed income lineup. All of the following saw annual fees reduced to 0.07 percent from 0.1 percent:
<ul>
<li>Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/edv#NYSE">EDV</a>).</li>
<li>Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/biv#NYSE">BIV</a>).</li>
<li> Vanguard Intmdte Tm Govt Bd ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vgit#NASDAQ">VGIT</a>).</li>
<li>Vanguard Long Term Corporate Bond ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vclt#NASDAQ">VCLT</a>).</li>
<li>Vanguard Lg Term Govt Bd ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vglt#NASDAQ">VGLT</a>).</li>
<li>Vanguard Mortgage Bkd Sects ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vmbs#NASDAQ">VMBS</a>).</li>
<lI>and the Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vcsh#NASDAQ">VCSH</a>).</li>
</ul>
Three of Vanguard&#39;s mega-cap equity ETFs now sport annual expense ratios <a href="https://pressroom.vanguard.com/nonindexed/Fact-sheet-first-wave-expense-ratio-changes-122216.pdf">of 0.07 percent</a>, down from 0.09 percent. Those ETFs are the Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mgc#NYSE">MGC</a>), Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Growth Index ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mgk#NYSE">MGK</a>) and the Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mgv#NYSE">MGV</a>).
<h3>Fee Wars</h3>
&ldquo;In 2004, when Vanguard managed $6 billion in ETF assets, the average expense ratio for Vanguard&rsquo;s ETFs was 0.22 percent. Today, Vanguard manages $593 billion in U.S. ETF assets. The average expense ratio of the firm&rsquo;s ETFs is 0.12 percent, or less than one-third that of the 0.53 percent industry average,&rdquo; said Vanguard<a href="https://pressroom.vanguard.com/news/Press-release-VG-announces-first-wave-expense-ratio-changes-12-22-16.html"> in a statement</a>.
Vanguard&#39;s latest fee cuts answer <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/16/12/8824318/blackrock-fee-cuts-extend-into-smart-beta-realm">two such moves </a>this year, including one this month, by rival BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/blk#NYSE">BLK</a>) and one fee reduction announcement by Charles Schwab Corp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/schw#NYSE">SCHW</a>).

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Vanguard Has Its Say In ETF Fee War

Meeting minutes revealed by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) last week showed that the Federal Reserve could boost interest rates at its June meeting. Bond markets reacted accordingly. On May 17, Fed funds futures priced in just a 12 percent chance of a June rate hike. By May 18, that number surged <a href="http://www.ft.com/fastft/tag/federal-funds-futures/">to 25 percent</a>.
To this point, advisors and investors who enthusiastically poured billions of dollars into fixed-income exchange-traded funds this year have not started departing those funds in significant fashion. In fact, this month, some bond ETFs are keeping up already torrid paces of asset gathering.
<h3>HYG's Not So Hot, But There's More To The Story</h3>
On a month-to-date basis, the iShares iBoxx $ High Yid Corp Bond (ETF) (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/hyg#NYSE">HYG</a>) is the only bond fund among the worst 10 ETFs in terms of lost assets. Outflows from HYG started prior to the release of the most recent FOMC minutes. Conversely, four of this month&#39;s top 10 asset-gathering ETFs are bond funds and three of those are either Treasury funds or<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/16/03/7652553/boring-bonds-boost-etf-asset-growth"> heavy on U.S. government debt</a>.
<bzrelatedlink>Related Link: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/news/16/05/8000449/what-does-trump-think-about-janet-yellen-fed-audit">What Does Trump Think About Janet Yellen, Interest Rates And The Fed?</a></bzrelatedlink>
&ldquo;Despite the fact that investors are now <a href="http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/interest-rates/countdown-to-fomc.html">pricing in</a> a 30 percent chance that the Fed will hike interest rates in its June meeting, treasuries yields are still down sharply for the year so far &ndash; which goes to show that investors are still to be fully convinced about the Fed&rsquo;s newly found hawkish stance,&rdquo; said Markit <a href="http://www.markit.com/Commentary/Get/20052016-Credit-ETF-investors-pile-in-to-treasuries-despite-Fed-noise">in a recent note</a>. &ldquo;This skepticism has been evidenced as US ETF investors have taken advantage of the recent spike in yields to buy into US treasuries. Treasury ETFs, which saw their first inflows since mid-February last week, have continued to see inflows this week with over $330 million flowing into the 52 US treasuries ETFs in the Markit ETP database.&rdquo;
<h3>A Few Others To Watch</h3>
With a rate hike potentially just a few weeks away, investors are favoring intermediate-term bond ETFs this month. For example, the Vanguard Intermediate Tm Cpte Bd ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vcit#NASDAQ">VCIT</a>) and the Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/biv#NYSE">BIV</a>) have added over $1.1 billion in new assets combined since May 1.
The iShares Barclays Aggregate Bond Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/agg#NYSE">AGG</a>), which has an effective duration of 5.2 years, is this month&#39;s top asset-gathering bond ETF with $753.7 million of inflows. Year-to-date, only two ETFs have taken in more new money than AGG.
Markit notes that prior to the past two weeks, Treasury ETFs suffered 10 consecutive weeks of outflows.

VCIT

Rate Hike Speculation Isn't Chasing Investors From Treasury ETFs...Yet

One of the primary reasons advisors and investor love Vanguard exchange traded funds are the low fees. Pennsylvania-based Vanguard, the third-largest U.S. ETF issuer, has some of the lowest fees in the ETF business, and the company has consistently shown during its time in the ETF industry that as its funds swell in size, it will pare annual expense ratios.

	&nbsp;

	Forgive the Christmas comparison, but Santa arrived a few days early for Vanguard investors this year as the company said Tuesday it is lowering fees on 21 of its ETFs. That includes Vanguard&#39;s group of 10 sector ETFs. With the new, lower fees, Vanguard undercuts rival Fidelity as having the least expensive sector ETFs on the market today.

	&nbsp;

	Previously, Vanguard sector ETFs charged 0.12 percent a year, or $12 per $10,000 on its sector ETFs. Now, the Vanguard Health Care ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vht#NYSE">VHT</a>) sports an annual fee of just 0.09 percent while other popular Vanguard sector offerings, such as the Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vgt#NYSE">VGT</a>) and the Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vdc#NYSE">VDC</a>), will charge 0.1 percent per year. VGT is known for having <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/15/10/5941514/with-one-exception-apple-etfs-calm-ahead-of-earnings">one of the largest weights</a> to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/aapl#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) among all ETFs.&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	&ldquo;Vanguard continues to set the standard as the industry&rsquo;s low-cost leader, reducing costs not just on a subset of products, but across our funds and ETFs,&rdquo; said Vanguard CEO Bill McNabb <a href="https://pressroom.vanguard.com/content/press_release/Press_Release_Vanguard_Reports_Lower_Expense_Ratios_53_Funds_ETFs_122215.html">in a statement</a>. &ldquo;We have a track record of nearly 40 years of lowering the cost of investing for our clients and we have every intention of continuing to lower the cost of investing.&rdquo;&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	Eight fixed income ETFs issued by Vanguard also saw annual fees reduced by 17 percent to 0.1 percent from 0.12 percent. The group includes the Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vclt#NASDAQ">VCLT</a>), Vanguard Long-Term Government Bond ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vglt#NASDAQ">VGLT</a>), Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vmbs#NASDAQ">VMBS</a>) and the Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/biv#NYSE">BIV</a>).

	&nbsp;

	Vanguard also announced lower fees on its mega-cap style ETFs. The Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mgc#NYSE">MGC</a>) and the Vanguard Mega Cap Value ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mgv#NYSE">MGV</a>) now charge 0.06 percent per year, down from 0.08 percent, while the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mgk#NYSE">MGK</a>) is charging 0.08 percent, down from 0.1 percent.

Intraday Update

Vanguard Is At It Again; Lowers Fees On 21 ETFs

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PowerShares DBmmodity Index Optimum Yield Diversified Fund

iShares JPMorgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Fund

Using Asset Classes in Amerivest Guided Portfolios to Construct ETF Portfolios

Last week AdvisorShares introduced four new actively managed ETFs from two different managers.  Madrona Funds, LLC is the sub-advisor and portfolio manager of three new “Madrona Forward” ETFs while American Wealth Management is the sub-advisor and portfolio manager for the “Meidell Tactical” ETF.  These additions bring the number of actively managed ETF listings to 40.  Despite the high level of interest, <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/5-obstacles-facing-active-etfs" target="_blank">actively managed ETFs still face numerous obstacles</a>.
The three Madrona Forward ETFs were launched 6/21/11 (<a href="http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/AdvisorShares-Set-to-Launch-3-Madrona-Funds-ETFs-1529025.htm" target="_blank">press release</a>) and are managed by Brian Evans, Robert Bauer, and Kristi Henderson.  All three members of the portfolio management team are CPAs whose investment approach is more fully described in the <a href="http://advisorshares.com/system/files/funds/public_docs/Whitepaper_Madrona_052011_0.pdf" target="_blank">Forward-Looking Broad-Market Investing White Paper</a> (pdf).  Further information is below and in the <a href="http://advisorshares.com/system/files/funds/public_docs/AdvisorShares%20Trust%20-%20Madrona%20Prospectus%20_FINAL%20as%20Filed%202_14_11__0.pdf" target="_blank">Madrona Prospectus</a> (pdf).
The AdvisorShares Meidell Tactical Advantage ETF (MATH), launched 6/23/11 (<a href="http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/AdvisorShares-Launches-the-Meidell-Tactical-Advantage-ETF-MATH-1530623.htm" target="_blank">press release</a>), will be managed by Laif Meidell of American Wealth Management.  The MATH strategy, based on a combination of relative strength and moving averages, tries to increase exposure to stronger areas of the market and shift to defensive positions when markets decline.  The new ETF is described below (following the three Madrona Forward ETFs).
AdvisorShares Madrona Forward Domestic ETF (FWDD) seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation above the S&amp;P 500 Index by selecting a portfolio of up to 500 of the largest U.S. traded equity securities.  It uses a weighted allocation system based on consensus analyst estimates of the present value of future expected earnings relative to the share price of each security.
The largest sector allocations are Consumer Discretionary 19%, Technology 17%, and Financials 15%.  FWDD currently holds about 480 stocks, all with allocations of less than 0.5% each.  The expense ratio estimate is 1.12% with a 1.25% cap.  Additional data is located in <a href="http://advisorshares.com/fund/fwdd" target="_blank">FWDD overview</a> and <a href="http://advisorshares.com/system/files/funds/public_docs/FWDD_FS_06202011.pdf" target="_blank">FWDD fact sheet</a> (pdf).
AdvisorShares Madrona Forward International ETF (FWDI) seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation above the MSCI EAFE Index and the BNY Mellon Classic ADR Index by selecting a portfolio primarily composed of at least 250 of the largest American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) from EAFE countries, Canada, and emerging markets.
FWDI currently has about 76% exposure to developed markets and 24% to emerging markets.  Regional allocations include Europe 50%, Pacific/Asia 40%, Americas 6%, and Africa/Middle East 4%.  FWDI presently holds about 260 stocks and ADRs, all with allocations of less than 0.8%.  The expense ratio estimate is 1.12% with a 1.25% cap.  Additional data is located in the <a href="http://advisorshares.com/fund/fwdi" target="_blank">FWDI overview</a> and <a href="http://advisorshares.com/system/files/funds/public_docs/FWDI_FS_06202011.pdf" target="_blank">FWDI fact sheet</a> (pdf).
AdvisorShares Madrona Forward Global Bond (FWDB) seeks investment results that exceed the price and yield performance of the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index by selecting a diversified portfolio of fixed income, currency, and commodity pool exchange-traded products (ETPs).  FWDB uses a “fund of funds” approach and invests in at least 12 distinct global bond classes.  The manager uses a weighted allocation system based on historic yield curve analysis and a mean reversion strategy.
FWDB currently holds 16 ETFs with the largest allocations going to iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/lqd#">LQD</a>) 18.1%, Vanguard Mortgage Backed Securities ETF (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/vmbs#">VMBS</a>) 14.1%, iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/hyg#">HYG</a>) 13.2%, PowerShares International Corporate Bond (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/picb#">PICB</a>) 8.0%, and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Government Bond ETF (VGIT) 5.0%.  The expense ratio is capped at 1.15% assuming the acquired fund fees do not exceed 0.20%.  Additional data is located in the <a href="http://advisorshares.com/fund/fwdb" target="_blank">FWDB overview</a> and <a href="http://advisorshares.com/system/files/funds/public_docs/FWDB_FS_06202011.pdf" target="_blank">FWDB fact sheet</a> (pdf).
AdvisorShares Meidell Tactical Advantage ETF (MATH) seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation and capital preservation with a  strategy that can dynamically rebalance the portfolio from as much as 100% equity assets to 100% fixed income assets or cash, depending on market trends.  MATH is a “fund-of-funds” that seeks to minimize portfolio losses by rotating out of higher volatility assets and into lower volatility asset classes.
MATH is currently in a defensive posture with a Fixed Income allocation of 57%, Cash 14%, US Equities 24%, and Commodities 4%.  The fund has 17 holdings with the largest being Cash 14.1%, SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/ipe#">IPE</a>) 9.6%, iShares Barclays TIPS Fund (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/tip#">TIP</a>) 9.6%, Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/biv#">BIV</a>) 4.8%, and iShares S&amp;P Small Cap 600 Index Fund (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/ijr#">IJR</a>) 4.8%.  The gross expense ratio is 2.20% but will be capped at 1.60%.  Additional data is located in the <a href="http://advisorshares.com/fund/math" target="_blank">MATH overview</a>, <a href="http://advisorshares.com/system/files/funds/public_docs/MATH_FS_06222011.pdf" target="_blank">MATH fact sheet</a> (pdf), and the <a href="http://advisorshares.com/system/files/funds/public_docs/AdvisorShares%20-%20Meidell%20Tactical%20ETF%20Prospectus%20dated%20June%206%2C%202011%20-%20FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">MATH Prospectus</a> (pdf).
Disclosure covering writer, editor, and publisher:  No positions in any of the securities mentioned.  No positions in any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.  No income, revenue, or other compensation (either directly or indirectly) received from, or on behalf of, any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.
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PICB

AdvisorShares Launches Four New Actively Managed ETFs

Retirement concerns are important to us all. A well thought out, long term approach to investing is a key for retirement planning.  This makes bonds attractive. The lower risk inherent in bonds make them a key part most portfolios. Today we look at total bonds
What are corporate Bonds? Companies need money for expansion, acquisition in new units, or exploring new markets. One way of raising these funds is through a bond issue. Bonds are corporate debt, and the attractiveness of them is determined by the organization's credit history. The key question arises over how the bond rates are determined.
Bonds rates are measured with respect to their position above treasury yield. This is to induce the investor to purchase their bonds assuming that if the rate is below the treasury yield no one will be interested as treasury is the secure of all bonds. Currently treasury yields are low making overall bonds look attractive. But there are secondary factors.
It has has been more than 31 months during which the FED has kept interest rates low. With inflations showing signs of returning with the record high price of oil and commodities we expect that inflation will keep rising. In the last six months the producer price index (PPI) has risen at an annual rate of 10%. That will feed into the consumer price index (CPI) over the next few months. 
This is a serious concern for bond buyers and one reason they remain under pressure.
Please find below the table of major ETF's.
 
<table border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0">
<thead>
<tr>
<td>
Description
</td>
<td>
Symbol
</td>
<td>
1 Yr
</td>
<td>
3 Yr
</td>
<td>
5 Yr
</td>
<td>
Avg. Volume(K)
</td>
<td>
1 Yr Sharpe
</td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF
</td>
<td>
<a target="_blank">BND</a>
</td>
<td>
5.32%
</td>
<td>
4.73%
</td>
<td>
NA
</td>
<td>
728
</td>
<td>
182.95%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
iShares Barclays Aggregate Bon
</td>
<td>
<a target="_blank">AGG</a>
</td>
<td>
5.35%
</td>
<td>
5.74%
</td>
<td>
6.24%
</td>
<td>
655
</td>
<td>
181.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
PowerShares CEF Income Composi
</td>
<td>
<a target="_blank">PCEF</a>
</td>
<td>
11.37%
</td>
<td>
NA
</td>
<td>
NA
</td>
<td>
55
</td>
<td>
179.66%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bon
</td>
<td>
<a target="_blank">BIV</a>
</td>
<td>
7.47%
</td>
<td>
7.1%
</td>
<td>
NA
</td>
<td>
113
</td>
<td>
144.51%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
 
From the above table we have a mixed picture of returns since the bonds are used as a fixed income returns usually. BND is the best as it has a significant history of 5 years as all the others are the new one in the markets. AGG has also good volumes making it attractive for investment.  BND is also good in terms of return and heavy volume the overall return in 5.18% which I well above the treasury benchmark yield of 10 years. The expense ratio is 0.12%.
Please find bellows Distribution by credit quality as at 13-05-2011.
 
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="85" valign="top">
BND
</td>
<td width="85" valign="top">
AGG
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
US Treasury
</td>
<td width="85" valign="top">
69.7%
</td>
<td width="85" valign="top">
38.35%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Aaa
</td>
<td width="85" valign="top">
5.2%
</td>
<td width="85" valign="top">
36.86%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Aa
</td>
<td width="85" valign="top">
4.9%
</td>
<td width="85" valign="top">
2.99%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
A
</td>
<td width="85" valign="top">
10.6%
</td>
<td width="85" valign="top">
11.21%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Baa
</td>
<td width="85" valign="top">
9.6%
</td>
<td width="85" valign="top">
10.59%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Total
</td>
<td width="85" valign="top">
100%
</td>
<td width="85" valign="top">
100%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
 
From this we see AGG has better diversification in terms of credit quality rating compared to BND. There is a slight change from our previous article in which Baa grading has lesser concentration the revised BAA concentration is increased by the fund. Usually the lower the credit rating the higher the yield can be obtained from these bonds.
Total Bonds are very important from the portfolio perspective. There appropriate use can provide stability and a hedge when equities drop. The proper allocation of bonds in the portfolio not only provides the hedge in terms of volatility but also a good fixed income streams.
 
Exchange Tickers : (NYSE: BND), (NYSE: AGG), (NYSE: BIV), (NYSE: PCEF)
 
Symbols: <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=BND&amp;count=00174'>BND</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=AGG&amp;count=00156'>AGG</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=BIV&amp;count=0056'>BIV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PCEF&amp;count=004'>PCEF</a>
 
Disclaimer:
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.
 
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PCEF

BND Leads US Total Bond ETFs

US Total Bonds Led By AGG, BND

iShares S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund

US Total Bonds (BND): PowerShares CEF Income Composite shows good Performance

Firstrade, the New York-based discount broker formerly known as First Flushing Securities, is the latest brokerage firm to throw its hat into the commission-free ETF, announcing it will offer 10 well-known ETFs to its clients free of trading charges.

The list of ETFs Firstrade selected is interesting to say the least. Six of them are Vanguard funds and all of those can be traded free of charge at Vanguard. Several other members of the Firstrade list can also be traded commission-free at Fidelity and TD Ameritrade (Nasdaq: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/amtd#Nasdaq">AMTD</a>).

Firstrade's commission-free is as follows:
Vanguard Long Term Bond <a href="http://www.marketbulletin.com/etf.php">ETF</a> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/blv#NYSE">BLV</a>)
Vanguard Intermediate Term Bond ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/biv#NYSE">BIV</a>)
Vanguard Short Term Bond ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bsv#NYSE">BSV</a>)
Vanguard Small Cap Growth ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vbk#NYSE">VBK</a>)
iShares S&amp;P MidCap 400 Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ijh#NYSE">IJH</a>)
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vig#NYSE">VIG</a>)
Vanguard Emerging Markets ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vwo#NYSE">VWO</a>)
iShares S&amp;P 500 Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ivv#NYSE">IVV</a>)
PowerShares DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dbc#NYSE">DBC</a>)
iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxi#NYSE">FXI</a>)

Firstrade clients must hold the ETFs for more than 30 days or be subject to a $6.95 commission if they close their positions before that time.

Scottrade and Charles Schwab (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/schw#NYSE">SCHW</a>) also offer commission-free trades on select ETFs.

Emerging Market ETFs

Currency ETFs

Pre-Market Outlook

AMTD

Another Entrant Into The Commission-Free ETF Game

PowerShares Dynamic Developed International Opportunities Portfolio

PowerShares Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II PowerShares FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets Portfolio

Rydex ETF Trust Rydex S&P Equal Weight ETF

SCHX

Japan Disaster -- Prevention is Better Than Cure -- How Does that Apply to Investing?

WisdomTree Trust WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend

DODGX

streetTRACKS Dow Jones U.S. Large Cap Value Index Fund

FCNTX

iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index Fund

iShares Trust Russell Midcap Growth Index Fund

iShares Trust Russell MidCap Value Index Fund

iShare Morningstar Large Growth Index Fund

iShares Morningstar Large Value Index Fund

iShares Morningstar Small Growth Index Fund

PowerShares ETF Trust International Dividend Achievers Portfolio

PowerShares Exchange Traded Fund Dynamic Mid Cap Portfolio

PowerShares Exchange Traded Fund Dynamic Small Cap Portfolio

PowerShares Exchange Traded Fund Trust Dynamic Mid Cap Value Portfolio

PowerShares Exchange Traded Fund Trust Dynamic Small Cap Growth Portfolio

PowerShares Exchange Traded Fund Trust Dynamic Large Cap Value Portfolio

QQQQ

Rydex ETF Trust S&P Midcap 400 Pure Growth ETF

Rydex ETF Trust S&P Midcap 400 Pure Value ETF

Rydex ETF Trust S&P Smallcap 600 Pure Growth ETF

SCHA

SCHV

National Semiconductor Provides Good Funds in Their Retirement Plan

streetTRACKS Dow Jones U.S. Small Cap Value Index Fund

iShares Trusthen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund

iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index Fund

iShares Trust Dow Jones US Real Estate Fund Index

iShares Morningstar Small Value Index Fund

LSVEX

PTTRX

PowerShares Exchange Traded Fund Trust Dynamic Small Cap Value Portfolio

Rydex ETF Trust S&P Smallcap 600 Pure Value ETF

Accenture 401K Retirement Plan: High Quality and Low Cost Funds with Proper Diversification

Amazon.com (Ticker: AMZN) is the largest online book and goods seller. It was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. It pioneered in online ecommerce and has been very successful in its aggressive business expansion. When it comes to its retirement plan investment choices, however, it provides a somewhat U.S. centric and old style plan.
The <a rel="nofollow">Amazon.com 401K Plan</a> consists of 12 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 3 major assets: US Equity, Foreign Equity, Fixed Income. This is a very conventional retirement plan that has been clearly U.S. and developed countries centric.
<table style="width: 50%;" border="0">
<thead>
<tr>
<th align="left">Asset Class</th>
<th align="left">Ticker</th>
<th align="left">Name</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="40%">LARGE GROWTH</td>
<td width="20%">RGAEX</td>
<td width="40%">American Funds Growth Fund of Amer R4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="40%">LARGE BLEND</td>
<td width="20%">VFINX</td>
<td width="40%">Vanguard 500 Index Investor</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="40%">LARGE GROWTH</td>
<td width="20%">VFTSX</td>
<td width="40%">Vanguard FTSE Social Index Inv</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="40%">LARGE VALUE</td>
<td width="20%">VWNFX</td>
<td width="40%">Vanguard Windsor II</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="40%">MID-CAP BLEND</td>
<td width="20%">VSEQX</td>
<td width="40%">Vanguard Strategic Equity</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="40%">SMALL VALUE</td>
<td width="20%">AVPAX</td>
<td width="40%">American Beacon Small Cp Val Plan</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="40%">Small Growth</td>
<td width="20%">VEXPX</td>
<td width="40%">Vanguard Explorer</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="40%">Foreign Large Blend</td>
<td width="20%">JIEIX</td>
<td width="40%">Artio International Equity I</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="40%">Intermediate-Term Bond</td>
<td width="20%">PTTRX</td>
<td width="40%">PIMCO Total Return Instl</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="40%">Retirement Income</td>
<td width="20%">VTINX</td>
<td width="40%">Vanguard Target Retirement Income</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="40%">US EQUITY</td>
<td width="20%">AMZN</td>
<td width="40%">Amazoncom Inc</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="40%">Money Market</td>
<td width="20%"></td>
<td width="40%"> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
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 Retirement Income: Small Growth: IJT, IWO, JKK, VBK, DSG, PWT, RZG, UKK Small Value: IJS, IWN, JKL, VBR, DSV, PWY, RZV, UVT Us Equity: IVV, IYY, IWV, VTI, VV, SPY, DLN, RSP, SCHX
<table border="0">
<thead>
<tr>
<th align="left">Asset Class</th>
<th>Number of funds</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>REITs</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Balanced Fund</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fixed Income</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Commodity</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sector Fund</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Foreign Equity</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Emerging Market Equity</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>US Equity</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Other</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Total</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
As of Mar 21, 2011, this plan investment choice is rated as below average based on MyPlanIQ <a rel="nofollow">Plan Rating methodology </a> that was designed to measure how effective a plan's available investment funds are . It has the following detailed ratings:
Diversification -- Rated as average (43%) Fund Quality -- Rated as below average (19%) Portfolio Building -- Rated as average (38%) Overall Rating: 		below average (34%)
Since Amazon.com was founded in 1994, the world has gone through dramatic changes. Globalization has enabled countries like China, India and Brazil to emerge as strong economic powers in the world, partly due to the rapid development in internet and communication. Ironically, Amazon.com, while being aggressive to pursue its cutting edge business practice and technology, has provided its employees a very traditional retirement plan that lacks of other major asset exposure including emerging market stocks and real estate investments (REITs). This is reflected in the performance of the following model portfolios that adopt asset allocation strategies: strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies (<a rel="nofollow">SAA </a>and <a rel="nofollow">TAA </a>for participants in Amazon.com 401K 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.
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 <a rel="nofollow">SIB (Simpler Is Better) plan </a>. 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 Mar 21, 2011)
<a rel="lightbox"> </a>
<a rel="lightbox" href="../LTISystem/article_viewchart.action?portfolioID=17111,17117,31628,31631"> <img style="margin: 6px;" title="chart" src="http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/article_viewchart.action?portfolioID=17111,17117,31628,31631" alt="chart" /></a><a rel="lightbox" href="../LTISystem/article_viewchart.action?portfolioID=17111,17117,31628,31631"> </a>
Performance table (as of Mar 21, 2011)
<div id="show_Port_div" style="display: block;">
<table id="comparetablePort" class="tablesorter" style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0">
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="header" width="40%">Portfolio Name</th>
<th class="header" width="10%">1Yr AR</th>
<th class="header" width="10%">1Yr Sharpe</th>
<th class="header" width="10%">3Yr AR</th>
<th class="header" width="10%">3Yr Sharpe</th>
<th class="header" width="10%">5Yr AR </th>
<th class="header" width="10%">5Yr Sharpe</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a> Amazon.com 401K Plan Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate</a></td>
<td>4%</td>
<td>32%</td>
<td>7%</td>
<td>70%</td>
<td>8%</td>
<td>70%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a> Amazon.com 401K Plan Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate</a></td>
<td>7%</td>
<td>60%</td>
<td>4%</td>
<td>26%</td>
<td>5%</td>
<td>30%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a> Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate</a></td>
<td>-2%</td>
<td>-32%</td>
<td>2%</td>
<td>16%</td>
<td>4%</td>
<td>28%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a> Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate</a></td>
<td>11%</td>
<td>69%</td>
<td>4%</td>
<td>13%</td>
<td>4%</td>
<td>14%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
Currently Commodities, Real Estate and US Equity are doing well. Only US Equity is available to Amazon.com 401K Plan participants.
This plan beats the three asset benchmark by virtue of the US asset class choices. If would be a stronger plan with more fixed income choices and an additional asset class.
To summarize, Amazon.com 401K Plan would do well by their employees to consider reviewing their existing funds and adding additional asset classes such as REITs and emerging market stocks.
Symbols:<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=AMZN&amp;count=002'>AMZN</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=SPY&amp;count=00127'>SPY</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VTI&amp;count=0091'>VTI</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=EFA&amp;count=00142'>EFA</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VEU&amp;count=00124'>VEU</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=AGG&amp;count=00134'>AGG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=BND&amp;count=00144'>BND</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IVV&amp;count=0044'>IVV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IYY&amp;count=0036'>IYY</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWV&amp;count=0041'>IWV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VV&amp;count=0036'>VV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=DLN&amp;count=0038'>DLN</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RSP&amp;count=0040'>RSP</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=SCHX&amp;count=0036'>SCHX</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=CIU&amp;count=00104'>CIU</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=BIV&amp;count=0045'>BIV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=GWL&amp;count=0038'>GWL</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PFA&amp;count=0035'>PFA</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IVE&amp;count=0035'>IVE</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWW&amp;count=0032'>IWW</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKF&amp;count=0025'>JKF</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VTV&amp;count=0037'>VTV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=ELV&amp;count=0024'>ELV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PWV&amp;count=0025'>PWV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RPV&amp;count=0025'>RPV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=SCHV&amp;count=0027'>SCHV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IVW&amp;count=0040'>IVW</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWZ&amp;count=0032'>IWZ</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKE&amp;count=0029'>JKE</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VUG&amp;count=0041'>VUG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=ELG&amp;count=0028'>ELG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=QQQQ&amp;count=0081'>QQQQ</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RPG&amp;count=0029'>RPG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=SCHG&amp;count=0031'>SCHG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IJH&amp;count=0026'>IJH</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWR&amp;count=0026'>IWR</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKG&amp;count=0017'>JKG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VO&amp;count=0026'>VO</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=MDY&amp;count=0072'>MDY</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=EMM&amp;count=0020'>EMM</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PJG&amp;count=0017'>PJG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=DON&amp;count=0020'>DON</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=EZM&amp;count=0020'>EZM</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=MVV&amp;count=0016'>MVV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IJS&amp;count=0022'>IJS</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWN&amp;count=0022'>IWN</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKL&amp;count=0013'>JKL</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VBR&amp;count=0021'>VBR</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=DSV&amp;count=0014'>DSV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PWY&amp;count=0013'>PWY</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RZV&amp;count=0013'>RZV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=UVT&amp;count=0013'>UVT</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IJT&amp;count=0019'>IJT</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWO&amp;count=0020'>IWO</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKK&amp;count=0013'>JKK</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VBK&amp;count=0024'>VBK</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=DSG&amp;count=0013'>DSG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PWT&amp;count=0011'>PWT</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RZG&amp;count=0010'>RZG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=UKK&amp;count=0010'>UKK</a>,
Exchange Tickers:(AMZN),(SPY),(VTI),(EFA),(VEU),(AGG),(BND),(IVV),(IYY),(IWV),(VV),(DLN),(RSP),(SCHX),(CIU),(BIV),(GWL),(PFA),(IVE),(IWW),(JKF),(VTV),(ELV),(PWV),(RPV),(SCHV),(IVW),(IWZ),(JKE),(VUG),(ELG),(QQQQ),(RPG),(SCHG),(IJH),(IWR),(JKG),(VO),(MDY),(EMM),(PJG),(DON),(EZM),(MVV),(IJS),(IWN),(JKL),(VBR),(DSV),(PWY),(RZV),(UVT),(IJT),(IWO),(JKK),(VBK),(DSG),(PWT),(RZG),(UKK)
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.
 
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Online Pioneer Amazon.com Can Expand Its 401K Plan for More Diversification

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Thursday November 11, 2010.
The volatility in gold and silver mining ETFs is something to behold, so keep watching the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gdx#NYSE">GDX</a>), the Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gdxj#NYSE">GDXJ</a>) and the Global X Silver Miners ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sil#NYSE">SIL</a>).
Of course, if you believe silver is looking a little frothy, try the ProShares UltraShort Silver (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/zsl#NYSE">ZSL</a>).
Strong oil plays: ProShares Ultra DJ-UBS Crude Oil (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/uco#NYSE">UCO</a>) and the iShares Dow Jones US Oil Equipment Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/iez#NYSE">IEZ</a>).
Emerging markets plays of the day: Market Vectors Vietnam ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vnm#NYSE">VNM</a>), iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tur#NYSE">TUR</a>) and the SPDR S&amp;P Emerging Middle East &amp; Africa ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gaf#NYSE">GAF</a>).
Forex play of the day: CurrencyShares British Pound Sterling Trust (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxb#NYSE">FXB</a>).
Bond play of the day: Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF 
(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/biv#NYSE">BIV</a>).

Short Ideas

CurrencyShares British Pound Sterling Trust

SPDR S&P Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF

Market Vectors ETF Trust Market Vectors Gold Miners

GDXJ

iShares Dow Jones US Oil Equipment & Services Index Fund

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund

ETFs To Watch November 11, 2010 (ZSL, TUR, FXB, BIV)

The S&amp;P 500 is now down 12% from the 4/23 high and investors are beginning to move to “freak out” mode. They are selling first and asking questions later and this could lead to more short-term weakness. I feel eventually there will a great buying opportunity for high quality stocks and ETFs, but until that time arrives here are a few ETFs to help you protect the portfolio in the face of more selling.
SPDRs Gold ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gld#NYSE">GLD</a>) was down 0.7% on Thursday and has been weak the last few days after hitting an all-time high. However, GLD remains a “safe haven” play over time and should continue to outperform equities and give portfolios diversification. During the bear market it beat the market by over 80%.
The Japanese Yen is a currency that generally moves higher as US equities fall. As the market fell over 3.5% yesterday, the Rydex CurrencyShares Japanese Yen ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxy#NYSE">FXY</a>) rallied 2.1% and during the bear market it gained 20%.
If bonds are more your speed, look at the Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/biv#NYSE">BIV</a>). The maturities range from 5 to 10 years and it is made up of a mix between corporate and government issues. The current yield is 4.25%.
Finally, if you really want safety there is the Market Vectors High-Yield Municipal Bond ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/hyd#NYSE">HYD</a>) that invests the majority of its cash in “junk” municipal bonds. The current yield is 6.3% (tax-free). Depending on your tax rate, the tax equivalent yield could reach 9%.
All four ETFs have there risks, however if you are in the market you always take a certain amount of risk. The key is the reward-to-risk ratio.

Market Vectors High Yield Municipal Index ETF

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Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF

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