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ProShares Ultra MidCap400

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The Fund invests in financial instruments that ProShare Advisors believes, in combination, should produce daily returns consistent with the Daily Target. The Index is constructed and maintained by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. The Index is a measure of mid-size company U.S. stock market performance. It is a market capitalization-weighted index of 400 U.S. operating companies and real estate investment trusts selected through a process that factors in criteria such as liquidity, price, market capitalization, financial viability and public float. The Index is published under the Bloomberg ticker symbol; MID.

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National Semiconductor Provides Good Funds in Their Retirement Plan

AMZN

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

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Online Pioneer Amazon.com Can Expand Its 401K Plan for More Diversification

iPath Dow Jones-UBSmmodity Index Total Return ETN

ETF Trivia Answers

Moovly Media Inc

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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Yesterday, I posted my <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/etf-trivia" target="_blank">ETF Trivia questions</a>. Today, I provide the answers.
1. What was the second ETF (exchange-traded fund) launched?
Correct answer is b) SPDR S&amp;P Midcap (MDY), which was launched in May 1995, about 27 months after the first ETF. Dow Diamonds did not arrive until January 1998, and the “Cubes” did not launch until March 1999. (Disclosure: I am long QQQQ).
2. In what year was the second ETF launched?
Correct answer is b) 1995 (see explanation above). There were no new ETFs introduced in 1994.
3. How many US listed ETFs and ETNs were there at the beginning of the new millennium (1/1/2000)?
Correct answer is a) 32. Although the ETF business began in 1993, it didn’t start to hit its stride until this decade. The 132nd ETF was launched in November 2002, and it took until December 2005 for the count to reach 232. (Note: these last two numbers are not adjusted for ETF closures that happened prior to those dates.)
4. When was the first bond ETF launched?
Correct answer is a) July 2002, which was the launch of three treasury and one corporate bond funds from iShares: SHY, IEF, TLT, and LQD. November 2002 was the launch of the now defunct FITR family of treasury ETFs.
5. What was the brand name of the first family of ETFs with an international focus?
The correct answer is c) WEBS – World Equity Benchmark Series. This family launched 17 single-country ETFs in March 1996, making them the 3rd- 19th ETFs to arrive on the scene. You now know them as iShares MSCI Australia (EWA), iShares MSCI Canada (EWC), and 15 more with ticker symbols starting with the letters “EW”. The BLDRS international ETFs did not launch until November 2002.
At the time of the WEBS launch, 100% of the ETF products were named either SPDRS or WEBS, so I went and grabbed the <a href="http://www.spdrwebs.com/" target="_blank">SPDRWEBS</a> domain name (which I still own today if anyone is interested in acquiring it).
6. When was the first ETN (exchange-traded note) launched?
Correct answer is c) 2006, making ETNs a relatively young product. The first two were iPath DJ-UBS Commodity Total Return ETN (DJP) and iPath S&amp;P GSCI Total Return Index ETN (GSP), launched in November 2006.
7. When were the first leveraged and inverse ETFs launched?
The correct answer is b) June 2006 with the introduction of the first seven ProShares: Ultra Dow30 (DDM), Short Dow30 (DOG), Ultra MidCap400 (MVV), Short MidCap400 (MYY), Short QQQ (PSQ), Short S&amp;P 500 (SH), and Ultra S&amp;P 500 (SSO). The first leveraged “mutual fund” came 13 years earlier with <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/insincere-concern-the-banning-of-leveraged-etfs" target="_blank">the launch of Rydex Nova</a> (RYNVX) in July 1993.
8. How much time elapsed between the initial filing of the first leveraged ETF and its launch?
Correct answer is c) ~4 years. The ProShares (under the name ProFunds) <a href="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1174610/000095016902000176/0000950169-02-000176.txt" target="_blank">original filing</a> is dated June 5, 2002. This is one of the reasons that I do not pay much attention to new ETF filings. Another reason is that many of those filings never result on actual products being launched.
9. When was the first ETF delisting?
Correct answer is c) December 2002 when the first three ETFs bit the dust. Most of you probably don’t remember iShares DJ US Chemicals (former ticker IYD), iShares DJ US Internet (former ticker IYV), and iShares S&amp;P/TSE 60 (former ticker IKC). Thus, the need <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/category/etf-deathwatch" target="_blank">for ETF Deathwatch</a> was born.
10. What was the age of the “youngest” ETF to delist?
Correct answer is a) Less than 3 months, and NETS FTSE-CNBC Global 300 Index Fund (former ticker MYG) holds that honor. Launched 11/13/08, it was part of the <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/first-wave-of-etf-closures-for-2009" target="_blank">massive NETS closure </a>on February 9, 2009. The answer c) 3 years, 8 months, was the age of <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/powershares-to-close-19-etfs" target="_blank">PowerShares High Growth Rate Dividend Achievers Portfolio</a> (former ticker PHJ), the oldest ETF to ever meet its demise.
11. When was the 1,000th ETP (ETFs and ETNs combined) launched?
Correct answer is b) November 2009, and was highlighted in an <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/1000th-etf-hits-the-tape" target="_blank">article</a> earlier this month.
12. Which of the following ETF brands are defunct?
Correct answer is n) All of the above:
<ul>
<li>WEBS are now known as iShares.</li>
<li>The streetTRACKS brand was dropped in favor of SPDRS.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ETF+Advisors+Announces+Liquidation+Distribution+for+its+Four+Treasury+...-a0102501830" target="_blank">FITR</a> Treasury ETFs arrived on the scene in November 2002 and left May 2005.</li>
<li>HealthShares bit the dust in 2008, shortly after the <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/etf-deathwatch" target="_blank">inaugural issue of ETF Deathwatch</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://investwithanedge.com/aso-delisting" target="_blank">AirShares</a>, brought to you by the same people behind HealthShares, lasted almost eight months.</li>
<li>The <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/first-wave-of-etf-closures-for-2009" target="_blank">NETS family</a> of international index ETFs met their untimely demise early in 2009.</li>
<li>Ameristock Ryan ETFs appeared in July 2007 and disappeared in June 2008.</li>
<li>Adelante Real Estate ETFs were the first group of ETFs from the HealthShares/AirShares people to go under in July 2008.</li>
<li>Opta was the brand name of the Lehman Brothers ETNs that blew up when Lehman declared bankruptcy. Many holders did not understand what <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/etns-riskier-than-they-look" target="_blank">ETNs</a> were or the fact that <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/open-letter-to-etn-sponsors" target="_blank">they are unsecured</a>.</li>
<li>FocusShares had four ETFs for about 11 months but closed up shop in October 2008.</li>
<li><a href="http://investwithanedge.com/spa-announces-closure-of-six-etfs" target="_blank">SPA MarketGrader</a> ETFs met their demise in March 2009.</li>
<li><a href="http://investwithanedge.com/shareholders-left-hanging-with-bsr-delisting" target="_blank">BearLinx was the brand of Bear Stearns</a> (remember that company?) that sponsored ETNs.</li>
<li>Fortune was one of the early ETF brands on the scene. Fortune e-50 (former ticker FEF) arrived in October 2000 and closed in December 2003. Another product, the Fortune 500 ETF (former ticker FFF) was renamed streetTRACKS Total Market ETF (TMW) on 6/13/05 only to be renamed again to SPDR DJ Total Market (TMW), thus becoming the first ETF to survive two brand eliminations.</li>
</ul>
How well did you do?
<img src="http://investwithanedge.com/?ak_action=api_record_view&amp;id=7123&amp;type=feed" alt="" />

This article is part of a series of case studies we are conducting for various 401K plans. In this article, 	we will discuss how participants in <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_view.action?ID=5,607">NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PROGRAM </a> can achieve reasonable investment results using asset allocation strategies. 	We will also discuss how those portfolios are positioned in today's market environment.
National Semiconductor Corporation, a semiconductor company, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits and sub-systems. It is one of the oldest semiconductor companies in Silicon Valley.
<a href="http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_view.action?ID=5,607">NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PROGRAM</a>'s 401K plan consists of 30 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 3 major assets: US Equity, Foreign Equity, Fixed Income. Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark's 401K plan consists of 3 funds. These funds enable participants to gain exposure to 3 major assets: US Equity, Foreign Equity, Fixed Income.
 
<table style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellspacing="20px">
<thead> 
<tr>
<th width="45%" align="left"> The list of minor asset classes covered by NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PROGRAM </th> <th width="45%"> The list of minor asset classes covered by Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark </th>
</tr>
</thead> 
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="45%" valign="top">Foreign Large Blend: FSIIX, RERFX Foreign Large Value: DODFX Inflation-protected Bond: VAIPX Intermediate-term Bond: FTHRX, WACPX, VBTIX Large Blend: FUSEX, NYVRX Large Growth: FCNTX Large Value: DODGX Mid-cap Blend: FLPSX Mid-cap Growth: JMGRX Mid-cap Value: LAVLX Moderate Allocation: FPUKX Retirement Income: VTINX Small Blend: HSVRX Small Growth: SMPDX, RSEGX Target Date 2000-2010: VTENX, VTOVX, VTOVX, VTOVX, VTOVX Target Date 2016-2020: VTWNX Target Date 2026-2030: VTHRX Target Date 2036-2040: VFORX Target Date 2050+: VFIFX Other: CASH, CASH </td>
<td width="45%" valign="top">Foreign Large Blend: VEU Intermediate-term Bond: BND Large Blend: VTI </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
<table style="width: 70%;" border="0">
<thead> 
<tr>
<th width="20%" align="left">Asset Class</th> <th width="5%"> </th> <th width="35%">NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PROGRAM</th> <th width="5%"> </th> <th width="35%">Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark</th>
</tr>
</thead> 
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="20%">Balanced Fund</td>
<td width="5%"> </td>
<td width="35%" align="center">11</td>
<td width="5%"> </td>
<td width="35%" align="center">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="20%">Fixed Income</td>
<td width="5%"> </td>
<td width="35%" align="center">4</td>
<td width="5%"> </td>
<td width="35%" align="center">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="20%">Sector Fund</td>
<td width="5%"> </td>
<td width="35%" align="center">0</td>
<td width="5%"> </td>
<td width="35%" align="center">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="20%">Foreign Equity</td>
<td width="5%"> </td>
<td width="35%" align="center">3</td>
<td width="5%"> </td>
<td width="35%" align="center">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="20%">US Equity</td>
<td width="5%"> </td>
<td width="35%" align="center">10</td>
<td width="5%"> </td>
<td width="35%" align="center">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="20%">Other</td>
<td width="5%"> </td>
<td width="35%" align="center">2</td>
<td width="5%"> </td>
<td width="35%" align="center">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="20%">Total</td>
<td width="5%"> </td>
<td width="35%" align="center">30</td>
<td width="5%"> </td>
<td width="35%" align="center">3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
As of Apr 1, 2011, NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PROGRAM investment choice is rated as above average and Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark investment choice is rated as poor 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:
<table border="0">
<thead> 
<tr>
<th align="left">Attribute</th> <th width="20px"> </th> <th>NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PROGRAM</th> <th width="20px"> </th> <th>Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark</th>
</tr>
</thead> 
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Diversification</td>
<td width="20px"> </td>
<td>average (53%)</td>
<td width="20px"> </td>
<td>poor (2%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fund Quality</td>
<td width="20px"> </td>
<td>average (64%)</td>
<td width="20px"> </td>
<td>below average (22%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Portfolio Building</td>
<td width="20px"> </td>
<td>great (86%)</td>
<td width="20px"> </td>
<td>poor (5%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Overall Rating</td>
<td width="20px"> </td>
<td>above average (69%)</td>
<td width="20px"> </td>
<td>poor (10%)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
The chart and table below show the historical performance of moderate model portfolios employing strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/jsp/strategy/View.action?ID=771">SAA </a>and <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/jsp/strategy/View.action?ID=1003">TAA </a>, both provided by MyPlanIQ). For comparison purpose, we also include the moderate model portfolios of a typical 3 asset <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_view.action?ID=5,463">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 Apr 1, 2011)
<a rel="lightbox"> <img src="http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/article_viewchart.action?portfolioID=32304,32305,31628,31631" /> </a>
Performance table (as of Apr 1, 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> NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PROGRAM Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate</a></td>
<td>9%</td>
<td>88%</td>
<td>9%</td>
<td>108%</td>
<td>10%</td>
<td>101%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a> NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PROGRAM Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate</a></td>
<td>11%</td>
<td>124%</td>
<td>5%</td>
<td>39%</td>
<td>6%</td>
<td>43%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a> Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate</a></td>
<td>-1%</td>
<td>-10%</td>
<td>3%</td>
<td>31%</td>
<td>4%</td>
<td>36%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a> Three Core Asset ETF Benchmark Strategic Asset Allocation Moderate</a></td>
<td>12%</td>
<td>88%</td>
<td>3%</td>
<td>16%</td>
<td>4%</td>
<td>19%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
Currently Commodities, US Equity and Real Estate are doing well. Only US Equity is available to NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PROGRAM participants.
Even though National Semiconductor plan falls into what we call 'U.S. centric' catogories because of the only three asset classes it covers (U.S. equity, Foreign equity and fixed income), it compensates its lack of diversification by its excellent fund choices. In the large cap U.S. stock categoriy, it provides
Davis New York Venture A (NYVRX) -- Large-cap blend
Dodge & Cox Stocks (DODGX) -- Large-cap value
Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) -- Large-cap growth
All of them are excellent funds. In the mid cap category, it again has its three styles covered by high quality funds. These include
Fidelity Low Priced Stocks (FLPSX) -- Mid-cap blend
Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value (LAVLX) -- Mid-cap value
Janus Funds Enterprise (JMGRX) -- Mid-cap growth
Three small cap funds are provided for small cap stocks. In foreign stock category are American Funds Euro-Pacific (RERFX) and Dodge & Cox Foreign Stocks (DODFX), both are well known and solid performers.
To summarize, NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PROGRAM participants can achieve reasonable investment returns by adopting asset allocation strategies that are tailored to their risk profiles. The company could further expand its fund coverage to other major asset classes such as emerging market stocks to allow better diversification. 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.
Symbols:n<a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=nsm&count=001'>nsm</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=SPY&count=00136'>SPY</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VTI&count=00101'>VTI</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=EFA&count=00149'>EFA</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VEU&count=00130'>VEU</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=AGG&count=00143'>AGG</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=BND&count=00153'>BND</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=AOM&count=0022'>AOM</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=CIU&count=00109'>CIU</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=BIV&count=0049'>BIV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=GWL&count=0042'>GWL</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PFA&count=0039'>PFA</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IVE&count=0040'>IVE</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWW&count=0036'>IWW</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKF&count=0029'>JKF</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VTV&count=0042'>VTV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=ELV&count=0028'>ELV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PWV&count=0029'>PWV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RPV&count=0029'>RPV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=SCHV&count=0031'>SCHV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=EFV&count=0033'>EFV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PID&count=0026'>PID</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=DWM&count=0017'>DWM</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=TZD&count=0013'>TZD</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=TZG&count=0014'>TZG</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=TZL&count=0013'>TZL</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=TZV&count=0012'>TZV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IVV&count=0050'>IVV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IYY&count=0042'>IYY</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWV&count=0047'>IWV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VV&count=0042'>VV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=DLN&count=0044'>DLN</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RSP&count=0046'>RSP</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=SCHX&count=0042'>SCHX</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IVW&count=0044'>IVW</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWZ&count=0036'>IWZ</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKE&count=0033'>JKE</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VUG&count=0045'>VUG</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=ELG&count=0032'>ELG</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=QQQQ&count=0085'>QQQQ</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RPG&count=0033'>RPG</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=SCHG&count=0035'>SCHG</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IJJ&count=0033'>IJJ</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWS&count=0021'>IWS</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKI&count=0013'>JKI</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VOE&count=0018'>VOE</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=EMV&count=0012'>EMV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PWP&count=0012'>PWP</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RFV&count=0012'>RFV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=UVU&count=0012'>UVU</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IJH&count=0028'>IJH</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWR&count=0028'>IWR</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKG&count=0019'>JKG</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VO&count=0028'>VO</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=MDY&count=0074'>MDY</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=EMM&count=0022'>EMM</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PJG&count=0019'>PJG</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=DON&count=0022'>DON</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=EZM&count=0022'>EZM</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=MVV&count=0018'>MVV</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IJR&count=0036'>IJR</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWM&count=00104'>IWM</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKJ&count=0025'>JKJ</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VB&count=0033'>VB</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=DSC&count=0025'>DSC</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PJM&count=0022'>PJM</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=DES&count=0025'>DES</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=SAA&count=0022'>SAA</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=UWM&count=0022'>UWM</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=SCHA&count=0028'>SCHA</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IJK&count=0020'>IJK</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWP&count=0018'>IWP</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VOT&count=0014'>VOT</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=EMG&count=0010'>EMG</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PWJ&count=008'>PWJ</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RFG&count=008'>RFG</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=UKW&count=008'>UKW</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IJT&count=0021'>IJT</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWO&count=0022'>IWO</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKK&count=0015'>JKK</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VBK&count=0026'>VBK</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=DSG&count=0015'>DSG</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PWT&count=0013'>PWT</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RZG&count=0012'>RZG</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=UKK&count=0012'>UKK</a>, <a href ='http://www.myplaniq.com/LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=TIP&count=0033'>TIP</a> Exchange Tickers: (nsm), (SPY), (VTI), (EFA), (VEU), (AGG), (BND), (AOM), (CIU), (BIV), (GWL), (PFA), (IVE), (IWW), (JKF), (VTV), (ELV), (PWV), (RPV), (SCHV), (EFV), (PID), (DWM), (TZD), (TZG), (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), (VB), (DSC), (PJM), (DES), (SAA), (UWM), (SCHA), (IJK), (IWP), (VOT), (EMG), (PWJ), (RFG), (UKW), (IJT), (IWO), (JKK), (VBK), (DSG), (PWT), (RZG), (UKK), (TIP) 
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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&count=002'>AMZN</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=SPY&count=00127'>SPY</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VTI&count=0091'>VTI</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=EFA&count=00142'>EFA</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VEU&count=00124'>VEU</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=AGG&count=00134'>AGG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=BND&count=00144'>BND</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IVV&count=0044'>IVV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IYY&count=0036'>IYY</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWV&count=0041'>IWV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VV&count=0036'>VV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=DLN&count=0038'>DLN</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RSP&count=0040'>RSP</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=SCHX&count=0036'>SCHX</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=CIU&count=00104'>CIU</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=BIV&count=0045'>BIV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=GWL&count=0038'>GWL</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PFA&count=0035'>PFA</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IVE&count=0035'>IVE</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWW&count=0032'>IWW</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKF&count=0025'>JKF</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VTV&count=0037'>VTV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=ELV&count=0024'>ELV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PWV&count=0025'>PWV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RPV&count=0025'>RPV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=SCHV&count=0027'>SCHV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IVW&count=0040'>IVW</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWZ&count=0032'>IWZ</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKE&count=0029'>JKE</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VUG&count=0041'>VUG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=ELG&count=0028'>ELG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=QQQQ&count=0081'>QQQQ</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RPG&count=0029'>RPG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=SCHG&count=0031'>SCHG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IJH&count=0026'>IJH</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWR&count=0026'>IWR</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKG&count=0017'>JKG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VO&count=0026'>VO</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=MDY&count=0072'>MDY</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=EMM&count=0020'>EMM</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PJG&count=0017'>PJG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=DON&count=0020'>DON</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=EZM&count=0020'>EZM</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=MVV&count=0016'>MVV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IJS&count=0022'>IJS</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWN&count=0022'>IWN</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKL&count=0013'>JKL</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VBR&count=0021'>VBR</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=DSV&count=0014'>DSV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PWY&count=0013'>PWY</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RZV&count=0013'>RZV</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=UVT&count=0013'>UVT</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IJT&count=0019'>IJT</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=IWO&count=0020'>IWO</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=JKK&count=0013'>JKK</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=VBK&count=0024'>VBK</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=DSG&count=0013'>DSG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=PWT&count=0011'>PWT</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=RZG&count=0010'>RZG</a>,<a href ='../../../../LTISystem/f401k_symbols.action?symbol=UKK&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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Yesterday, I posted my <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/etf-trivia" target="_blank">ETF Trivia questions</a>. Today, I provide the answers.
1. What was the second ETF (exchange-traded fund) launched?
Correct answer is b) SPDR S&P Midcap (MDY), which was launched in May 1995, about 27 months after the first ETF. Dow Diamonds did not arrive until January 1998, and the “Cubes” did not launch until March 1999. (Disclosure: I am long QQQQ).
2. In what year was the second ETF launched?
Correct answer is b) 1995 (see explanation above). There were no new ETFs introduced in 1994.
3. How many US listed ETFs and ETNs were there at the beginning of the new millennium (1/1/2000)?
Correct answer is a) 32. Although the ETF business began in 1993, it didn’t start to hit its stride until this decade. The 132nd ETF was launched in November 2002, and it took until December 2005 for the count to reach 232. (Note: these last two numbers are not adjusted for ETF closures that happened prior to those dates.)
4. When was the first bond ETF launched?
Correct answer is a) July 2002, which was the launch of three treasury and one corporate bond funds from iShares: SHY, IEF, TLT, and LQD. November 2002 was the launch of the now defunct FITR family of treasury ETFs.
5. What was the brand name of the first family of ETFs with an international focus?
The correct answer is c) WEBS – World Equity Benchmark Series. This family launched 17 single-country ETFs in March 1996, making them the 3rd- 19th ETFs to arrive on the scene. You now know them as iShares MSCI Australia (EWA), iShares MSCI Canada (EWC), and 15 more with ticker symbols starting with the letters “EW”. The BLDRS international ETFs did not launch until November 2002.
At the time of the WEBS launch, 100% of the ETF products were named either SPDRS or WEBS, so I went and grabbed the <a href="http://www.spdrwebs.com/" target="_blank">SPDRWEBS</a> domain name (which I still own today if anyone is interested in acquiring it).
6. When was the first ETN (exchange-traded note) launched?
Correct answer is c) 2006, making ETNs a relatively young product. The first two were iPath DJ-UBS Commodity Total Return ETN (DJP) and iPath S&P GSCI Total Return Index ETN (GSP), launched in November 2006.
7. When were the first leveraged and inverse ETFs launched?
The correct answer is b) June 2006 with the introduction of the first seven ProShares: Ultra Dow30 (DDM), Short Dow30 (DOG), Ultra MidCap400 (MVV), Short MidCap400 (MYY), Short QQQ (PSQ), Short S&P 500 (SH), and Ultra S&P 500 (SSO). The first leveraged “mutual fund” came 13 years earlier with <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/insincere-concern-the-banning-of-leveraged-etfs" target="_blank">the launch of Rydex Nova</a> (RYNVX) in July 1993.
8. How much time elapsed between the initial filing of the first leveraged ETF and its launch?
Correct answer is c) ~4 years. The ProShares (under the name ProFunds) <a href="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1174610/000095016902000176/0000950169-02-000176.txt" target="_blank">original filing</a> is dated June 5, 2002. This is one of the reasons that I do not pay much attention to new ETF filings. Another reason is that many of those filings never result on actual products being launched.
9. When was the first ETF delisting?
Correct answer is c) December 2002 when the first three ETFs bit the dust. Most of you probably don’t remember iShares DJ US Chemicals (former ticker IYD), iShares DJ US Internet (former ticker IYV), and iShares S&P/TSE 60 (former ticker IKC). Thus, the need <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/category/etf-deathwatch" target="_blank">for ETF Deathwatch</a> was born.
10. What was the age of the “youngest” ETF to delist?
Correct answer is a) Less than 3 months, and NETS FTSE-CNBC Global 300 Index Fund (former ticker MYG) holds that honor. Launched 11/13/08, it was part of the <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/first-wave-of-etf-closures-for-2009" target="_blank">massive NETS closure </a>on February 9, 2009. The answer c) 3 years, 8 months, was the age of <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/powershares-to-close-19-etfs" target="_blank">PowerShares High Growth Rate Dividend Achievers Portfolio</a> (former ticker PHJ), the oldest ETF to ever meet its demise.
11. When was the 1,000th ETP (ETFs and ETNs combined) launched?
Correct answer is b) November 2009, and was highlighted in an <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/1000th-etf-hits-the-tape" target="_blank">article</a> earlier this month.
12. Which of the following ETF brands are defunct?
Correct answer is n) All of the above:
<ul>
<li>WEBS are now known as iShares.</li>
<li>The streetTRACKS brand was dropped in favor of SPDRS.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ETF+Advisors+Announces+Liquidation+Distribution+for+its+Four+Treasury+...-a0102501830" target="_blank">FITR</a> Treasury ETFs arrived on the scene in November 2002 and left May 2005.</li>
<li>HealthShares bit the dust in 2008, shortly after the <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/etf-deathwatch" target="_blank">inaugural issue of ETF Deathwatch</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://investwithanedge.com/aso-delisting" target="_blank">AirShares</a>, brought to you by the same people behind HealthShares, lasted almost eight months.</li>
<li>The <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/first-wave-of-etf-closures-for-2009" target="_blank">NETS family</a> of international index ETFs met their untimely demise early in 2009.</li>
<li>Ameristock Ryan ETFs appeared in July 2007 and disappeared in June 2008.</li>
<li>Adelante Real Estate ETFs were the first group of ETFs from the HealthShares/AirShares people to go under in July 2008.</li>
<li>Opta was the brand name of the Lehman Brothers ETNs that blew up when Lehman declared bankruptcy. Many holders did not understand what <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/etns-riskier-than-they-look" target="_blank">ETNs</a> were or the fact that <a href="http://investwithanedge.com/open-letter-to-etn-sponsors" target="_blank">they are unsecured</a>.</li>
<li>FocusShares had four ETFs for about 11 months but closed up shop in October 2008.</li>
<li><a href="http://investwithanedge.com/spa-announces-closure-of-six-etfs" target="_blank">SPA MarketGrader</a> ETFs met their demise in March 2009.</li>
<li><a href="http://investwithanedge.com/shareholders-left-hanging-with-bsr-delisting" target="_blank">BearLinx was the brand of Bear Stearns</a> (remember that company?) that sponsored ETNs.</li>
<li>Fortune was one of the early ETF brands on the scene. Fortune e-50 (former ticker FEF) arrived in October 2000 and closed in December 2003. Another product, the Fortune 500 ETF (former ticker FFF) was renamed streetTRACKS Total Market ETF (TMW) on 6/13/05 only to be renamed again to SPDR DJ Total Market (TMW), thus becoming the first ETF to survive two brand eliminations.</li>
</ul>
How well did you do?
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