Investing December 11, 2000

Rough Ride Sends Participants Looking for Cover

December 11, 2000 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Despite continued volatility - and an uncertain presidential outcome - 401(k) investors were willing to ride it out, with no above normal trading volume days registered in November by the Hewitt 401(k) index.
Reported by

A “normal” level of relative transfer activity occurs when the net daily movement of participants? balances as a percent of total 401(k) balances within the Hewitt 401(k) Index equals between 0.3 times and 1.5 times the average daily net activity of the preceding 12 months.

Fixed-Ation

For more stories like this, sign up for the PLANSPONSOR NEWSDash daily newsletter.

Transfer activity did edge up slightly on November 10 – the worst day of the month for the market – and transfers went primarily to fixed income alternatives on that day.

The highest trading day was November 14, a resurgent day for the markets. Participant monies flowed into international equities on that day.

On 13 of the 21 trading days in the month, participants moved from equities to fixed income, continuing October’s trend of net movement into fixed income.

On the other hand, new contributions continued to heavily favor large U.S. equities. At month’s end, the average allocation to equities held at about 73% of assets.

The Hewitt 401(k) index is based on data collected daily from 1.5 million 401(k) participants with approximately $68 billion in collective assets.

«