Equity Allocation Makes Little Difference in Target Fund Q208 Performance

July 15, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - An Ibbotson analysis of 204 target-maturity funds suggests the stock-bond split which is usually the primary driver of return differences across the risk spectrum did not have a clear impact on performance as aggregate stock market and aggregate bond market performance were similar in the second quarter of 2008.

The average target-maturity fund lost 0.9% in the second quarter – significantly better than the first quarter’s loss of 6.8%, according to the Ibbotson report. Target-maturity funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index, which declined 2.7% during the second quarter.

Among underlying asset classes, growth stocks outperformed value stocks and, on a relative basis, small-cap stocks outperformed large-cap stocks. Commodity futures were again the top-performing asset class of the quarter (16.1% in Q2 following last quarter’s 9.6% return).

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The four fund families with positive returns all contained exposure to commodities with the standout fund family containing the largest commodity exposures. Conversely, fund families without commodities and a tilt toward value stocks relative to growth stocks were hurt during the quarter. The other commonality among last quarter’s worst performers was a sizable allocation to real estate, Ibbotson said.

align="right"> Date

align="center"> Max

align="center"> Average

align="center"> Min

align="center"> # of Funds

align="right"> Income

align="right"> 0.5%

align="right"> -0.9%

align="right"> -3.2%

align="right"> 21

align="right"> 2000

align="right"> 0.3%

align="right"> -0.7%

align="right"> -1.6%

align="right"> 2

align="right"> 2005

align="right"> 0.2%

align="right"> -1.0%

align="right"> -1.8%

align="right"> 6

align="right"> 2010

align="right"> 2.4%

align="right"> -0.8%

align="right"> -1.9%

align="right"> 25

align="right"> 2015

align="right"> 2.5%

align="right"> -1.0%

align="right"> -4.2%

align="right"> 22

align="right"> 2020

align="right"> 2.3%

align="right"> -0.9%

align="right"> -3.8%

align="right"> 26

align="right"> 2025

align="right"> 0.3%

align="right"> -1.1%

align="right"> -2.4%

align="right"> 18

align="right"> 2030

align="right"> 2.7%

align="right"> -0.8%

align="right"> -2.2%

align="right"> 24

align="right"> 2035

align="right"> 0.6%

align="right"> -1.0%

align="right"> -2.4%

align="right"> 17

align="right"> 2040

align="right"> 0.9%

align="right"> -1.0%

align="right"> -2.7%

align="right"> 22

align="right"> 2045

align="right"> 0.7%

align="right"> -1.0%

align="right"> -2.3%

align="right"> 13

align="right"> 2050

align="right"> 0.1%

align="right"> -1.1%

align="right"> -2.9%

align="right"> 7

align="right"> 2055

align="right"> -0.4%

align="right"> -0.4%

align="right"> -0.4%

align="right"> 1

align="right"> 204

align="center"> Asset Class

  2Q 2008 Return

align="center"> 12 Month Standard

align="center"> Deviation (Annualized)

Large Growth

align="right"> 1.2%

align="right"> 14.9%

Large Value

align="right"> -5.3%

align="right"> 13.9%

Small Growth

align="right"> 4.5%

align="right"> 17.9%

Small Value

align="right"> -3.5%

align="right"> 16.2%

Non-U.S. Developed

align="right"> -2.3%

align="right"> 16.3%

Emerging Markets

align="right"> -0.8%

align="right"> 28.2%

Real Estate

align="right"> -4.9%

align="right"> 21.5%

Commodities (Futures)

align="right"> 16.1%

align="right"> 18.8%

High Yield

align="right"> 1.8%

align="right"> 7.8%

Aggregate Bonds

align="right"> -1.0%

align="right"> 2.6%

Short-Term Bonds

align="right"> -0.6%

align="right"> 2.3%

Cash

align="right"> 0.3%

align="right"> 0.6%

Source: Ibbotson Associates

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