How to Manage Asset Allocation For a 401K

Your 401k portfolio has  to include various investment options. A proper portfolio can be a conservative option that works with many types of investments to reduce the risk of losses.

You must look carefully at how your 401k is organized. It will make a world of difference for your retirement when handled properly.

Using Stocks In Your 401k

Stocks have long been utilized in 401k plans. Much of this is thanks to the simplicity that comes with choosing stocks. It is often easier to track stock values over time thanks to how they are linked to simple symbols on a larger market.

You can invest in all kinds of individual stocks but you would have to complete an extensive amount of research first. This is to determine which stocks may be safer. You would have to check on stocks based on how their values are changing and how volatile they might be. It also helps to be fully aware of the industry a stock is in and how its value can be adjusted based on many events and developments.

You may also notice that both domestic and foreign stocks can be traded in your 401k. You can invest in either option although domestic stocks may be best as it is easier to track those. Also, many foreign stocks may be at risk of even more concerns relating to volatility and potentially unstable markets. They are often impacted by more factors than what typical domestic stocks may be influenced by.

Also, you have to divide yourself between large, mid and small-cap stocks. These are divided based upon the approximate value of each stock. A mid-cap stock would have a market capitalization of about $2 billion to $8 billion. A large-cap stock has a higher value while a small-cap stock is lower in its total.

What Is an ETF?

An exchange-traded fund or ETF can be used alongside the stocks you invest in. An ETF works as a fund traded on a stock exchange. It holds a series of assets linked to a certain field with stocks being among the more common items involved. It trades along the net asset value of whatever the fund includes.

Such funds are often divided into very specific industries. These include the leisure, consumer staple, information technology and green business industries. You would have to check on what each individual fund includes before making a decision on which is right for you.

What About Emerging Markets?

Emerging market funds or EMFs may also be used. These funds consist of stock in companies based out of developing nations. This sounds like an attractive option in that you could get a decent profit off of such a fund, what with many of these companies growing. However, developing nations are still volatile and difficult to predict. You would have to do extensive research on any EMF you are interested in before including it in your 401k.

How Are Bonds Managed?

Bonds are often used in 401k accounts. These include short and long-term bonds alike. Such bonds work in that an investor will loan money to another party that will then borrow the funds for a certain period of time at a particular interest rate.

Short-term bonds are typically less risky than long-term ones. This is due to short-term options being easier for debtors to pay off. This is in spite of short-term options typically paying less than long-term ones. Then again, the potential for the short-term choice to actually reach its payout is greater than what a long-term option has.

A bond fund in your 401k will typically replace the bonds that are included on a regular basis. This is to help create a stable setup in your account where some funds are more likely to be guaranteed.

What Short-Term Investments Work?

Various short-term investments are often included in 401k packages. These include a series of treasury bills, notes and bonds that pay interest for brief periods of time. These are often used with minimal amounts due to how they do not produce as much income for a 401k as other investments do. Still, they help to at least add a small bit of stability to a 401k when they are used properly.

Commodity Funds Are Included

Commodity funds can be found in a variety of 401k plans. These are funds that entail various commodities that can be traded on the open market. They are often divided into sections based on the types of resources that are available for trading. Some funds include oil and gas while others entail crops and other food items that are traded on the commodity market.

While these funds can be appealing, they are typically used sparingly in most 401k programs. This is due to how many commodities are directly influenced by international factors that are impossible to control. This is especially the case with oil and other energy-related commodities. Any kind of commodity fund that would be used in your 401k should be used cautiously due to the risks that come with it.

What Works the Best?

When investing in a 401k, it is typically best to stick with stocks for the most part. At least two-thirds of your portfolio should include stocks as they are typically easier to manage. There might also be an added sense of certainty in such stocks.

As you get closer to retirement, you can add more bonds onto your 401k. You can do this to make your portfolio a little more stable as you get older. This comes as you will have already built up much of your 401k in stocks.

Whatever it is you plan on doing with your 401k, you need to at least ensure you diversify your portfolio. Make sure you look carefully at all the options available for your 401k so you can understand what you should be investing in. Be sure to also review how you are getting your funds managed in your portfolio so you have more control over what you are investing in.