Where can I find an update of the performance tables presented in "The best retirement strategy I know using active risk management?"

I just reread your informative March 2002 article "The best retirement strategy I know using active risk management." My question is, has this information (i.e. the comparative performance tables) been updated and if so, where can it be accessed?

The performance tables presented in the March 2002 article "The best retirement strategy I know using active risk management" have been updated through 2005. You can find them in the presentation workbook that accompanies our March 23, 2006 online workshop "The Best Retirement Portfolio I Know Using Market Timing."

Here's a link to where you can register for free to access the workshop online at anytime.

My goal is to update the performance tables presented in the article through the end of 2007 early next year.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: The specific content of this message is intended strictly for informational and educational purposes. Such content is not based on knowledge of any reader's individual needs or circumstances and should not be construed as investment or tax advice. Any investment or tax decisions made are ultimately the responsibility of the individual.

Do you think ETFs are as good as no-load mutual funds?

I recently saw an article in the AAII journal about ETFs. Their conclusion was, "Setting aside the transaction cost difference for small investments, and considering only broad-based index funds, the differences are likely to be insignificant." Do you have a difference of opinion?

I need more data and more time. I have concluded there will likely be a small advantage to mutual funds in the less liquid asset classes. That is evident from the returns of our mutual fund and ETF portfolios tracked by The Hulbert Financial Digest.

For the first 6 months of this year, according to Hulbert, our ETF portfolio made 7.6 percent while our Vanguard, Fidelity and T Rowe Price portfolios ranged from 8 to 9.9 percent. This is a significant advantage for the mutual funds as all of the portfolios are simply a balance of large, small, value, growth, U.S. and international asset classes. The 8 percent return was lower than the other mutual fund portfolios due to the fund family’s (Vanguard’s) lack of small cap international funds.

The difference in returns for ETFs and mutual funds appears to be from the performance of less liquid asset classes such as international small cap value, U.S. small cap and emerging markets.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: The specific content of this message is intended strictly for informational and educational purposes. Such content is not based on knowledge of any reader's individual needs or circumstances and should not be construed as investment or tax advice. Any investment or tax decisions made are ultimately the responsibility of the individual.

How can I double my money in the market?

I have an insurance settlement of $10,000. What's the best way to invest this money to double or triple this amount?

I have a 403b account that has a balance of $6,000 with deposits of $40 every two weeks. I am 25 years old and buying a house is one of my top priorities. I have a hard time saving money. My girlfriend thinks this money should go in a CD from Chase. They offer a 5.0 interest rate.

First, I'm very happy to see you have already grown your 403(b) to $6,000. That amount alone, invested in an all equity portfolio, should be worth almost $300,000 at age 65.

I hope you can raise the $40 every two weeks to $45 by the end of the year. If you can raise that monthly contribution by $10 a month each year, you should have over $1,000,000 by age 65.

But, you also have a goal to buy a house as soon as possible. While I am 100% convinced you should be invested in all equity funds in your 403(b), I don't believe you should be that aggressive in the "house account." I think your girl friend is correct in suggesting a CD for the $10,000 if you expect to buy the house in the next 3 to 5 years. If you think it may take 10 years to save the downpayment, I suggest you invest with a modest amount of risk. In that case I suggest a balanced fund like Vanguard Balanced Index.

You can do better than 5 percent on the CD. Please visit bankrate.com for the best CD rates.

By the way, this is not the last time your girl friend will be right.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: The specific content of this message is intended strictly for informational and educational purposes. Such content is not based on knowledge of any reader's individual needs or circumstances and should not be construed as investment or tax advice. Any investment or tax decisions made are ultimately the responsibility of the individual.