I'm pissed...
My attempt at a risk adjusted Alpha resulted in a crappy 2014 return of 6.73%. Inflation adjusted we are talking about a gain of 5% (real). That is what I need, but definitely not what I want. And the market (measured by the S&P500 grew by 13.74%). My markers at my age and risk tolerance are the L2030 and the S&P500. I made less than half of my preferred marker (S&P500) and could not figure out why.
Here is the why...
G: 2.31%
F: 6.73%
C: 13.74%
S: 7.80%
I: -5.27%
I was kinda scared all year. I especially did not respect the 'F Fund' - and still don't. And, G Fund returns lead to scraping Alpo cans but if you fear a bond adjustment where else can you go. But that is not the why. The why is the 'S Fund' and the 'I Fund' which underproduced. Since I firmly believe in risk adjusted allocations I do not swing from one single fund to another. So, what is a likely allocation that I might hold in a raging bull market. I looked back and at my most bullish my allocation was 0/0/40/30/30 - which also happens to by my contribution allocation. If I assume that I was a raging bull for the entire year my return would have been:
G: 3.31 * 0 = 0%
F: 6.73% * 0 = 0%
C: 13.74 * .4 = 5.5%
S: 7.80% * .3 = 2.3%
I: -5.27% * .3 = -1.5%
Thus, raging bull Boghie would have earned: 6.3%
Yowser...
Let's say Raging Bull Boghie had a reasonably clear crystal ball and not held as much 'I Fund'. Looking back, my guess is that the 20/20 Bull would have held 0/0/55/35/10. Raging Bull Boghie always has some 'I Fund' over the long haul - he always eats a little grass from here, from there, and from afar. Thus
G: 3.31 * 0 = 0%
F: 6.73% * 0 = 0%
C: 13.74 * .55 = 7.56%
S: 7.80% * .35 = 2.73%
I: -5.27% * .1= -0.53%
Resulting in: 9.76%
So, I guess I shouldn't be so sad. My goal is to gain what i can while compensating for risk. The only way for someone who tries to gain Alpha my way to get double digits this year was to swing and hold only the 'C Fund'. That is not my style and if I tried it I absolutely know I would lose my shirt. And, trust me, I don't look good only wearing shoes...