The argument for diversification is that for a given level of risk you get a better return (or the other way around, for a given return you suffer less volatility). So for a true comparison you need to see whether your return/volatility ratio is better, not just return.

My returns (almost entirely index funds) are about the same as the Wilshire 5000 but the fluctuations have been much lower. For example, during the big 2008 crash the S&P was down nearly 40%, I was only down 28%. When the S&P is doing really well I generally lag behind b/c of my exposure to other things. But overall the total return is about the same.

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Posted by Iowa Golfer

Heaven

Member since Dec 2013

10232 posts

Posted on 6/9/14 at 8:37 pm to foshizzle

My worst year ever in my trading accounts was a 13.52 realized gain. Lifetime it is up a bunch due to some very large winners.

Commodities account is all over the board. But if I had to guess, I realize a consistent 4-5% annually. It serves as a hedge I guess is the best way to describe it.

My businesses retirement account lowest return for the lifetime is 8.57%, which is the high yield bond funds performance, the others are between the high 9's and 14%.

My ROTH is at about 18% for its lifetime. Most of it is in cash currently.

I do take realized gains in all of these accounts where warranted, and also on occasion move to mostly cash and bonds at some points. I never have these moves timed perfectly, but in 2007 I started to move away from equities, and have again recently.

Edit. My question is this, and yes I'm a simpleton. The charts scream the argument for buying an index, or a fund that owns the index securities to get benefit of the dividends. What am I missing here?

This post was edited on 6/9/14 at 9:03 pm

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