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Greg V · 04-02-2016, 12:51 PM

Up 1.8% through 4/1/16

55/45 Equity/Fixed

Ronstar · 04-02-2016, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound

Yes, but the question is how one should account for the addition or withdrawal. One can withdraw all expenses of the period at the beginning of the period or at the end, and it makes a difference; in a bear market, it is better to get the needed cash out of harm's way, and in a bull market one should leave it invested till the last minute. So, the math has to match the time of withdrawal.

I make periodic withdrawals through the year as I need it. Then, on this thread a formula was suggested that basically assumes 1/2 of the WR at the beginning, and 1/2 at the end. See post #164 by pb4uski. This turns out to match the periodic withdrawal scenario the best, without using the golden-standard XIRR. See my post at #172.

Ahh - I see your point and you are correct. It does make a difference when you account for the additions/withdrawals. I also make periodic withdrawals so it doesn't make as much of a difference for me as it does for someone that takes a yearly withdrawal on Jan 1.

But it shouldn't matter much either way, because even though a withdrawal is made Jan 1, it isn't all spent immediately. It goes into checking or whatever. I include checking as part of my portfolio, so the calculation evens itself out as an average by itself anyway.

The link from redduck shows a formula that also assumes half of the WR at the beginning and half at the end.

FWIW, maybe the best method for doing this (at least in this thread) is the annualized yield, because that is the best method by which to make comparisons throughout the year.

**Alan** · 04-02-2016, 01:15 PM

I only track performance in my investment accounts. Once withdrawals are made into my spending account (checking and bank savings) they are gone as far as the investment portfolio is concerned. Withdrawals for me are "as needed" or "when the time is right". This year we will be spending 6 months in England and while the exchange rate has been so good $ -> £ I have withdrawn and transferred to the UK bank a whole year's spending already so withdrawals from the investment account are over for the year.

NW-Bound · 04-02-2016, 01:16 PM

Yes, in using a formula one should know whether it fits his situation.

In my case, I make monthly withdrawals from investment accounts to the checking account to pay bills. So, the formula that divides the WR in 1/2 at the beginning and 1/2 at the end matches this distribution the best.

target2019 · 04-02-2016, 07:23 PM

The thread has lots of value, IMO. Some calculations are off, others close, some more precise than others. Eventually you begin to wonder if your calculation method is any good. I've picked up a lot of information from this thread.

In my own case I've decided to settle on one part of a portfolio, where I have access to accurate numbers, dividends, yields. I know my results are not exact, but that is ok. Life will go on.

jazz4cash · 04-02-2016, 07:32 PM

.73% YTD (SMH)
70 % equities/30% CDs

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catotx · 04-02-2016, 07:46 PM

55/45. Up 1.3% as of 4/1/16. The heavy dose of foreign and emerging market equities dragged down the return.

W2R · 04-02-2016, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronstar

I understood the thread to be asking for simple YTD yield. That is simply taking the increase or decrease to date since 12/31/2015 (after accounting for additions or withdrawals) divided by the 12/31/2015 balance. That's what I did.

OK, then using that method my Vanguard plus TSP accounts are up 2.03% YTD, including dividends. I'm not including my checking account because I am guessing that what vanishes due to crazy spending like a drunken sailor (on my new home) should not be included in my investment performance.

audreyh1 · 04-02-2016, 09:29 PM

I know what my portfolio value was on Jan 1, after my withdrawal, and I know what my portfolio value is today. YTD performance = current value/initial value - 1, then convert to %.

It's easy because I don't make additions or take withdrawals during the year.

prototype · 04-03-2016, 06:26 AM

Up 1.7% for 1Q2016

1. Used April Fool's Day (vs. 3/31) to take my total quarterly portfolio snapshot:

2. Distributions from Pre-TAX accounts were reinvested, Distributions from Taxable Accounts were withdrawn and spent to support my modest retirement lifestyle.

Dan4495 · 04-03-2016, 10:13 AM

Up 0.5% as of 4/1/16 with a 55/40/5 equity/bond/cash portfolio.

supernova72 · 04-03-2016, 11:23 AM

clawed my way back to a 1.1% return in the 401K (70/30 mix) as of 4/1/2016. Down 1% in 2015. 55 yrs old. Not ER'd yet.

**braumeister** · 04-03-2016, 11:58 AM

At last, I'm up 1.4% YTD on my 50/40/10 portfolio. What a wild ride this quarter was!

jdmorton · 04-03-2016, 01:10 PM

Sweet!!! Just checked my 401(k) and I am up 0.07% for the year!

I reallocated to 50/50 on January 7. My 1st quarter low point was -6.11%.

DEC-1982 · 04-03-2016, 01:45 PM

Up 0.4% in Q1, and happy to be on the plus side.

Mulligan · 04-03-2016, 03:46 PM

Up 2.1% and a very calm, boring quarter again (the way I like it) being mostly in high quality preferred stocks. Nice big dividend dumps looming next month for me. Unless something shocking occurs with interest rates should end the year up 5-8% depending on the wobbling of the prices.

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Fedup · 04-04-2016, 02:35 PM

Come on annualized yield sounds a lot sexier than simple yield. I recalculate for simple yield YTD, I think my account was up 1%, my husband's account was up 2%.

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Mulligan · 04-04-2016, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fedup

Come on annualized yield sounds a lot sexier than simple yield. I recalculate for simple yield YTD, I think my account was up 1%, my husband's account was up 2%.

Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum

I am not smart enough to use annualized and too lazy to use an online tool to do it. All I am capable of doing is dividing my Jan. 1 total into my gains to get my percent return. And a spreadsheet to me is a handwritten list of my issues and their individual amounts.