2016 YTD investment performance thread

[youbet]

It appears some are giving YTD figures and others YTD annualized figures. Makes a big difference, especially this early in the year!

 

[W2R]

It appears some are giving YTD figures and others YTD annualized figures. Makes a big difference, especially this early in the year!

I have totally given up figuring out what is consistent with others on this thread so I haven't said much in the thread lately. It's just too much for my little pea brain.

However, I am really happy with the market rebound! The total sum of my investments plus bank accounts right now, is more than it was two and a half years ago. This is despite purchasing and improving my dream house in the meantime. (Sssh!!! I will just ignore the fact that the Dow has risen 17% during this time.)

While my observations above most definitely have nothing to do with the figure that is asked for, by any means, all of this puts a big smile on my face so I thought I'd just mention it.

 

[redduck]

[( Investment Return Calculator: Measure your Portfolio's Performance )[/QUOTE]

It appears some are giving YTD figures and others YTD annualized figures. Makes a big difference, especially this early in the year!

You are probably right about this: So, as long as I'm using it, I would like to use the Investment Return Calculator correctly:

Let's say the months elapsed: 3. The amount started and the amount ended is: whatever numbers are easily understood as examples.

Then perhaps another example (for those whom aspire to the more advanced level) numbers can be included for total withdrawals and total added +dividends.

I think a walk-through would be helpful for the 2 or 3 of us whom don't quite get it.

Anybody

 

[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.

Thanks for posting the link redduck. That gives annualized yield if you enter the number of months into the year. It gives simple YTD return (not annualized) if you leave the default as 12.

 

[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, instead of mathematically accounting for the numerous and periodic installments. 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.

So, if you do not make periodic withdrawals or deposits but in one lump sum, this formula will not work well for you.

PS. I now see that redduck referred to the same link provided by pb4uski.

 

[Greg V]

Up 1.8% through 4/1/16

55/45 Equity/Fixed

 

[Ronstar]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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


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[catotx]

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

 

[W2R]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[supernova72]

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]

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

 

[jdmorton]

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]

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

 

[Mulligan]

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]

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]

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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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.

 

[UncommonSense]

Wife's 401K up 1.02% YTD (100% equities all year)
My 401K is up 10.03% YTD (currently 100% equities, have been 100% fixed several times this year)

 

[Fermion]

My trading account is up 22% YTD (thanks Gilead!) but main portfolio is similar to others in the 1% to 2% range.