Top Performer Target Date Mutual Funds 2011

Target Date Mutual Funds are popular among retirees and long term investors. These article will look into 10 categories of best target date mutual funds. These mutual funds are typically offered in tax deferred accounts such as regular brokerage account, traditional IRA, ROTH IRA, 401k account, 403b, 529 plan, etc. Some of the best performer target date mutual funds of 2011 are: PIMCO Real Income 2029 A, Vanguard Target Retirement 2005 Inv, Invesco Balanced-Risk Retire 2030 A, etc.

Intro

Target Date Mutual Funds are very smart choice for passive investors. These funds invest in stocks, bonds, and other short term securities (cash or money market fund). The fund’s portfolio is adjusted accordingly based on the target date or fund’s objective. The funds' allocation moves toward stressing cash and fixed income (bond) as the funds approach their maturity dates or target dates. These target date funds are known as lifecycle funds or age-based funds.

Top Performer Target Date Funds 2011

Based on their target date, there are currently 10 classes of these target date mutual funds: retirement income fund, Target 2001-2010 fund, Target 2011-2015 fund, Target 2016-2020 fund, Target 2021-2025 fund, Target 2026-2030 fund, Target 2031-2035 fund, Target 2036-2040 fund, Target 2041-2045 fund, and Target 2050+ fund. These target date funds are essentially similar to balanced funds. Investor can buy this fund and get instant portfolio diversification into different sectors of stocks and bonds.

Best Performing

In this article, I also will focus some of the main characteristics from these best performer funds such as expense ratio fee, analyst rating, Morningstar rating, dividend yield, sales load, turnover rate, management, top holding, etc. There are pros and cons in investing in these funds. Please check the fund’s prospectus for additional details.

Retirement Income

The Top Performer Retirement Income Funds of 2011 are:

1. PIMCO Real Income 2029 A (POIAX)
• sales load of 3.75%, no rating, top holding of this fund is US Treasury
2. PIMCO Real Income 2019 A (PCIAX)
• 11.78% yield, 193% turnover rate, 0.79% expense ratio fee
3. Invesco Balanced-Risk Retire Now A (IANAX)
• $41 million total assets, 2 stars rating, 67% turnover rate
4. Vanguard Target Retirement Income Inv (VTINX)
• $1,000 minimum investment, no sales load, 4 stars rating
5. Schwab Monthly Income Max Payout (SWLRX)
• expense ratio of 0.60%, 2.68% yield, top holding is Schwab Premier Income

No	Fund Name	Ticker	1 Year Return	3 Year Return	5 Year Return	10 Year Return	Expense Ratio
1	PIMCO Real Income 2029 A	POIAX	14.15%	-	-	-	0.79%
2	PIMCO Real Income 2019 A	PCIAX	7.02%	-	-	-	0.79%
3	Invesco Balanced-Risk Retire Now A	IANAX	6.18%	9.42%	-	-	0.80%
4	Vanguard Target Retirement Income Inv	VTINX	5.25%	9.58%	4.86%	-	0.17%
5	Schwab Monthly Income Max Payout	SWLRX	4.70%	6.89%	-	-	0.60%

Target 2001-2010

The 5 Top Performer Target 2001-2010 Balanced Funds of 2011 are:

1. JHFunds2 Retirement 2010 Portfolio 1 (JRTOX)
• expense ratio of 0.68%, 1.56% yield,$92 million assets 
2. Vanguard Target Retirement 2005 Inv (VTOVX)
• Good long term return, 5 stars rating, Gold analyst rating, 2.77% yield
3. Wells Fargo Advantage DJ Target 2010 Inv (WFCTX)
• 2 stars rating, $839 million total assets, 0.89% expense ratio
4. PIMCO RealRetirement 2010 A (PTNAX)
• 5.50% sales load, $1,000 minimum investment, Vineer Bhansali is the fund manager
5. Vanguard Target Retirement 2010 Inv (VTENX)
• Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Inv is the top holding, yield of 2.65%, total assets of $5.1 Billion, no sales load

No	Fund Name	Ticker	1 Year Return	3 Year Return	5 Year Return	10 Year Return	Expense Ratio
1	JHFunds2 Retirement 2010 Portfolio 1	JRTOX	6.67%	-	-	-	0.68%
2	Vanguard Target Retirement 2005 Inv	VTOVX	5.14%	10.24%	4.05%	-	0.17%
3	Wells Fargo Advantage DJ Target 2010 Inv	WFCTX	3.65%	8.21%	3.77%	4.01%	0.89%
4	PIMCO RealRetirement 2010 A	PTNAX	3.39%	11.72%	-	-	1.25%
5	Vanguard Target Retirement 2010 Inv	VTENX	3.37%	11.18%	3.26%	-	0.17%

Target 2011-2015

The 5 Top Performing Target 2011-2015 Balanced Funds of 2011 are:

John Hancock

1. JHFunds2 Retirement 2015 Portfolio 1 (MUTF: JRFOX)
• Large Blend investment style, no sales load, the top holding is JHFunds2 Total Bond Market
2. American Century LIVESTRONG 2015 Inv (ARFIX)
• no sales load, 4 stars rating, 0.78% expense fee
3. Wells Fargo Advantage DJ Target 2015 Inv (WFQEX)
• 0.90% expense fee, top equity sector is technology, $713 million assets
4. Allianz Global Investors Solutions 2015 A (AZGAX)
• 2 stars rating, 5.50% sales load, 3.87% yield
5. American Funds Target Date Retirement 2015 A (AABTX)
• Silver rating by Morningstar analyst, 0.73% expense, 7% turnover rate

No	Fund Name	Ticker	1 Year Return	3 Year Return	5 Year Return	10 Year Return	Expense Ratio
1	JHFunds2 Retirement 2015 Portfolio 1	JRFOX	5.45%	-	-	-	0.70%
2	American Century LIVESTRONG 2015 Inv	ARFIX	3.16%	10.58%	3.23%	-	0.78%
3	Wells Fargo Advantage DJ Target 2015 Inv	WFQEX	2.60%	9.28%	-	-	0.90%
4	Allianz Glbl Inv Solutions 2015 A	AZGAX	2.15%	11.49%	-	-	0.97%
5	American Funds Trgt Date Ret 2015 A	AABTX	1.85%	11.71%	-	-	0.73%

Target 2016-2020

The 5 Top Performing Target 2016-2020 Hybrid Funds of 2011 are:

Invesco

1. Invesco Balanced-Risk Retirement 2020 A (AFTAX)
• $61.7 million total assets, 1.04% expense ratio, 2.52% yield, fund of funds
2. JHFunds2 Retirement 2020 Portfolio 1 (JRWOX)
• 1.43% yield, 0.69% expense ratio, 12% holdings turnover rate
3. American Century LIVESTRONG 2020 Inv (ARBVX)
• Government bond is the top sector, no sales load, 3 stars rating
4. PIMCO RealRetirement 2020 A (PTYAX)
• 2 stars rating, sales load of 5.50%, 3.1% yield, two top holdings are PIMCO Real Return Institutional and PIMCO Total Return Institutional
5. BlackRock LifePath 2020 Investor A (LPRCX)
• $1,000 minimum investment, 5.25% sales load, 4% turnover rate

No	Fund Name	Ticker	1 Year Return	3 Year Return	5 Year Return	10 Year Return	Expense Ratio
1	Invesco Balanced-Risk Retire 2020 A	AFTAX	9.84%	15.02%	-	-	1.04%
2	JHFunds2 Retirement 2020 Portfolio 1	JRWOX	3.59%	-	-	-	0.69%
3	American Century LIVESTRONG 2020 Inv	ARBVX	2.50%	11.20%	-	-	0.81%
4	PIMCO RealRetirement 2020 A	PTYAX	1.37%	11.34%	-	-	1.25%
5	BlackRock LifePath 2020 Investor A	LPRCX	1.26%	11.08%	1.01%	3.70%	1.10%

Target 2021-2025

The 5 Best Performer Target 2021-2025 Balanced Funds of 2011 are:

1. JHFunds2 Retirement 2025 Portfolio 1 (JREOX)
• 14% turnover rate, 1.47% dividend yield, top holding is JHFunds2 Total Bond Market
2. American Century LIVESTRONG 2025 Inv (ARWIX)
• Government bond is the top sector, 0.83% expense ratio, no sales load
3. BlackRock LifePath 2025 Investor A (LPBAX)
• yield of 1.55%, Alan Mason is the lead fund manager, $1,000 minimum investment
4. Schwab Target 2025 (SWHRX)
• Schwab Total Bond Market is the top holding, no sales load, 0.78% expense ratio
5. GuideStone Funds MyDestination 2025 GS4 (GMWZX)
• 4 stars rating, $278 million total assets, 1.49% dividend yield

No	Fund Name	Ticker	1 Year Return	3 Year Return	5 Year Return	10 Year Return	Expense Ratio
1	JHFunds2 Retirement 2025 Portfolio 1	JREOX	1.78%	-	-	-	0.70%
2	American Century LIVESTRONG 2025 Inv	ARWIX	1.77%	11.57%	2.62%	-	0.83%
3	BlackRock LifePath 2025 Investor A	LPBAX	0.27%	-	-	-	1.10%
4	Schwab Target 2025	SWHRX	0.26%	12.59%	-	-	0.78%
5	GuideStone Funds MyDestination 2025 GS4	GMWZX	0.03%	14.56%	0.54%	-	1.24%

Target 2026-2030

The 5 Top Performer Target 2026-2030 Funds of 2011 are:

1. Invesco Balanced-Risk Retire 2030 A (TNAAX)
• 5.5% sales load, 5 stars rating, 2.62% yield, 32% holdings turnover rate
2. American Century LIVESTRONG 2030 Inv (ARCVX)
• 4 stars rating, $411 million assets, 0.86% expense ratio
3. JHFunds2 Retirement 2030 Portfolio 1 (JRHOX)
• 1.5% yield, JHFunds2 Index 500 fund is the top holding, technology is the top equity sector
4. Schwab Target 2030 (SWDRX)
• 5 stars rating, the volatility (beta) is 0.96, 7% rank of 5-years performance
5. PIMCO RealRetirement 2030 A (PEHAX)
• 1.3% expense fee, 4.05% yield, 2 stars rating

No	Fund Name	Ticker	1 Year Return	3 Year Return	5 Year Return	10 Year Return	Expense Ratio
1	Invesco Balanced-Risk Retire 2030 A	TNAAX	10.17%	16.44%	-	-	1.04%
2	American Century LIVESTRONG 2030 Inv	ARCVX	1.04%	12.08%	-	-	0.86%
3	JHFunds2 Retirement 2030 Portfolio 1	JRHOX	0.53%	-	-	-	0.70%
4	Schwab Target 2030	SWDRX	-0.62%	12.75%	1.04%	-	0.79%
5	PIMCO RealRetirement 2030 A	PEHAX	-0.66%	11.58%	-	-	1.30%

Target 2031-2035

The 5 Top Performer Target 2031-2035 Hybrid Funds of 2011 are:

American Century

1. American Century LIVESTRONG 2035 Inv (ARYIX)
• 5 stars rating, no sales load, 1.90% yield
2. JHFunds2 Retirement 2035 Portfolio 1 (JRYOX)
• 0.70% expense ratio, $137 million total assets, no sales load
3. Schwab Target 2035 (SWIRX)
• The top holding is Schwab Core Equity Inv, Jake Gilliam is the fund manager
4. BlackRock LifePath 2035 Investor A (LPJAX)
• sales load of 5.5%, 1% annual holdings turnover rate
5. Columbia Retirement Plus 2035 A (CPSAX)
• 1 star rating, top 2 equity sectors are technology & industrials

No	Fund Name	Ticker	1 Year Return	3 Year Return	5 Year Return	10 Year Return	Expense Ratio
1	American Century LIVESTRONG 2035 Inv	ARYIX	0.37%	12.55%	1.78%	-	0.89%
2	JHFunds2 Retirement 2035 Portfolio 1	JRYOX	-0.23%	-	-	-	0.70%
3	Schwab Target 2035	SWIRX	-1.25%	13.24%	-	-	0.83%
4	BlackRock LifePath 2035 Investor A	LPJAX	-1.55%	-	-	-	1.10%
5	Columbia Retirement Plus 2035 A	CPSAX	-1.60%	10.13%	-1.93%	-	1.02%

Target 2036-2040

The 5 Best Performer Target 2036-2040 Balanced Funds of 2011 are:

1. Invesco Balanced-Risk Retire 2040 A (TNDAX)
• dividend yield of 4.33%, 1.04% expense ratio, 5 stars rating
2. American Century LIVESTRONG 2040 Inv (ARDVX)
• 4 stars rating, $236.1 million assets, $2,500 min investment
3. JHFunds2 Retirement 2040 Portfolio 1 (JRROX)
• top bond holdings is government bond, 1.51% distribution rate
4. Schwab Target 2040 (SWERX)
• 1.50% yield, 0.83% expense ratio, no sales load, 5 stars rating
5. Columbia Retirement Plus 2040 A (CRLAX)
• $18 million total assets, 5.75% sales load, Columbia Large Core Quantitative I is the top fund holding

No	Fund Name	Ticker	1 Year Return	3 Year Return	5 Year Return	10 Year Return	Expense Ratio
1	Invesco Balanced-Risk Retire 2040 A	TNDAX	10.30%	16.73%	-	-	1.04%
2	American Century LIVESTRONG 2040 Inv	ARDVX	-0.27%	13.04%	-	-	0.92%
3	JHFunds2 Retirement 2040 Portfolio 1	JRROX	-0.53%	-	-	-	0.70%
4	Schwab Target 2040	SWERX	-1.74%	13.33%	0.75%	-	0.83%
5	Columbia Retirement Plus 2040 A	CRLAX	-1.90%	10.05%	-1.94%	-	1.02%

Target 2041-2045

The 5 Top Performer Target 2041-2045 Balanced Funds of 2011 are:

1. Invesco Balanced-Risk Retirement 2040 A (TNDAX)
• 4.33% yield, 1.04% expense ratio, 5 stars rating
2. American Century LIVESTRONG 2040 Inv (ARDVX)
• total assets of $236 million, no sales load
3. JHFunds2 Retirement 2040 Portfolio 1 (JRROX)
• 12% turnover rate, no load, 0.70% expense ratio
4. JHFunds2 Retirement 2045 Portfolio 1 (JRVOX)
• long term performance is not available, JHFunds2 Index 500 is the top holding
5. American Century LIVESTRONG 2045 A (AROIX)
• good long term record, American Century NT Large Company Value I is the top holding, 5 stars rating

No	Fund Name	Ticker	1 Year Return	3 Year Return	5 Year Return	10 Year Return	Expense Ratio
1	Invesco Balanced-Risk Retire 2040 A	TNDAX	10.30%	16.73%	-	-	1.04%
2	American Century LIVESTRONG 2040 Inv	ARDVX	-0.27%	13.04%	-	-	0.92%
3	JHFunds2 Retirement 2040 Portfolio 1	JRROX	-0.53%	-	-	-	0.70%
4	JHFunds2 Retirement 2045 Portfolio 1	JRVOX	-0.56%	-	-	-	0.69%
5	American Century LIVESTRONG 2045 A	AROIX	-0.78%	13.43%	1.58%	-	0.93%

Target 2050+

The 5 Best Performing Target 2050+ Balanced Funds of 2011 are:

1. Invesco Balanced-Risk Retirement 2050 A (TNEAX)
• 5.5% sales load, 5 stars rating
2. American Century LIVESTRONG 2050 Inv (ARFVX)
• $105 million, 6% turnover rate, 4 stars rating
3. Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Inv (VFFVX)
• Gold analyst rating, 1.79% dividend yield, Vanguard Total Stock Market Index fund is the top holding
4. Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Inv (VFIFX)
• 4 stars rating, Gold Analyst rating, 0.19% expense ratio
5. American Funds Target Date Retirement 2050 A (AALTX)
• top bond holding is Agency Mortgage-Backed bond, 2 stars rating, silver analyst rating

No	Fund Name	Ticker	1 Year Return	3 Year Return	5 Year Return	10 Year Return	Expense Ratio
1	Invesco Balanced-Risk Retire 2050 A	TNEAX	10.16%	16.80%	-	-	1.04%
2	American Century LIVESTRONG 2050 Inv	ARFVX	-0.96%	13.22%	-	-	0.95%
3	Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Inv	VFFVX	-2.27%	-	-	-	0.19%
4	Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Inv	VFIFX	-2.54%	12.94%	0.25%	-	0.19%
5	American Funds Trgt Date Ret 2050 A	AALTX	-2.59%	13.01%	-	-	0.79%

Observation

MEPB Financial Observations from these lists are:

1. The top fund families are John Hancock Funds 2, American Century, Vanguard, American Funds, Invesco, and Schwab.
2. Minority of these funds does have good long term performance and are rated the best among their categories. They rank well as well.
3. Most of the funds have high yield especially retirement income fund.
4. Vanguard target date funds have the lowest fee compare to other fund families.
5. Majority of these funds lack long term performance.

Disclosure: No Position

Other Top Performing Mutual Funds of 2011 articles:

• Top Municipal Bond Funds
• Best Performing Taxable Bond Funds
• Top Performer International Stock Funds
• Best Performer U.S. Stock Mutual Funds