Marketimer YTD Returns Through Jan 31, 2009

The January numbers are in at Bob Brinker.com for the Marketimer newsletter.

Portfolio I YTD

Value 31 Dec 2008 $171,451
Value 31 Jan 20009 $157,451
Down YTD $ 13,702 (8.0%)

Portfolio II YTD

Value 31 Dec 2008 $143,294
Value 31 Jan 2009 $132,439
Down YTD $ 10,855 (7.6%)

Portfolio III YTD

Value 31 Dec 2008 $163,563
Value 31 Jan 2009 $156,228
Down YTD $ 6,335 (3.9%)

Benchmarks YTD:

Total Stock Market Index Fund VTSMX (Charts) (8.3%)
Kirk's Explore Portfolio (Very aggressive) (7.4%)
The Retirement Advisor Portfolio #1 (5.0%)
The Retirement Advisor Portfolio #2 (3.4%)
The Retirement Advisor Portfolio #3 (1.0%)


Marketimer Portfolio I is designed for investors with aggressive growth investment objectives. Such investors seek maximum returns and are willing and able to accept high levels of risk and volatility. Current income is not a factor in this portfolio.

Marketimer Portfolio II is designed for investors with long-term growth objectives. Such investors seek to enhance the value of their capital over time. They are willing to assume a reasonable level of diversified market risk. Current income is not an important factor for such investors.

Marketimer Portfolio III is designed as a balanced portfolio for current investment income along with capital preservation and modest growth. The portfolio is allocated evenly between equities and fixed-income securities. This portfolio is best suited to investors nearing or already enjoying a retirement lifestyle.

The Retirement Advisor Aggressive Growth and Income Model Portfolio 1 , designed for someone approaching retirement who is interested in a portfolio allocation designed to provide income and capital appreciation while avoiding excessive risk, lost 18.22% in 2008 while the S&P500 lost 37% counting reinvested dividends. This portfolio was 50% in stock index funds and 50% in fixed income index funds (or ETF equivalents.) It benefited greatly from TIPS for inflation protection which we feel allows a lower allocation to equities and a 4% withdrawal rate.

The Retirement Advisor Moderate Growth and Income Model Portfolio 2 , designed for someone who has retired and seeks to maintain their current standard of living, even with inflation, lost 8.75% in 2008 while the S&P500 lost 37% counting reinvested dividends. This portfolio was 30% in stock index funds and 70% in fixed income index funds (or ETF equivalents.) It benefited greatly from TIPS for inflation protection

The Retirement Advisor Conservative Capital Preservation Model Portfolio 3 , designed for someone in the later stages of retirement who wants to avoid any losses in their portfolio and who does not need a lot of inflation protection, gained 3.73% in 2008 while the S&P500 lost 37% counting reinvested dividends. This portfolio was 100% in fixed income index funds (or ETF equivalents.) It benefited greatly from TIPS for inflation protection.