Portfolio Diversification -- A Hands-on Example

On December 1, 1995, Adviser Financial Group, Inc., constructed three diversified model portfolios, each with an initial investment of $50,000. These portfolios were built to test our theory that low cost, well-diversified investment portfolios of retail no-load mutual funds will out perform major stock and bond indexes over long time periods. Since the beginning of this experiment 16 years ago, we have been reporting the performance results and investment changes in this monthly newsletter, and we will continue to do so. Here is a summary of each model portfolio's performance relative to its objectives:



Growth Portfolio
  • Performance vs Index
  • Last Month's Performance
  • Annual Performance
  • Trading History

  • Conservative Growth Portfolio
  • Performance vs Index
  • Last Month's Performance
  • Annual Performance History
  • Trading History
  • Income Portfolio
  • Performance vs Index
  • Last Month's Performance
  • Annual Performance History
  • Trading History


  • Growth Model Portfolio
    The goal of the Growth Model portfolio is to beat the S&P 500 Total Return index over the long-term with little or no concern for market volatility or short-term losses. This portfolio will remain fully invested in various stock mutual funds at all times. The Growth Model portfolio beat the S&P 500 Total Return for the past 12 months, and the objective of this portfolio has been accomplished since it was initially set up on December 1, 1995, as you can see below.

    Special Note
    The Growth portfolio is aimed at investors with long time horizons who can withstand a certain amount of monthly volatility in exchange for expected above market returns. Results take into consideration our customary advisory fees, brokerage costs normally incurred, and reinvestment of all dividends and interest. Client portfolios differ from our model portfolios based on individual needs and circumstances. Past performance is no indication of future performance. A complete listing of portfolio recommendations is available upon request.




    Performance Compared to Index
    Growth Portfolio vs S&P 500
    1-Yr 3-Yr 5-Yr Since 12/95
    Growth 4.6% 16.3% 0.4% 8.4%
    S&P 500 7.8% 14.1% 0.2% 6.5%



    Last Month's Performance Detail

    Growth Portfolio Performance – November 2011
    Fund Shares NAV Value % November 2011 Return
    Vanguard Capital Opportunity 835 $31.22 $26,075 13.1% -1.1%
    Vanguard Index Trust 500 456 $115.28 $52,584 26.3% -0.2%
    TR Price Small Co Stock 530 $34.39 $18,232 9.0% 0.6%
    Vanguard International Growth 2,234 $17.19 $39,399 19.3% -3.0%
    Vanguard Health Care 316 $132.64 $41,978 21.0% -0.1%
    Cohen & Steers Realty (REIT) 384 $58.72 $22,534 11.3% -4.0%
    Total $199,802 100.0% -1.2%



    Annual Performance History

    Growth Portfolio Performance History
    Year Annual % Return
    Since 12/01/19958.4%
    2011 YTD -1.3%
    2010 14.5%
    2009 31.8%
    2008 -35.8%
    2007 3.9%
    200618.7%
    20059.7%
    200416.5%
    2003 32.1%
    2002-17.0%
    2001-8.6%
    200012.3%
    199923.4%
    1998 20.7%
    199721.8%
    199612.5%


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    Conservative Growth Model Portfolio
    The goal of the Conservative Growth model portfolio is to equal the S&P 500 Total Return index over the long-term with the second goal of reducing volatility by 25%. The objective of lower volatility has been accomplished. The performance of the Conservative Growth model beat the S&P 500 Total Return for the past 12 months, and the performance objective for this model has been accomplished for all other time periods.

    Special Note
    The Conservative Growth Portfolio is appropriate for investors seeking to match the market's return over time with less volatility. Results take into consideration our customary advisory fees, brokerage costs normally incurred, and reinvestment of all dividends and interest. Client portfolios differ from our model portfolios based on individual needs and circumstances. Past performance is no indication of future performance. A complete listing of portfolio recommendations is available upon request.




    Performance Compared to Index

    Conservative Growth Portfolio vs S&P 500
    1-Yr 3-Yr 5-Yr Since 12/95
    Conservative Growth 4.9% 16.3% 1.7% 8.0%
    S&P 500 7.8% 14.1% -1.2% 6.5%



    Last Month's Performance Detail

    Conservative Growth Portfolio Performance – November 2011
    Fund Shares NAV Value % November 2011 Return
    Vanguard Index Trust 500 314 $115.28 $36,184 19.2% -0.2%
    T.Rowe Price Small Co Stock 1,311 $34.39 $45,074 24.0% 0.6%
    Vanguard International Growth 2,058 $17.19 $35,370 18.8% -3.0%
    Vanguard GNMA 1,901 $11.16 $21,216 11.2% 0.5%
    Cohen & Steers Realty (REIT) 539 $58.72 $31,639 16.8% -4.0%
    Vanguard Health Care 141 $132.64 $18,755 10.0% -0.1%
    Total $188,238 100.0% -1.1%



    Annual Performance History

    Conservative Growth Portfolio Performance History
    Year Annual % Return
    Since 12/01/19958.0%
    2011 YTD -0.6%
    2010 18.1%
    2009 28.3%
    2008 -30.0%
    2007 2.4%
    200618.6%
    20059.0%
    200416.6%
    2003 25.8%
    2002-10.0%
    2001-3.2%
    200010.4%
    199913.6%
    1998 11.8%
    199721.4%
    199613.0%


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    Income Model Portfolio
    The goal of the Income Model portfolio is to provide a higher level of income plus provide a higher total return than the Lehman Aggregate Bond Total Return index. Both objectives have been met for all time periods. Although the objectives have been met since inception, the performance objectives for the Income Model portfolio have not outperformed the Barclays Aggregate Bond Total Return for 1 year, 3 year, and 5 year returns as can be seen in the following charts.

    Special Note
    The Income portfolio is designed for investors, such as retirees, or near-retirees, who desire a higher level of income plus the opportunity for capital growth with relatively low risk. Results take into consideration our customary advisory fees, brokerage costs normally incurred, and reinvestment of all dividends and interest. Client portfolios differ from our model portfolios based on individual needs and circumstances. Past performance is no indication of future performance. A complete listing of portfolio recommendations is available upon request.




    Performance Compared to Index

    Income Portfolio vs Barclays Aggregate Bond
    1-Yr 3-Yr 5-Yr Since 12/95
    Income 6.2% 11.8% 2.8% 6.9%
    Barclays Aggregate Bond Index 3.5% 2.2% 2.4% 2.5%



    Last Month's Performance Detail

    Income Portfolio Performance- November 2011
    Fund Shares NAV Value % November 2011 Return
    Vanguard Windsor II 1,919 $25.69 $49,288 31.0% 0.0%
    Cohen & Steer Realty (REIT) 652 $58.72 $38,302 24.3% -4.0%
    Vanguard GNMA 2,489 $11.16 $27,777 17.5% 0.5%
    Vanguard Total Bond Index 2,579 $10.96 $28,263 17.8% -0.3%
    TR Price International Bond 1,503 $9.95 $14,961 9.4% -2.8%
    Total $158,591 100.0% -1.2%



    Annual Performance History

    Income Portfolio Performance History
    Year Annual % Return
    Since 12/01/19956.9%
    2011 YTD 3.0%
    2010 11.5%
    2009 16.7% %
    2008 -14.4%
    20070.0%
    200616.0%
    20054.2%
    200415.8%
    2003 17.9%
    20020.2%
    20012.4%
    200014.0%
    1999-2.9%
    1998 4.9%
    199715.9%
    19969.9%


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