2020 Investing Vision

No one can predict how investments will perform, but a disciplined investing approach combined with the appropriate strategy may help you avoid some of the extreme highs and lows of the stock market. As the New Year begins, you may want to consider the following:

Review

Even if your only mutual funds* are in a company-sponsored 401(k) plan, you should review your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon regularly. Ask yourself if your goals or the age when you hope to reach them have changed. Work with a financial professional to determine if your funds are meeting your expectations, or if other offerings may be more appropriate.

Examine

Your investments should meet basic criteria, whether inside a company retirement plan or purchased on your own. Fees should be reasonable and in line with peer investments. The long-term performance of any mutual fund should compare favorably to its benchmark. Also check for investment drift, such as when a large-cap stock fund owns more small-cap stocks than its stated goal.

Persevere

Keep investing through market highs and lows, especially if it is for long-term goals. If investing for both long-term and short-term goals, consider whether your investment mix is appropriate.

Act

Recognize opportunity while staying disciplined. Increase your 401(k) or IRA contributions when you get a pay raise. If your employer offers an automatic contribution escalator that bumps up your contributions when your salary increases, use it. Also consider automatic rebalancing.** Above all, strongly consider contributing every dollar your employer may match.

* Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the fund carefully before investing. Contact the issuing firm to obtain a prospectus, which should be read carefully before investing or sending money. Because mutual fund values fluctuate, redeemed shares may be worth more or less than their original value. Past performance won’t guarantee future results. An investment in mutual funds may result in the loss of principal. ** Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. There is no assurance that a diversified portfolio will achieve a better return than a non-diversified portfolio.