Monthly vs. Yearly IRA Contribution Experiment – September 2012 Update

The Monthly vs. Yearly IRA contribution timing experiment September 2012 update.

Yearly Contribution Roth IRA

Fund
Shares
Price
Cost Basis
Market Value
Gain/Loss
Gain/Loss %
VTSMX
103.70
35.84
3,297.80
3,716.75
418.95
12.70
VGTSX
94.62
14.23
1,272.34
1,346.38
74.04
5.82
VBMFX
46.49
11.20
510.53
520.66
10.13
1.98
Totals:
5,080.67
5,583.79
503.12
9.90

Account Summary :

  • 09/21/2012 – Reinvested $17.24 dividend for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
  • 09/21/2012 – Reinvested $22.34 dividend for Vanguard International Stock Index Fund
  • 09/28/2012 – Reinvested $1.02 dividend for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund

Monthly Contribution Roth IRA

Fund
Shares
Price
Cost Basis
Market Value
Gain/Loss
Gain/Loss %
VTSMX
76.41
35.84
2,502.94
2,738.69
235.75
9.42
VGTSX
68.74
14.23
953.70
978.14
24.44
2.56
VBMFX
30.48
11.20
337.43
341.39
3.96
1.17
Totals:
3,794.07
4,058.33
264.26
6.97

Account Summary :

  • 09/01/2012 – Contributed $416.66
  • 09/01/2012 – Purchased mutual funds
  • 09/21/2012 – Reinvested $12.70 dividend for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
  • 09/21/2012 – Reinvested $16.23 dividend for Vanguard International Stock Index Fund
  • 09/28/2012 – Reinvested $0.67 dividend for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund

Monthly vs. Yearly IRA Account Comparison

Account
Gain/Loss %
% Change From Prior Month
Yearly
9.90
+2.59
Monthly
6.97
+4.98

Analysis :

  • Vanguard is changing the benchmark index for 22 of their funds. 2 of the funds used for the IRA experiment are affected.
    • VTSMX changes from MSCI US Broad Market Index to CRSP US Total Market Index.
    • VGTSX changes from MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index to FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index.
  • The Fed initiated a plan to buy mortgaged backed securities in order to boost the economy. Growth is slowing worldwide and job growth was not as strong as expected.
  • Both IRAs are in positive territory for the year. The Yearly IRA is nearly 3 percentage points ahead of the Monthly – a benefit of buying low at the beginning of the year.