Retirement savers flee stocks as market slides

Over the past week, 401(k) participants have been trading much more than usual, moving from equities into fixed income and money funds.
FEB 08, 2018

Retirement savers violated a cardinal rule of investing this past week: They sold into a plunging market. After racing into equities in January, they did an about-face as markets fell last Friday. Savers moved into money and fixed-income funds, trading at close to three times the norm, according to Alight Solutions' 401(k) Index. On Monday, when the Dow Jones industrial average plummeted 1,175 points, they repeated the pattern, this time trading at 12 times the typical pace. The next day, as the market recovered some losses, 401(k) savers kept selling stocks, trading at a rate of four times the usual. The last time trading reached 12 times the norm was on Aug. 8, 2011, when markets dropped on concerns about a global debt crisis. The index tracks daily moves of almost 2 million 401(k) participants with combined assets of more than $200 billion. (More: Retirement risks keep rising)

Latest News

Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Nine-month electronic trading freeze and share lending program at the center of dismissed claim.

RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone
RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone

Meanwhile, Rossby Financial's leadership buildout rolls on with a new COO appointment as Balefire Wealth welcomes a distinguished retirement specialist to its national network.

Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500
Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500

With a smaller group of companies driving stock market performance, advisors must work more intentionally to manage concentration risks within client portfolios.

Merrill pays second settlement to former Miami Dolphins player, client of ex-broker
Merrill pays second settlement to former Miami Dolphins player, client of ex-broker

Professional athletes are often targets of scam artists and are particularly vulnerable to fraud.

Schwab touts AI as its biggest growth lever at investor day
Schwab touts AI as its biggest growth lever at investor day

The brokerage giant tells Wall Street it will use artificial intelligence to reach clients it has never been able to serve — and turn the technology's perceived threat into a competitive edge.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline