The 1st Quarter Heads Up newsletter is posted! This issue provides education on saving for retirement and managing your required minimum distribution.  Click Here  to view this newsletter.  There is an archive of all DAP newsletters under the “Knowledge Center” tab, “Heads Up Library”.

The 4th Quarter Heads Up newsletter is posted! This 25 year anniversary issue reports 2018 year-end performance for the DAP funds. You will also find the DAP investment manager expenses compared to the median manager expenses for each fund. Click Here to view this newsletter. There is an archive of all of the newsletters under the “Knowledge Center” tab, “Heads Up Library”.

The Target Risk  Fund facts are reported under the “Resources & Planning” tab on this website.  The picture below shows the information that is available to you and updated each month by the 20th business day following month end.  Please pay close attention to the long-term performance and the annual performance.  For example, in the past 9 years, the Moderate Fund had only 1 year with negative performance (-2.3% in 2011).

Addressing market volatility, a message from Mercer, the DAP Investment Advisor (as of November 26, 2018)

Since hitting a recent peak in September, global equity markets have experienced a decline of around 10%.  Although the recent correction has created anxiety for investors, its magnitude is not particularly alarming from a historical perspective. In fact, stocks experience a market correction (defined as a loss of 10% or more) roughly every 24 months. The most recent decline is of similar magnitude to the corrections experienced in January/February of this year as well as those in 2016 and 2015. Since the recovery from the 2008 financial crisis began, there have been six market corrections in global equity markets.

There can be simultaneous catalysts for a market sell-off making it difficult to identify a singe cause. In the case of the current sell-off, the most likely culprits are 1) rising interest rates, 2) trade tensions 3) potentially slowing China growth, and 4) technical selling. Although these are legitimate concerns, there is not sufficient evidence that any single factor was a cause for the sell-off, nor can the degree of each factor’s magnitude be determined or its lasting effects known at this time. It remains that just as likely a factor is simply the culmination of investor fears that the longest running bull market in history is overheated and due for a correction and is the root cause of selling.

However, we do not believe the recent market action is a sign of a coming bear market. Bear markets are typically preceded by recessions. Further to this point, we do not see a recession on the horizon as several economic fundamentals are still in place to support a continued bull market. In general, although market valuations are elevated, fundamentals are favorable with economic and earnings growth remaining.

Nonetheless, we believe that given the increased level of uncertainty surrounding the aforementioned economic and geopolitical factors, one should expect higher volatility over the intermediate-term and we should be prepared for the potential sharp drops from time to time. Additionally, expensive valuations suggest lower prospective returns. Overall, we continue to believe that investors should avoid overreacting to short-term market movements and maintain a long-term time horizon. Additionally, we think the best approach to navigating turbulent markets is through diversification.

Day of mourning
Financial markets will be closed December 5 – In conjunction with the national day of mourning to honor former President George H. W. Bush the financial markets will be closed December 5. Our offices will remain open. If you submit a transaction after market close December 4 or on December 5, we will keep it on file and process it when the markets reopen on December 6.

The 3rd Quarter Heads Up newsletter is posted! This issue provides education on the Risk Tolerance, Asset Allocation and Diversification.  Click Here to view this newsletter.  There is an archive of all of the DAP newsletters under the “Knowledge Center” tab, “Heads Up Library”.

The Fidelity Growth Company mutual fund conducted a 10-for-1 share split after market close on August 10th.  Click Here for a detailed explanation of a share split.

There is no change in the value of your investment and there is no tax impact to you as a result of this change.

The 2nd Quarter Heads Up newsletter is posted! This issue provides education on the Stable Value Fund and includes an article on your account security.  Click Here to view this newsletter.  There is an archive of all of the DAP newsletters under the “Knowledge Center” tab, “Heads Up Library”.

A new Summary Plan Description (SPD) for the CommunityAmerica and TruHome Solutions Employee Group is available under the “Knowledge Center” tab of this web site.  The SPD provides an explanation of your Directed Account Plan 401(k) provisions and benefits in a user-friendly, easy to understand language.  You can also CLICK HERE for this document.

We’d love to hear your feedback on it. Let us know what you think at atularvind.com/.

The 1st Quarter Heads Up newsletter is posted! This issue provides education on market volatility and reports the recent participant account maintenance fee decrease.  You will also find the DAP investment manager expenses for each fund.  Click Here to view this newsletter.  There is an archive of all of the DAP newsletters under the “Knowledge Center” tab, “Heads Up Library”.