Monthly vs. Yearly IRA Contribution Experiment - November 2012 Update

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

Yearly Contribution Roth IRA

Fund	Shares	Price	Cost Basis	Market Value	Gain/Loss	Gain/Loss %
VTSMX	103.70	34.57	3,297.80	3678.38	380.58	11.54
VGTSX	94.61	14.57	1,272.34	1378.55	106.21	8.35
VBMFX	46.67	11.19	512.58	522.24	9.66	1.88
	Totals:		5,082.72	5,579.17	496.45	9.77

Account Summary :

11/30/2012 – Reinvested $1.00 dividend for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund

Fund	Shares	Price	Cost Basis	Market Value	Gain/Loss	Gain/Loss %
VTSMX	91.56	34.57	3,044.60	3,247.65	203.05	6.67
VGTSX	83.22	14.57	1,162.03	1,162.52	50.49	4.34
VBMFX	38.07	11.19	422.35	422.35	3.61	0.85
	Totals:		4,628.98	4,628.98	257.15	5.56

Account Summary :

11/01/2012 – Contributed $416.66
11/01/2012 – Purchased mutual funds
11/30/2012 – Reinvested $0.82 dividend for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund

Account	Gain/Loss %	% Change From Prior Month
Yearly	9.77	+0.95
Monthly	5.56	+0.87

Analysis :

A lot of market activity from emotional trading based on “fiscal cliff” debate talk. The market took a big dip and then basically recovered.
Happenings in Europe are really taking a drag on the international markets. The biggest concern is instability in Greece, but the European Union is extending bailout funds for them.
Mixed news happening with global demand, especially in China. We’re seeing a lot of indicators for doom, but real estate is booming.
The Yearly (lump-sum contribution) IRA is starting to really outpace the Monthly Contribution IRA.