Let's say I have a good lump sum of money to invest in my 401(k). Assuming I'm 25, what do you suggest?

Question

I already have what I consider to be a nicely diverse portfolio so I'm looking more for validation than personal finances 101.

Thanks for the help!

By lump-sum I meant a chunk of change I just rolled over from a previous employer's retirement plan. I was being non-specific so I could focus on the relevant details...

I know I'm going to invest it all in stock index funds/etfs/mutual funds (in the long-run, with my risk level, I don't see why not).

I suppose the real question is this- What sectors would you suggest? I have my answer to the question- I just want to compare.

Ya digg?

Answer 1

Hopefully by 401K, you mean self directed IRA so you don't have to invest in any mutual funds. I like that you'll be using ETFs instead. VERY wise move.

That said, if I had to choose some sectors for the long term (since that seems to be the timeframe you're implying), I'd say metals such as Titanium, nickel, copper, steel, etc. I'd also say banking, energy, and retail as secondary sectors.

China and India have HUGE populations and are just beginning to have a middle class. This middle class wants "stuff." So any materials used for "stuff" will likely go up in the next few years or so.

The other sectors I recommended are somewhat related, but you can see the potential there.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

You can't invest a lump sum of money into your 401k - you can only contribute a portion of your salary. I assume you mean an IRA? If so, considering opening a Roth IRA. As long as your income is less than $90k you are allowed to contribute $4,000 this year and $5,000 for 2008. (If you open the account before April 15th - Tax Day - you can even contribute $4,000 for 2006). The Roth IRA let's you put in money after tax, but the account grows tax free and you never have to pay tax on those earnings.
I would suggest opening an account at an online brokerage house - Etrade, Ameritrade, etc. Considering you are young, you want to be heavily invested in equities vs. bonds. Also, a healthy % of your portfolio should be international to help boost your returns. Just know that international mutual funds are typically more risky.

Hope that helps

Answer 3

Don't try to pick sectors. You never know what will be up and what will be down. Imagine if you had invested in Telecom in 2001.

Just put it in some low-cost index funds. Split between a large-cap, a mid-cap, a small-cap value, and a foreign fund. Vanguard has some great options.

Rolling over is easy - just talk to the company you want to roll over your money to and they'll walk you through the process. Just make sure nobody cuts you a check because then that's taxable. They should be sending checks to each other.

Answer 4

If you already have a well rounded protfolio for your investments I would say at your age instead of maxing out your 401k contribute monthly and as far as if you had funds to invest, you need to determine what your risk factor is as in are you moderate high or low?? Once you have done so there are many investments available and as in any investment you need to seek professionals in that arena. Example I Trade in the forex markets and although I know this market , I do not know how to invest in securities or funds hence I hire a professional who does invest in those areas I can go on but it would take a lot of space write to me at [e-mail] if you would like more information
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Answer 5

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Answer 6

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Answer 7

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