Target Maturity Funds See Another Positive Quarter

The report said 173 of the 319 funds with at least a one-year history ended the most recent quarter with a positive annual return.

The average target maturity fund returned 14.1% during the third quarter, slightly below the S&P 500 Index, which gained 15.6%. The weighted-average return of the 13 indexes that collectively form the Morningstar Lifetime Moderate Index family was 14.1%. On a one-year basis, the average target maturity is slightly positive, with a return of 0.44%. The Morningstar Lifetime Moderate Index family gained 2% over the last 12 months, while the S&P 500 Index lost 6.9%.

The average 2010 fund earned 9.8% in the third quarter, while the average 2020 fund posted an 11% gain, according to the Morningstar data. The average 2030 fund saw a 15.1% rate of return, and the average 2040 fund gained 16.1%. The gain for the average 2050 fund was 16.8%.

All of the asset classes that typically make up target maturity funds had positive returns again in quarter three. High yield bonds produced equity-like returns of 14.2% helping the performance of target maturity funds that implement a portion of their fixed-income asset allocation with high yield.

The equity asset classes all produced double-digit positive returns. Emerging market stocks (21% quarterly return), non-U.S. developed stocks (19.5%), U.S. small value (22.7%), and real estate (33.3%) were the standout performers, helping funds with higher than average exposures to these asset classes.

Estimated flows into target maturity funds slowed in the third quarter as compared to the second quarter, as measured by flows as percentage of beginning AUM. Ibbotson said contributions to funds in the 2021 to 2050+ range peaked in the first quarter of 2009 and have been decelerating ever since. Meanwhile, Retirement Income and the categories ranging from 2000 to 2020 have continued to enjoy increasing quarterly growth in flows.