A strong year on Wall Street saw 401(k) investors making small but steady trades from equities to fixed income, according to the Alight Solutions 401(k) Index™. Although 2019 had only 25 days of above-normal1 daily transfer activity – much lower than 2018’s total of 46 days – the net trading activity was the highest Alight has seen since 2013, at 2.29%. All told, 86% of the trading days saw net trading activity move from equities to fixed income.
“In 2019, 401(k) investors largely took a more thoughtful and less reactionary approach to investing than in past years with an overwhelming trend of small trades away from equities to fixed income funds. This activity seems to suggest that people were rebalancing their portfolios, not making drastic changes to their investment mix. Heading into 2020, we encourage 401(k) investors to take this same, disciplined approach and keep long-term saving goals in mind rather than responding to market forces.” – Rob Austin, Head of Research at Alight Solutions