2008 Returns on Various Assets

by dd on Dec.26, 2008, under yearly returns

I know this is premature but it will be updated as soon as the information is available. I think this information is very educational and shows how large many of the yields have grown. Also this may help in last minute planning for 2008.

2008 Total Returns Chart

Stock Symbol	Total Return	Yield	Description	Return Updated
TLT	17.8%	3.52%	Long Term Treasury Bonds	11-30-08
	4.8%		Stable Value Index	11-30-08
	3.9%	3.9%	1 yr CD certificate of deposit	11-30-08
SHV	2.75%	1.49%	Short term Treasury Bonds	11-30-08
VMMXX	2.73%	2.37%	Money market	12-24-08
VBMFX	-4.86%	4.36%	U.S. taxable bond index	12-24-08
GLD	-2.6%	None	Gold Bullion	11-30-08
TIP	-6.6%	9.55%	Treasury Inflation Note index	11-30-08
VBINX	-24%	3.54%	60% stocks 40% bonds	12-24-08
PFF	-31%	8.15%	Preferred stock index	11-30-08
JNK	-35%	15.34%	High Yield bond index	11-30-08
BSR	-36%	9.55%	MLP Index	11-30-08
SPY	-37%	3.32%	S&P 500 index	11-30-08
VTI	-38%	3.12%	Total U.S. Stock Market index	11-30-08
VNQ	-46%	10.76%	REIT Index	11-30-08

The long term treasury rate dropped about 2% in 2008 which is why the total return was so remarkable.

Notes

Yields are as of 12-24-2008. Total returns updates are indicated.

VBMFX - proxy for Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index. The broadest measure of the taxable U.S. bond market, including most Treasury, agency, corporate, mortgage-backed, asset-backed, and international dollar-denominated issues, all with investment-grade ratings (rated Baa3 or above by Moody’s) and maturities of 1 year or more.

Stable Value Index - Heuler Stable Value Pooled Index. The average of top quality stable value trusts.