Many younger investors building both their portfolio and their retirement savings are starting to look toward asset allocation strategies.
These findings come from the Nasdaq 2024 RTF Retail Investor Survey, which highlighted how Gen Z retail investors are building their long-term portfolios. According to the survey, 54% of Gen Z investors highlighted asset allocation ETF strategies as an area of interest. These findings add that Gen Z is the age group that is most interested in this particular investment strategy.
Meanwhile, the survey found that many Gen Z investors are using ETFs to build their retirement savings. Per the Nasdaq report, 75% of Gen Z investors hold ETFs in their retirement accounts. Meanwhile, the survey found only 60% of baby boomers are using ETFs for retirement planning.
“Still learning the ropes, some active investors find security in the notion that experienced professionals and managerial knowhow are behind these products. Diversification is another factor. Many Gen Zers begin their trading journey by investing a small amount, preferring a well-balanced mix of equities and fixed income assets,” the Nasdaq survey added.
Long-Term Allocation Options
Luckily, there are plenty of suitable asset allocation ETFs that can diversify a portfolio and build retirement savings. One such fund is the iShares LifePath Target Date 2065 ETF (ITDI ). This fund is designed for investors who are retiring in or beyond the year 2063.
ITDI is a long-term ETF that provides investors with a mix of stock and bond ETFs. Early in the fund’s years, ITDI focuses on global stocks to generate potential growth. This may also include REITs to add additional diversification.
As time passes, the fund will then grow a larger portfolio of investment-grade bonds, such as Treasuries and corporate bonds. These bonds can provide current income in the later years and mitigate stock market risk through diversification.
While the fund begins heavily weighted toward growth equities, ITDI progressively moves its assets into investment-grade bonds. The ETF currently sits at a 99%/1% ratio in favor of equities, but aims to move to a 40%/60% ratio in favor of bonds by 2065.
“While most ETF assets are in funds focused solely on stocks or bonds, we’re seeing some interest in asset allocation funds. For younger self-directed investors, these funds make it easy to access the market and stay diversified,” added Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi.
For more information, please visit VettaFi.com | ETF Trends.
