For JetBlue employees January 2018 Newsletter December 31, 2017 Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2018!

Transcription

1 For JetBlue employees January 2018 Newsletter December 31, 2017 Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2018! The Technical Wrap Up for 2017 It's always a bonus when the end of the week, month, and year all occur on the same day, because we get to look at daily, weekly, and monthly charts together. The one- year daily chart shows that S&P 500 advanced about +23% in We also see the three ever- steepening trend lines that tell us that a parabolic price rise is in progress (signals an over- accelerated market). However, on Friday the trend line was broken, and Friday's price bar conveys a small burst of downward energy, but the trading range remains intact. A great year for investors. A great year for EZTracker followers. Every month this year closed above where we finished Not only did the EZTracker portfolios show excellent performance, but the lack of volatility minimized the number of portfolio changes we made, keeping us in the market sweet- spot all year. While celebrating the returns of 2017, the focus needs to be on what s next for your all- important retirement investments. See the comments below on what we re watching going forward. For the coming month, there are no changes in the Aggressive, Moderate, or Conservative portfolios. We are making one changes in the Brokerage Portfolio; adding exposure to the Industrial sector. Portfolio Update on page 2 Regardless of our expectations the market still didn't seem inclined to give up any ground. That could have something to do with the new tax bill - - investors waiting to take capital gains in 2018, when tax rates are more favorable. We will have to wait to see if a correction is in the future. Please keep your portfolio updated every month. Help Hotline: We help new subscribers get started and help current subscribers get back on track or contact@eztracker401k.com What We re Watching As expected after a great year (the S&P 500 had its fourth best year since 2000), the prognosticators are looking for a more muted While we don t have a crystal ball but adjust based on changing market and economic conditions, we do see a number of unresolved issues that could have an impact on your investments during the coming year. We re watching: Inflation. Once again in 2018, economists are seeing the potential for an increased level of inflation. The annual inflation rate has been below the Federal Reserve s 2% target for 5 ½ years but with improved economic growth, stimulated by business tax cuts, there is belief that prices could soon begin to rise. Inflation and rising interest rates could hurt sectors like Utilities and Telecommunications but benefit others like Financial, Energy and Materials. Impact of the Tax Bill. The new corporate tax rates will benefit some sectors more than others. o Retail will benefit from the tax cut as it has historically paid the highest rate of any sector. The benefit of the cut, however, may be reduced by the pressure the sector is experiencing by consumer behavior moving to more on- line retailers. o Manufactures will benefit as the U.S. becomes more competitive as a base for production operations. Additionally, the repatriating of foreign profits will help U.S. exporters and the ability to immediately write off costs for equipment will stimulate these hard- goods producers. Continued on page 3

2 Model Portfolios Update December 31, 2017 Current Subscribers: Ø Aggressive, Moderate and Conservative Portfolios: There are no changes in any of these portfolios for the coming month. Ø Brokerage/PRCA Portfolio: Sell Guggenheim BRIC (EEB). With the proceeds of the sale and any cash balance, purchase Industrial SPDR (XLI). Note: this is a non- Schwab ETF which carries a $4.95 commission. New Subscribers following the Aggressive, Moderate or Conservative Portfolios: Rebalance your portfolio to match the model below you ve selected to follow. New Followers Brokerage Portfolio. Set up your PRCA account For a copy of the Schwab brochure or help, call EZTracker Model Portfolios Aggressive Moderate Conservative Brokerage/ PRCA Vanguard Total Bond Index (VBTIX) 30% 60% 8/15/17 Vanguard Institutional Index (VINIX) 32% 26% 14% 8/15/17 Hartford International Opportunities (HIAOX) 23% 16% 8% 8/15/17 TRP Small/Mid Cap Growth 10% 9% 5% 8/15/17 TRP Small/Mid Cap Value 10% 4% 4% 8/15/17 TRP Blue Chip Growth Trust 25% 15% 9% 8/15/17 Schwab U.S. Large Cap (SCHX) 20% 11/27/17 Schwab U.S. Mid Cap (SCHM) 7% 11/27/17 Schwab U.S. Small Cap (SCHA) 7% 11/27/17 Schwab International Equity (SCHF) 14% 11/27/17 Schwab Emerging Markets (SCHE) 10% 11/27/17 SPDR Stoxx Europe 350 (FEU) 10% 11/27/17 Guggenheim S&P Equal Weight Financials (RYF) 10% 9/25/17 Guggenheim S&P Equal Weight Technology (RYT) 12% 10/30/17 Industrial SPDR (XLI) 10% 1/2/18 **Based on our Newsletter most recent Buy dates. Your dates may be different Future Contributions Ø For the Aggressive, Moderate and Conservative Portfolios: Future contribution percentages should be set identical to your current portfolio. Ø For the Brokerage/PRCA Portfolio: Set your future contributions to go to the Schwab Sweep Account. When new funds are purchased in the portfolio, add your accumulated cash to the new funds. Questions or problems, call Empower at Buy** For detailed directions on making portfolio changes or rebalancing your account, for the Aggressive, Moderate or Conservative Portfolios see page 7. 2

3 Continued from page 1 o Large Oil & Gas Producers will benefit from the ability to repatriate foreign earnings, but the largest benefit will fall to distillers and energy partnerships (Master- Limited Partnerships). o The benefit to Health Insurers and Hospitals will come from the lower corporate tax rate but the impact of these changes to the Affordable Care Act may be offset with the need to increase premiums and the increased number of uninsured patients. o Realtors may the biggest losers as some of the long- standing benefits of home ownership disappear. The limitation on State and Local taxes and the ceiling on mortgage interest will make the renting/buying decision much more difficult for individuals. Treasury Yield Curve. During 2017 we saw a dramatic flattening of the yield curve (the shrinking of the differences in yields between short, intermediate and long- term bonds). We re closely watching the spread between the two- year and the ten- year Treasury bond. It s currently in the.50% range which is very low historically. The real danger sign would be if the curve inverts with shorter- term bonds paying more than longer bonds. Each of the past seven recessions has been preceded by an inverted yield curve. It s a key signal that investors have lost confidence in economic growth. Value Stocks. We may be seeing the start of a rotation from growth to value stocks as inflation and bond yields start to creep up. Looking at our monthly data on mutual funds and ETFs, value out- performed growth this month which is something we haven t seen during the past year. We ll watch and if the trend takes place; you ll see corresponding shifts in the EZTracker model portfolios. The Dollar. A weak dollar (down 7% in 2017) has helped the performance of the international and emerging market funds in the EZTracker model portfolios. With three additional Fed rate hikes anticipated in 2018, the experts see a strengthening dollar. We ll wait to see. Three rate hikes in 2017 certainly did not result in a stronger dollar. The Bull Market Essentials. We re looking at a market environment with accelerating economic growth, a corporate tax cut for an economy that was already doing well, and a cautious Federal Reserve. As long as these essentials keep working- - and we don t get hit by an unexpected economic or political shock- - the market (currently) looks positive for Help a Friend: Tell your friends about how EZTracker can help them with their 401k. Send us their address and we ll send him or her a copy of this month s newsletter. When they subscribe, we ll add a month to your subscription. Help for your IRA: The EZTracker ETF newsletter is a great tool for your non- 401k investments. With e commission- free portfolios for Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab and Ameritrade, it s a great way to manage your IRA with the EZTracker strategy. Request a free copy of the January issue. contact@eztracker401k.com or Model Portfolios All the model portfolios consist of core holdings representing major market segments plus top performers based on current market conditions. Some market conditions may cause us to deviate from the following percentages. EZTracker Aggressive Portfolio: % invested in equities. This is a high risk/high reward portfolio. EZTracker Moderate Portfolio: 70% invested in equities and 30% invested in bonds or the money market fund. EZTracker Conservative Portfolio: 40% invested in equities and 60% invested in invested in bonds or the money market fund. This is our lowest risk portfolio. EZTracker Brokerage Portfolio: % invested in equities the Brokerage Link and an expanded list of Schwab ETFs. This is a high risk/high reward portfolio. This is a high risk/high reward portfolio Which Portfolio is Right for You: Selecting the right portfolio is an individual decision based on your comfort and ability to take risk. Only you can decide. Planning your retirement is more important than ever. Your portfolio choice will vary based on age, income, lifestyle, other investment assets and your tolerance for risk. We believe you can take control of your 401k and plan for the retirement you envision. For help in thinking about your ability and comfort with risk, check out the risk quiz provided by our friends at Friedenthal Financial: Risk Tolerance Quiz. 3

4 Performance Current Performance through December 31,2017 The Morningstar Target Risk Index series serve as benchmarks to help with investment selections. They cover a global set of stocks, bonds and commodities. While not investable indices, they represent challenging benchmarks for long- term investing plans such the EZTracker model portfolios. Historical Performance: Portfolio Performance 2017 YTD 1- Year Total Returns EZTracker Aggressive 19.21% 19.21% EZTracker Moderate 14.86% 14.86% EZTracker Conservative 9.35% 9.35% EZTracker Expanded 23.92% 23.92% Morningstar Benchmarks Aggressive Target Risk Index 21.95% 21.95% Moderate Target Risk Index 14.66% 14.66% Conservative Target Risk Index 7.00% 7.00% S&P % 21.83% January 1, 2017 marked the end of the 10 th year of the EZTracker model portfolios for JetBlue Airways. Any investment strategy should be measured one way: results over time. Not one- week, one- month, not even one- year. While past performance is not guarantee of future performance our record has been excellent in delivering long- term returns. s with any long- term investing strategy, you should not expect dramatic short- term results to offset past los s. To reduce risk and volatility, the EZTracker Moderate Portfolio is typically 30% invested in bonds and the EZTracker Conservative Portfolio is typically 60% invested in bonds. EZTRACKER CONSERVATIVE EZTRACKER MODERATE EZTRACKER AGGRESSIVE S&P Year Total Returns November December % 82.2% 104.0% 145.6% 0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100.0%120.0%140.0%160.0% Annual % Total Returns. Returns are based on total return including dividends. Past performance does not guarantee future results. With any long- term investing strategy, you should not expect dramatic short- term results to offset past losses. 4

5 Monthly Fund Data This chart represents the funds in the JetBlue 401k plan at Empower which are used for the EZTracker Aggressive, Moderate and Conservative Portfolios. New Jet Blue Fund Total Returns Tracker Fund Ticker 1 MO 3 MO 6 MO 12 MO Average TRP Blue Chip Growth TRBCX 0.11% 8.44% 13.52% 36.21% 31.80% Vanguard Developed Markets Index Inst. VTMNX 1.54% 5.05% 9.43% 27.31% 23.64% Vanguard Institutional Index VINIX 2.47% 7.58% 11.20% 21.82% 23.50% TRP Small/Mid Cap Growth JETBLUE1 0.97% 6.11% 9.38% 23.77% 21.95% Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Trust Select VIVLX 1.82% 5.94% 9.71% 21.89% 21.47% Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Trust Select VILVX 1.81% 5.93% 9.70% 21.90% 21.46% Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Trust Select VITLX 1.79% 5.91% 9.69% 21.89% 21.43% Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Trust Select VTRLX 1.80% 5.92% 9.64% 21.89% 21.42% Harbor International Opportunities HIAOX 0.40% 4.49% 7.99% 26.31% 21.38% Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Trust Select VIRSX 1.71% 5.67% 9.31% 21.16% 20.65% Vanguard Extended Market Index. Inst. VIEIX 1.67% 5.78% 10.06% 18.64% 19.72% TRP Equity Income PRFDX 2.33% 6.35% 10.38% 16.29% 19.28% Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Trust Select VITFX 1.57% 5.24% 8.54% 19.51% 19.01% Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Trust Select VTTWX 1.39% 4.76% 7.77% 17.95% 17.38% Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Trust Select VRIVX 1.24% 4.31% 7.04% 16.32% 15.77% TRP Small/Mid Cap Value JETBLUE2 1.39% 4.89% 9.19% 13.04% 15.55% Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Trust Select VITWX 1.08% 3.82% 6.21% 14.45% 13.94% TRP Capital Appreciation PRWCX 0.84% 3.49% 5.58% 15.40% 13.81% Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Trust Select VITVX 0.84% 3.01% 4.98% 11.82% 11.27% Vanguard Target Retirement Income Select VITRX 0.54% 2.19% 3.63% 8.81% 8.28% Prudential Core Bond Fund 7 TPCAX % 0.29% 0.88% 4.06% 2.85% Vanguard Total Bond Market Index - Inst VBTIX % 0.21% 0.65% 3.85% 2.55% Vanguard Federal Money Market VMFXX 0.09% 0.26% 0.49% 0.79% 0.89% Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Trust Select VLXVX 1.81% 5.89% NA NA NA 5

6 Brokerage/PRCA Monthly Fund Data Below is the data on the top 50 performing Schwab commission- free ETFs. Schwab ETF Portfolio Symbol 1 Mo 3 Mo 6 Mo 12 Mo Avg Global X Robotics & Art. Intell. BOTZ % 10.53% 26.47% 59.12% 50.58% SPDR S&P China ETF GXC % 7.82% 20.74% 53.61% 44.14% U.S. Brent Oil Fund BNO 5.70% 17.57% 42.18% 14.43% 43.57% PowerShares Emerging Mkts Momentum PIE % 9.30% 19.88% 41.12% 38.02% PowerShares India Portfolio PIN 2.46% 11.86% 14.96% 40.31% 37.95% SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap EWX 2.84% 7.02% 12.80% 34.17% 30.99% SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources GNR 5.80% 8.51% 19.48% 22.45% 30.68% Schwab Emerging Markets Equity SCHE 1.03% 6.99% 13.84% 33.48% 30.18% Guggenheim BRIC ETF EEB % 4.45% 17.84% 31.93% 29.37% WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth DGRW 3.28% 9.75% 13.59% 26.98% 29.23% SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend EDIV 5.11% 8.34% 11.04% 28.93% 29.14% Gugg'hm S&P500 Equal Wgt Technology RYT % 7.60% 13.67% 32.63% 28.70% Guggenheim Frontier Markets FRN 2.12% 4.46% 10.67% 33.75% 27.82% Schwab Intl Small- Cap Equity SCHC 2.87% 5.53% 11.77% 30.31% 27.53% Schwab U.S. Large- Cap Growth SCHG 1.86% 8.39% 12.05% 27.86% 27.36% Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity SCHD 3.58% 10.42% 14.52% 20.84% 26.93% Schwab Fundamental Intl. Small Company FNDC 2.42% 5.52% 11.33% 29.44% 26.58% Select Sector SPDR Fund - Industrial XLI 4.96% 7.67% 12.38% 23.72% 26.58% United States Gasoline Fund UGA 0.63% 11.07% 35.36% 1.56% 26.52% United States 12 Month Oil USL 3.78% 14.11% 27.57% 2.35% 26.08% PowerShares S&P 500 High Beta Port. SPHB 4.21% 9.28% 16.42% 17.59% 25.91% Schwab Fundamental Emerging Mkts FNDE 1.07% 6.27% 12.74% 26.66% 25.49% Gugg'hm S&P500 Equal Wgt Financials RYF 3.94% 8.04% 13.15% 21.47% 25.41% Guggenheim S&P 500 Pure Growth RPG % 6.35% 11.20% 26.57% 23.90% PowerShares Developed Mkts Momentum PIZ % 3.56% 7.81% 32.53% 23.74% Guggenheim S&P 500 Pure Value RPV 4.22% 9.07% 12.72% 17.45% 23.71% Schwab U.S. Large- Cap SCHX 2.44% 7.51% 11.11% 21.85% 23.40% SPDR MSCI ACWI (ex- US) CWI 0.76% 4.77% 9.54% 27.58% 23.27% JP Morgan Diver. Return Intl. Equity JPIN 1.92% 6.32% 8.33% 25.92% 23.18% Schwab U.S. Broad Market SCHB 2.36% 7.25% 11.01% 21.25% 22.84% Powershares DWA Momentum PDP 0.12% 7.36% 10.52% 23.78% 22.79% Schwab U.S. Mid- Cap SCHM 2.26% 7.64% 11.42% 20.09% 22.59% Schwab International Equity SCHF 1.21% 4.83% 8.78% 26.55% 22.57% Schwab Fundamental Intl. Large Company FNDF 1.77% 4.61% 10.21% 24.46% 22.39% PowerShares Em. Mkts. Low Volatiliy EELV 2.78% 5.01% 7.40% 25.67% 22.29% Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company FNDX 3.90% 7.78% 11.94% 17.08% 22.20% PowerShares Buyback Achievers PKW 5.06% 7.12% 10.58% 17.70% 22.07% Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight RSP 2.91% 7.03% 9.99% 18.69% 21.07% PowerShares International Dividend PID 4.22% 3.77% 9.85% 19.85% 20.56% Gugg'hm S&P500 Equal Wgt Consum. Staples RHS 5.44% 10.11% 7.54% 14.18% 20.33% Schwab U.S. Large- Cap Value SCHV 2.90% 6.74% 10.20% 16.70% 19.93% Oppenheimer Ultra Dividend RDIV 4.47% 7.00% 11.72% 11.93% 19.16% SPDR Dow Jones International RelEst RWX 3.18% 6.89% 7.11% 17.76% 19.06% PowerShares S&P International Devel IDLV 0.92% 3.15% 5.59% 23.43% 18.05% WisdomTree Intl. Hedged Dividend Growth IHDG % 4.17% 6.02% 22.50% 17.78% Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure MPLX 2.74% 3.79% 13.03% 13.01% 17.76% SPDR Stoxx Europe 350 FEU 0.16% 2.17% 4.77% 25.41% 17.73% Schwab U.S. Small- Cap SCHA 1.51% 4.96% 10.00% 15.54% 17.46% SPDR S&P International Dividend DWX 1.44% 3.71% 6.37% 20.18% 17.28% Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company FNDA 1.81% 5.86% 10.09% 13.10% 16.83% 6

7 Making Portfolio Changes The following are directions for making changes on the Empower web- site for followers of the Aggressive, Moderate or Conservative Portfolios. Exchanging one fund for another 1. Log into the Empower website, blueretirement.com 2. Click on My Accounts at the top of the page. 3. Under Investments in the left column, click on View/Manage my Investments. 4. Click on Change My Investments in the blue box. 5. Select Change how my current balance is invested. Click Continue. 6. Under Do it myself, click on Choose individual funds in the orange box. 7. In the left column are your current funds. 8. In the left Percentage column, indicate what percentage of the fund you want to transfer out of. 9. In the right Percentage column, indicate what percentage of the fund you want to transfer in to. 10. Click Review Transfers. 11. Click Submit. 12. This adjusts your current holdings. The next step is to adjust your future contributions. Click on My Accounts at the top of the page. 13. Under Investments in the left column, click on View/Manage my Investments. 14. Click on Change My Investments in the blue box. 15. Select Change how my future contributions will be invested. Click Continue. 16. Under Do it myself, click on Choose individual funds in the orange box. 17. Click on +add/view all funds in the orange box. 18. Select the funds where you want future contributions to go. These should match the funds on page 2 of the newsletter for the portfolio you are following. 19. Click Add in the blue box. 20. On the next page enter the numbers from the chart on page 2 of the newsletter in the column headed Allocation. 21. Click Submit. Rebalancing 1. Log into the Empower website, blueretirement.com 2. Click on My Accounts at the top of the page. 3. Under Investments in the left column, click on View/Manage my Investments. 4. Click on Change My Investments in the blue box. 5. Select Rebalance my current balance Use the How Often pull- down menu, select Once. Make sure the Direct my future investments this way box is checked. 6. Under Do it myself, click on Choose individual funds in the orange box. 7. Click on +add/view all funds in the orange box. 8. Select the funds you want to rebalance into. These should match the funds on page 2 of the newsletter for the portfolio you are following. 9. Click Add in the blue box. 10. On the next page enter the numbers from the chart on page 2 of the newsletter in the column headed Allocation. 11. Click Submit. 7

8 Who are We? EZTracker is a publishing company founded to meet the growing demand for expert, reliable, objective information about the 401k choices offered to JetBlue employees. The goal of EZTracker is to take the guesswork out of 401k choices and to help every employee manage his or her own 401k plan with confidence and in an informed way. EZTracker is not a financial advisor nor is it financial manager. It is a provider of information about the various funds within the JetBlue 401k retirement plan. By reporting the performance of each fund in a straightforward and easy to understand manner, we hope every employee, from the financial neophyte to the sophisticated investor will make informed choices to best fit their retirement goals and needs. EZTracker is not endorsed by or affiliated with JetBlue, Empower or any of their subsidiaries. The information and data contained herein are compiled from sources and procedures believed reliable but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. EZTracker 401k monitors fund performance and publishes a monthly newsletter. The publisher and owners disclaim any and all liability for losses that may be sustained as a result of using the data presented herein. Past performance is no assurance of future results. All investments involve risk. You should invest only after careful examination of fund prospectuses. EZTracker 401k is monthly newsletter monitoring the 401k investment alternatives available to employees of JetBlue Airways. Published by EZ Tracker LLC, P.O. Box 654, Ocean City, NJ Contact us at contact@eztracker401k.com. No reproduction of any EZTracker401k information is permitted without the written permission of the publishers. Copyright EZTracker LLC,