Ok, here's a really basic question:

How do you compare a fund with the S&P 500? For example, I have a fund in my 401k which claims that as of August 31, it has a YTD return of 11.13%. How do you determine the S&P return for the same period?

Also, is there some way to compare other non-standard periods? For example, if I got into that fund on April 13, 2004, is there some way to compare its performance to that of the S&P?

Thanks!

Greetings,

How do you compare a fund with the S&P 500?

http://quicktake.morningstar.com/Fund/TotalReturns.asp?Country=USA&Symbol=VFINX&fdtab=returns would be one example comparing Vanguard's 500 Index(VFINX) to the S & P 500 using M*'s data.

For example, I have a fund in my 401k which claims that as of August 31, it has a YTD return of 11.13%. How do you determine the S&P return for the same period?

You could try http://www.barra.com/Research/ReturnCharts.aspx for one idea if you want to see monthly returns.

Also, is there some way to compare other non-standard periods?

You could use historical quotes of the index for one idea here.

For example, if I got into that fund on April 13, 2004, is there some way to compare its performance to that of the S&P?

I think you could chart this on Moneycentral's site if you use the Growth of $10,000. This would also allow for a comparison against something like SPY or VFINX which would be a better benchmark than the index itself as nothing returns the exact value of the index.

Regards,
JB

Thanks, JB:

I quickly read your post, but haven't had time to fully analyze it and play on the sites you mentioned. But I did want to thank you for taking the time to respond to my question.