The AmericanTCS Composite Benchmark returned 5.84% for the quarter edging out the Balanced Index’s return of 5.19%. The S&P 500 Index (large cap U.S. stocks) returned 8.11% as AI-related investments continued to dominate returns. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (taxable U.S. bonds) generated positive returns as short-term yields fell, ultimately returning 2.03% in the third quarter.

Because 401(k) participants are long-term investors, it is important to look at the hypothetical 401(k) participant’s journey over the longer term. The AmericanTCS 401(k) Benchmark delivered a solid return of 10.15% over the last five-year period. This reaffirms the experts’ advice to 401(k) participants of the importance of staying the course even in volatile markets. To achieve long-term financial success and stability, 401(k) participants must maintain a committed approach to their 401(k) portfolio.

About the AmericanTCS 401(k) Benchmark

AmericanTCS is a leading financial services organization that provides a wide array of brokerage, advisory, and trust services to a diverse national client base of financial advisors and institutions, asset managers and benefits administrators through its various affiliated companies. Because we provide these services, AmericanTCS has plan investment data on over 256,000 401(k) plans representing approximately $170 billion in assets. In response to requests from our institutional clients, we have created the AmericanTCS