Newbie Needs Help

[tc_countyplanner]

I've been a lurker here for a few months now.  Recently my company changed the investment options for our Defined Contribution Plan; and I have noticed that some of the expense ratios are exorbitantly high.  They are providing matching funds up to 5% of income, so that does soften the blow somewhat.  I really want to make the most of the options available, at least to the point of receiving the full match.  The funds are:

Aston/Fairpointe Mid Cap Fund (I)  2.85%   - 1.88%   14.71%   23.44%   19.01%   11.41%   0.87%   02/28/14   
  American Funds American Balanced Fund (R6)  2.05%   2.54%   11.29%   15.60%   12.71%   7.47%   0.29%   08/29/14   
  Baron Real Estate Fund (I)  3.47%   3.55%   20.53%   29.86%   N/A   22.39%*   1.09%   04/30/14   
  Dodge & Cox Income Fund  0.50%   0.51%   5.73%   5.24%   5.20%   5.40%   0.43%   05/01/14   
  Fidelity Mid-Cap Stock Fund  1.34%   - 0.18%   11.00%   19.29%   16.89%   9.66%   0.81%   06/28/14   
  Fidelity New Millennium Fund  1.03%   0.08%   11.31%   19.81%   16.89%   10.11%   0.91%   01/29/14   
  Harbor International Fund (I)  1.92%   - 3.48%   - 0.15%   10.62%   6.90%   8.19%   0.76%   03/01/14   
  Oakmark Fund (I)  2.45%   1.96%   15.14%   23.16%   16.84%   9.17%   0.95%   10/07/14   
  J Hancock Disciplined Val. Mid Cap Fund (I)  2.22%   2.37%   16.40%   22.66%   19.02%   11.94%   0.90%   07/01/14   
  JPMorgan US Small Company Fund (I)  0.73%   0.67%   6.74%   21.45%   18.90%   8.60%   0.94%   11/01/14   
  T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 Fund  0.80%   0.00%   7.25%   10.18%   8.90%   6.43%   0.59%   10/01/14   
  T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund  1.02%   0.14%   8.50%   13.15%   10.88%   7.10%   0.67%   10/01/14   
  T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund  1.25%   0.29%   9.50%   15.41%   12.25%   7.59%   0.73%   10/01/14   
  T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund  1.33%   0.32%   9.98%   16.54%   12.91%   7.79%   0.76%   10/01/14   
  T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund  1.31%   0.36%   9.94%   16.51%   12.90%   6.32%*   0.76%   10/01/14   
  T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund  1.37%   0.36%   9.96%   16.53%   12.90%   6.33%*   0.76%   10/01/14   
  T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund  1.33%   0.36%   9.94%   16.54%   12.90%   7.97%*   0.76%   10/01/14   
  T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 Fund  1.27%   0.29%   9.71%   16.10%   12.67%   7.66%   0.75%   10/01/14   
  T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 Fund  1.17%   0.24%   9.12%   14.38%   11.61%   7.35%   0.70%   10/01/14   
  T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 Fund  0.93%   0.07%   7.91%   11.77%   9.98%   6.83%   0.63%   10/01/14   
  T. Rowe Price Retirement 2005 Fund  0.74%   0.00%   6.71%   9.08%   8.10%   6.19%   0.59%   10/01/14   
  Vanguard Equity Income Fund (Adm)  2.47%   2.91%   14.49%   19.47%   16.47%   8.85%   0.21%   01/27/14   
  Vanguard Intermed. Term Treasury Fund (Adm)  0.85%   1.33%   3.23%   1.81%   3.63%   4.96%   0.10%   05/28/14   
  Wells Fargo Stable Value Fund (30)  0.10%   0.32%   1.23%   1.51%   1.91%   3.03%   0.52%   09/30/14   

Any advice from more seasoned investors?  I am 43 years old and not overly risk averse.  Other info needed?

[AlanStache]

Other info needed?

Yeah, what the heck do those numbers represent :-)  ?  Maybe just pull out the expense ratio too?

[jmusic]

I'm guessing the numbers represent returns over different periods of time, but without seeing the title row or knowing the expense ratios, the numbers are totally useless. 

[DrF]

I think the ERs are just before the dates?

I'd probably do the target 2055 and be done with it.

100% into that.

Edit: I'd definitely do the Fidelity mid cap fund, b/c that's pretty much what I do now in my 403b (FSEVX)

[tc_countyplanner]

Sorry, the top row didn't copy.  :)   I will attempt to attach their summary; but - in case it fails:  The last percentage item (next to the date) is labeled as Gross Expense Ratio.  The other items are, in order, 1 mo total, 3 mo total, 1 yr total, 3 yr ann, 5 yr ann, 10 yr ann, then the gross expense ratio and the expense ratio date (?).  I don't think our choices are all that great.  Any insight at all would be helpful. 

[DrF]

The Vanguard Equity looks good too.

[tc_countyplanner]

Vanguard Equity is what I was thinking.  Would it be smart to put all or most of it there?  The Fidelity Mid Cap has such a high expense ratio, why that fund?

[DrF]

I edited my earlier post.

I would either do the vanguard equity or fidelity midcap or 50/50 of the 2.

but the vanguard is really cheap, so I'd probably do that.

[tc_countyplanner]

I really appreciate your insight.  Thanks!

[DrF]

No problem.

Please read the link in the signature space at the bottom of my post.

You will be able to save more, faster.

After you get the match, put additional money into a traditional IRA before adding any more to your 401k. You will get better options with an IRA.

[RyeWhiskey]

Are you looking to buy stocks or bonds? If stocks, the Vanguard Equity fund is the way to go. The Fidelity mid cap is too expensive at 0.81%. If bonds, the Vanguard IT Treasury fund or the D&C Income Fund will suffice.

[tc_countyplanner]

Stocks.