1st Quarter WS FOLIO Performance

Dividend Income and Pipeline MLP's paying high dividends lagged the market considerably. These were the best performing FOLIO's in 2011. The worst performing FOLIO's in 2011, namely International Opportunity and Aggressive Growth did quite well this quarter.  Clearly in 2011, low risk was popular and in the first quarter, the riskiest strategies did well.

Fixed Income did very poorly in the first quarter, with supposedly "risk free" 2 year Treasuries actually declining.  The senior loans in Hedged Income outperformed in this environment.

The Classic Defensive FOLIO lagged the market in this quarter, taking a rest after returning 12% in 2011 when the S&P500 return was zero.

Clearly this was a "Risk On" quarter, and so far in April, is showing to be a period when the markets got ahead of themselves a bit.  So far markets are down for the month of April.

Below is the list of FOLIO's and their performance 12/31/2011-03/31/2012.

Rising Rates  14.24%
International Opportunity 14.24%
Aggressive Growth 13.75%
Swiss/So Germany EuroZone 12.97%

                               S&P500 Domestic Benchmark  12.00%

Food Production 11.37%

                               DJ  Developed World Ex US  10.30%

Japan 9.93%
Energy Resources 7.60%
Moderate 70/30 Core 7.50%
REITS and Resources 5.84%

Hedged Income 2.81%
Pipeline MLP 2.75%
Dividend Income 2.41%

Classic Defensive 1.33%
Utility Fixed Income 0.05%
          
                                2 year Treasuries -0.10%

                       

WS FOLIO Rankings 1st Qtr 2012

Money Manager Review Ratings (Qtr Ending 3/31/2012)
WS Wealth Managers Inc. WS Managed FOLIO's
Rankings
1 yr		3 yr		5 yr
US Equity Multi-Cap Value
WS Pipeline MLP	#1		#6		#1
US Balanced Large Cap Value
WS Classic Defensive	#1		#9		#1
US Fixed Income Core Bond-Blend
WS Preferred Utility Income	#5		#2		#2
Global Balanced Multi-Cap Value
WS Moderate 70/30 Composite	#1		NA		NA
Global Balanced Multi-Cap Blend
WS Moderate Core	#1		#7		#2
WS International Opportunity	#11		#1		#1
Global Equity Multi-Cap Growth
WS Aggressive Growth	#12		#11		#1
Global Equity Large Cap Value
WS Rising Rates	#3		#8		#2
Global Equity Multi-Cap Value
WS Dividend Income	#2		#6		#1
WS Energy Resources	#8		#8		#2
International Equity Multi-Cap Core
WS Japan	#1		#1		#1
International Equity Multi-Cap Value
WS Swiss/So Germ Euro Zone	#10		#10		#3

Fed Signals MORE Stimulus

The Federal Reserve is clearly worried about slower than expected "growth" during an election year.  Below is a comparison of the statements made on January 25 and December 13. Markets will probably react favorably to the "stimulus" but be anxious about why the economy is so weak that the stimulus is needed.

January 25 Text

While indicators point to some further improvement in overall labor market conditions, the unemployment rate remains elevated. Household spending has continued to advance, but growth in business fixed investment has slowed, and the housing sector remains depressed. Inflation has been subdued in recent months, and longer-term inflation expectations have remained stable. Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The Committee expects economic growth over coming quarters to be modest and consequently anticipates that the unemployment rate will decline only gradually toward levels that the Committee judges to be consistent with its dual mandate. ..the Committee decided today to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent and currently anticipates that economic conditions --including low rates of resource utilization and a subdued outlook for inflation over the medium run -- are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate at least through late 2014.

December 13 Text

While indicators point to some improvement in overall labor market conditions, the unemployment rate remains elevated. Household spending has continued to advance, but business fixed  investment appears to be increasing less rapidly and the housing sector remains depressed. Inflation has moderated since earlier in the year, and longer-term inflation expectations have remained stable. Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The Committee continues to expect a moderate pace of economic growth over coming quarters and  consequently anticipates that the unemployment rate will decline only gradually toward levels that the Committee judges to be consistent  with its dual mandate. The Committee also decided to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent and currently anticipates that economic conditions -- including low rates of resource utilization and a subdued outlook for inflation over the medium run -- are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the  federal funds rate at least through mid-2013.