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Rebalancing - Part Two:
How to Rebalance Your Portfolio

Here are three simple strategies you can implement to rebalance your portfolio

In my first article on rebalancing, I discussed what it is and why it's important. In this article, I will explain different strategies for rebalancing your portfolio. Remember, the primary goal of rebalancing is not to maximize returns, but rather to manage risk. If your comfortable risk threshold is the kiddie coaster at the theme park, letting your portfolio drift to the sky-diving risk threshold is not a good idea. Rebalancing keeps you safely strapped into the kiddie coaster where you can enjoy the ride and still sleep at night.

There are three common ways to go about rebalancing your portfolio.
  1. Periodic - This strategy involves choosing a timeframe to rebalance your portfolio, whether it be monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. One important consideration comes into play with this strategy. Fees will be involved in rebalancing as you are buying or selling positions to accomplish the task. Therefore, daily or even monthly timeframes may not make sense. I would recommend semi-annual or even annual rebalancing for most investors.
  2. Percentage - This strategy requires you to monitor your portfolio allocations regularly. When your portfolio drifts by a certain pre-determined percent (5%, or 10% for example) from its initial allocation, then you rebalance back to the starting point. Fees are again a consideration and, therefore, may be a reason to choose a higher percentage threshold before triggering the rebalance.
  3. Periodic-Percentage - This strategy is a hybrid of the first two in which you would rebalance your portfolio at pre-determined periods but only if the portfolio had drifted by a certain percentage. For example, you could choose to monitor your portfolio annually and rebalance only if it has drifted by 10%. This strategy may be the best of both worlds - it eliminates the need for constant monitoring and can also help to reduce transaction fees.
Research has shown that the difference between these strategies does not significantly change a portfolio's returns or volatility. However, over time, there is a significant difference between a portfolio that is periodically rebalanced and one that is never rebalanced, particularly as it pertains to risk. Doing nothing could result in that unplanned sky-diving excursion.

Matt Haertzen

Matt Haertzen

For more resources on rebalancing, click on the following links:

Rebalance or Rush Hour? by Research Affiliates

Best Practices for Portfolio Rebalancing by Vanguard

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