Nevada Deferred Compensation Fund, Carson City, put the Ariel Fund, an investment option in its $270 million 457 plan, on watch for performance, said Rob Easton, trustee. The fund's three-year and five-year returns "were not strong," according to trustees, and the fund was not doing well compared with its peer group, Mr. Easton said. Segal Advisors, the plan's consultant, will monitor the fund until trustees meet in May. Trustees might ask the provider, ING, to suggest other options in the small-cap value class, he said.
"In a period when the market spikes up as sharply as it did, our conservative strategy can be left behind a little bit, but long-term performance is what matters the most," said Peter Thompson, executive vice president at Ariel Capital.
The plan offers 22 investment options through Hartford and 20 options through ING.