How to find asset allocation for 'unlisted' funds?

August 11, 2008 8:51 PM

How do I find the asset class for a mutual fund that doesn't seem to have a symbol? Our work 401(K) has a choice of funds to invest in, one such being EQ/AllianceBernstein Value. I can find it on the web indirectly, such as here (listed under "Funds that own ASH" down near the bottom). You'll notice that it's the only fund that's not hyperlinked to some analysis somewhere. This seems to be the case for all the funds we can choose from.

BTW, I can find similar sounding funds such as:

AllianceBernstein Value Adv
AllianceBernstein Value A
AllianceBernstein Value B
AllianceBernstein Value C
AllianceBernstein Value I
AllianceBernstein Value K
AllianceBernstein Value R

but I don't understand how these relate to my EQ/AllianceBernstein Value.

I can't seem to find any illuminatory information on the webs.

posted by blue_wardrobe to Work & Money (3 answers total)

Not a financial analyst, but trying to do the same thing with my 401K at work so...

I think the letters are different classes of the same fund. Either the 401K administrator at your work or the broker they go through should be able to tell you which one of those letters is your fund so that you can follow accordingly.
posted by deezil at 9:28 PM on August 11, 2008

My guess: EQ = "AXA Equitable Life" - is this who administrates your 401k program? All of the AllianceBernstein Value fund share classes are going to be almost exactly the same, with respect to asset allocation. The EQ/AllianceBernstein Value is the same as those, but it is (probably) a separate account and meant to only be sold by your 401k program administrator.
posted by milkrate at 10:55 PM on August 11, 2008

Have you tried just calling the fund company and asking? Financial service companies usually have excellent phone support.

My guess is that what you're looking at isn't a publically traded mutual fund but rather a fund-of-funds created for the benefit of 401(k) subscribers. Ie: the thing you're buying is a blend, say 60% of a stock index fund, 40% of a bond fund. Or something. Your 401(k) package should contain lots of detailed brochures explaining what you're buying in great detail.
posted by Nelson at 8:38 AM on August 12, 2008