Why your returns shouldn't match the market

You might be tempted to compare your annual returns to a broad index and then question why they might be different. But indexes are usually not a relevant comparison to your own performance.
Reviewing your investment performance over time is important in determining if you’re on track to reach your financial goals. But before you can evaluate your performance, you first need to determine the return you need to help achieve your objectives.
You might be tempted to compare your annual returns to a broad index, such as the S&P 500, and then question why they might be different. Though indexes can provide insight into the general performance of stocks and bonds, they are usually not a relevant comparison to your own personal performance.
Your annual returns shouldn’t match the market for the following reasons:
Ultimately, your investment portfolio should be designed to help you reach your individual goals. Because of this, you should look at investment performance compared to the return you need to reach your goals, not the return of an index. If you have any questions about your annual performance or any other investment-related questions, be sure to contact your Edward Jones financial advisor.