Retirement Data: Fidelity Plan Balances Q4 2019

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Source: Fidelity

From Fidelity's press release on February 13, 2020:

• Average 401(k), IRA and 403(b) balances increased to record levels. The average 401(k) balance rose to $112,300, a new record high and a 7% increase from last quarter’s balance of $105,200. The year-over-year average balance increased 17% from $95,600 in Q4 2018; the average IRA balance also rose to a record $115,400, a 5% increase from last quarter and 17% higher than the $98,400 balance one year ago. The average 403(b)/tax exempt account balance increased to $93,100, up 6% from last quarter and an increase of 18% from Q4 2018.

February Market Update - Novel Coronavirus

The S&P 500 lost 0.16% to start 2020. The first month of 2020 turned negative when China reported humans are suffering from the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV. A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. It is a respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. To learn more about this virus and how halting its spread is impacting the economy read NY Times article, SARS Stung the Global Economy. The Coronavirus Is a Greater Menace. or BBC article, Coronavirus: The economic cost is rising in China and beyond. Bloomberg has an excellent article covering this topic, Charting the Global Economic Impact of the Coronavirus. Without further adieu, let's examine price, sentiment and valuation.