TD Ameritrade Offers Investors Five Financial Strategies for the New Year

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- More than half of Americans plan to reduce debt and increase savings as part of their New Year's resolutions for 2012, according to a recent survey by TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: AMTD).

For investors who are eager to start 2012 on the right financial track, TD Ameritrade, Inc. ("TD Ameritrade"), a broker dealer subsidiary of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation offers the following five financial tips:

Make periodic adjustments

While the New Year may be a time for many to evaluate their financial plans, investors should keep in mind they don't have to reallocate their whole investment portfolio at once. In fact, investors may want to consider reallocating one-third of their money in January, another third in February and the final third in March. Then continue this pattern of reviewing and/or reallocating one-third of their portfolio each month.

"This strategy helps long-term investors develop good investing habits and avoids the ‘set it and forget it' mentality by keeping them constantly engaged in their portfolio," said JJ Kinahan, chief derivatives strategist, TD Ameritrade. "Rather than adjusting their entire portfolio at once, they can adjust one-third of it at a time — so it's still a long-term portfolio that benefits from short-term changes."

Embrace market volatility … with a little help

Options might seem foreign to most long-term investors, but many investors are finding them useful in volatile, flat, up or even down markets. While subject to unique risks and not suitable for everyone, qualified investors who need some additional guidance with options might consider taking advantage of free online financial education courses such as TD Ameritrade's "Introduction to Options." Or for those investors interested in speaking to an independent registered investment advisor (RIA), TD Ameritrade's AdvisorDirect™ service can refer investors to knowledgeable, independent RIAs who can help them pursue their investment goals.*

Be informed on diversification

The market meltdown of 2008 was a reminder that worldwide markets are highly connected. Diversification is important because if one country's economy fails, it is likely to impact other economies as well. Investors may want to think about diversifying across sectors rather than economies.

Investors can use online tools to better understand their portfolios' exposure to different investment styles, geographic regions and sectors. Third-party research can help investors make educated decisions and implement the trading or investing strategy that they decide best fits their needs.

If an interest rate seems too good to be true, it just might be

When a 10-year corporate or foreign bond is paying 10 percent or higher at the same time the 10-year U.S. government rates are at 2 percent, investors should understand the reason. Anything that is more than 2 to 3 percent higher than government rates will likely have greater risk associated with it. For investors, financial education is key to making informed decisions and recognizing potential risks.

Just because it's a guaranteed government bond, doesn't mean it can't lose value

The word "guaranteed" associated with U.S. government bonds refers to the timely payment of principal and interest. The government does not guarantee that the bond itself will not lose value. So investors should be aware that their principal can fluctuate. Investors should do their research and be sure they understand the full risk, as with any investment.

For more information, visit tdameritrade.com or follow the Company on Twitter, @TDAmeritradePR.

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*Options are not suitable for all investors as the special risks inherent to options trading may expose investors to potentially rapid and substantial losses. Options trading privileges subject to TD Ameritrade review and approval. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before investing in options.

About AdvisorDirect
Potential AdvisorDirect clients should typically have at least $200,000 in assets to invest. Some RIAs have higher or lower minimum asset requirements. There is no charge or obligation for the initial consultation with the RIA. Once you select an RIA, you will pay advisory fees and standard brokerage fees. Brokerage transactions executed through TD Ameritrade are subject to standard transaction charges. You should review an RIA's Form ADV, other applicable advisor disclosure document(s) and the AdvisorDirect Disclosure and Acknowledgement Document prior to engaging an RIA. The Form ADV contains important disclosure information relative to an RIA's services and fees. RIAs charge an ongoing investment advisory fee for their services. RIAs will pay TD Ameritrade fees for their participation in the AdvisorDirect program. Those fees will usually constitute a percentage of the advisory fees you will pay your RIA. For additional details about the fees paid to TD Ameritrade and other conflicts of interest, please review the AdvisorDirect Disclosure and Acknowledgement Document and ask your RIA about its specific arrangement with TD Ameritrade. You are solely responsible for evaluating any advisor that you are considering.

Investments in bonds and other fixed-income products are subject to liquidity (or market) risk, interest rate risk (bonds ordinarily decline in price when interest rates rise and rise in price when interest rates fall), financial (or credit) risk, inflation (or purchasing power) risk and special tax liabilities.

About the Survey
These results are based on a telephone survey conducted in ORC International's CARAVAN® on behalf of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation. One thousand six (1,006) adults participated in a telephone survey conducted October 13-16, 2011. The margin of error in this survey is ±3.1 percentage points. This means that in 19 cases out of 20, survey results based on 1,006 respondents will differ by no more than 3.1 percentage points in either direction from what would have been obtained by seeking the opinions of all adults living in the United States age 18 and older. ORC International and TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation are separate, unaffiliated companies and are not responsible for each other's products and services.

About TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation
Millions of investors and independent registered investment advisors (RIAs) have turned to TD Ameritrade's (NASDAQ: AMTD) technology, people and education to help make investing and trading easier to understand and do. Online or over the phone. In a branch or with an independent RIA. First-timer or sophisticated trader. Our clients want to take control, and we help them decide how — bringing Wall Street to Main Street for more than 36 years. An official sponsor of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, TD Ameritrade has time and again been recognized as a leader in investment services. Please visit TD Ameritrade's newsroom or www.amtd.com for more information.

Brokerage services provided by TD Ameritrade, Inc., member FINRA (www.FINRA.org)/SIPC (www.SIPC.org)/NFA (www.nfa.futures.org).

About ORC International
ORC International is a leader in global market research with expertise in Information Technology and Telecommunications, Healthcare, Financial Services, Public Services and Consumer Behavior. For more information, visit www.opinionresearch.com.

TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation
For Media:
Christina Goethe, 201-369-8541
Communications & Public Affairs
christina.goethe@tdameritrade.com
@TDAmeritradePR
or
For Investors:
Jeff Goeser, 402-597-8464
Investor Relations & Finance
jeffrey.goeser@tdameritrade.com

Source: TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation

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