529 assets declined in 2011 third quarter

The Financial Research Corporation reports that assets in all 529 savings plans shrunk 10.2 percent during the third quarter of 2011 to approximately $134.6 billion as compared to second quarter 2011 assets of an estimated $149 billion. During the same period the S&P 500 index declined 14.3% and the Barclays Aggregate Bond index rose 3.2%. Over the past twelve months, 529 assets have increased by 5.3%.

The largest 529 program is Virginia's CollegeAmerica (American Funds) at more than $28 billion, followed by New York's College Savings Program (Upromise/Vanguard), Rhode Island's CollegeBoundfund (AllianceBernstein), New Hampshire's UNIQUE College Investing Plan (Fidelity), and Nevada's Vanguard 529 Savings Plan (Upromise/Vanguard).
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