How can you maximize returns from mutual funds if are penalized for frequent exchanges?

There are several mutual fund options in my 401k program. Most of which penalize or suspend you for "round trip" trading. So when the market goes down several times a year, and I want to maximize my ROI and YTD, I can't put the money into a stable value fund more than 2 times in 90 days, or 4 times total per year. Pretty stupid...so how do I get the most out of my money when I am limited to this?

Though I understand that my retirement is important, I don't see how riding in a fund that tanking is logical. Why not go into stable when the market is down and go back in when it's up? Can I rely on the fund manager to do this? My goal is to get 15% return and keep it there. I want to retire comfortably, but I want my money to work harder than it is now at 9-10%.

A 15% return in mutual funds is COMPLETELY unrealistic, and isn't going to happen on a consistent basis EVER!

If you dislike the 401(k) restrictions (placed on you by a company that are apparently trying to protect you from yourself!) then go work somewhere else!

Presumably you have all the data for what you've been TRYING to accomplish, so try this: get the historical data for all the funds that are available to you, and actually SEE if the way you think you can make more money actually works! Don't forget, you pay a FEE inside the fund every time you switch from one investment to another, the folks executing your trades are doing it to pay their rent, not to maximize your return!

To get the "most out of your money", if you are a "young person" (just a wild guess), put 100% of it in the MOST volatile fund option you have: that way, your payroll deducted contributions will buy more when the price is down, and less when it's up. Assuming the trend is up (long-term), you'll make out like a bandit without playing silly-buggers.

(P.S. My 401(k) is currently invested 55% in Fidelity Contrafund, 20% in Genesis Bond Fund, 15% in International, and 10% in a junk bond fund. I've had the same allocation for 3 years, and YTD I'm up 19.2%....with no transfers & without a single trade other than the "buys"!)

Quit trying so hard, you are only hurting yourself!

leave them alone for one. Quit chasing the hot areas stay basic and conserative, yoru 401 is yoru future do NOT screw it up.

As for the part you cannot put money into a stable fund more than 4 times that alone something is wrong. I get weekly paycheck and it comes out and goes into my 410k every week without any penalties. It sounds to me like this a horrible 401k plan if so I would get out of it. .

In a 401(k) you should not be chasing after returns and playing with your money. You should evaluate and shuffle your money around once or twice a year.

If you consistently put money in to the funds, you are buying more shares when the fund is low and less when the fund is high.

Don't play with your retirement money.

There is a reason that mutual funds penalize you for frequent exchanges. An exchange is a buy and sell. And frequent buying and selling of fund shares wrecks havoc on fund managers and hurts the other shareholders.

Not only are you destroying the chances of your success in saving enough for retirement you are affecting the success of others.

I do not mean to criticize you personally but rather send a message to other investors with thoughts of doing what you are doing to not do this. It is really destroying your chances of a comfortable retirement.