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  • Matthews Asia Focus Fund to liquidate
    https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/923184/000119312519056986/d681102d497.htm
    497 1 d681102d497.htm 497
    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS
    SUPPLEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 28, 2019
    TO THE INVESTOR CLASS PROSPECTUS
    DATED APRIL 30, 2018, AS SUPPLEMENTED
    For all existing and prospective shareholders of Matthews Asia Focus Fund – Investor Class (MAFSX):
    The Board of Trustees of Matthews International Funds (d/b/a Matthews Asia Funds) (the “Trust”) has approved a Plan of Termination, Dissolution and Liquidation for the Matthews Asia Focus Fund, a series of the Trust (the “Fund”), pursuant to which the Fund will be liquidated (the “Liquidation”) on or about March 29, 2019 (“Liquidation Date”). This date may be changed without notice at the discretion of the Trust’s officers.
    Suspension of Sales. Effective on March 1, 2019, the Fund will no longer sell shares to new investors or existing shareholders, including through exchanges into the Fund from other series of the Trust.
    Mechanics. The Fund will cease investment operations in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies, and the Fund’s assets will be converted into cash and cash equivalents on or before the Liquidation Date. In connection with the Liquidation, any shares of the Fund outstanding on the Liquidation Date will be automatically redeemed as of the close of business on the Liquidation Date. The proceeds of any such redemption will be equal to the net asset value of those shares after the Fund has paid or covered with reserves all of its charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities. The distribution to shareholders of these liquidation proceeds will occur as soon as practicable, and will be made to all shareholders of the Fund of record at the time of the Liquidation. Additionally, the Fund must declare and distribute to shareholders any realized capital gains and all net investment income no later than the final Liquidation distribution. Matthews International Capital Management, LLC (“Matthews”), investment advisor to the Fund, intends to distribute substantially all of the Fund’s net investment income before the Liquidation. Matthews will bear all expenses in connection with the Liquidation to the extent those expenses exceed the amount of the Fund’s normal and customary fees and expenses accrued by the Fund through the Liquidation Date, provided that those accrued amounts are first applied to pay for the Fund’s normal and customary fees and expenses.
    Other Alternatives. At any time before the Liquidation Date, shareholders of the Fund may redeem their shares of the Fund and receive the net asset value thereof, pursuant to the procedures set forth under “Investing in the Matthews Asia Funds – Selling (Redeeming) Shares” in the Prospectus. Shareholders may also exchange their Fund shares for shares of the same class of any other series of the Trust, as described in and subject to any restrictions set forth under “Investing in the Matthews Asia Funds – Exchanging Shares” in the Prospectus.
    U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters. For tax purposes, with respect to shares held in a taxable account, the automatic redemption of shares of the Fund on the Liquidation Date will generally be treated as any other redemption of shares (i.e., as a sale that may result in gain or loss for federal income tax purposes). Instead of waiting until the Liquidation Date, a shareholder may voluntarily redeem his or her shares before the Liquidation Date to the extent that the shareholder wishes to realize any such gains or losses before the Liquidation Date. See “Other Shareholder Information – Taxes” in the Prospectus. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of the Liquidation.
    If you have any questions regarding the Liquidation, please contact the Trust at 1-800-789-ASIA (2742).
    Please retain this Supplement with your records.
    ST047
    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS
    SUPPLEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 28, 2019
    TO THE INSTITUTIONAL CLASS PROSPECTUS
    DATED APRIL 30, 2018, AS SUPPLEMENTED
    For all existing and prospective shareholders of Matthews Asia Focus Fund — Institutional Class (MIFSX):
    The Board of Trustees of Matthews International Funds (d/b/a Matthews Asia Funds) (the “Trust”) has approved a Plan of Termination, Dissolution and Liquidation for the Matthews Asia Focus Fund, a series of the Trust (the “Fund”), pursuant to which the Fund will be liquidated (the “Liquidation”) on or about March 29, 2019 (“Liquidation Date”). This date may be changed without notice at the discretion of the Trust’s officers.
    Suspension of Sales. Effective on March 1, 2019, the Fund will no longer sell shares to new investors or existing shareholders, including through exchanges into the Fund from other series of the Trust.
    Mechanics. The Fund will cease investment operations in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies, and the Fund’s assets will be converted into cash and cash equivalents on or before the Liquidation Date. In connection with the Liquidation, any shares of the Fund outstanding on the Liquidation Date will be automatically redeemed as of the close of business on the Liquidation Date. The proceeds of any such redemption will be equal to the net asset value of those shares after the Fund has paid or covered with reserves all of its charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities. The distribution to shareholders of these liquidation proceeds will occur as soon as practicable, and will be made to all shareholders of the Fund of record at the time of the Liquidation. Additionally, the Fund must declare and distribute to shareholders any realized capital gains and all net investment income no later than the final Liquidation distribution. Matthews International Capital Management, LLC (“Matthews”), investment advisor to the Fund, intends to distribute substantially all of the Fund’s net investment income before the Liquidation. Matthews will bear all expenses in connection with the Liquidation to the extent those expenses exceed the amount of the Fund’s normal and customary fees and expenses accrued by the Fund through the Liquidation Date, provided that those accrued amounts are first applied to pay for the Fund’s normal and customary fees and expenses.
    Other Alternatives. At any time before the Liquidation Date, shareholders of the Fund may redeem their shares of the Fund and receive the net asset value thereof, pursuant to the procedures set forth under “Investing in the Matthews Asia Funds — Selling (Redeeming) Shares” in the Prospectus. Shareholders may also exchange their Fund shares for shares of the same class of any other series of the Trust, as described in and subject to any restrictions set forth under “Investing in the Matthews Asia Funds — Exchanging Shares” in the Prospectus.
    U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters. For tax purposes, with respect to shares held in a taxable account, the automatic redemption of shares of the Fund on the Liquidation Date will generally be treated as any other redemption of shares (i.e., as a sale that may result in gain or loss for federal income tax purposes). Instead of waiting until the Liquidation Date, a shareholder may voluntarily redeem his or her shares before the Liquidation Date to the extent that the shareholder wishes to realize any such gains or losses before the Liquidation Date. See “Other Shareholder Information — Taxes” in the Prospectus. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of the Liquidation.
    If you have any questions regarding the Liquidation, please contact the Trust at 1-800-789-ASIA (2742).
    Please retain this Supplement with your records.
    ST048
  • Fidelity Debuts Three Multifactor ETFs: (FSMD) - (FDEV) - (FDEM)
    This caught my eye at the end of the report:
    Fidelity’s entire ETF lineup can be bought commission-free on Fidelity’s online brokerage platform. Earlier this month, the company announced it was nearly doubling the number of funds that can be bought commission-free on its platform to more than 500 products from various asset managers. That expansion takes effect today.
  • Help with Int'l/Global
    Thanks @Old_Skeet,,
    I fell in love with pie-charts some 25 years ago after I deep-sixed my fee-based “advisor” and started wondering how to diversify a portfolio. It’s an easy way to visualize the proportion allocated to different sectors and to make quick modifications if needed. (Might also be a “right brain” / “left brain” issue. :) ) Dr. Mandell’s recommendations, while not presented in pie-chart form, easily lend themselves to one. No doubt there are apps that could easily display them that way.
    I’m astounded at how conservatively he positions a “conservative” investor. 45% cash? Yikes! But it’s not for me to say. Something in me wonders if that represents perhaps a “cautious” outlook for stocks?
    I’m glad @Starchild felt enlightened by all the suggestions. I didn’t weigh in. The universe of high quality International / Global funds is just too wide for me to be comfortable suggesting one. Success relative to peers is often based on where in the world they chose to position the fund and how different economies performed over shorter periods.
  • Fidelity Debuts Three Multifactor ETFs: (FSMD) - (FDEV) - (FDEM)
    FYI: Fidelity Investments launched three multifactor exchange-traded funds on Thursday, boosting the company’s bet on factor investing as it expands its ETF lineup.
    All three products follow indexes developed in-house that track companies that Fidelity’s research analysts believe have attractive valuations, high-quality profiles, positive momentum signals and lower volatility than broader market indexes.
    Regards,
    Ted
    https://www.fa-mag.com/news/fidelity-debuts-three-multifactor-etfs-43565.html?print
  • Help with Int'l/Global
    @Starchild: It's me again. I pulled Dr. Madell's recommended funds form his recent newsletter. They are listed below for your review. It looks like VWIGX is his recommended international choice. You might wish to look at TBGVX as it is also on his short list. And, VTMGX looks interesting as well.
    My Recommended Stock Funds:
    -Vanguard Extended Market Idx (VEXMX)
    -Vanguard Small Cap Growth Idx (VISGX)
    -Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX)
    -Vanguard Equity Income (VEIPX)
    -Vanguard Windsor II (VWNFX)
    -Vanguard Energy (VGENX)
    -Vanguard Growth Idx (VIGRX)
    -Vanguard Pacific Index (VPACX)
    -Vanguard International Growth (VWIGX)
    -Vanguard Europe Idx (VEURX)
    -Vanguard Emerging Markets Idx (VEIEX)
    -Tweedy, Browne Global Value (TBGVX)
    -Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Idx Inv (VTSMX)
    -Vanguard Developed Markets Idx Adm (VTMGX)
    My Recommended Bond Funds:
    -Vanguard California Interm-Term Tax-Exempt (VCAIX)
    -PIMCO Total Return Instl (PTTRX)
    -Vanguard Total Bond Market Index (VBMFX)
    -Vanguard High Yield (VWEHX)
    -Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade (VFSTX)
    -PIMCO International Bond Adm (PFRAX)
    -Vanguard Total International Bond Index (VTIBX)
    Some Tips Form Skeet
    You might wish to visit how much risk you have within your portfolio. I have seen, through the years, some of my buddies taking on too much risk in an attemp to meet targeted returns. Have you done a risk assessment of your portfolio? And, is it set to your tolerance? If in doubt then you might wish to do a risk profile on yourself. I have linked one below just in case it might interest you.
    https://www.calcxml.com/do/inv08
    In doing a look back into Dr. Madell's October 2018 newsletter below are his published model asset allocations.
    Overall Allocations to Stocks, Bonds, and Cash
    Recommended For Moderate Risk Investors
    Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
    Stocks 57% (57%)
    Bonds 24 (25)
    Cash 19 (18)
    Recommended For Aggressive Risk Investors
    Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
    Stocks 73% (73%)
    Bonds 14 (14)
    Cash 13 (13)
    Recommended For Conservative Risk Investors
    Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
    Stocks 20% (20%)
    Bonds 35 (35)
    Cash 45 (45)
    While my asset allocation of 20% cash, 40% income and 40% equity might not be right for you it is what I have recently moved to being 70+ years in age and retired. This asset allocation affords me enough cash reserves should I need a cash infusion, enough income generation from my income area along with enough growth from my equity area to grow my principal over time. Generally, I take no more than one half (in dollars) of what my five year annual average returns have been. In this way principal grows over time. And, as my principal grows so do my distributions.
    In addition, I'd do an Instant Xray of my portfolio before I add new positions and then with the proposed changes to make sure the changes reflect the way I want to head.
    Morningstar's Instant Xray tool is linked below. In addition to looking at your portfolio as a whole you might wish to look at each fund in Xray to see how it is compiled. This should help in making better fit choices.
    https://www.morningstar.com/portfolio.html?requestUrl=/RtPort/Free/InstantXRayDEntry.aspx?dt=0.7055475
    Again, I wish you good investing in the years to come.
    Old_Skeet
    @Starchild: It's me again. I pulled Dr. Madell's recommended funds form his recent newsletter. They are listed below for your review. It looks like VWIGX is his recommended international choice. You might wish to look at TBGVX as it is also on his short list. And, VTMGX looks interesting as well.
    My Recommended Stock Funds:
    -Vanguard Extended Market Idx (VEXMX)
    -Vanguard Small Cap Growth Idx (VISGX)
    -Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX)
    -Vanguard Equity Income (VEIPX)
    -Vanguard Windsor II (VWNFX)
    -Vanguard Energy (VGENX)
    -Vanguard Growth Idx (VIGRX)
    -Vanguard Pacific Index (VPACX)
    -Vanguard International Growth (VWIGX)
    -Vanguard Europe Idx (VEURX)
    -Vanguard Emerging Markets Idx (VEIEX)
    -Tweedy, Browne Global Value (TBGVX)
    -Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Idx Inv (VTSMX)
    -Vanguard Developed Markets Idx Adm (VTMGX)
    My Recommended Bond Funds:
    -Vanguard California Interm-Term Tax-Exempt (VCAIX)
    -PIMCO Total Return Instl (PTTRX)
    -Vanguard Total Bond Market Index (VBMFX)
    -Vanguard High Yield (VWEHX)
    -Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade (VFSTX)
    -PIMCO International Bond Adm (PFRAX)
    -Vanguard Total International Bond Index (VTIBX)
    Some Tips Form Skeet
    You might wish to visit how much risk you have within your portfolio. I have seen, through the years, some of my buddies taking on too much risk in an attemp to meet targeted returns. Have you done a risk assessment of your portfolio? And, is it set to your tolerance? If in doubt then you might wish to do a risk profile on yourself. I have linked one below just in case it might interest you.
    https://www.calcxml.com/do/inv08
    In doing a look back into Dr. Madell's October 2018 newsletter below are his published model asset allocations.
    Overall Allocations to Stocks, Bonds, and Cash
    Recommended For Moderate Risk Investors
    Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
    Stocks 57% (57%)
    Bonds 24 (25)
    Cash 19 (18)
    Recommended For Aggressive Risk Investors
    Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
    Stocks 73% (73%)
    Bonds 14 (14)
    Cash 13 (13)
    Recommended For Conservative Risk Investors
    Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
    Stocks 20% (20%)
    Bonds 35 (35)
    Cash 45 (45)
    While my asset allocation of 20% cash, 40% income and 40% equity might not be right for you it is what I have recently moved to being 70+ years in age and retired. This asset allocation affords me enough cash reserves should I need a cash infusion, enough income generation from my income area along with enough growth from my equity area to grow my principal over time. Generally, I take no more than one half (in dollars) of what my five year annual average returns have been. In this way principal grows over time. And, as my principal grows so do my distributions.
    In addition, I'd do an Instant Xray of my portfolio before I add new positions and then with the proposed changes to make sure the changes reflect the way I want to head.
    Morningstar's Instant Xray tool is linked below. In addition to looking at your portfolio as a whole you might wish to look at each fund in Xray to see how it is compiled. This should help in making better fit choices.
    https://www.morningstar.com/portfolio.html?requestUrl=/RtPort/Free/InstantXRayDEntry.aspx?dt=0.7055475
    Again, I wish you good investing in the years to come.
    Old_Skeet
    Wow! Over the top help @ old_skeet. I really appreciate it and will take it all in.
  • The Six Secrets To Beating The Market
    Hey folks this is a pretty good read. The six are as follows: 1) Trend Following 2) Momentum 3) Seasonality 4) Carry 5) Betting Against Beta and 6) Value.
  • Help with Int'l/Global
    @Starchild: It's me again. I pulled Dr. Madell's recommended funds form his recent newsletter. They are listed below for your review. It looks like VWIGX is his recommended international choice. You might wish to look at TBGVX as it is also on his short list. And, VTMGX looks interesting as well.
    My Recommended Stock Funds:
    -Vanguard Extended Market Idx (VEXMX)
    -Vanguard Small Cap Growth Idx (VISGX)
    -Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX)
    -Vanguard Equity Income (VEIPX)
    -Vanguard Windsor II (VWNFX)
    -Vanguard Energy (VGENX)
    -Vanguard Growth Idx (VIGRX)
    -Vanguard Pacific Index (VPACX)
    -Vanguard International Growth (VWIGX)
    -Vanguard Europe Idx (VEURX)
    -Vanguard Emerging Markets Idx (VEIEX)
    -Tweedy, Browne Global Value (TBGVX)
    -Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Idx Inv (VTSMX)
    -Vanguard Developed Markets Idx Adm (VTMGX)
    My Recommended Bond Funds:
    -Vanguard California Interm-Term Tax-Exempt (VCAIX)
    -PIMCO Total Return Instl (PTTRX)
    -Vanguard Total Bond Market Index (VBMFX)
    -Vanguard High Yield (VWEHX)
    -Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade (VFSTX)
    -PIMCO International Bond Adm (PFRAX)
    -Vanguard Total International Bond Index (VTIBX)
    Some Tips Form Skeet
    You might wish to visit how much risk you have within your portfolio. I have seen, through the years, some of my buddies taking on too much risk in an attemp to meet targeted returns. Have you done a risk assessment of your portfolio? And, is it set to your tolerance? If in doubt then you might wish to do a risk profile on yourself. I have linked one below just in case it might interest you.
    https://www.calcxml.com/do/inv08
    In doing a look back into Dr. Madell's October 2018 newsletter below are his published model asset allocations.
    Overall Allocations to Stocks, Bonds, and Cash
    Recommended For Moderate Risk Investors
    Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
    Stocks 57% (57%)
    Bonds 24 (25)
    Cash 19 (18)
    Recommended For Aggressive Risk Investors
    Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
    Stocks 73% (73%)
    Bonds 14 (14)
    Cash 13 (13)
    Recommended For Conservative Risk Investors
    Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
    Stocks 20% (20%)
    Bonds 35 (35)
    Cash 45 (45)
    While my asset allocation of 20% cash, 40% income and 40% equity might not be right for you it is what I have recently moved to being 70+ years in age and retired. This asset allocation affords me enough cash reserves should I need a cash infusion, enough income generation from my income area along with enough growth from my equity area to grow my principal over time. Generally, I take no more than one half (in dollars) of what my five year annual average returns have been. In this way principal grows over time. And, as my principal grows so do my distributions.
    In addition, I'd do an Instant Xray of my portfolio before I add new positions and then with the proposed changes to make sure the changes reflect the way I want to head.
    Morningstar's Instant Xray tool is linked below. In addition to looking at your portfolio as a whole you might wish to look at each fund in Xray to see how it is compiled. This should help in making better fit choices.
    https://www.morningstar.com/portfolio.html?requestUrl=/RtPort/Free/InstantXRayDEntry.aspx?dt=0.7055475
    Again, I wish you good investing in the years to come.
    Old_Skeet
  • Help with Int'l/Global
    It's very hard to argue against FMIJX, but I've usually planted a foot in the door of closing funds in case they continued to out-perform. This has not been markedly successful, but it's more due to my lack of attention (or additional funds to invest) than to underperformance. If you can afford to meet the PRIDX minimum (and it's not a hard close), consider doing so and investing in FMIJX (which has its top 5 holdings located in Britain or Japan [1], so Brexit may have an impact) next. While I am a Vanguard enthusiast for the ERs, VWIGX will always be open (and it is is 5* on M*, while the others or one rank lower), and the ER will almost always be lower.
    The other funds I was going to suggest are closed, but keep an eye open for JOHAX, if it reopens. SFVLX is open, small and from a good company, with a reasonable ER, despite an initially unimpressive performance.
    Consider putting a fragment of your funds at some point (or at multiple points) in an emerging markets ETF, such as the 4* IEMG, since it's likely that these companies (those who survive) will be the dominant foreign companies in your old age.
  • Western Asset Short Term Yield Fund to liquidate
    Ummm ... the fund appears to have $50,000 in AUM and only one shareholder, Elizabeth Whitehurst (per the SAI). I've never seen that before.
  • Symons Value Institutional Fund conversion
    Nice people, weird way of reducing expenses. The net effect is that the e.r will drop by 0.25%.
  • State Funds Enhanced Ultra Short Duration Mutual Fund (STATX) to liquidate
    https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1679960/000116204419000108/state497201902.htm
    497 1 state497201902.htm
    SUPPLEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 27, 2019 TO THE
    ENHANCED ULTRA SHORT DURATION MUTUAL FUND PROSPECTUS
    DATED MARCH 29, 2018, AS SUPPLEMENTED
    On February 20, 2019, the Board of Trustees of State Funds (the “Trust”), upon the recommendation of New York Alaska ETF Management LLC, the investment adviser for the series of the Trust, approved a plan to liquidate and terminate (the “Liquidation”) the Enhanced Ultra Short Duration Mutual Fund (the “Fund”), a series of the Trust. It is anticipated that the Liquidation will be completed on or about March 6, 2019 (the “Liquidation Date”). A shareholder vote is not required to approve the Liquidation.
    Any shares of the Fund outstanding on the Liquidation Date will be automatically redeemed on that date. Effective as of the regularly scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on February 27, 2019, the Fund will no longer accept investments from new shareholders. Redemption orders received in proper form as described in the Fund’s prospectus after the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on February 27, 2019 will not be subject to any contingent deferred sales charges or other sales charges imposed by the Fund, except that shares held through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, such as omnibus accounts, may be subject to sales charges in accordance with the protocols of the financial intermediary.
    At any time prior to the Liquidation Date, shareholders may redeem their shares of the Fund pursuant to the procedures set forth in the prospectus under “How to Redeem Shares.” A letter will be sent to shareholders who hold shares directly with the Fund with respect to the Liquidation and the distribution of their redemption proceeds. Shareholders who hold their shares in the Fund through a financial intermediary should contact their financial representative to discuss their options with respect to the Liquidation and the distribution of such shareholders’ redemption proceeds.
    It is expected that as soon as practicable following the Liquidation, the cash proceeds of the Liquidation will be distributed to shareholders of the Fund in complete redemption of their shares, after all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities of the Fund have been paid or accounted for. For federal income tax purposes, the automatic redemption on the Liquidation Date will generally be considered a taxable event like any other redemption of shares. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors for more information about the tax consequences of the Liquidation to them, including any federal, state, local, foreign or other tax consequences.
    In order to provide for an orderly liquidation and satisfy redemptions in anticipation of the Liquidation, the Fund will no longer pursue its investment objectives and strategies between now and the Liquidation Date.
    For assistance or more information, shareholders can contact their registered representative or contact the Fund by calling toll free 1-800-523-8382.
    * * * * *
    Please retain this Supplement for future reference...
  • The Closing Bell: U.S. Stocks Tick Lower, Pausing Early-Year Rally
    FYI: U.S. stocks wobbled for the second consecutive session Wednesday, pausing their early-year rally as analysts weighed comments from U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and the latest batch of corporate earnings.
    The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 72 points, or 0.25%, at 25985, after earlier falling as much as 181 points. The S&P 500 dropped less than 0.05%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also swung between small gains and losses and was recently down less than 0.07%.
    Although patience from the Federal Reserve and optimism about a U.S.-China trade agreement have boosted stocks recently, some analysts say the recovery has gone too far. The Dow industrials entered Wednesday’s session up 12% for the year and within 3% of last year’s record.
    The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note rose to 2.684%, according to Tradeweb, from 2.636% a day earlier. Bond yields rise as prices fall.
    Elsewhere, the Stoxx Europe 600 dipped 0.3%.
    Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed 0.5% higher, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng shed less than 0.1% after climbing earlier in the session.
    The majority of the S&P 500 Sectors, led by Communicationn Services lagged, while Energy led the winners.
    Regards,
    Ted
    Bloomberg Evening Briefing:
    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-27/your-evening-briefing
    WSJ:
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-stocks-decline-as-violence-erupts-in-kashmir-11551258388
    Bloomberg:
    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-26/asia-stocks-set-for-modest-gains-treasuries-rise-markets-wrap?srnd=premium
    IBD:
    https://www.investors.com/market-trend/stock-market-today/dow-jones-stock-triggers-sell-signals/
    Reuters:
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-stocks/wall-street-edges-lower-after-lighthizer-comments-on-trade-talks-idUSKCN1QG1R1?il=0
    CNBC:
    https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/27/stock-market-dow-futures-in-focus-ahead-of-trump-kim-summit.html
    U.K.: FTSE Down .61%
    Europe:
    https://www.marketwatch.com/story/europes-indexes-sink-as-geopolitical-tensions-between-pakistan-and-india-escalate-metro-bank-plunges-20-2019-02-27/print
    Asia:
    https://www.marketwatch.com/story/asian-markets-rise-as-trump-kim-set-to-meet-2019-02-26/print
    Bonds:
    https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/27/bonds-traders-await-another-powell-speech.html
    Currencies:
    https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/27/forex-markets-dollar-the-fed-british-pound-in-focus.html
    Oil:
    https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/27/oil-markets-opec-us-crude-inventories-in-focus.html
    Gold
    https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/27/gold-markets-the-fed-dollar-palladium-in-focus.html
    WSJ: Markets At A Glance:
    https://markets.wsj.com/us
    Major ETFs % Change:
    https://www.barchart.com/etfs-funds/etf-monitor
    SPDR's Sector Tracker:
    http://www.sectorspdr.com/sectorspdr/tools/sector-tracker
    SPDR's Bloomberg Sector Performance Pie Chart:
    https://www.bloomberg.com/markets/sectors
    Current Futures:
    https://finviz.com/futures.ashx
  • Help with Int'l/Global
    @Starchild: FWIW.
    Since, the S&P 500 Index now derives better than 40% of it's earnings outside the US I use mostly global funds to gain additional foreign exposure. Please know that it has not always been this way since I became an investor some fifty years ago. So, to gain additional foreign exposure, years back, I used some global funds to offer me more foreign exposure. And, I still do today.
    In the growth and income area of my portfolio my global equity sleeve consist of: CWGIX, DEQAX, DWGAX and EADIX. All of these funds pay good dividends.
    In the growth area of my portfolio my global growth sleeve consist of: ANWPX, NEWFX and SMCWX.
    Then there are global allocation funds that can also provide both domestic and foreign exposure. I own a good number of hybrid type funds. Three of them found in the growth & income area of my portfolio in the global hybrid sleeve are CAIBX, TEQIX and TIBAX. All of these funds pay good dividends.
    My thinking, today, is still to use global funds which allows the fund manager to be somewhat adaptive to the markets by leaning towards which are felt to be the better performers between domestic or foreign holdings while still holding some of each.
    Most of the above funds I have owned for better than ten years with some more than twenty five.
    Best of luck in your seach for an international or global fund that finds your fancy.
    This is a big help @Old_Skeet, thanks for taking the time to help a newer investor. I don't really have the means to invest in so many offerings, but hoping to establish some type of fund or two that will act as a solid core with foreign exposure I can put money into when I can, at least for now. I will look into these suggestions. So far, I've been leaning towards VWIGX, Vangurd's int'l growth fund, that's been around a long time and seemingly consistent, with a good mix US/Foreign. Are any of these, or something else in line with this strategy? Or is the Vanguard a solid one for this in your mind?
  • Vanguard's change in new lower initial investment amount (automatic conversion date)
    VTTVX holds four funds. Along with their weights and ERs, they are:
    Total stock mkt index VTSMX (Inv shares): 37.49%, 0.14% ER
    Total bond mkt II index VTBIX (Inv shares): 26.38%, 0.09% ER
    Total int'l stock index VGTSX (Inv shares): 24.95%, 0.17% ER
    Total int'l bond index VTIBX (Inv shares): 11.12%, 0.13% ER
    None of this is changing. While you, as a retail investor, will have your Investor class shares converted to cheaper Admiral shares, and while new retail investors will be able to buy Admiral shares of these underlying funds for a $3K min, VTTVX will continue to hold the more expensive Investor class shares of these four funds.
    So the cost of owning VTTVX remains: 37.49% x 0.14% + 26.38% x 0.09% + 24.95% x 0.17% + 11.12% x 0.13% = 0.1331%
    Were VTTVX's holdings to be moved to Admiral class shares with ERs of 0.04% (VTSAX), 0.09% (VTBIX - no Admiral shares for Bond II), 0.11% (VTIAX), and 0.11% (VTABX), this fund's expenses would be reduced to 0.0784%.
    Were VTTVX's holdings to be moved to the cheapest share class of each underlying fund, the ERs it would be paying would be: 0.015% (VSTSX, Institutional Select shares), 0.02% (VTBNX, I shares), 0.043% (VTISX, Institutional Select shares), and 0.025% (VSIBX, Institutional Select Shares), the fund's expenses would be a mere 0.0244%.
    By keeping the Investor shares around, and by using those Investor shares in VTTVX, Vanguard is able to collect an extra 0.11% in fees while claiming to have a 0% management fee on VTTVX. This is deceptive. It's using overpriced shares to get paid for managing this fund of funds. I have no issue with Vanguard collecting a nominal fee for running this fund. It's the way it hides the number that is disturbing.
  • Labor Department investigating Fidelity over hidden mutual fund fees--WSJ
    Curious to hear thoughts/comments on this...
    Government Probes Fidelity Over Obscure Mutual-Fund Fees
    Boston-based firm characterizes so-called infrastructure fee as solution to ‘broken’ business model
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/fidelitys-fees-on-low-cost-funds-eyed-in-government-probe-11551263401
  • Help with Int'l/Global
    @Starchild: FWIW.
    Since, the S&P 500 Index now derives better than 40% of it's earnings outside the US I use mostly global funds to gain additional foreign exposure. Please know that it has not always been this way since I became an investor some fifty years ago. So, to gain additional foreign exposure, years back, I used some global funds to offer me more foreign exposure. And, I still do today. My thinking, today, is to still use global funds which allows the fund manager to be somewhat adaptive to the markets by leaning towards which are felt to be the better performers between domestic or foreign holdings while still holding some of each.
    In the growth and income area of my portfolio my global equity sleeve consist of: CWGIX, DEQAX, DWGAX and EADIX. All of these funds pay good dividends.
    In the growth area of my portfolio my global growth sleeve consist of: ANWPX, NEWFX and SMCWX.
    Then there are global allocation funds that can also provide both domestic and foreign exposure. I own a good number of hybrid type funds. Three of them found in the growth & income area of my portfolio in the global hybrid sleeve are CAIBX, TEQIX and TIBAX. All of these funds pay good dividends.
    Most of the above funds I have owned for better than ten years with some more than twenty five.
    Best of luck in your seach for an international or global fund that finds your fancy.
  • Vanguard's change in new lower initial investment amount (automatic conversion date)
    msf: You said; "
    Why aren't Investor class shares simply disappearing then? Because funds like Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 (VTTVX) will still own them. The Vanguard funds of funds own investor class shares so that they can claim they're not adding any expenses on top of the underlying funds"
    If Admiral shares have a lower ER , then the cost would be less ? Only thing I see it's likely the 3 K $$'s hasn't been put into 2025 fund. What Is it that I'm missing/
    Derf
  • Vanguard's change in new lower initial investment amount (automatic conversion date)
    If you are a retail investor in one of the funds above, your shares will be automatically converted into Admiral shares. It's a tax-free exchange.
    At the same time, Admiral shares will have their minimums dropped to $3K, same as Investor class shares.
    At the end of the day, you will have Admiral class shares (with Admiral class ERs) and a $3K min. Investor class shares will still exist, but they'll be pointless for you to buy (since they have higher ERs), and you won't be allowed to anyway.
    Why aren't Investor class shares simply disappearing then? Because funds like Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 (VTTVX) will still own them. The Vanguard funds of funds own investor class shares so that they can claim they're not adding any expenses on top of the underlying funds.
    It would be more honest (or at least more transparent) if the funds owned Admiral (or even better, Institutional) class shares of the underlying funds and simply added on a small management fee, say 0.08% like FFNOX does.
  • Vanguard's change in new lower initial investment amount (automatic conversion date)
    Yes, those admiral classes of index funds (some newly created) will be accessible for $3K to normal investors are listed above. I converted my investor class 500 index fund (VFINX) into the admiral class of the 500 index fund (VFIAX) by accessing my account on line. When I accessed my Vanguard accounts, I was notified that my 500 index fund was eligible for the conversion.
    I believe the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral class was one example of the newly created Admiral class of funds.
  • Vanguard's change in new lower initial investment amount (automatic conversion date)
    The funds listed above are affected by the change and the $3K initial investment.
    Below is the earlier link concerning the change:
    https://www.mutualfundobserver.com/discuss/discussion/45476/vanguard-change-coming