Here's a statement of the obvious: The opinions expressed here are those of the participants, not those of the Mutual Fund Observer. We cannot vouch for the accuracy or appropriateness of any of it, though we do encourage civility and good humor.
Made a few hundred bucks dip-buying and today selling TCAF and JQUA. Foolish in hindsight, and hardly worth it. Everything in 4.2% MM now except for modest positions in long-underwater BSV and CCOR.
2025 starting total, including January's typical w/d, compared to today's market-close portfolio total, puts me just a hair above zero YTD. Of course, that will change tomorrow.
@Observant1, we also left Vanguard last year to Fidelity after many years of disappointment. For now we only have ARTKX and SFIGX as our main international stock exposure. I like to increase oversea exposure in both bonds and stocks in light of the falling US dollar. Got homework over this weekend.
Market is up the last 3 days but it is a LONG way from the height of mid-February. Will wait and see until concrete policy is in place.
I hold two international equity funds - MIEIX (CIT clone version) and ARDBX. These are the top-performing funds in my portfolio YTD. I don't hold dedicated international/global bond funds but my DOXIX fund has minor international exposure. MIEIX has returned 8.57% YTD while ARDBX has returned 7.67% YTD according to M*. International equity funds have underperformed domestic equity funds for many years. Perhaps this may be a turning point - who knows?
For awhile US stock funds out-performed international funds due to strong earning and US dollar. But the situation is changing quickly as investors are shifting away from US. Dollar fell over 9% over the last 3 months and treasury tanked. These data suggested investors are changing their view on the dollar as the last safe haven. My biggest concern is the lasting damage already inflicted on our allies. We will be in a world of hurt when no one want to buy our treasury.
As a hedge against this chaotic trade policy, we are shifting more to oversea exposure in both stocks and bonds, preferably with actively managers. Likewise, our small positions on gold and gold miner funds will do well against inflation.
I hold one specific stock position which is foreign. Total Return after today is back up over 9%. BLX. Big commercial bank, plus it also works as the "go-to" bank for official gummint transactions; it was CREATED by a number of governments in Latam and the Carib in 1970s. BLX tonight is 7.22% of portf. total. Pressing against my self-imposed limit as to relative size in portf. I had sworn off foreign ANYTHING, but this bet has not disappointed... so far. Is the weaker dollar helping in this case? Dunno. https://www.schwab.wallst.com/Research/Client/Stocks/Scorecard/RatingsComponents?symbol=BLX
I hold two international equity funds - MIEIX (CIT clone version) and ARDBX. These are the top-performing funds in my portfolio YTD. I don't hold dedicated international/global bond funds but my DOXIX fund has minor international exposure. MIEIX has returned 8.57% YTD while ARDBX has returned 7.67% YTD according to M*. International equity funds have underperformed domestic equity funds for many years. Perhaps this may be a turning point - who knows?
Sorry. It is a typo. SFGIX is the correct one. Both the investor and institutional shares are closed to new investors for some time. However, Andrew Foster and his team also run the smaller value-oriented fund, and it is open. However, only the institutional share is available - $25K minimum and $49.95 at Fidelity.
I only checked Fidelity and Schwab. Subsequent TF fund purchases can be made for $5 at Fidelity or $10 at Schwab when the appropriate buy options are selected.
Fidelity ARDBX - $49.95 transaction fee, $2,500 min. to invest MIEIX - not available, other share classes available
Schwab ARDBX - $49.95 transaction fee, $1 min. to invest MIEIX - $49.95 transaction fee, $1 min. to invest
Comments
Market is up the last 3 days but it is a LONG way from the height of mid-February. Will wait and see until concrete policy is in place.
I hold two international equity funds - MIEIX (CIT clone version) and ARDBX.
These are the top-performing funds in my portfolio YTD.
I don't hold dedicated international/global bond funds but my DOXIX fund has minor international exposure.
MIEIX has returned 8.57% YTD while ARDBX has returned 7.67% YTD according to M*.
International equity funds have underperformed domestic equity funds for many years.
Perhaps this may be a turning point - who knows?
For awhile US stock funds out-performed international funds due to strong earning and US dollar. But the situation is changing quickly as investors are shifting away from US. Dollar fell over 9% over the last 3 months and treasury tanked. These data suggested investors are changing their view on the dollar as the last safe haven. My biggest concern is the lasting damage already inflicted on our allies. We will be in a world of hurt when no one want to buy our treasury.
As a hedge against this chaotic trade policy, we are shifting more to oversea exposure in both stocks and bonds, preferably with actively managers. Likewise, our small positions on gold and gold miner funds will do well against inflation.
https://www.schwab.wallst.com/Research/Client/Stocks/Scorecard/RatingsComponents?symbol=BLX
Is this fund available as NTF?
I see it as fees only option at Schwab and Fido.
I only checked Fidelity and Schwab.
Subsequent TF fund purchases can be made for $5 at Fidelity
or $10 at Schwab when the appropriate buy options are selected.
Fidelity
ARDBX - $49.95 transaction fee, $2,500 min. to invest
MIEIX - not available, other share classes available
Schwab
ARDBX - $49.95 transaction fee, $1 min. to invest
MIEIX - $49.95 transaction fee, $1 min. to invest