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.
Reply to @Sven:
I would prefer to go back to his roots and invest in MQIFX (global) or MEURX (Europe), which have both handily beaten EVGBX since its inception and have significantly lower expense ratios.
Kevin
Reply to @jlev:
Hi jlev,
We hold a 10% position in OAKWX, and I agree that it is more attractive than ARTGX:
1. Performance and AUM: Equivalent
2. Risk Parameters: ARTGX has had consistently lower standard deviations, higher sharpe ratios and hi…
Hi Will,
Among funds that are open to new investors, my top pick would be MINIX, which continues to be available at Wellstrade (no minimum, must involve a rep to buy) and at Scottrade ($100 minimum + TF). This class does not appear to be available …
Hi Max,
According to my analysis, SFGIX is a solid fund and I would not be in a hurry to sell it.
Using EzBacktest, here are the data for select diversified EM equity funds since the inception of SFGIX on 2/15/2012, listed in order of highest to …
Hi Swede,
The managers of this fund used to work for Oakmark and Columbia funds, which have well established fund infrastructures and developed research capabilities. Now the managers are on their own, and time will tell if SEEDX turns out to be a …
Junkster, I could not agree with you more !
I continue to see nothing attractive about this fund:
1. Poor Fund Stewardship: The fund was reopened on 9/2012 to new investors only to add to its huge cash position and dilute the meager equity exposur…
David, I would also consider FMIZX (15% EM, 1.17% net ER), which is managed by Philippe Brugere-Trelat who has done a fine job at MEURX and other Franklin Templeton Mutual Series funds.
Kevin
If DPFDX only has $9.4M in AUM after 5 years of operation, even Charles Royce does not really believe in the fund as he obviously has not invested a significant amount of his net worth in the fund. As I see it, this fund continues to be a laggard a…
Bee, as the market is feeling toppy, I have been seriously considering hedging some of my equity exposure with PHDG:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1501662-phdg-and-vqt-positive-returns-in-bull-and-bear-markets
Kevin
Hi TSP,
Although very young, THVBX (ER 1.75%) looks like an attractive fund. Depending on the size of investment, I would strongly consider buying the much lower cost institutional class, THBIX (ER 1.25%), which is available in retirement accounts…
As I see it, exposure to microcaps is essential in a well diversified portfolio due to their diversification and performance benefits. From articles that I have read, a 5-10% exposure is just about right. Here is a decent article describing the ben…
Reply to @bee:
Hi Bee,
BREFX has been killing the RE category because it really isn't a dedicated RE fund as detailed here:
http://www.baronfunds.com/News-Commentary/Library/PDF-Viewer/?pId=13e41844-13f1-4f36-b157-45ba28bf1ef0&docId=retfact…
Hi nath,
Here is an excellent article by the folks at Smead which presents a balanced comparison of active vs. passive management:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1764442-the-underperformance-culprit-active-management-or-active-managers
I am a f…
Hi Old Skeet,
Thanks for the article. I think his conclusion is fine, as we should always be prepared, but calling a top to this market is extremely difficult. Since this article was published on 11/1/13, the S&P 500 is 1.6% higher and HDGE is…
Hi nath,
Intraday indicative values are available for equity ETFs, but not for OEFs. To get an idea of how OEFs are performing intraday, I like to go to the yahoo finance fund holdings, then click on the "get quotes for top 10 holdings."
Kevin
I continue to see nothing attractive about ARIVX as I detailed previously:
http://www.mutualfundobserver.com/discuss/index.php?p=/discussion/comment/22055#Comment_22055
Kevin
Thanks for the link ! I always enjoy reading his thoughtful letters. And I continue to entertain buying some Oaktree Capital (OAK), which has performed well since inception.
Kevin
The video was a pleasant infomercial for his funds. I'm sure a link to the interview will be up on the Gotham site in the very near future.
I appreciated his somewhat dismissive comment about RAFI, which I'm sure will elicit a grin and eyeroll fr…
Ted, thanks for all of your contributions over the years to FA and MFO !
PRHSX is great, but BBH has 30% of its portfolio positioned in the three companies mentioned in the linked article. And this ETF was up a whopping 2.96% today.
Have a gr…
Hi David,
I have mentioned the Teton Westwood Mighty Mites fund in the past (search for WEIMX). GABSX looks like an attractive SCB fund, but I would try and access the lower cost GACIX. Both WEIMX and GACIX are available in Scottrade retirement acc…
From the linked article: "My personal guess is that the U.S. market, especially the non-blue chips, will work its way higher, perhaps by 20% to 30% in the next year or, more likely, two years, with the rest of the world including emerging market eq…
Hi Rono,
I like and use this site as it allows you to rank ETFs and OEFs simultaneously:
http://funds.us.reuters.com/US/screener/screener.asp?reset=1
Kevin
Reply to @VintageFreak:
As I read the prospectus, after all fee waivers, right here and right now you are actually paying a 3.16% expense ratio. You may wish to call the fund company, but I am confident that is what you are paying. Shame on M* for…
Reply to @VintageFreak:
Hi VF,
Looks like you are actually paying 15 bp less for ARLSX (actual ER 3.16%) than ALSNX (actual ER 3.31%). ARLSX is indeed cheaper, but it is not cheap. Of course nowhere in the M* fund profile is there any mention of …
Hi mrc,
Among the MH managed funds, my preference would also be the Templeton Global Total Return fund, and among the various classes, TTRZX would be my top choice. However, this class is only available at Firstrade by test trade, and is not availa…
Reply to @VintageFreak:
To me, this fund and ARIVX are vivid reminders that most common investors should invest in low cost index funds unless they can find the very few category-killing funds which consistently outperform the applicable index wit…
Hi mrc,
Here are some more actively managed Vanguard funds for your consideration: VSTCX, VSEQX, VEXPX/VEXRX, VDEQX, VWIAX/VWINX, VGELX/VGENX, and VGHAX/VGHCX.
Kevin
Reply to @Investor:
I think you will find that once again, the M* front page expense ratio is wrong and does not reflect what investors actually pay, which is a 1.88% expense ratio as detailed in the current prospectus for GPGOX. One must find and…
Hi BWG,
In Fidelity retirement accounts, I would take a look at DLHIX ($500 minimum +TF ) and ETIHX/ETNHX ($2500 minimum + TF/$2500 minimum, NTF). Although ETIHX is young, the manager has a good track record at ETILX.
Kevin
Reply to @msf:
Hi msf,
Both MDISX and MQIFX are available at Wellstrade for low minimums, and both are fine funds which have more attractive risk/reward profiles by my analysis than PTHDX and WGRNX. Looking at the two Franklin Mutual funds, MDISX…
Reply to @VintageFreak:
VF, I merely recommended taking a look at MSFBX, nothing more or less. I continue to consider this a solid fund, as indicated by the impressive annual returns, trailing returns, and investor returns, as well as the attract…
Hi VF,
I agree with your assessment of DODWX. The FMI funds are rock-solid, but I think that there are more attractive global equity funds than PTHDX and WGRNX. In that space, I would take a look at ARTGX, MSFBX (NTF, load waived at Fidelity) and …
Reply to @Charles:
Although "Mr. Asness et al down again today" is not true, a more accurate statement would be "Charles et al down again today." You see, according to the latest AQRIX SAI, Mr. Asness is not invested in this fund. The guy knows h…
Hi prinx,
I continue to like and own WEIMX, which has the most attractive risk/reward profile by my analysis. This fund is available in Scottrade retirement accounts for a low minimum of $250 with a transaction fee. If you want a high-octane fund,…
Reply to @STB65:
So far this year, RSP (equal weight index) is up 22.79% and PRF/SFLNX (fundamental indices) are up 23.49%/22.63%, while SPY is up 20.18% (all market prices). Furthermore, RSP, PRF and SFLNX have outperformed SPY over the past 1-,…
Hi Mona,
Here is a recent article which discusses market cap-weighted, equal-weighted and fundamental index funds, and a linked WSJ article as well:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/investors-consider-outperforming-smart-beta-183306723.html
I am par…
Charles, here is an article which addresses some concerns about RP funds in a rising interest rate environment:
http://www.pionline.com/article/20130415/PRINTSUB/304159963
Kevin
Hi Ted,
Thanks for the article and for all of your contributions to FA and MFO. The author makes valid points from the rear view mirror. Going forward, a simple and inexpensive portfolio which will likely do well, would be a mix of VT and VWINX/VW…
