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 @Mark: In terms of 'dirty' oil, if you mean tar sands, I think if that is not delivered via pipeline, it will be delivered via train and there are definitely indications of that from Canadian National Railway and others. Canada is sufferin…
I think there's attractive opportunities in a number of "income-oriented" stocks - some MLPs and REITs. Not unbelievable values, but some REITs (especially some healthcare) are down substantially from 52-wk highs.
Pipelines do have accidents, but I think it's rather fascinating how aggressively pipelines have been protested (to the point where the Keystone pipeline is probably not going to happen), despite issues with transporting energy by rail. I own both p…
MikeM provided the stats quite well. I think my only thing is that the fund still presents a pretty sizable amount of risk and there are options a little further down the risk ladder if that is what someone is looking for.
Reply to @cman: Thank you for your reply.
A few odds/ends thoughts.
I think it's not that people will abandon real estate ownership, but it's a question of whether or not people will ever want en masse what is right and appropriate for them. I'm …
It would depend on your desired risk level. This fund lost around 35% in 2008 (I guess before it was a mutual fund) and it could easily do so again in another steep downturn.
If you are looking for lower risk, I'd go with Pimco L/S or Marketfield, …
Reply to @mcmarasco: I think it all depends on your time frame. If you have a long-term time frame, then I think by all means look at EM. I do think that some EM will do better than others - Brazil, unfortunately, seems like a mess, sadly. See: http…
Reply to @cman: I agree to some degree on some of your points. In terms of number 4, I think you are right in that a lot of financial planners and others exist because people's lack of understanding of investing and how to go about it. However, ther…
One of the Rothschilds (Jacob) appears to agree. RIT (RIT = Rothschild Investment Trust) Capital Partners invested in Zopa, a private UK-based p2p lending co.
“We are witnessing the growth of the non-banking lending market,” Lord Rothschild told th…
Looking to add to Freehold Royalities (FRHLF) for monthly income, maybe over the next week or two. Added to RIMIX, which is an Asia-focused EM fund that continues to do nicely in comparison to the category. Looking to add to Brookfield Property Part…
Brookfield Infrastructure (BIP) has had a very nice run over the last 3 years. (it is an MLP, so does generate a K-1.) They are investing in toll roads, among many other things.
I dunno about airports as much, but Sydney Airport is public, as are …
Reply to @msf: " By not adopting chip and pin security they save themselves (and merchants who would need hardware upgrades) some costs. They apparently think that eating the direct cost of fraudulent charges is cheaper. But as end users, we suffer…
Event-driven investing (things like merger arb) is never going to be more than a single. A double is a very good year. However, it is (usually) a single in good years and bad. To me, I guess it's a bond/cash alternative. It is not a core part of a p…
Reply to @Charles: I could be wrong, but I think last 13f, Fairholme as a whole had added to Sears. The reason it has gone down lately is due to Eddie Lampert selling a substantial amount.
Reply to @Mark: Thanks - I'll have to look into the M* forum. The Vornado preferred was an instance of familiarity with the company after owning the common for a time period. I'd looked at this particular preferred earlier in the year when it was do…
Reply to @Mark: Agreed. I think there are values, you just have to look harder. Maybe not screaming buys, but a number of REITs are down giant from a 52 wk highs. I bought Ventas the other day, up a bit and announced an 8% dividend raise today, but …
Reply to @Anna: "Bitcoins are a lot lighter weight and easier to store than gold"
The problem is that bitcoins, while a fascinating concept, are ones and zeros somewhere. Coins, wine, artwork, etc are tangible and you physically own them. Bitcoin h…
Added Vornado Preferred (VNO.PR.L) yielding 7.04%. I don't usually look at preferred stocks (not that there's anything wrong with them or anything), but I've been watching this one and it got to a level that was appealing.
Reply to @TSP_Transfer: The issue with foreign stocks is that you are not charged extra for trading ADR shares (which usually end in Y), but some brokerages do charge for buying foreign ordinary shares (which end in F.) I don't believe Ameritrade ch…
Reply to @Mark: Thanks! Kinder continues to be a major holder and I just really look at a company with 82,000 miles of pipelines and 180 terminals in North America. I mean, you have a company with assets that are hard to compete with, highly costly…
Reply to @Ted: Both are interesting ideas. In terms of RAIL, an interesting play on rail leasing that has been around forever is GATX (GMT), which offers a decent dividend and is fairly reasonably valued. GATX cars seem as if they're one or more car…
Reply to @bee: Thanks!
I think it's been a difficult transition that has admittedly resulted in some successes and some lessons learned, but the general philosophy is that individual themes have really interested me in the last couple of years and…
Reply to @Mark: O is something I've looked at, as well. I continue to own similar WPC (which has raised its dividend for 50 straight quarters) - REITs have been creamed, but I really do like the triple-net REITs as a long-term holding.
Reply to @Mark: HCP is a good choice for those with a long-term view. Ventas I think is interesting, as well. This entire space has gotten absolutely creamed. In terms of "right time", I dunno, maybe it isn't, but nice yield for those with a long-te…
Reply to @Mark: I own Kinder Morgan (although not the parent, but I am really thinking about adding the parent again today.) Personally, I think it's a matter of owning hard assets that someone could not come in tomorrow and easily replace/recreate/…
Reply to @Charles: I have looked at ADM over a couple of years but have just never liked it enough, despite thinking it's something Berkshire Hathaway might buy at some point. ADM has some great assets, but I also don't like being in the middle of t…
No mutual funds buy vineyards straight-up, but you can buy a few different winery stocks (like Crimson Wine, which was spun-off from Leucadia), as well as things like Diageo (DEO).
I believe I read the other day that he bought more (I could be wrong, but I think that was part of the filing if I remember correctly.)
I guess a couple of things:
1. Lampert should not be praised for what he did with Sears.
2. Lampert is an int…
Reply to @Chinfist: That's really interesting and makes me want to watch this fund a little again.
"El-Erian, who is Pimco’s co-chief investment officer along with Bill Gross, will select investments for the $3 billion fund effective at the end of …
Reply to @hank: Some popular recurring video channels on Youtube ("Epic Meal Time" being a prime example, which has nearly 6 million subscribers - it had 1.5M in 2011.) probably have a larger audience than some of CNBC's shows.
CNBC really needs to…
I often agree with El-Erian and I thought his book was an enjoyable read. I think my issue with that fund is that I question his level of involvement, which I think is probably minimal.
