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.
I own the top holding (Astra International) via Jardine Matheson (Astra is a subsidiary), but the country appears to have a positive outlook overall. There's also a number of country-specific spin-offs of larger companies (Merck Indonesia, Unilever …
It's done quite well over time. Not quite as well this year, but when you have something so specific like Indonesia, it's to be expected on occasion. That's why I'm still kind of "eh" on specific country ETFs and I'd still rather be diversified in t…
Ended up adding to a couple of stocks and a little bit to MFLDX, PAUDX, PQIDX and JAOSX and AZNDX. Looking to add a bit more to RRPSX over the next few weeks. I will add a little further if the way the futures look today turns out to be how the day …
Reply to @johnN: I got that way last year and made less moves in the back half of last year and will make far less moves this year. I own the stocks/funds I want to own, and that's it (plus, less moves = less of a tax/paperwork hassle next March.)…
I'd strongly guess a reporting error on M*.
I own a little bit of this fund, but not in a rush to add more. I may pair a little bit of this with a little bit of AZNDX (Allianz Growth/Income)
Reply to @hank (and OJ):
So much retail money has gone into fixed income over the years, that when that tide turns either:
A:) The crowd gets upset once again and now doesn't want anything to do with stocks or bonds. A lot of signs continue to sh…
Added significantly to position in Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa, and may add/add to a couple of other things, including Marketfield (MFLDX). Am trying a year with hardly doing anything after buying/selling a few things in the next couple…
Reply to @hank: Hank makes an excellent point that I didn't mention - political instability, natural forces (weather), management and other issues play a role in why some companies may not track the underlying commodities at all. However, in the cas…
Reply to @Old_Joe: "You would most likely be amazed if you knew how much of our vital infrastructure uses the public internet for command and control." Actually I probably wouldn't, which is the unfortunate thing - it's something that isn't much dis…
That's a good question. People want the real metal instead of the stocks is one issue, and there were some reports of hedge funds shorting miners and holding long the metal. Personally, I've started adding to metals funds (not a whole lot, but even …
Reply to @Old_Joe: "I'm sorry, but while we have subscribed to and appreciated the news content of the WSJ for over 30 years, their "opinion section" is nothing more than right-wing propaganda, pure and simple, and about as factual as Fox "News."
Y…
Reply to @Old_Joe: With older infrastructure, security risks are likely even higher. All the discussion of "smart grids" never materialized, which, given security risks...is not that great.
Neat. Like something out of "Die Hard 4". I don't think they can, will or that it was a good idea to broadcast this in advance, but amusing, nonetheless.
That's what I thought, OJ.
Meanwhile, a cash4gold place opened up a mile away. They're everywhere it seems like. Either way, the survey is an interesting look at the current mentality. It's always said the retail investor is last in, but at this po…
Reply to @bee: happy to help, and thank you for your comments in this thread and elsewhere, which I always find interesting.
As for Japan, there's also this this morning - Household holdings of JGB's at 7yr low.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/mrs-…
Kyle Bass has discussed this on a number of occasions on CNBC and elsewhere, and why it's essentially short-term and will not work. Beyond that, it becomes a race to devalue. Other countries will respond in a similar manner if happens. Will Japan st…
Reply to @MaxBialystock: 2.72% should be just fine. Again, I do like EM bonds as an asset class long-term, but I just feel like (and maybe I'm wrong), it's a little early to start coming out with regional funds.
I have found Saut thoughtful and informative, especially when he actually has had a chance to express longer thoughts on King World News instead of the CNBC-style soundbites. However, there was this the other day, which I'm a little surprised didn't…
SFGIX, from what I've read, is a global allocation fund, and has done fine in the little time it's been out. MAINX and the Asian Bond ETF (forget what the heck the ticker is for that) are, I think, the trend of EM bond products going a little too fa…
I would definitely look for an advisor that gets part of their pay for performance. I know family and family friends with different advisors and the ones with advisors who are paid via a combination of fee and performance are happiest, as their advi…
Long-term, I think this fund is fine, but I just think it's maybe before its time a little. Emerging market bonds are just not a large enough asset class, I think, and I'd rather have a diversified fund if I was going to be in it. If I was going to …
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/futures-precious-metals-soar-bernanke-says-more-accommodative-policies-needed-hints-new-qe
Futures, Precious Metals Soar As Bernanke Says More "Accommodative" Policies Needed, Hints At "The New QE"
Reply to @catch22: Take a look at the issue with the Illinois Teacher's Pension Fund, which was invested (and probably still is) in a huge number of exotic derivatives products.
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=166746
"Dale…
Hedge funds had a bad year last year, as well. I own a couple of public feeder funds - the one I've been pleased with is Brevan Howard Macro.
The article is definitely an interesting take not only on fund bets, but last week's events, as well. I'm …
Reply to @catch22: Thank you for the excellent response. I think this:
" A recent note on Bloomberg, related to another money area; is that someone's survey (for the auto industry) indicated that 46% of the under 30 age group would forgo the purcha…
I suppose with hard assets (such as Brookfield Infrastructure and parent Brookfield Asset), it's the idea of inflation/replacement cost/value, whether it be the replacement cost of a building in midtown Manhattan or a port in Australia (Infrastructu…
5:) No idea, but interesting note.
4. I'm going to say no. I'm not particularly trusting of any foreign bonds. Foreign currency bonds are good to a varying degree as diversification, but they aren't something I would consider inflation protection…
I continue to buy alternatives, adding to Marketfield (MFLDX) and to Brevan Howard Macro (hedge fund available on London exchange, although USD$ shares are available on the pink sheets.)
Reply to @hank: Hussman provides an array of facts and figures and he's probably not wrong in many regards, but he (from what I've read) continues to appear to not include the effect of easy monetary policy. It's sort of like Bill from fundalarm. Yo…
In my opinion, Apple is really an "everyone on one side of the boat" situation. You have a company that is about as large in terms of market cap as the entire retail sector. That's not to say that it can't go further, but there's going to be a mista…
A few thoughts:
1. This has become much more of a stock picker's market in the last 6-12 months versus a year or two ago when you had a market that had very high correlation either way. I think there are things that have become "growth stories" tha…
I certainly agree as well. I continue to stick with long-term themes that I have a 5-10 year time horizon on, but otherwise will look to add to both themes and broader markets if given the opportunity lower. As for rates, I don't see them getting a…
Probably. I don't see it in Third Avenue, but I thought they did at one time. I own TheLink REIT, which I like due to its variety of assets (markets, food stalls, parking lots and malls) and HKLand (as part of Jardine Matheson.)
