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.
Yes I agree that getting into a Latin American fund is not for most people. But suppose it does rebound nicely between now and 5 years and you might be kicking yourself for not getting in but seriously - you might've had what 0.5% - 1.0% of your po…
To add what I mentioned above - Bridget Hughes of Morningstar wrote a piece on Vanguard earlier this year (linked below). I definitely use Vanguard as well as other funds but I really like the structure of Vanguard --- Vanguard really can't fail, t…
Some info about Mutual Fund Structure:
http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Mutual_Fund_Structure
On the other hand, The Vanguard Group is a bit different in that it is an investor-owned mutual fund complex. The concept is similar to say a Credit Union …
Also....
The IVA Funds Semi-Annual Update Call will be held on...
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 4:15 p.m. EDT. Dial-in number: 1-866-238-1645
Event Date and Time:
Tue, 09/10/2013 - 4:15pm - 5:45pm
Time Zone: (EDT)
The IVA Funds Semi-Annual…
The Virtus Emerging Market team also chimed in with a special commentary (August, 2013) on India and Indonesia...
https://www.virtus.com/vSiteManager/Upload/Docs/2061_Special_Comm_VT_India_Currency.pdf
Reply to @scott: But Microsoft has the power and might to return to respectable market share. They weren't the first to the cloud nor the first to email servers nor the first to word processing nor the first to SQL databases. Zune was a failure b…
TGMEX does look quite interesting with an ER offered now at 1.26% (relatively attractive in this space where most funds have high ERs) and from a good EM shop --- although they are more well-known for their EM bond expertise but they do cover EM equ…
Don't forget too that Robert Gensler played a large role in the long-term performance of that fund but then was tasked to take over the T. Rowe Price Global fund.
What are your thoughts on Telefonica? Too much of a gamble right now for a potential rebound play?
Telefonica has been battered hard. -9.09% 3-year annualized return and -4.93% 5-year annualized returns.
An interesting look at Telefonica: The …
Since this last thread in 2011-2012 --- savings interest rates have trimmed a tiny bit.
Barclays is also in the game as they're a relative newcomer to offering online savings accounts in the US. Right now they're offering 0.90%.
http://www.busine…
"The idea is simply to buy the best stocks low and sell them when they're high, unlike what most investors actually do," says MarketGrader's Diez.
More info...
http://www.barrons400etf.com/index.php
All index components are selected on the basis o…
Sure - I really like the Midcap Indexes - both Core and Style-based Midcap indexes.
I also like some of the broad alternative-weighted ETFs such as:
PRF, FNDB, TILT, VIG, DEM, DGS, DGRE
I don't bet all index-passive nor all active products --- I …
People have also looked too closely at Microsoft at just their Windows desktop OS business but they are much more diversified now. Hell, Office 2010 an example was huge for them.
Your average worker probably doesn't even know that their company is…
HSBC Says China, Korea Best in Emerging Market Rout
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-22/hsbc-s-maldonado-says-china-korea-best-in-emerging-market-rout.html
I love the Midcap indexes - have been touting them for a long time as well. Years ago, people would shun indexes at all costs by having look at some of the poor Total Stock Market and S&P 500 index performances from say 2000-2005.
But I have…
What Are Top Managers Buying? Europe
http://www.forbes.com/sites/investor/2013/08/16/what-are-top-managers-buying-europe/
If you’ve been consumed the past few months by the implications of potential Federal Reserve tapering on the U.S. markets, you …
Going to play devil's advocate here.
I know that a lot of people like FPACX and I do like Steve Romick's investing style and reading his commentaries but I'm wondering how many investors can really stick with his fund for the long-term to really …
Bob what are your thoughts on Dodge & Cox? Are you no longer confident in this once solid as a rock team-managed fund shop that M* and Kiplinger still loves?
Buffett Acolyte Zhao Returns to China Stocks
Zhao Danyang, the Chinese investor who won a charity lunch with billionaire Warren Buffett in 2008, led his hedge funds to post returns three times more than their Asian peers this year by shifting assets…
Emerging-market fears hide enticing valuations
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/emerging-market-fears-hide-enticing-valuations-2013-08-16
“Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.”
It’s one of Warren Buffet’s most fam…
Forbes: For Emerging Markets, Better Luck Next Year?
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2013/08/09/for-emerging-markets-better-luck-next-year/
It’s been a tough year for emerging markets, with only a few exceptions (Philippines, for instance.) W…
Reply to @AndyJ: Oh yes indeed I think FMIJX would've made the list also but of course it wasn't considered because it is a new fund and the M* article was looking at funds based on 5 year results & history.
But outside of that - indeed FMIJX …
Recent Q&A with David Herro/Oakmark in Barron's:
Q: You are also the largest outside owner of Orica (ORI.Australia), the Australian mining company.
[Herro] Mining has been soft over the last year or so, and Orica's been hit quite hard. But …
New ETF by WisdomTree .... It does look interesting. Brief paper below outlines how it works.
Emerging Markets Dividend Growth ETF (DGRE)
http://www.wisdomtree.com/resource-library/pdf/materials/DGRE/WisdomTree-Case-For-DGRE-1448.pdf
Oh I can get you higher distributions than from those plain-jane conventional funds! I have just the product --- 3X Leveraged ETFs for all you retirees!!!
I can't believe what these guys are still doing!!!
EM related post....
Rediscovering risk in emerging markets: A Country Risk Premium update
July 10, 2013
http://aswathdamodaran.blogspot.com/2013/07/rediscovering-risk-in-emerging-markets.html
Calamos: Fine-Tuning Exposure to Growth in Emerging Economies
http://calamos.com/~/media/documents/market-insights/2013/calamos-global-2013-03-fine-tuning-exposure-to-growth-in-emerging-economies.ashx
I actually take a different view from most here and give Grandeur Peak the benefit of the doubt and I'll explain why I think that way.
First off - here's an example excerpt from Grandeur Peak in Dec. 2012:
Said Mark Siddoway, Head of Client Relati…