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.
Anyone aware of any non- ACA choices coming this Fall?
Interesting comment by @MikeM that pricing was absolutely the same (ACA policy vs non-exchange policy).
@little5bee, I believe a colonoscopy "screenings" are a covered cost (preventive care)…
@carew388, good catch with VDC as an alternative...I would be short VCSAX's minimum as well. PGLOX is a short lived fund from (17 $M AUM), but a great pedigree mutual fund house. Thanks.
Even with its 1.05 % ER, PGLOX has clocked VDC:
From @Ted's link:
Consider sticking with equity exposure, albeit more skewed to sectors like consumer staples, telecom and utilities
Your choices for these sectors?
consumer staples (consumer defense) - VCSAX
telecom (communications) - PRMTX
utili…
Some thoughts:
Wouldn't the 2.3% be a bottom line cost savings on the product total cost?
Raw Material costs (from tariffs) would be an increased production expense if the device were manufactured in the US and usually a fraction of the final cost…
Now that I have your attention @larryB...continue.
What impact will tariffs have on funds?
I believe @Catch22 tried to offer some help regarding your OP which had to do with funding "retirement without a pension".
A worthy question that many he…
@larryB, Being new to MFO you may or may not be aware of a basic rule when posting. A post that discusses a mutual fund or an EFT is identified by the author of the post as "fund discussion". As important as it may be to discuss, this thread has no …
Many are surprised that teachers salaries are often not part of Social Security system. Though Ted's part time jobs most definitely had deductions for SS & Medicare (teachers do contribute to Medicare), it's doubtful his SS pension is anywhere c…
@rono and others...thoughts on MINDX? Seems EM (I'll include India here) has been hit hard recently, but are the fundamentals still intact?
Interesting chart in one of @Derf recent posts points to the fact that the number of countries experiencing…
From @davidrmoran's article:
Default isn’t the only serious risk to consider when purchasing an annuity. Even modest inflation can eat away at your annuity’s buying power and drastically cut into your lifestyle.
Inflow into BBJP seems to be some what related to BBJP's lower fees (ER 0.19%). EWJ (higher fees) had outflows of .5B. Must be other Japan ETFs that also have seen outflows due to BBJP lower fees. Fees matter.
That said, I own HPJSX (ER 1.61%)...wh…
@JohnN, as this thread weaves I realize I may have overshadowed your original intent for a discussion about annuities. I believe @msf brought the conversation back to that place.
I will share my own personal story with regard to annuities.
I was …
@ron, I believe their are other funds and fund managers as good as PRWCX.
One of PRWCX mandates is to capture the markets upside with half the downside capture. Upside/downside capture is a matrix I need to dedicate some time.
I believe Healthcare…
@Mark. Finding alternative income funding sources during market downturns would definitely help.
Income sources that are non - market correlated would be a good addition to a retirement portfolio. This would help handle market sequence risk (withd…
A good tool an individual investor can use when deciding between managing their own investments for "retirement withdrawal purposes" verses owning an annuity is Portfolio Visualizer linked (here). Obviously PV data is using past performance data, bu…
Good points and post @Old_Skeet.
Trump has come along at a point in political history where, by the narrowest of margins, his was elected. I voted for him, so @rono, pass me a plate of SOS...couldn't bare 4 years of Hell-ary...especially after the…
Since the February 2018 lows FSUTX is up 15%. I'm not sure that FSUTX is a poxy for PRWCX's holding in utilities, but it points out that portfolio components, especially defensive components are what separate out successful funds and fund managers. …
Using Portfolio Visualizer (link below),
https://portfoliovisualizer.com/backtest-portfolio
enter your favorite retirement income fund. I entered VWINX (conservative/moderate) as portfolio 1 and PRWCX (more aggressive) as Portfolio 2.
Past perfor…
Mutual funds that provide both "growth & income" for a retiree...What are your choices?
Here are two that I believe would work well.
For taxable retirement accounts - VTMFX
For retirement account - VWINX
Source:
https://money.usnews.com/fun…
Sine this is a "Investing 101" thread...from Valic (Educational):
A closer look at cash, annuities and mutual funds
Valic Education Center: A-closer-look-at-cash-annuities-and-mutual-funds
Here's a read on the subject (2014).
To the point of annuities verses bonds:
Opting for guaranteed income comes with downsides. Annuities are inflexible and allow for no liquidity to alter the income stream if circumstances change, if there is an un…
Except...But funds that invest in somewhat more narrow slices of the market, as opposed to the broad ownership of nearly all stocks, as well as non-index (i.e. managed) funds, can still make sense too.
If and when this situation will change is obv…
This post is number one in the "fund discussion" category...nice job @Ted...finally something we all care about here at MFO...you.
Interesting that almost half of your investments are in individual stocks (49 %).
Thanks msf, you make this site a beacon in the night.
I find it somewhat disheartening when brokerage firm's tax advice defaults to, "be sure to consult your tax advisor"...as if I have one.
Thanks Again.
POAGX has had to struggle with its largest holding, NKTR, which has tank recently on news of poor drug product test results. Share price of NKTR fell from $90 to $52. POAGX has about a 11% weighting in NKTR.
Any info on this stock would be appreci…
If SS is your only resource in retirement than you failed retirement 101.
Do you deserve SS? Of course.
My Advice:
Take it early and often...life is short. You do not gain anything by waiting until age 70 to collect SS and then dying before age …
Sifting through the comments I wanted to respond to BrianW.
@BrianW wrote:
Kids then go to failing 'public' schools and learn little about what's needed for success. Look up Hartford Public High School...second oldest Public school after Boston La…
Thanks for posting @Ted.
Interview Action Plan:
Recent MFO discussion on regional bank investing (KRE mentioned by Mr Tennert):
https://mutualfundobserver.com/discuss/discussion/comment/100402/#Comment_100402
@VintageKing,
My understanding of Roth contributions (so take this with a grain of salt) is that the contribution can not exceed the yearly limit nor can it exceed total earned income.
You can "substitute their money with your money" as far as th…
A couple of Correlation Tools:
What's the correlation of one Vanguard fund to another...find it here:
https://adviseronline.investorplace.com/parts/tools/correlation-tool.html?fund1=500+Index&fund2=Wellesley+Income
Portfolio Correlation tool (e…
MUNGER ON BUFFETT BEING ‘SEMI-RETIRED’
“He sits around reading most of the time and thinking, and every once in a while he talks on the phone. I can’t see any difference … Warren is very good at doing nothing.”
Remind me of the saying:
"Don't ju…
@Maurice, not if she inherits these shares upon death that might reside in his taxable account...stepped up basis would avoid his capital gains (tax consequences). This is where death and (capital gains) taxes die together. We should all be so lucky…
