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.
@VintageFreak said,
If interest rates go up, which means dollar should go down
I believe the US dollar strengthens as rates rise.
Article on the topic:
https://forbes.com/sites/moneybuilder/2011/12/01/what-determines-the-strength-of-a-currency/#72d…
Mentioned almost 2 weeks ago here at MFO by @Puddnhead with this link:
U.S. subprime auto lenders are losing money
on car loans at the highest rate since the aftermath of the 2008
financial crisis as more borrowers fall behind on payments,
accordin…
Recent Article (3/21/2017)
Big Oil muscling in on Shale:
From Article:
If the big boys are successful, they’ll scramble the U.S. energy business, boost American oil production, keep prices low, and steal influence from big producers, such as Saudi …
@Mark,
You might want sometime to look at good old Barnes Group, B, never a huge payer but very steady, since forever.
"B" is also for Bristol, CT the headquarters for the two of us..."B" and "Bee". Maybe I should pay more attention to what's right …
@Mark,
Thanks for the lengthy response and creating a new thread. Hopefully other will add their thoughts on the topic.
AAII offers a nice newsletter and online membership that, as I recall, provide some guidance with regard to stock, Fund, and E…
As parents, we have an opportunity and an obligation to help are kids develop good financial habits. For example, before walking into a store with my kids I would often hand them each a buck and tell them they can spend it on anything they chose or …
@Mark,
Thanks for the link and the write up. Interesting that your investing experience has lead you to holding individual securities for income. What have you found the challenges and the surprises with this approach?
@Mark said,
my own dividend/income growth portfolio of 25 stocks exceeds it by any financial metric save for the investing knowledge of the portfolio management team.
Would you care to share your thoughts as to this strategy. I would like to consid…
Another great resource that I actually read daily is Ed Slott's IRA Discussion Board. You can submit your own question or scan through questions already posed by readers.
Main discussion link:
https://irahelp.com/forums/ira-discussion-forum
Here's…
@msf said,
@davidrmoran sent me a link that's worth sharing (if I've made him a bit gun shy, I apologize) that does this. It's a column, but one that lays out the perspectives, facts, and viewpoints clearly and calmly:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/mon…
I also am part of an ACA plan. High deductible... first $6500 on me and then shared costs for the next $6500 so I also wondered how I will approach my medical care decisions. I will make it a point to list my medical needs against what is covered as…
I believe it is @rono who quotes Rothschild's advice about building and preserving wealth. 1/3 Rare Art, 1/3 Real Estate, 1/3 Securities:
I read a quote from the Elder Baron Rothschild that to protect yourself against economic calamity, you should h…
The double edge sword of productivity.
From Article:
"Oil prices have plunged to the lowest level this year as US shale producers boost output at an astonishing pace and crude inventories keep rising, triggering a wave of selling by hedge funds wi…
A great site to track mutual fund and ETF MO (momentum) is Bob's Mutual Fund Page.
Select Leader board for all funds or NTF Funds. Also, site will list Fund Families individually.
customer.wcta.net/roberty/F-SET-LB.html
Vangaurd has a nice interactive chart that illustrates the impact Expense Ratio (ER) fees have on "lost return".
By sliding the expected return control closer to the left (simulating a low return environment where CAPE is historically high) fees …
@00BY ...but only 3 beat for the year
Isn't Bridgeway the only fund company that lowers its fund's ER when they under performs their benchmark?
Nice touch.
@LewisBraham,
"...the government will virtually ensure the cycle of poverty continues as many of the poorest people are young single mothers."
As a former fetus, I do not believe the extermination of life is a cure for poverty though I suppose many…
Receiving a steady stream of income over the course of your retired life is not a terrible concept, in fact it's necessary. Not all annuities are designed the same. Most 403(b) annuities have high initial costs, poor investment choices, and many ong…
@Crash, If there is an employee match (unheard of in teaching) contribute to the max. Use your knowledge from other site (like this one) to inform her and you. Sounds like she avoided annuities...that's great.
Keep making her lunch and hot coffee …
@Puddnhead,
Sorry for drifting here (Buffalo wings & longnecks again..then @Old_Joe stopped by). Your fund is very small (51 million AUM) so could be nimble. It has a short manager record (4 yrs). It's ER is .97% (I like, not 1.01%, burp). The …
@Old-Joe,
I might be "a willing participate" of these funds, but I'm afraid that if I revivified one I'd have to propitiate them all. Trying to limit the number of funds I sleep with.
My biggest compliant (really a conundrum) is that almost all Buffalo funds all have a 1.01% ER. You'd think they would shave .02% off these fund's ER so that they could be marketed as below 1%. Very curious.
@msf,
I will be traveling next week...I hope I do not get the same "flaky screener" at the airport.
Thanks for the further explanation on beta.
Do you have favorite screening tool...maybe MFO's?
@catch22,
These transfers were supposedly making it difficult for the original 403(b) contract provider (insurance company) to be held accountable once a transferred was made (for audit purposes). Potentially coincidental?
withum.com/kc/90-24-tra…
@BenWP,
BCSIX not only has a nice portfolio of Small Cap HC, but a large inventory of SC Tech. Combine this with a long history of great management makes this fund a keeper, but you already knew that.
Thanks for pointing out this fund to the thre…
Equity Funds w/ HC
POAGX - 29% HC
VHCOX - 29% HC
BCSIX - 27% HC (also 61% is in Tech)...both in the SC space.
PRNHX - 17% HC
SFGIX - 11% HC (5x higher than its category)
Allocation Funds w/ HC
PRWCX (68% Equity) - 22% in HC
VWINX (38% Equity) - 13%…
@msf,
I believe the to NASDQ funds are considered low beta for their category (Large Growth). I am assuming S&P 500 is Large Blend. I like your suggestions with ER, I'll add that to my screening tasks.
Your link to the M*screener locked me out…
Some facts about teacher retirement plans in CT (each state has it own approach):
-CT teachers contribute to medicare, but not Social Security. CT teachers contribute to a State run retirement system in lieu of receiving SS.
-CT is attempting (a …
Term means it covers a certain term (time frame). This might be a good way to offset a liability like a home loan, but I am not sure it accomplishes what you are proposing unless they know that they will expire before the term insurance expires.
…
Companion Gardening makes a lot of sense. Mother Earth suggest keeping potatoes away from tomatoes...something about stepping on each others "toes". Actually Burpee is quoted as saying, "Potatoes and tomatoes are attacked by the same blight."
Potat…
Of all the variables you listed the most powerful is the compounding of interest (5%) over time (50 years). This teenager should try to save as much as possible early in life and then let time and compounded interest work their magic.
Q's to pose …
Thanks for the shout out @hank.
Most people here at MFO have lived long enough to be entitled to an opinion yet are still young enough to hopefully be full of sh*t.
We are all a work in progress.
