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 @Accipiter:
Wow,
That explanation reminded me of the service that a customer would receive at their local Gulf service station...emphasis on service...thanks. At the time we were buying gas at 25 cents / gallon and did you get your money's…
Hi Chip & Accipter,
This looks really nice. As I read through one column:
"Matthew Sauer is leaving to join Lateef Investment Management and perhaps help with the erratic Lateef Fund (LIMAX)"
LIMAX did not come through as an active link. It …
Hi Tony,
I charted VTI, Vanguard's Total stock market ETF and EDV, Vanguard Long Duration bond ETF and highlight months where the secret sauce appeared in 2010 and 2011...not sure if it will show up this year, but hopeful.
Thanks Ted,
From your article:
"...even off years are lucrative for the biggest funds: Together, the 10 biggest megafunds earned nearly $3 billion in fees for their respective fund companies in their most recent fiscal years."
As a small investor…
If I can convince myself that we are the "least dirty shirt" I will continue to use a GNMA fund, like USGNX or VFIIX, as my cash position.
As my other investments tumble through or rise above this fund I will employ strategies of buying and selling…
Reply to @StevieG2:
AARP had their own version of a mortgage tax savings calculator. May require you to download javascript plugin.
http://www.aarp.org/money/credit-loans-debt/mortgage_tax_calculator/
There's also an income phase out on mortgage…
Reply to @Old_Joe:
I really do need to get a new hobby.
I took this %$^# calculator out to 13.5% and I finally stop saving money on my income taxes. Oops...my interest payment at 13.5% just funded another yacht at fannie mae...oops, that's the g…
Hi FA,
I own WAEMX and PRIDX. Long term they both seem to have lower downside risk.I came across this newly minted international small cap fund from TCW,TGNIX.
Might be worth a look:
"TGNIX invests in small-cap companies located outside of the Un…
Reply to @tgeno:
Thanks tgeno. I was also wondering how this might impact GNMA funds? I believe Ginnie Mae is a different slice of the market but I need to understand all a little better.
A quick search turned this up:
"What is the difference…
Hi Skeeter,
Thanks for this analysis.
I often wonder if historically the markets in April get some juice from last minute contribution by tax payers who contribute to their IRAs as a result of the tax filing process. My daughter did just this thi…
Reply to @msf:
Good eye with regard to the NTF issue. I screened out loaded funds and thought I had only selected No load/No fee. USAA does charge a fee to get into Vanguard, T Rowe Price, and Fidelity. I have a direct relationship with these compa…
Reply to @fundalarm:
As I mentioned above, I own many of these funds and I believe that adding to these positions at a time when they are "under performing" is a buying opportunity in my opinion. I try to take profits in other investments that are "…
Reminds me of two Zurich Axioms:
Minor Axiom I - Always Play for Meaningful Stakes
If you only invest $100 in a stock, even if it goes up 10x you've only got $1,000. Is that going to change your financial future? Unlikely. Your investments must be…
Reply to @Investor:
Thanks Investor,
I wonder how often PRPFX re-balances its fixed assets and it's portfolio in general?
I would like to follow his stock picking more closely. It's hard to follow daily with PRPFX because often the top 25 hold…
Reply to @fundalarm and investor (similar comments):
Both of your comments makes sense from a mandate standpoint...I lost site of that. LT Treasuries are foundational to the funds strategy and I appreciate you both pointing that out.
If I could …
Reply to @catch22:
Hi Catch,
I too was surprised at his focus on equities when PRPFX is a four pillar fund. No mention of his gold/silver positions. No mention of his ability to navigate out of LT treasuries as interest rates rise. No mention of…
Seafarers largest holding is Market Vectors Vietnam ETF. Here's an article that points out some flaws with this ETF:
My Thoughts On MarketVectors Vietnam ETF
http://seekingalpha.com/article/485041-my-thoughts-on-marketvectors-vietnam-etf?source=ya…
Reply to @Old_Joe:
Exactly...it's correctly worded in these paragraphs that you referenced.
I think sometimes people get the vocabulary wrong...tax free is very different from tax deferred. I can be the biggest culprit when it come to vocabulary…
Reply to @catch22:
Hey Catch,
When interest rates fall these investments (I use EDV and BTTRX as my Long Term bond positions) do very well. Lacy Hunt seems to think we still have a chance for LT interest rates to fall further.
Hey Catch,
Thanks for this article. From the article:
"On April 17, however, Republicans and Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee expressed support for retirement savings incentives that would allow workers to put money into 401(k) and indivi…
Hey Skeeter,
Not sure if you caught Jeff's interview with Jim Puplava:
Jeffrey Saut: Shrugging Off Bad News!
Why Stocks Are Still The Best Game In Town:
http://www.financialsense.com/financial-sense-newshour/guest-expert/2012/04/12/jeffrey-saut/sh…
From Zacks:
A Crazy Rotation Day
Monday was one of the crazier days in recent memory. At first glance it's hard to see it with the S&P nearly breakeven on the day. Yet it becomes more apparent when you note the extreme difference between the D…
Jim Puplava interviews Kirk Sorensen on Thorium:
http://www.financialsense.com/financial-sense-newshour/guest-expert/2012/04/13/kirk-sorensen/thorium-the-magic-elixir-that-could-solve-our-energy-needs
Thorium Remix 2009 by Gordon Mcdowell:
Hi Ted,
Thanks for the article.
Since 2009 the S&P has had two 5-10% corrections. Both were short lived. FED stimulas of all kinds may have played a role in propping up our markets. I believe a decline of -20% or more would be necessary to be…
Rather than using a 5 star rating system I wish M* would adopt a simple 3 star approach based on the following fund performance over a 1 year time frame and adding bronze, silver, or gold to a 3 star fund that has performed "on average" in the top t…
Thanks Ted,
I own PTTDX (D share version of PTTRX) as well as PONDX, which is Pimco Income Fund.
Here's a 1 month snap shot of these two funds charted along with BOND. I have found PONDX to be a slighly better performer that PTTDX.
Most of these "dooms day" scenarios have their roots in religion, war and society.
A quote from a blog I read:
"But according to game theory, the closer you get to perfect, peaceful cooperation (the opposite of dooms day), the higher the rewards …
Thanks Sven,
Probably one of the most important thread that no one has responded to so, I'll take a stab at it.
Erin's point of predictable, safe, or guaranteed income for a retirees needs (food, housing, utilities, health insurance etc.) require…
Hi Skeeter,
Thanks for all of you comments. I have also had trouble at times capturing exactly what i want readers to "see". This is one of my reasons for using a screen capture tool like Jing. I believe I followed your missing chart instruction an…
Reply to @Sven:
Hi Sven,
This a screen capture tool (Jing) that's easy to use and free to download. Here's a link to an technical comment I made at an earlier point. I find that sometimes a picture is worth...you get the idea.
http://www.mutualfund…
