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 @Old_Joe:
Hi OJ,
I have used Jing as a way to instruct students. It is free downloadable software that provides the user the option of creating screenshots. You capture the screen shot, upload it as embedded html code to Jing's server and…
Reply to @johnN:
Thanks for the article JohnN...
If you click on the link I provide here you can see the reversal your article alludes to...may be time to move back into shorter duration munis:
Adjust the time frames (1M, 3M, 1 YR,3 YR, 5 YR) to…
Hi Sven,
USAA offers three national munis USSTX (Short Duration...yielding 2.62%), USATX (Intermediate Duration...yielding 4.14%), and USTEX (Long Duration...yielding 4.56%). The other dynamic with any kind of bond fund is the fund price. It can ap…
Hi Max,
I have used this category of fund for a number of purposes. Historically, funds like these (government back mortgage securities) have had very little downside risk and provide a nice dividend that, when reinvested, creates a very pretty inv…
It sound like they are both in agreement with respect to holding Morgan Stanley and BOA bonds...Peter Fisher's suggestion of Eaton Vance Floating Rate Income fund (EFT)...yielding 9%...selling at a discount... which hold a large stake in both compan…
Reply to @msf:
Thanks for reply msf.
I agree that the gyration in muni bond funds is typical. The fund, USATX, is at a new all time high so it may be due for a retreat. I like the Vanguard suggestion since it is one of my brokerage choices. Thank…
Reply to @fundalarm:
Thanks for the reply FA.
USAA does offer a short term muni fund, USSTX, which might be a way of transitioning onto a lower rung on the muni ladder...kinda like a CD ladder.
My thoughts for both (favorable tax status and ri…
Here's are a few websites I have linked that might be worth a peek:
Best Dividend Paying Mutual Funds
http://www.bestdividend-paying-mutual-funds.com/
8 top funds for dividend hunters
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/MutualFunds/8-to…
Thanks Catch,
I really respect Louise Yamada's perspectives. Doug Kass was also mentioned so I include here a link to some of his articles:
http://www.thestreet.com/author/1358076/doug-kass/all.html
Reply to @rono:
Thanks for chiming in here... You mentioned two things that I wanted to follow up on.
First, the premium/discount cost that is part of the purchase of physical metals. I have noticed that the gold/silver fund CEF also has this ad…
Reply to @Anonymous:
Hey JimH,
This was more of a question than a comment. I have bounced around from year to year with these different versions.
Investor and msf make good points. I'll utilize Deluxe this year.
Since most of us here have investments, would Turbo Tax Premier be a better choice? I'm not sure if I can get away with just the deluxe version.
Most states have free e-file directly at the state website.
Also, buying the Costco "hard copy" prov…
Reply to @msf:
Thanks for the reply msf,
Looks like HFEAX had quite the comeback from it's 2009 lows. 108% gain in 2010.
Here's a profile video of Stephen Peak, manager of the fund:
Thank goodness Gundlach actually gives a rat's rump... about investing in bonds:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8Mo9wgzZpRk/RwdrUrhIsRI/AAAAAAAAAXI/bwnMLYeJ64g/s1600-h/ratsass.gif
Interesting recent 1 month under performance by both DBLTX and DBLFX compared to a muni fund I own, USATX. Might be good time to diversify into either if one owns primarily munis as I do.
How tax efficient are these funds?
To the link below, add …
Ranking Drug Company Dividend Stocks By Risk And Growth:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/304106-ranking-drug-company-dividend-stocks-by-risk-and-growth
Reply to @Ginko:
Like I said, my thoughts here are probably better kept to myself (conspiracies live in the shadows of my mind). Its my doubting side and it probably is full of flawed thinking but humor me a little.
Let's say I'm a too big too fai…
Thanks for this article IE...I like the quote:
"...money was the lifeblood of markets, and confidence was the heart that pumps it."
Since Japan is much further along in this confidence / lack of confidence process...I wonder what investment strate…
Reply to @rono:
Thanks for the links rono...
On the topic of timing:
The timing of when to convert to real stuff may also be a strategy of many sovereigns (countries) and central banks. They hold gold reserves and have been accumulating gold res…
Reply to @rono:
Hi rono,
Louise Yamada, who I respect an awful lot, has made similar calls...here's her take on precious metals:
"“Gold continues to be in an uptrend in our work. You had a little bit of a consolidation, seasonality would suggest…
Reply to @Derf:
Hi Derf,
I actually started this after experiencing the commodity crash of the time period you reference and noticed the inverse movement of BTTTX. Vanguard offers an ETF (EDV) that has similar dynamics to BTTTX. It actually seems …
Reply to @Ted:
Hi Ted,
Nice to see your posts...any suggestions in what 2012 holds for investors? I respect your opinion I have learned an awful lot from your posts and comments over the years. Thanks!
Reply to @fundalarm:
And all along I have thought I was my very own hedge fund manager...oh well, this is still an improvement over being called an ass...( I'll take asset allocation manager any day) Thanks for your encouragement.
To all,
As I go back to the top of this thread and re-read it I am reminded what a great discussion board this is. Thanks for all your viewpoints and thanks for MFO for creating an "off topic" section.
The sharing of view points is priceless. For…
Hi Mike,
Zero coupons bonds are bought at a "discount" to their face value. They are usually 30 year bonds. Each year the redemption value of the bond increases closer and closer to its face value. It pays no dividend or coupon. If you owed a zero …
Reply to @Investor:
Like they say...follow the money...and the gold. Like it or not gold still plays a role in the world. I agree that goldbugs use the same scare tactics (conspiracy theories) to sell their products but I also feel fiat currencies…
Reply to @Anonymous:
Hi JohnN,
Your VWO position plus your LOVE for dividends (whats not like?) reminded me of a "barbell fund" I recently came across. Its ticker is UMAFX. Its considered a world allocation fund. It combines the following ETFs to…
Reply to @Anonymous:
Hi ron,
The article explains that at 26, this soldier had the where with all to accumulate $35K into his Roth IRA but being a product of the "credit generation" (remember the Pepsi generation?) he was clueless when it came to…
Reply to @rono:
Hey rono,
Good point...I believe this is one of the reason Ghadafi (Libya) insisted on gold for oil. By some estimated he had a stock pile 150 ton. As a result Libya was the only African nation with no debt. From ANU News:
"Liby…
Reply to @hank:
Instead of coal for Christmas this year I've asked Santa's reindeer to frack some natural Gas for me...and Santa promised me a pack of matches
Reply to @prinx:
Hey Burt,
I have a USAA brokerage account which I believe is also available to the general public and all USAA funds are NTF/No load through their fund marketplace.
Link:
https://www.usaa.com/inet/pages/brokerage_commission_sched…
