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.
Thanks. Yes a CG of 5.44 plus a few holdings that went down a bit in value would account for an apparent one-day loss of nearly 7%. Because my M* portfolio didn't show that more shares were bought with the CG it appeared like a substantial loss. Bu…
I have not seen anyone post on this forum anything that could be called "far left". Far Left is Stalin. Far Left is Mao.
Nah old Joe. Do respect your comments but disagree. I've read many many left comments on the financial boards here I feel …
I'm glad I couldn't figure out how bitcoin or any other form of crypto was valued, other than it was worth what anyone says it was at any point in time. Thus I opted to take the path going around that cesspool.
I couldn't have said it better myself…
Above each vertical column is a heading. The leftmost column is headed "name". Click on "name" and the names should arrange themselves alphabetically. Clicking on other headings will arrange the name numerically according to the heading.
In my opinion Jaron Lanier's cognitive abilities are somewhere between outstanding and astounding. Over the past 2 decades his ability to understand public sentiment and to envision the likelihood of the social and political outcomes of a manipula…
I'll do what I've always done. I'll send in a paper and ink return.
In light of the software makers fail to protect the customer’s private information, what will you do next year when filing your tax return in order to protect your privacy?
@newgirl: If I understand your question correctly you are contemplating selling shares of *one* mutual fund. If you set up your cost basis method as average cost basis you will not be identifying specific shares to sell, but just the number of share…
I am very sure that only short term loss can offset short term gain. Same goes for long term gain and loss.
The long term capital gains tax rate is 0%, 15% or 20% on most assets held for longer than a year. Short term capital gains taxes on asset…
Sven, why preferably long term? I know typical capital gains are long term but I think the IRS lets us use remaining short terms capital losses to offset long term capital gains on schedule D once the short term losses have offset short term capital…
I have had a modest investment in both Rondure funds since their inception. I've enjoyed reading Laura Geritz's commentaries and have understood them. This new one is causing my eyes to glaze over. I would have preferred plain English. The second pa…
Some stores are going Cash Only to mitigate robbery.
I don't understand.
Neither do I. Robbers prefer cash, real cash, dollar bills. No paper trail, no internet trail, just plain ol' spending money.
The customers can pay cash by several ways:
1. A bank check (merchants often need driver license plate number and another piece of ID). Last time I did that was over 20 years ago.
2. a debit card. Often the gas station charges $0.35 per purchase…
@Crash: noises don't entirely vanish but they are greatly subdued. The "ESB's" you mention are heard at a modest volume. Announcements from the cockpit are reduced from THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN to a volume where I know he is talking but I can't be sure …
I have a set of Bose noise-cancelling headphones. I don't use any app. I just use the phones. Simple. They work well. Very good for air travel. Not that I recommend air travel these days. Covid is raging and passengers pretend it isn't. But why wo…
How 'bout that! It worked.
I don't have a NY Times subscription myself.
I can usually read NY Times articles using the following process.
Google the exact title - "A Lost Manuscript Shows the Fire Barack Obama Couldn’t Reveal on the Campaign Trail" …
@Ben,
Was the word "this" highlighted in the second sentence?
Edit/Add: There was an embedded link associated with "this". The link was removed and then added to "Link".
I think it was not highlighted. Or I didn't notice. The new link works but th…
Coming this late in the year it's not much benefit to those who receive RMD-s monthly.
I think that's what the "eligible for rollover" provision fixes. Anybody who took RMDs out before the bill passed can redeposit the amount they took out without …
Giggle. I read the title given to this new thread and thought it meant that someone or a group of someones--- known or unknown--- had bought monstrously gigantic amounts of Treasuries.
That's what I thought it meant, too.
I see how the origina…
Giggle. I read the title given to this new thread and thought it meant that someone or a group of someones--- known or unknown--- had bought monstrously gigantic amounts of Treasuries.
That's what I thought it meant, too.
I can only think of a handful of funds perhaps worth buying directly, and even those I question if it's worth the trouble and the security risks.
I get the part about security risks. "Not worth the trouble" is puzzling. What trouble? Investing dir…
Sorry. Wasn’t following the thread as carefully as should have. Your original question is perfectly clear. Mixaposition in my head.
No problem at all. :-)
As of this morning our Vanguard problems are solved. Not just one, but *three* intelligent, on-point, competent customer service folks were in succession over 3 days able to complete the transition to the Vanguard brokerage platform. Short version: …
Most of my holdings are with the fund families/transfer agent. For example, a newly opened/closed fund may be restricted with a brokerage, but not with the family that opened/closed the fund.
Yes, that's another good reason. Over the years I was abl…
I'm curious regarding investors who buy directly from fund families in 2022 like this one: How much does security concern you? How do you feel about sharing your social security number and birth date with yet another financial institution and entrus…
Sounds like @Ben is frustrated at FPA . I’m a bit confused because he appears to be dealing with one particular fund house here and perhaps looking to move to a different one.
I was frustrated at Vanguard, not at FPA. I have had no dealings with…
Not sure what FPA customer service you are seeking that their online site cannot provide?
Websites do not always work. There are so many instances where interaction with a human being is necessary. For instance, through no fault of my own I have b…
After today's conversations with Vanguard CSR-s I will likely remain with Vanguard. But I'm still curious about FPA. I still would like to know more about their customer service. Of course if there are no problems an investor has no need of customer…
Yes! And to my amazement I had positive interactions this morning with *two* Vanguard "CSR's and only a 4 minute wait for call back. It would be a relief if this is the new standard at Vanguard because I have no dissatisfaction with the fund manag…
Taking a wild guess : yes the return on a single dollar will be more on a low fee passive fund than on a active fund. But if the active fund nets 10% return in a year that its passive near-equivalent nets 5%, you're gonna make more money with the in…
...Contact FINRA. Smart choice. I must keep that in mind.
I did it once before with good results. FINRA acted swiftly and decisively. After a year of giving us the runaround suddenly Vanguard found a way to make amends.
Update: I phoned the Vanguard IRA dept Monday morning. A recording said they are too busy talking to other dissatisfied investors (not in those words of course) and if we leave a phone number they will call back within 19 to 29 minutes. 26 hours lat…
What bothers me is not a malfunctioning website. This can happen from time to time. What bothers me is the threat-loaded demand for compliance for which we must use broken tools. When I phone VG on Monday I will propose they keep the account un-tran…
Thank you. It's helpful to know that it works for some. I'll phone Vanguard again next week and be a "squeaky wheel". Our family has also avoided making the transition because competence at the Vanguard brokerage is often lacking. But now that we at…
