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.
I am walking with once crutch only today (assisting the right knee) instead of hopping with two and I am able to bend my knee pretty well. I've gone through one set of exercises pretty easily.
Pain is still very low but I am taking the medication a…
Reply to @hank: True free credit reports are available at http://AnnualCreditReport.com
http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/personal-finance-credit/free-credit-report-info/nFbJ/
Reply to @scott: Kicking the can down the road sounds bad but you cannot really solve this problem right now in one broad strike. The consequences will trigger a 1937 style recession. But you can do some right now and start the process of moving to…
Reply to @Old_Joe:
No fist fighting and I was actually expecting these developments as Congress has become more and more polarized. There is a group of freshmen in congress that is not open to any compromise. Their way or no way. This is no way to…
Reply to @scott: Watch cascade of unintended consequences if the congress cannot reach a compromise and increase debt ceiling. This could snowballing effects around the world requiring more collateral for futures, swaps etc. It could be destabilizin…
Thanks to all. So far pain is very low, thanks to prescription pain meds. So far so good....
Catch: It is consistently between 100 and 110 this week in Austin according to forecast. Too hot and too dry indeed.
Reply to @hank: Hank, if you examine the links I've provided the quote first appeared in a novel. If Cicero had said it, it would have been documented much earlier and would at least exist in Latin somewhere.
Also, it seems like there are several v…
If you place a credit freeze into your file (all 3 credit history reporting bureaus) you can basically do the same as life lock. Actually credit freeze much better since life lock only places fraud alerts which is weaker and could be ignored and has…
This quote seems like a phony quote:
https://groups.google.com/group/alt.quotations/browse_thread/thread/d0c75b3069548f17?tvc=2&hl=en
http://www.economist.com/blogs/buttonwood/2010/03/internet_and_wisdom_ancients
http://message.snopes.com/show…
Reply to @mobryon: Your article does not even talk about K-1 and did not even mention an ETF. It only referenced a single ETN. If you are basing your facts on this article, I am sorry it is very inadequate. In fact, the quality of article that is su…
Reply to @reids:
AFAIK, same tax issues. Fund has to generate K-1s to you or pay corporate taxes as a corporate level which will reduce your return and you will be double taxed on your gains. I think Steelpath does the later (i.e. pay corporate tax…
Because of tax related issues I do not like MLPs in Mutual Fund or ETF format. ETN format might be better for tax as it is actually an unsecured debt obligation of the issuer (which is also its negative, that is ETN carries the credit risk of the is…
Reply to @catch22:
Again, I should emphasize that the likelihood of someone snooping is actually low. There are many many hotspots and relatively few data snoopers. It is a low probability but high impact (consequences).
Personally, I do not fee…
If you want to download the article without Facebook account, go to:
http://pragcap.com/jeremy-grantham-resource-limitations-part-2
And click download.
Catch,
This is actually a bit complex. I'll try to make it simpler.
First as a general rule never have any computer connected to the internet without a firewall to secure it. For laptops you need personal firewall software. Luckily, most modern OS…
When making decisions where the decision making process is complex and involves many random variables and outcomes of decisions are not crystal clear, I will say both.
It becomes "wisdom of crowds" if the "opinions" rendered are independent. That …
Reply to @David_Snowball:
David, I'm skeptical. Although these are interesting, I would be cautious of new unproven investments. This sort of investments bring my mind the Canal build-up and bust in England and Railroad build-up and subsequent ban…
Reply to @DPN: Look at what the fund hold? Maybe you can see some large Indian holdings that has been on a severe downtrend because indian market has been one of the most expensive markets. It did boost returns at one time, and now it is going the o…
@Catch22:
You had invested in FSLVX by mistake when you really wanted to invest in FDVLX. I think you are out of your holding period and can get out penalty free and if you use Fidelity website the transaction is very easy to do. I wonder why you …
Catch, it is said that there are more mutual funds than the underlying stocks themselves. ;)
I am not sure if your number actually includes CEF and ETFs I heard that big number for mutual funds themselves.
Reply to @catch22:
I think the distinction is due to REIT asset class covering income producing mostly commercial properties and much less exposure to residential real estate which makes the bulk of real estate.
REIT itself has been found by aca…
Dante. Don't worry too much about NAV erosion. It can happen in high yielding funds (I gave the example of Vanguard High Yield fund for example).
A lot of high yield (junk) bond funds have this characteristic. Also a lot of derivative driven fund…
Reply to @Dante:
I don't think you should only look at the NAV chart. You need to look at the total returns as these funds have a very large dividend yield (REITs have to distribute the majority of their income for maintaining tax favored status). …
PETDX is a REIT fund. You can compare it to say CSRSX. However, like many other PIMCO funds, they are using derivatives (futures, options, swaps) to get exposure to the sector. Thus, when you look at the portfolio you see a lot of fixed income inste…
A very big portion S&P 500 revenue is attributable to international operations.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sp-500-is-the-best-international-play-2011-02-01
This increases with larger cap companies with the index. I could not find the lin…
Reply to @catch22:
One additional note. Vanguard Total International Stock Index has gone through some changes earlier this year as it now includes both Canada and more small caps. Still Large Cap heavy but better representation of Total Intl. Mar…
I think it is decent for them to offer financial advice and an option for brokerage access (self directed 401k) to purchase stocks, funds, etc. that is not offered by the plan.
In my current job I have a similar arrangement but instead Advice is …
Reply to @VintageFreak: I've put some money to LCORX when it re-opened despite the fact that they had a bad year in 2010 which damaged the 3 and 5 year returns. So far, they are doing OK.
Reply to @CathyG: Thanks for the update. It confirmed what I thought all along. I am glad that you have resolved the issue now.
With LCD/LED monitors it is important to run the display at the display's native resolution. The other resolutions are…
Skipper,
50% stocks, 50% bonds might be an appropriate portfolio for retirement. But you should not look at just one account. You should view all of your investments for the same goal, however distributed, to be one portfolio.
I think you are a bi…
Reply to @CathyG:
If you google "Ameriprise Financial complaints" or similar phrases you will see a lot of issues with the firm. This firm is spun off from American Express. Initially know as American Express Advisors, later changed its name. Ther…
I posted about so-called "Black Swan ETF" to get the reactions. I appreciate your comments. I don't think I will invest in this ETF.
After the last crash a lot of untested and exotic "alternative" investing instruments are introduced. They are oft…
