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 @Observant1 / Those conform to common usage. I'm saying there's nothing "common" about the precious metals. They have a history of erratic performance.
FWIW: Here's an interactive chart of gold's performance from 1978-2025. The spikes hig…
Silver bullion definitely had a crash on Friday (1/30/26).
In general, a rapid decline of over 20% from whatever level qualifies as crash.Flash-crash is a decline of over 10% in a very short period.
I beg to differ. Nothing in stone that I know of…
Sorry. I screwed up with the ticker for gold etf. It should be GLD. what I had earlier was GDL (Gabelli Great Deal Fund). I owned it (GDL) until it started going up so fast I feared people were buying it thinking they were investing in a gold fund.
Bloomberg has a story about the crash -
“How Chinese speculators set the stage for gold and silver crash”.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/chinese-speculators-set-stage-gold-120029836.html
E Gads! Typical Bloomberg overhype. First time I've ever hea…
Nibblin' on sponge cake
Watchin' the sun bake
All of those tourists covered with oil
Strummin' my six-string
On my front-porch swing
Smell those shrimp
They're beginnin' to boil
Wasting away again in Margaritaville
Searchin' for my lost shaker of s…
Hey,@Derf. I bested your .56% loss with only a .55% loss for the day. That loss is exaggerated a bit however because two or three fixed income funds declared end of month dividends Friday, reducing share price proportionally. That "doughnut" mon…
Barron's features at least 3 stories on the precious metals in their Feb. 2 edition. I haven't had time to read, but wouldn't attempt to characterize the content even if I had. Steven Sears writes almost exclusively about hedging risky assets with o…
Re "a nice big Margarita to cool things off"
Brief love affair with Margaritas in late '97 - followed by 15 years of abstinence from alcohol. I guess it was the salt on the rim that made them so appealing. So, I'll pass. :)
I wonder if BlackRock used their renowned risk management system known as Aladdin Risk.
"Aladdin Risk is the market-tested analytics engine of our tech--available as a stand-alone offering or as part of the Aladdin platform. It combines sophisticate…
Rieder must have answered some questions incorrectly in yesterday's interview. Probably refused to make a compact with the devil.
However, one wonders why anyone would want a job where the guy who nominated you for the position later refers to you…
We are surrounded by ...
Clearly from the lower dregs of society. Remarked during the visit that he was being paid $25 by DTV for the job. In retrospect, there must have been a bounty for every recording device he disabled.
Apologies @Observant1…
West Wing had THE best writers! And a marvelous cast.
Yes all of that and more. The musical score is superb and how it's integrated into the staging, lighting and every other aspect of the set. Don't know a lot about Sorkin. Obviously a cinematic…
I sit corrected: Crash is right- Leo McGarry was Chief of Staff, the Veep on the show was, according to the script, not well liked. Or trusted.
I apologize for the sloppy reporting.
And I for the sloppy fact-checking. Didn't catch the flub until yo…
Thanks @Old_Joe
The "recording" feature is standard with my UTube TV (internet based) service. Just set it to "on" once for any program and it will record all episodes. Works for any program. Like you, I have a PBS membership and can also go to t…
Not one for serial TV shows. I enjoy background conversation and interesting speech delivery. That's about all one can hope for today. Real substance rare. I record PBS New hour for late evening viewing. It's the closest thing there is to real on-ai…
@Old_Joe said, "actor John Spencer, who played VP Leo McGarry. Spencer, another "Broadway" veteran, died before the West Wing series ended, and was missed terribly by everyone in the production company."
McGarry - Such a raw human character. I'm on…
Yes. Foreign holdings are doing well this year. I have no equity etfs, foreign or domestic. My Australian equity CEF (IAF) is up over 11% YTD. Just sold a bit off in a rebalance. I think the biggest single driver here is the fall in the U.S. Doll…
Mine is the Gourmea 8-quart and no complaints. Paid around $45 at a Costco in late October which included an instant $10 manufacturer rebate. It's selling for about $60 ($15 more) today.
Link to Costco
Heats to 450 degrees, whereas some only g…
Interesting site.
I found this amusing...
What Do You Get With This (LIFETIME) Wall Street Journal Subscription?
10 years of uninterrupted, limitless, and personalized digital access for to the WSJ website.
That sounds like an offer from Vit…
The onion rings sold me. Ordered a small one from the big "A".
Let us know how that works out.
Most confusing thing to learn was the temp setting & cook time. Web searches turn up conflicting info & too many advertisements. In the end, I…
I found Barron's & WSJ unresponsive and "sticky" in the past (difficult to cancel). Have had good luck with some of the resellers. Currently have a 1-year digital Barron's from top subscription deals. Have chosen not to link the site because…
The economy will continue to operate in some fashion come hell or high water / war or peace. Humans require shelter, food, transportation. They need gainful employment and compensation (or a store of value if retired). They need a means of exchan…
@ Hank. Speaking only for myself, I think the nexus of our investments and the political crisis belongs right here , on the front page. Not name calling but a sober discussion about the increased risks caused by the end of the rule of law.
Thanks L…
I first thought this might have investment implications. Posted it briefly under "other investing" with an investment appropriate caption. Was hoping for maybe a circumspect analysis of how it would play out in the markets. I now believe it's be…
But you fail to address the possible investment implications. I have to believe they would be significant. This may well end up in the off-topic area where you seem to think it belongs.
You're making me hungry @Anna. Sounds delicious.
On my countertop are toaster / roaster/ broiler, microwave and air fryer. A 4th gizmo, the George Foreman grill, doesn't take up countertop but is frequently used. All have their place in food …
Agreed. I'd also add that no one should be particularly happy about the stratospheric rise of assets that appear to signal deep economic distrust.
Expert I am not! But I have read up a bit on a relatively new type of fund called momentum or trend …
Today's WSJ: Two Federal Immigration Officials Fired Shots at Alex Pretti, DHS Report Says
Suggested edit: Two Federal Immigration Officials Fired Shots at Alex Pretti, DHS Report Says
Wake up to Bloomberg's morning radio production which is far more interesting than their morning TV. Gravel-voiced Tom Keen anchors the program. Usually sounds hungover. Read headline articles in the WSJ & on Bloomberg's website. (Subscripti…
I confess to having fallen in love with Press Secretary, "CJ" Cregg (played by Allison Janney). It would certainly be a pleasure to work alongside a woman of that intelligence and commitment to her profession. Sharp cookie. Yet, the humaneness s…
I've resumed watching West Wing (OK - a decade or two behind most of you). Just started Season 2 which can be bought for $24.95 on Prime. One thing I had not fully appreciated is the intense attention the Prez and much of his staff pay to the pol…
@hank Advantage plans took a hit Monday, down 16%! Maybe something to keep an eye on?
Yep. My timing is always perfect! The 3 holdings with insurance exposure (including BRK-B) all took a hit today on the news @Derf alluded to.
I added 3 more st…
