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.
Is CVSIX a bond fund? I think so. It’s up 7.1% YTD, 9.44% for 1 year, and has a 5 year annualized return of 3.38%, which compares favorably to cash over that period. Not all “bond funds” are equal.
(Numbers from M*)
I’ve never bought a bond directly (aside from some savings bonds years ago). But I do know that 0-coupon bonds are extremely volatile. American Century had some 0-coupon bond funds back in the 90s. You could choose from a variety of maturity dates. …
@Tarwheel - It sounds like you posted to make your case for not owning bond funds. I’m fine with that. It’s a convincing case.
There are many ways to construct a long term portfolio. Not everyone should own bonds or bond funds. They are likely …
My "roadster" is a 2008 stick-shift Fit. Fun for driving around town. A little too bouncy on the freeway at higher speed.
My favorite driving experience was an ‘86 Ford Escort with “4 on the floor”. Just a 4-banger but fun to drive & maneuver…
Thanks for the insights @MrRuffles. For sure - many resisted downsizing to smaller cars. To an extent, larger, heavier vehicles had an advantage in ride comfort back than. I’m not sure that’s the case today. Also wondering what percentage of pe…
+1
Yes thanks to all here. I like Marks a lot. That said, ISTM he made his name analyzing / investing in distressed debt. So the tilt towards credit doesn’t surprise me. But Yuppers - I’d listen to him ahead of a lot of others. Nice summary @…
No comment on whether I “believe” the numbers. I don’t dispute that they are honestly computed based on their best ability and the complex methods they use. Catch’s post explains the methodology. So I accept them.
Where I wonder … Are they compa…
Another ”use by” watcher! Damn, don’t they come up with some of the tiniest, most difficult to read markings? Must be a whole course of study devoted to making those dates nearly invisible.
In my first year living / working downstate (1970) I’d …
As I’ve stated before, I don’t do TIPS (except to the waitress or cab driver).
An individual TIPS bond is one thing. Not too hard to fathom. Makes sense for someone to buy and hold one having a set maturity (only if meets their needs). But thro…
Some nice facts cited by david from Google. I’ve separated the food items into two different groups: (1) generally less healthy (cholesterol and / or sodium laden) foods (2) a healthier group foods (resembling my own diet) emphasizing beef, seafo…
I’ve noticed the same effect at the local WalMart where I do a lot of grocery shopping. Prices spiked sharply almost overnight 1-2 months ago. Interestingly, that coincided with about the time they did a whole lot of new hiring. Prior to that you …
Nice post from @Catch22 that explains how CPI is calculated. Problem is: There’s no “average” American, so everyone’s affected differently. I did read somewhere that auto insurance has skyrocketed recently - a lot to do with all the technology tha…
I too found the article by @Devo fascinating.
A broad-brush approach to the issues of interest rates and bonds, and how they intertwine with different investors’ approaches, needs and expectations. I’m left with the overarching sense that over…
@hank
Per TRP website PRWCX/TRAIX 2.68% cash as of 9/30/23. Giroux recently stated that the fund currently has its highest bond allocation since he became manager----domestic bonds at 30.96% and foreign bonds at 1.32%.
Thanks for checking @Roy
Wo…
I just checked with my wife about me possibly being "sophisticated”. She looked at me funny and broke into uncontrollable laughter. I wonder what that meant?
I dunno. Better ask her. :)
As for investing being a game, none other than Roy Weitz, fou…
I saw the ”$250M AUM” and at first (incorrectly) read that as the fund’s ”minimum investment amount”. I thought to myself, Hey - David’s not doing too badly. ;)
Thanks all for the enlightening thoughts. Especially to @msf for the M* story. Please know the article does not represent the view of the FT. The paper publishes a wide variety of viewpoints. As someone noted, there’s a nearby column in the same i…
That sure seems a weak piece for FT
I agree. Will probably cancel my subscription when it expires as somewhat disappointed in the FT lately.
It occurs to me, however, there’s no way to dissuade people not to pile into cash. They will do whatever …
@MikeM - The Accord’s trunk would accommodate your golf clubs - and a lot more. One of largest trunks of any sedan I’ve ever owned. I went through the “higher ride” / PU stage when much younger. Keep a 20 year old beast on the side for hauling wood,…
Whew! Opened the window last night - but didn’t jump. :)
Nothing that out of the ordinary appears on my limited tracker. Bond market is closed today in honor of the guy who didn’t discover America. Uptick in gold & energy which had fallen rec…
”You might reconsider the need for an SUV or pickup, which tend to be surprisingly unsafe because of their poor visibility and slow handling, expensive, and unnecessary. (In general, SUVs are marketed through appeals to personal freedom as drivers f…
If you play Japan be aware there’s a big difference between funds that hedge currency risk and those that are unhedged. Not that one is bad and the other good. Just that they can run in distinctly different directions at the same time. I’ve owned …
"Avoid flying directly in or out of Moscow."
I've always done that.
If I ever travelled to Russia it would be to attend the Bolshoi Theatre. Very impressed with the performances I’ve streamed. What a paradox. A beautiful country in many ways.
(B…
Added a bit this morning to a beaten down precious metals / natural resources CEF. Funds came from an international bond fund and a consumers staples stock that have held up relatively well adimst the recent carnage.
Re: metals / Gold is flirtin…
Awe com’on Crash …Surely you know that judges are corrupt. Prosecutors are corrupt. Juries are corrupt. So too are the Justice Department, the FBI and election workers. Toss in about 95% of the media (Fox excluded). For moral rectitude and leader…
“As of Dec 31, the best rate on a CD in the 10-12 month timeframe may have been 4.90% APY for a 10 month term.
https://web.archive.org/web/20221222065208/https://www.depositaccounts.com/cd/1-year-cd-rates.html
That comes out to about 3.653% yield (…
“@carew388 also had it right back in March ”
Thanks @MikeM
Was just responding to the last poster on the thread who happened to be Sven. Probably several got it right. I didn’t. Never saw 10-year rates reaching near 5% in less than 3 years.
To @…
