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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.
  • DLEUX as a replacement for VXUS?
    I never got into DLEUX, but I am a fan of DSENX and CAPE. It's hard to make a case for international stocks. CAPE has gained 96% over the past five years while VXUS has lost 1.27%. The highly touted FMIJX has a yearly return of about 5% for the same time period. I own some SMID global/international and some MIOPX, but the days when I owned a big chunk of international either in my TIAA retirement account or my actively managed portfolio are long gone. Foreign under performance is quite long standing as typified by the demise of Harbor International, a former kingpin. On the other hand, I am a fan of global funds (MGGPX, ADPFX, ARTRX).
  • Retirement strategies
    I am looking for any recommendation, insight or opinion on books, white papers or any other material that I can obtain to get up-to-speed on various, reasonable and implementable "Income Harvesting (borrowed phrase)" and variable/dynamic withdrawal strategies.
    My wife and I are about a decade away from retiring, but I thought it might be a good time to familiarize myself with the latest and greatest retirement strategies.
    Like everyone else, we do not want to run out of money during retirement!
    Any thoughts, recommendations or perspectives are greatly appreciated!
    Matt
  • any comment on Michael MCClung and his book for asset drawdown in retirement?
    https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=192105&sid=d9d66a27ff049344a50981
    catch....thanks for your prompt reply!
    above is a link to a M* bogleheads dicussion from a few years ago.
    chapter 3 of the free link of the first 3 chapters of the book is the most crucial to get the gist of what McClung
    has studied to be a way of providing a reasonably probable MSWR for varying projected years of retirement.
    i understand his concepts with a layman's knowledge,and my library has been able to get me a copy of
    'LIVING OFF YOUR MONEY'
    what i'm curious about is if any of the MFO community know of McCLUNG's study,and possibly have any experience
    w/ using his concepts for establishing stock/bond allocations,withdrawal patterns, and various asset allocation
    breakdowns.(us/intl/lc/mc/sc/ growth/ value/bond choices/etc)
    it is fairly complex, not a simple strategy.........and he does provide a remarkable trove of research
    to support his premises.
    i'm most curious to know if anyone has familiarity/opinions re his work, and how his credentials/work have been received.
    thanks again,
    tony
  • any comment on Michael MCClung and his book for asset drawdown in retirement?
    I was able to find this discussion regarding your question. Perhaps some of the links may help discover more answers.
    A complex question that would involve at least several common scenarios based upon needs, and money sources at retirement.
    Sorry, that I don't have time now to read more about this, or provide anything of value to submit.
    Regards,
    Catch
  • any comment on Michael MCClung and his book for asset drawdown in retirement?
    http://livingoffyourmoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/LivingOffYourOwnMoney_eBook_FirstThreeChapters.pdf
    before M* went haywire this was mentioned on their old discussion board re long lasting MSWR for retirement account
    distributions.
    apparently there was a flurry of comment at M* when the book was published in 2015.
    any comments on MFO would be useful as i'm currently close to beginning account distribution.......RMD next year.
    thanks all!
  • Jeff Gundlach: Fed Will Be In "Panic Mode" When A Recession Hits
    @_catch. During volatile 2008 crash probably not 2000 pts swing my corrections but dows 1k up or down every day from 14k+until the bottom ~5.6k I think. . I remember Obama and Feds system pumped so much cash back then to keep market afloat... Everyone here /market/colleagues at work and of course @mfo fundalarm were in panic mode
    Lucky kept everything intact in Tsp and private portfolio same did not sale.. Made Stella come back next few yrs
    Thx to many experts /experienced old members at fundalarm including you of course
    The near retirees were selling pumping in cash and jumping off market in a hurried
    So now I f you are 6mons to two yrs near retirement maybe very good idea to sell a large portion out of equities and keeps stuff in bonds cd fixed-income
  • Merrill Edge - just shoot me now
    Merrill Edge fudges tax lots for mutual funds. If on one day I buy:
    100.671 shares @$29.80 for $3,000
    Merrill records this as either:
    100 shares @$29.80 for $2,980, or
    100 shares @$29.80 and 1 share @$20 for $3,000
    Merrill says that showing two different prices for purchases of a fund on the same day is acceptable. It's silent on the fact that either way, it's got the wrong number of shares purchased that day.
    Merrill Edge has an interest-bearing BofA sweep account for cash. ME writes: "You will see it referenced online and on your statements as ML Direct Deposit Program for non-retirement accounts and Bank of America, NA RASP for retirement accounts." Same service, different name, right? Wrong.
    In RASP accounts, all the interest is credited to the bank account as you'd expect. In Direct Deposit Program accounts, pennies of interest are not credited to the bank account but instead recorded as additions to a non-interest bearing "cash balance" within Merrill.
    My advice about any investment is that if you can't understand it, don't invest in it. The Merrill Edge taxable accounts are either being mishandled or I don't understand them. Either way, I give up. I will be closing all taxable accounts with them.
    See also: https://mutualfundobserver.com/discuss/discussion/47100/merrill-edge-not-very-mutual-fund-friendly

  • Josh Brown: Elizabeth Warren’s Banking Sector Napalm
    Some of Warren's ideas are quite good:

    Holding private equity firms responsible for certain pension obligations of the companies they buy, so that workers have a better shot of getting the retirement funds they earned.
    Changing the tax rules so that private equity firms don’t get sweetheart tax rates on all the debt they put on the companies they buy.
    Modifying bankruptcy rules so that when companies go bust, workers have a better shot at getting pay and benefits and executives can’t pocket special bonuses.
    Preventing lenders and investment managers from making reckless loans to private equity-owned companies already swimming in debt and then passing along the danger to the market by requiring them to retain some of the risk.
    Empowering investors like pension funds with better information about the performance and effects of private equity investments and preventing private equity funds from requiring investors to waive their fiduciary obligations.
    Closing the carried interest loophole that lets firm managers pay ultra-low tax rates on the money they loot.
    Private equity firms pushing companies into bankruptcy with debt, then screwing workers by voiding the companies' pension and healthcare obligations as the companies re-emerge from bankruptcy is a classic strategy for them. That really should stop.
  • Berkshire Hathaway Stock Is Lagging The Market, And A Giant Pension Fund Just Slashed Its Stake
    FYI: Warren Buffett isn’t close to beating the market this year, and a giant pension fund has cut its investment in Berkshire Hathaway , the investment juggernaut that Buffett helms.
    Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway stock (ticker: BRKb ) have only managed a 0.9% gain so far in 2019 through Friday’s close, in sharp contrast to the S&P 500’s 18.7% rise.
    We’ve noted that Buffett suffered “a reputational and financial black eye” earlier this year as Berkshire took a $1 billion paper loss when Kraft Heinz stock (KHZ)—one of its larger investments—tumbled. Years ago, Buffett backed the combination of H.J. Heinz and Kraft Foods Group that created the company.
    Oregon’s Public Employees’ Retirement Fund slashed two-fifths of its Berkshire stock investment by selling 141,822 Class B shares in the second quarter. OPERF, as the pension is known, made the disclosure in a form it filed this week with the Securities and Exchange Commission. OPERF, which recently was counted as the 42nd largest public pension in the world by assets, now owns 222,763 Class B Berkshire shares.
    Regards,
    Ted
    https://www.barrons.com/articles/berkshire-hathaway-stock-is-lagging-and-a-giant-pension-just-slashed-its-stake-51563707754
  • Defined Benefit Plan for Self Employed
    2019 contribution limits are:
    401(k): $56K + $6K (catch up) = $62K
    SEP: $56K (no catch up provision)
    https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/cola-increases-for-dollar-limitations-on-benefits-and-contributions
    The IRS has not yet announced 2020 figures for retirement plans. If Vanguard provided contribution limits for 2020, they were projections.
    Projected for 2020:
    401(k): $57K + $6.5K (catch up) = $63.5K
    SEP: $57K (no catch up provision)
    https://thefinancebuff.com/401k-403b-ira-contribution-limits.html
    Again, see Schwab example cited above for comparison between SEP and DB plan. (For a fair comparison, you need to account for the earnings that are added to the DB plan but not to the SEP. This significantly reduces the gap between the two.)
  • Defined Benefit Plan for Self Employed
    That sounds about right. I believe you could instead project a higher ROR and contribute less. You would still fund the pension plan up to the IRS limit ($225K/year pension @retirement). You would invest for higher returns and wouldn't even have to contribute as much to get the same level of benefits. But see below for risk.
    Are you sure that you were being told that you should not invest for higher return, or did your actuaries say that they would use a lower rate of return for projections? They have to use a credible ROR for projections to determine the max you can contribute. The object is to reach the max permitted balance at retirement. The lower the assumed ROR, the more you can contribute, at least initially.
    Regardless, the amount you can/must contribute is recalculated annually. If you project a low (but credible) ROR and perform better, your subsequent contributions will be reduced. If you project a higher (still credible) ROR and underperform, your subsequent min contribution requirements may be increased, possibly substantially.
    I trust the actuaries explained to you how you are committing to maintaining high contribution levels for several years (otherwise you risk seeing the IRS disqualify your plan).
    Here's a 2016 guide from from Schwab with an example of someone age 55, planning to retire at age 65. (See p.3). Schwab also uses a low projected ROR (here, 3.98%). Note that because you're younger (presumably with more years to retirement), all else being equal, you'd be able to contribute less than the $166K shown. So I'm curious where the $250K figure you gave came from.
    https://www.schwab.com/public/file/P-1604569/SLS25840-05-ST.pdf
  • Jonathan Clement's: Balancing Act
    Nice article which pretty much mirrors my own perspectives and much what I do now being in retirement.
    The way I govern my withdrawal rate, from my portfolio, with me now being in retirement is to take a sum of no more than about one half of what my five year average annual return has equaled. In this way my principal grows over time which helps to offset inflation. And, as principal grows so does the distribution.
    My asset allocation of 20% cash, 40% income and 40% equity works for well, for me, as I have ample cash on hand to meet the unexpected plus play a special investment position (spiff) from time to time if felt warranted, ample income generated from my income area to more than meet my retirement distribution needs, and ample growth coming from the equity area to grow my principal over time.
    One of the big reasons for my success is that I and my wife have lived conservatively staying well within our means, saved and invested for our future anticipated needs. Plus, we received some gift and inheritance transfers as my family for the past three generations believed in passing some assets forward thus helping make life better for our kids than we had it ourselves. My parents did this for me as well as my grandparents did the same for my parents. And, my great grandparents did this for my grandparents. With this, I'm charged with doing the same.
    Have a great weekend ... and, I wish all "Good Investing."
    Old_Skeet
  • Mutual Funds.Com: Mutual Fund Screener: 27,166 Funds
    FYI: This is a list of all mutual funds with some key metrics, such as their net assets under management (in millions), YTD return, required minimum retirement (IRA) investment, required minimum standard (taxable) investment, dividend yield, and expense ratio.
    Regards,
    Ted
    https://mutualfunds.com/screener/#tm=screener&r=Webpage#1068&only=meta,data&page=1
    Mutual Funds.Com: (The Entire Site)
    https://mutualfunds.com/
  • Franklin MicroCap Value Fund to reopen to new investors
    https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/856119/000085611919000019/fvitp10719.htm
    497 1 fvitp10719.htm FVIT P1 07/19
    FVIT P1 07/19
    SUPPLEMENT DATED JULY 19, 2019
    TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED MARCH 1, 2019
    OF FRANKLIN VALUE INVESTORS TRUST
    (Franklin MicroCap Value Fund)
    Effective July 19, 2019, the prospectus is amended as follows:
    I. The following replaces the first paragraph of the “Fund Summaries – Franklin MicroCap Value Fund” section of the prospectus:
    Effective on or about September 19, 2019 (the “Re-Opening Date”), the Fund will re-open to new investors. Through the date before the Re-Opening Date, the Fund is closed to new investors, except certain Funds of Funds of Franklin Fund Allocator Series and new participants in employer sponsored retirement plans invested in the Fund as of February 19, 2013. The Franklin MicroCap Value Fund reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. For more information, please turn to "Fund Details - Franklin MicroCap Value Fund" beginning on page 26 of this Prospectus.
    II. The following replaces the “Portfolio Manager” section in the “Fund Summaries – Franklin MicroCap Value Fund” section of the prospectus:
    Portfolio Managers
    Bruce C. Baughman, CPA
    Portfolio Manager of Franklin Mutual and portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (1995).
    Oliver Wong, CFA
    Portfolio Manager of Franklin Mutual and portfolio manager of the Fund since July 2019.
    Bruce C. Baughman will be retiring on December 31, 2019. Effective December 31, 2019, it is anticipated that he will no longer be a portfolio manager of the Franklin MicroCap Value Fund, and Mr. Oliver Wong will become the sole portfolio manager.
    III. The following replaces the first paragraph in the “Fund Details – Franklin MicroCap Value Fund” section of the prospectus:
    Effective on or about September 19, 2019 (the “Re-Opening Date”), the Franklin MicroCap Value Fund (MicroCap Value Fund) will re-open to new investors. Through the date before the Re-Opening Date, the MicroCap Value Fund is closed to all new investors, except certain Funds of Funds of Franklin Fund Allocator Series. If you are an existing investor in the MicroCap Value Fund, you can continue to invest through exchanges and additional purchases, including purchases made through reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. Employer sponsored retirement plans invested in the MicroCap Value Fund as of February 19, 2013 may open new accounts in the MicroCap Value Fund and invest on behalf of new participants in those retirement plans. Re-registration of accounts held by existing investors, if required for legal transfer or administrative reasons, will be allowed. The MicroCap Value Fund reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.
    IV. The following replaces the ““Fund Details – Management – Bruce C. Baughman” section of the prospectus:
    Bruce C. Baughman, CPA Portfolio Manager of Franklin Mutual
    1
    Mr. Baughman has been a lead portfolio manager of the MicroCap Value Fund since inception. He joined Franklin Templeton Investments in 1988.
    Oliver Wong, CFA Portfolio Manager of Franklin Mutual
    Mr. Wong has been a lead portfolio manager of the MicroCap Value Fund since July 2019. He joined Franklin Templeton Investments in 2012.
    V. The following replaces the “Fund Details – Management – MicroCap Value Fund” section of the prospectus:
    MicroCap Value Fund
    Bruce C. Baughman and Oliver Wong. As co-lead portfolio managers, Messrs. Baughman and Wong are jointly and primarily responsible for the investments of the Fund. They have equal authority over all aspects of the Fund's investment portfolio, including but not limited to, purchases and sales of individual securities, portfolio risk assessment, and the management of daily cash balances in accordance with anticipated investment management requirements. The degree to which each portfolio manager may perform these functions, and the nature of these functions, may change from time to time.
    Bruce C. Baughman will be retiring on December 31, 2019. Effective December 31, 2019, it is anticipated that he will no longer be a portfolio manager of the Franklin MicroCap Value Fund, and Mr. Oliver Wong will become the sole portfolio manager.
    Please keep this supplement with your prospectus for future reference.
    2
  • Broadview Opportunity Fund to be reorganized into Madison Small Cap Fund
    Updated: N-14 filing:
    https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1040612/000104061219000072/broadviewmadisonformn-14pe.htm
    Incidentally, investors with Broadview Opportunity Fund, once converted can:
    Comparison of Purchase and Redemption Procedures. The Acquired Fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 for all accounts and subsequent investments may be made with a minimum investment amount of $100 ($50 if purchases through the Automatic Investment Plan). The Class Y shares of the Acquiring Fund have a minimum initial investment of $25,000 for shares purchased directly from the Acquiring Fund. Class Y shares are also available for purchase by the following investors at a reduced minimum initial investment amount of $1,000 for non-retirement accounts and $500 for retirement accounts:
    •Dealers and financial intermediates that have entered into arrangements with the Acquiring Fund’s distributor to accept orders on behalf of their clients.
    •The fund-of-funds and managed account programs managed by Madison.
    •Investment advisory clients of Madison and its affiliates.
    •Members of the Board of Trustees of Madison Funds and any other board of trustees affiliated with Madison.
    •Individuals and their immediate family members who are employees, directors or officers of the adviser, any subadviser, or any service provider of Madison Funds.
    •Any investor, including their immediate family members, who owned Class Y shares of any Madison Mosaic Fund as of April 19, 2013.
    Any investor, including their immediate family members, who owned shares of the Acquired Fund as of the Effective Date.
    The minimum subsequent investment for the Class Y shares of the Acquiring Fund is $50 for all purchases.
  • Franklin Mutual International Fund reorganization
    https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/825063/000082506319000015/msp30719.htm
    MS P3 07/19
    SUPPLEMENT DATED JULY 18, 2019
    TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 2019
    OF
    FRANKLIN MUTUAL INTERNATIONAL FUND
    (a series of Franklin Mutual Series Funds)
    The Board of Trustees of Franklin Mutual Series Funds recently approved a proposal to reorganize the Franklin Mutual International Fund (the “Fund”) with and into the Franklin Mutual Global Discovery Fund, each a series of Franklin Mutual Series Funds.
    It is anticipated that in the third quarter of 2019, shareholders of the Fund will receive a proxy card and a Prospectus/Proxy Statement requesting their votes on the reorganization. If approved by the Fund’s shareholders, the transaction is currently expected to be completed on or about February 21, 2020, but may be delayed if unforeseen circumstances arise.
    Effective at the close of market (1:00 p.m. Pacific time or close of the New York Stock Exchange, whichever is earlier) on August 27, 2019, the Fund will be closed to all new investors except as noted below. Existing investors who had an open and funded account on August 27, 2019 can continue to invest in the Fund through exchanges and additional purchases after such date. The following categories of investors may continue to open new accounts in the Fund after the close of market on August 27, 2019: (1) clients of discretionary investment allocation programs where such programs had investments in the Fund prior to the close of market on August 27, 2019; and (2) Employer Sponsored Retirement Plans or benefit plans and their participants where the Fund was available to participants prior to the close of market on August 27, 2019. The Fund will not accept any additional purchases or exchanges after the close of market on or about February 19, 2020. The Fund reserves the right to change this policy at any time.
    Please keep this supplement with your prospectus for future reference.