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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.
  • Longleaf Partners reduces expenses on two funds
    I have a position in the small cap fund which I bought when the fund re-opened in 2020. I have deliberated whether I should keep my position, but I still own it.
  • TD to Schwab migration latest
    Opened a second Schwab account (instant approval) Wed afternoon and moved a bunch of cash over to enable Level-3 options trading, which got approved yesterday morning. Once the few piddling items and cash from my legacy TD account hit my Schwab account, I'll move everything into that new Schwab account and close my 'original' 2020 Schwab account next week.
    Along the way I'll be rebuilding and configuring my Schwab-linked ThinkDesktop platform -- which is why I'm enduring this process to begin with.
    Anything for fun...
  • Virtus liquidates several funds
    https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000093041323002416/c107242_497.htm
    497 1 c107242_497.htm
    Virtus Duff & Phelps International Real Estate Securities Fund (the “Fund”),
    a series of Virtus Opportunities Trust
    Supplement dated November 1, 2023, to the Summary Prospectuses and the Virtus Opportunities Trust Statutory Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) pertaining to the Fund,
    each dated January 27, 2023
    Important Notice to Investors
    On November 1, 2023, the Board of Trustees of Virtus Opportunities Trust voted to approve a Plan of Liquidation of the Virtus Duff & Phelps International Real Estate Securities Fund, pursuant to which the Fund will be liquidated (the “Liquidation”) on or about December 13, 2023 (“Liquidation Date”).
    Effective November 17, 2023, the Fund will be closed to new investors and additional investor deposits, except that purchases will continue to be accepted for defined contribution and defined benefit retirement plans, the Fund will continue to accept payroll contributions and other types of purchase transactions from both existing and new participants in such plans, and the Fund will allow reinvestment of distributions from existing shareholders. Investors should note that the Fund’s investments will be sold in anticipation of the Liquidation and may be sold in advance of November 17, 2023.
    At any time prior to the Liquidation Date, shareholders may redeem or exchange their shares of the Fund for shares of the same class of any other Virtus Mutual Fund. There will be no fee or sales charges associated with exchange or redemption requests.
    Prior to the Liquidation Date, the Fund will begin engaging in business and activities for the purposes of winding down the Fund’s business affairs and transitioning some or all of the Fund’s portfolio to cash and cash equivalents in preparation for the orderly liquidation and subsequent distribution of its assets on the Liquidation Date. During this transition period, the Fund will no longer pursue its investment objectives or be managed in a manner consistent with its investment strategies, as stated in the Prospectuses. This is likely to impact the Fund’s performance. The impending Liquidation of the Fund may result in large redemptions, which could adversely affect the Fund’s expense ratios. Those shareholders who remain invested in the Fund during part or all of this transition period may bear increased brokerage and other transaction expenses relating to the sale of portfolio investments prior to the Liquidation Date.
    On the Liquidation Date, any outstanding shares of the Fund will be automatically redeemed as of the close of business, except shares held in BNY Mellon IS Trust Company custodial accounts, which will be exchanged for Class A shares of the Virtus Seix U.S. Government Securities Ultra-Short Bond Fund, and any contingent deferred sales charges will be waived.
    Shareholders with BNY Mellon IS Trust Company custodial accounts should consult the prospectus for the Virtus Seix U.S. Government Securities Ultra-Short Bond Fund for information about that fund. The proceeds of any redemption will be equal to the net asset value of such shares after the Fund has paid or provided for all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities. The distribution to shareholders of these liquidation proceeds will occur as soon as practicable, and will be made to all Fund shareholders of record at the time of the Liquidation. Additionally, the Fund must declare and distribute to shareholders any undistributed realized capital gains and all net investment income no later than the final liquidation distribution. To the extent that the Fund has experienced redemptions prior to the date the Fund distributes any realized capital gains and net investment income, the remaining shareholders at the time of the distribution(s) may bear increased tax liability due to receiving a higher proportion of the distribution(s).
    Although shareholders are expected to receive proceeds of the Liquidation in cash, proceeds distributed to shareholders may be paid in cash, cash equivalents, or portfolio investments equal to the shareholder’s proportionate interest in the net assets of the Fund (the latter payment method, “in kind”). Shareholders who receive proceeds in kind should expect (i) that the in-kind distribution will be subject to market and other risks, such as liquidity risk, before sale, and (ii) to incur transaction costs, including brokerage costs, when converting the investments to cash.
    Because the exchange or redemption of your shares could be a taxable event, we suggest you consult with your tax advisor prior to the Fund’s liquidation.
    Investors should retain this supplement with the Prospectuses and SAI for future reference.
    VOT 8020 DPIM Int. RE Liquidation Supplement (11/2023)
    ===================================================================
    Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Debt Allocation Fund,
    Virtus Stone Harbor High Yield Bond Fund
    and Virtus Stone Harbor Strategic Income Fund (the “Funds”)
    each a series of Virtus Opportunities Trust
    Supplement dated November 1, 2023, to the Summary Prospectuses and the Virtus Opportunities Trust Statutory Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) pertaining to the Funds named above, each dated September 28, 2023
    Important Notice to Investors
    On November 1, 2023, the Board of Trustees of Virtus Opportunities Trust voted to approve a Plan of Liquidation of the Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Debt Allocation Fund, Virtus Stone Harbor High Yield Bond Fund and Virtus Stone Harbor Strategic Income Fund, pursuant to which the Funds will be liquidated (the “Liquidation”) on or about December 13, 2023 (“Liquidation Date”).
    Effective November 17, 2023, the Funds will be closed to new investors and additional investor deposits, except that purchases will continue to be accepted for defined contribution and defined benefit retirement plans, the Funds will continue to accept payroll contributions and other types of purchase transactions from both existing and new participants in such plans, and the Funds will allow reinvestment of distributions from existing shareholders. Investors should note that the Funds’ investments will be sold in anticipation of the Liquidation and may be sold in advance of November 17, 2023.
    At any time prior to the Liquidation Date, shareholders may redeem or exchange their shares of the Funds for shares of the same class of any other Virtus Mutual Fund. There will be no fee or sales charges associated with exchange or redemption requests.
    Prior to the Liquidation Date, the Funds will begin engaging in business and activities for the purposes of winding down the Funds’ business affairs and transitioning some or all of the Funds’ portfolios to cash and cash equivalents in preparation for the orderly liquidation and subsequent distribution of their assets on the Liquidation Date. During this transition period, the Funds will no longer pursue their investment objectives or be managed in a manner consistent with their investment strategies, as stated in the Prospectuses. This is likely to impact the Funds’ performance. The impending Liquidation of the Funds may result in large redemptions, which could adversely affect the Funds’ expense ratios. Those shareholders who remain invested in the Funds during part or all of this transition period may bear increased brokerage and other transaction expenses relating to the sale of portfolio investments prior to the Liquidation Date.
    On the Liquidation Date, any outstanding shares of the Funds will be automatically redeemed as of the close of business, except shares held in BNY Mellon IS Trust Company custodial accounts, which will be exchanged for shares of the Virtus Seix U.S. Government Securities Ultra-Short Bond Fund, and any contingent deferred sales charges will be waived.
    Shareholders with BNY Mellon IS Trust Company custodial accounts should consult the prospectus for the Virtus Seix U.S. Government Securities Ultra-Short Bond Fund for information about that fund. The proceeds of any redemption will be equal to the net asset value of such shares after the Funds have paid or provided for all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities. The distribution to shareholders of these liquidation proceeds will occur as soon as practicable, and will be made to all Fund shareholders of record at the time of the Liquidation. Additionally, the Funds must declare and distribute to shareholders any undistributed realized capital gains and all net investment income no later than the final liquidation distribution. To the extent that a Fund has experienced redemptions prior to the date the Fund distributes any realized capital gains and net investment income, the remaining shareholders at the time of the distribution(s) may bear increased tax liability due to receiving a higher proportion of the distribution(s).
    Although shareholders are expected to receive proceeds of the Liquidation in cash, proceeds distributed to shareholders may be paid in cash, cash equivalents, or portfolio investments equal to the shareholder’s proportionate interest in the net assets of the Funds (the latter payment method, “in kind”). Shareholders who receive proceeds in kind should expect (i) that the in-kind distribution will be subject to market and other risks, such as liquidity risk, before sale, and (ii) to incur transaction costs, including brokerage costs, when converting the investments to cash.
    Because the exchange or redemption of your shares could be a taxable event, we suggest you consult with your tax advisor prior to the Funds’ liquidation.
    Investors should retain this supplement with the Prospectuses and SAI for future reference.
    VOT 8470 SHIP EMDA/HYB/SI Liquidation Supplement (11/2023)
  • FOMC Statement, 11/1/23
    YBB NOTES
    Rates were held - fed funds 5.25-5.50%, bank reserves rate 5.4%, discount rate 5.5%. 1 more hike is possible. Dot plots aren't policy, but just an indication of the current FOMC thinking.
    QT continues at -$60 billion/mo for Treasuries, -$35 billion/mo for MBS; total QT -$95 billion/mo. No plans to tinker with it. Its impact on LT rates is small and indirect.
    Fed intent is for monetary policy to be restrictive so that it can slowdown from above-trend economic growth to below-trend growth. Moreover, the Fed policy works with some lag. The Fed is not devoting lot of time to theoretical matters such as the neutral rate, etc. The Fed is aware that there will be some pain from its policies. Housing has already been impacted by 8%+ mortgage rates. Small businesses are also suffering. But the inflation target remains at +2% average. The base assumption is still soft landing, not recession.
    Job market has been strong. But wage growth has moderated.
    LT rates have moved up due to a variety of factors, but the Fed only controls the ST rates directly. Higher LT rates do add some to monetary tightening.
    Banking conditions are being monitored for stresses (including for their HTM & AFS holdings losses). Sufficient liquidity will be provided and the current programs will be reviewed on expiration. Basel III capital proposals are still in the comments period. Caps on card swipe fees are also in the comments period.
    Risks include higher oil prices, labor strikes (UAW just settled), geopolitical - Israel-Hamas, Russia-Ukraine, etc.
    https://ybbpersonalfinance.proboards.com/post/1238/thread
  • TD to Schwab migration latest
    Brokerage mergers in my experience are always a PITA. Once the Schwab aquisition of TD was announced in 2020, I transferred my account over immediately to avoid being caught up in the (likely) chaos and disruption -- full margin, options, futures authorizations. But I've kept $1000 at TD to keep the account active and keep access to ThinkDesktop, which I really like (I despise StreetSmart). And apart from a few growing pains and grudgingly accepting their insane cash-management practices, I've been fairly pleased with Schwab.
    Anyway, Schwab rolled out ThinkDesktop last month for its customers ... heck, they're even advertising it during football games. But can I use the platform as a Schwab customer? Nope -- because my Schwab account has futures trading enabled on it.
    They said they could remove futures trading on my Schwab account and I'd have access to ThinkDesktop ... BUT I was warned that there was a good chance I'd have data errors with how the system calculates my buying power, and the rep rightly noted that could interfere with making trades. HUH? This seems like Merger 101-type of stuff that should've been figured out long ago.
    My alternative? If I want to get on ThinkDesktop sooner than 'sometime' in Spring '24, I would need to create a brand new Schwab account, transfer everything over to it, and then I'd have access to ThinkDesktop -- which apparently is running on a different network (presumably legacy TD/ThinkorSwim). And then futures access whenever they spin up futures trading on it.
    What an unbelievable runaround for a situation that never should've been allowed to happen!
  • High Yearend Distributions
    Wow, that's a huge capital gains distribution for an index fund!
    Why hold BTIIX when you can track the S&P 500 for 5 bps or less?
  • High Yield Bond
    Periods like GFC 2008-09, pandemic 2020, recession and credit freeze are problematic for ALL HY - ST-HY, IT-HY, even multisector funds that include HY.
    But the current thinking is that recession has been cancelled for now.
  • High Yield Bond
    I noticed that VWEAX had double the MD of OSTIX in both 2020 and the GFC era. However, CAGR over 15 years is OSTIX 5.23% VWEAX 5.38% relatively close.
  • SLADX, FAIRX, MetWest Total Return and GIM
    Michael Hasenstab started co-managing Templeton Global Bond (TPINX) on 12/31/2001.
    He started managing Templeton Global Income (GIM) on 02/28/2002.
    The two funds generated excellent returns for years.
    Mr. Hasenstab was subsequently named M* 2010 Fixed-Income Manager of the Year.
    However, Hasenstab's funds have underperformed for a long time after he lost his mojo.
    I owned GIM for several years but exited long ago.
    There is a 2022 MFO thread regarding GIM and Saba Capital Management.
    Link
  • High Yield Bond
    Funds mentioned have a bulge in 5-yr SDs. That is because they have full impact of pandemic 2020. The 3-yr window is just getting out of the main pandemic hit, and 10-yr reduces the pandemic impact as there are many non-pandemic years. That is why it is also useful to look at charts beyond summary statistics.
    Another thing to note is that funds evaluated are of different types - ST-HY, IT-HY, multisector (that includes sovereigns + corporates + HYs + EMs), so they are expected to behave somewhat differently.
    HY indexed ETFs are HYG, USHY, JNK, etc.
  • High Yearend Distributions
    Outflows were significant for many funds with the largest estimated capital gains distributions.
    "Diamond Hill Small Cap Fund DHSCX will likely make a whopping 23% distribution. In the 12 months ending in September, the fund’s assets have shrunk by nearly 25% owing to outflows."
    "Delaware Ivy Value IYVAX has suffered outflows of almost 50% this year, which has contributed to almost a 30% estimated distribution."
    "Two Federated Hermes strategies, Federated Hermes Kaufmann Large Cap KLCKX and Federated Hermes Max Cap Index FMXKX, will likely distribute roughly 25% in capital gains. Federated Hermes Kaufmann large Cap has seen an estimated 22% of its assets leave as outflows so far in 2023."
    "Ironically, J.P. Morgan Tax Aware Equity JPDEX will likely distribute at least 20%; the $828 million in assets fund has seen more than $240 million in outflows in 2023."
  • DGI sloppy website
    @Ben
    There may be more, but I'm only familiar with a couple other small/midcap balanced funds including Greenspring (GRSPX), Intrepid Capital (ICMBX) and Villere Balanced (VILLX).
    DGIFX shines in comparison to this list.
  • Does the market know something we don’t?
    @Old_Joe The biggest issue facing America in 2023 may be that almost half the country supports the “crime lord” who lost the election in 2020. That is THE ISSUE of our time.
    I tend to agree. No soul. No ethics. Empty shell. And they flock to him.
    Orwell: "With enough beer and football, they were easy enough to control."
    Uncle Adolf, to Lord Halifax, 1937: "Shoot Gandhi, and if that does not suffice to reduce them to submission, shoot a dozen leading members of Congress; and if that does not suffice, shoot 200 and so on until order is established. You will see how quickly they will collapse as soon as you make it clear that you mean business."
    Trumpster: "I could go out on 5th Avenue and shoot someone and get away with it."
    (Let us hope the Orange Disgrace cannot wiggle out of all of the charges against him currently!)
  • Does the market know something we don’t?
    @Old_Joe The biggest issue facing America in 2023 may be that almost half the country supports the “crime lord” who lost the election in 2020. That is THE ISSUE of our time.
  • T Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Portfolio to be liquidated
    If this is a retail product, one never thinks about having to trigger gains from owning an S&P 500 fund. This could suck for the owners. I am surprised TRP is willing to take a risk of coming across as insensitive to investors by not pursuing alternate means of not triggering gains.
    How much AUM is in it?

    I now see Yogi’s post - I take too long to draft my posts. While I was drafting mine, 2 more posts came in. I am going to file the liquidation in the “no news” category until someone tells us how the liquidation adversely effects retail clients of TRP.
  • Does the market know something we don’t?
    @rsorden: The incompetent buffoon crime lord lost the election in 2020 and is now facing 91 counts of criminal activity.
  • Does the market know something we don’t?
    Yeah, not to mention the incompetent buffoon crime lord we have sleeping in the White House, with all his grossly inept, corrupt appointees running the country into the ground.

    The incompetent buffoon crime lord lost the election in 2020 and is no longer in the White House.
    Perfectly stated.
  • Does the market know something we don’t?
    Yeah, not to mention the incompetent buffoon crime lord we have sleeping in the White House, with all his grossly inept, corrupt appointees running the country into the ground.
    The incompetent buffon crime lord lost the election in 2020 and is no longer in the White House.