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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.
  • "Beam" Legitimate or too good to be true" scam?
    Thanks for the review link @msf. An example of members helping other members avoid financial missteps. That's why I started this thread to hopefully not only help myself make an informed decision, but others as well.
    Beam won't be getting any of our cash anytime soon either. Still not sure how they plan to make any money? Where's the money coming from to pay the interest rates they are offering?
  • Should A Lifetime Annuity Fuel Your Retirement?
    Very strange set of financial facts.
    How does someone who makes under $800/ month on SS even qualify for a $900K mortgage?
    Then we're told that making a profit of $220k on the sale of a home is "the biggest mistake" this women has ever made...crocodile tears. This women's story provides little comfort to those millions of "home-loaners" who actually went bankrupt verses this women's real estate success story.
    Finally, she (or the author) is so financially illiterate to consider putting her entire net worth into an annuity product that provide no protection against inflation not to mention the one-time expenses that besiege a retiree as we age (mainly healthcare related) and agency risk with the annuity insurer.
    The article should be a wake up call to many pre-retirees who often do not have the enough present income to pay basic living expenses, nor a $500K nest egg.
    Sadly, his broad needs to get a good paying job... something she should have learned in her twenties.
  • Jeremy Grantham Forecasts Rough Seven Years For Equities, Bonds
    Okay, so cool for we investors (we've been warned).....what are the financial system ramifications which should flow over into a broad economy, which would flow into the social side of things. Reads like a move to the dark side of life.
  • In a rising interest rate environment what asset classes & funds might do well?
    Interest rates going up? I'm not convinced, yet. Well, the short end of gov't. stuff has gone up; but they're pushed by the Fed. The basis spread between the 10 and 30 year continues to contract, as well as other similar measurements used by the financial world (chart 2 below).
    The questions: If the economy is doing so well, why are rates not naturally higher? Is borrowing demand full up at the corporate level? Shouldn't rates be at least 1% higher, but that there remains so much demand for U.S. gov't. issues that the rates remain low? Is the Fed. attempting to gain some breathing room to lower rates in the future, if there are problems in the financial system? Higher rates would likely cause some problems with lending for mortgages and auto loans, etc., yes? I'm trying to imagine how many folks have no idea of what loan rates where 10 years ago. How long will it take to wean many off of the "low rate tit"?
    Well, you get my drift.
    I have more questions than answers and they are only based upon my non-economic degree.
    Our house,at this time, does not intend to purposefully engage in investments that may benefit from interest rate increases.
    K. I'm out of thinking juice for this morning.
    Take care,
    Catch
    Chart 1, May, 2006-May, 2010.......July 9, 2007 = yields packed together, the below list is + or - a few basis points at the worse; still packed tight
    ---30 yr yield = 5.10%
    ---10 yr yield = 5.03%
    --- 5 yr yield = 4.93%
    --- 1 yr yield = 5.03%
    http://stockcharts.com/freecharts/perf.php?$UST30Y,$UST10Y,$UST5Y,$UST1Y&l=1843&r=2830&O=011000
    Chart 2, Yield overview Jan., 1999-April 16, 2018
    http://stockcharts.com/freecharts/perf.php?$UST30Y,$UST10Y,$UST5Y,$UST1Y&p=6&O=011000
    Yields as of April 16, 2018
    ---30 yr yield = 3.03%
    ---10 yr yield = 2.83%
    --- 5 yr yield = 2.69%
    --- 1 yr yield = 2.12%
  • MFO Newbie--Help with PONAX/Core holdings
    I know a few people who are paying 1% - some are getting a good amount of help with their financial situations (i.e. are getting reasonable value for their money), some are getting investment help and some long term planning (IMHO not in itself worth the 1%, but these people also seem to derive value from the personal handholding).
    If, as it sounds here, all you're looking for is investment selection and management, I agree with Lewis that something like Vanguard Personal Advisors (a hybrid robo/human offering) or a pure robo advisor would fit the bill.
    Regarding PONAX and other bond funds: PONAX is NTF (no fee, no load) at many brokerages now. If you're investing at least $25K, it's worth paying a transaction fee to buy the cheaper PINIX shares, especially if you're looking to buy-and-hold. Vanguard has a $25K min, most other places require at least $100K.
    Most people here seem to be enthusiastic about the fund. I'll be the wet blanket. The manager is excellent and I doubt over any long period of time the fund would be a poor choice. But it's focused on asset backed securities(ABS) - a few years ago on mortgages (a form of ABS), more recently on non-mortgage ABS. These have their own risks and rewards; the fact that they have done well does not mean they will continue to do so. See these columns:
    http://www.morningstar.com/articles/834221/is-pimco-income-the-new-total-return.html (how PONAX did well with mortgages, but that market's risk/reward has worsened), and
    https://www.housingwire.com/articles/39045-morningstar-heres-the-impact-of-rising-interest-rates-on-mortgage-backed-securities (unique risks in mortgage backed securities that may manifest with rising interest rates)
    Non-mortgage ABS are yet again different from vanilla bonds. (See investment characteristics in this page.) So again, the behavior may not be what one expects.
    Thus I agree again (at least partially) with Lewis that you might benefit from adding a more vanilla bond fund, something like a short to intermediate term corporate. (IMHO index funds are too heavily weighted toward lower yielding, though higher quality, Treasuries.)
    This is very helpful and much appreciated. Bonds are new to me, and really want something I don't want to worry too much about. PONAX seems diverse, and has a positive track record for a good 10 years, and as the other poster mentioned, has not gotten as bad a hit as of late compared to other bond funds.
    I think adding something more vanilla, like VBMFX, or one of Vanguard's corp/int'l funds could be a good idea as you suggested, but it might be wise to let rates settle first.
    I also feel that you guys are right about the FA. Aside from my bond uncertainty, I'm generally happy with my AA so far, and don't think it's really necessary to give this guy a quarterly cut for making slight adjustments here and there.
    Thanks again!
  • MFO Newbie--Help with PONAX/Core holdings
    I know a few people who are paying 1% - some are getting a good amount of help with their financial situations (i.e. are getting reasonable value for their money), some are getting investment help and some long term planning (IMHO not in itself worth the 1%, but these people also seem to derive value from the personal handholding).
    If, as it sounds here, all you're looking for is investment selection and management, I agree with Lewis that something like Vanguard Personal Advisors (a hybrid robo/human offering) or a pure robo advisor would fit the bill.
    Regarding PONAX and other bond funds: PONAX is NTF (no fee, no load) at many brokerages now. If you're investing at least $25K, it's worth paying a transaction fee to buy the cheaper PINIX shares, especially if you're looking to buy-and-hold. Vanguard has a $25K min, most other places require at least $100K.
    Most people here seem to be enthusiastic about the fund. I'll be the wet blanket. The manager is excellent and I doubt over any long period of time the fund would be a poor choice. But it's focused on asset backed securities(ABS) - a few years ago on mortgages (a form of ABS), more recently on non-mortgage ABS. These have their own risks and rewards; the fact that they have done well does not mean they will continue to do so. See these columns:
    http://www.morningstar.com/articles/834221/is-pimco-income-the-new-total-return.html (how PONAX did well with mortgages, but that market's risk/reward has worsened), and
    https://www.housingwire.com/articles/39045-morningstar-heres-the-impact-of-rising-interest-rates-on-mortgage-backed-securities (unique risks in mortgage backed securities that may manifest with rising interest rates)
    Non-mortgage ABS are yet again different from vanilla bonds. (See investment characteristics in this page.) So again, the behavior may not be what one expects.
    Thus I agree again (at least partially) with Lewis that you might benefit from adding a more vanilla bond fund, something like a short to intermediate term corporate. (IMHO index funds are too heavily weighted toward lower yielding, though higher quality, Treasuries.)
  • 401(k) Plan Participants Sue Home Depot Over Alleged Fiduciary Breaches
    FYI: (Click On Article title At Top Of Google Search)
    Two participants in Home Depot Inc.'s 401(k) plan have sued plan executives alleging that excessive fees and poor-performing investments represented a breach of their fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
    The participants also sued Financial Engines and Alight Financial Advisors, both providers of investment advice to the plan, alleging ERISA violations.
    Regards,
    Ted
    https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=iFPUWoyZAcnHjwSXkY24Dw&q=401(k)+plan+participants+sue+Home+Depot+over+alleged+fiduciary+breaches&oq=401(k)+plan+participants+sue+Home+Depot+over+alleged+fiduciary+breaches&gs_l=psy-ab.3...3574.3574.0.4916.3.2.0.0.0.0.64.64.1.2.0....0...1.2.64.psy-ab..1.1.108.6..35i39k1.108.1I3RNFRcoXU
  • Jack Bogle: Wall Street Buys In Bulk, Then Upcharges Investors To The Hilt
    The problem is people don't want to take the time to educate themselves or they have been convinced by the "lobby" they are not smart enough to do it themselves. Therefore, crooked, dumb people are able to drill a hole in their pockets and drip themselves to riches risk free.
    I have said many times "Financial Advisor" profession should be outlawed. It is prostitution in reverse, you are paying to get effed.
  • MFO Newbie--Help with PONAX/Core holdings
    @Starchild: what LewisBraham said! No need to pay 1%. That advisor will not like it if you pull out, but you are correct: that 1% adds up! Steel yourself toward his reaction, and get out from under that 1% arrangement. Do your own homework. You can do this yourself, as long as you don't do anything radical and "screw the pooch."
    https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=screw the pooch
    You've told us that you can let this money work for you for a long time. So a long-term view of things will be appropriate. Don't let day-to-day ups and downs concern you. Most of your stuff ought to be in well-performing stock funds, and if you want to do it, a smaller portion in bonds. Be aware that bonds are facing headwinds, but it's not the end of the world. All this stuff is cyclical. If you want to "set it and forget it," buy into a "balanced" fund which holds both stocks AND bonds. But they all hold a different AMOUNT of each. No two are the same. I'm most familiar with T Rowe Price, so I'd have you look at RPBAX. But there are dozens and dozens of others, too. RPBAX includes some offshore holdings, too. That's another piece worth thinking about. But don't go "whole hog" into foreign stuff.... I found that it's very helpful simply to get familiar with a lot of the professional financial jargon. ("What do you MEAN, 5 basis points???" Why don't you just say, 5 percent?!) A link: Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/
    A basic book for you:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligent_Investor
    Graham taught Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, by the way.
    Thanks @crash! You guys are awesome!
  • MFO Newbie--Help with PONAX/Core holdings
    Hi @Crash
    You noted previous: "I found that it's very helpful simply to get familiar with a lot of the professional financial jargon. ("What do you MEAN, 5 basis points???" Why don't you just say, 5 percent?!"
    ---A basis point is the smallest measure used in quoting yields on fixed income products. Basis points also pertain to interest rates. One basis point is equal to one one-hundredth of one percentage point (0.01%). Therefore, 100 basis points would be equivalent to 1%.
    Regards,
    Catch
  • MFO Newbie--Help with PONAX/Core holdings
    @Starchild: what LewisBraham said! No need to pay 1%. That advisor will not like it if you pull out, but you are correct: that 1% adds up! Steel yourself toward his reaction, and get out from under that 1% arrangement. Do your own homework. You can do this yourself, as long as you don't do anything radical and "screw the pooch."
    https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=screw the pooch
    You've told us that you can let this money work for you for a long time. So a long-term view of things will be appropriate. Don't let day-to-day ups and downs concern you. Most of your stuff ought to be in well-performing stock funds, and if you want to do it, a smaller portion in bonds. Be aware that bonds are facing headwinds, but it's not the end of the world. All this stuff is cyclical. If you want to "set it and forget it," buy into a "balanced" fund which holds both stocks AND bonds. But they all hold a different AMOUNT of each. No two are the same. I'm most familiar with T Rowe Price, so I'd have you look at RPBAX. But there are dozens and dozens of others, too. RPBAX includes some offshore holdings, too. That's another piece worth thinking about. But don't go "whole hog" into foreign stuff.... I found that it's very helpful simply to get familiar with a lot of the professional financial jargon. ("What do you MEAN, 5 basis points???" Why don't you just say, 5 percent?!) A link: Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/
    A basic book for you:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligent_Investor
    Graham taught Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, by the way.
  • MFO Newbie--Help with PONAX/Core holdings
    @Starchild PONAX has been a strong performer, but it normally carries a 3.75% load/commission to make purchases and has a higher expense ratio 0.90% than other share classes of the same mutual fund. So at the least I would recommend buying a different share class if you can get it--PIMIX if the transaction cost is low. At TD Ameritrade you can also buy PIINX--the administrative share class--without paying a transaction fee and with a $0 minimum investment-- and a lower expense ratio of 0.75% as opposed to 0.90% for PONAX. PIMIX has the lowest expense ratio of 0.50% of the three but the transaction fee as it usually isn't on NTF platforms can be high, so if you buy that it is better to buy one big chunk all at once and not to be buying small amounts over time so you only pay one transaction fee.
    Regarding diversification, PONAX/PIMIX/PIINX is pretty well diversified so I'm not sure you need much else if you like this fund. But some diversification that might be worthwhile are a small amount in a floating rate fund such as SAMBX or a small amount of an international bond fund with some emerging market exposure. Bear in mind that interest rates are rising so some argue that bonds in general are unattractive right now as bonds tend to move inversely with rates. That's why a higher quality floating rate fund might be worthwhile as its yields rise with rates. That said, there is increased credit risk with such funds that could be punishing if we enter a recession. Another alternative that could be safer than PONAX or floating rate funds is a short-term corporate bond fund as short-term funds are less sensitive to rising rates than long. Hope this helps.
    Thanks Lewis! Unfortunately, those classes are unavailable at either bank (SAMBX as well), although PIMIX is used under the managed account. I could ask the manager if it can be changed, but then he would haunt be to make it a managed account, which he's been doing. In fact, that's another topic I'm curious about, and might search here, using the financial advisor. He's managing the smaller account, but charges 1%. That can add up.
  • Almost Zero: Why You’re Still Not Making Much On Your Bank Account
    Currently, new issue zero coupon T-bills are expected to yield 1.69% for three months, 1.85% for six month. That's within a few basis points of what banks are offering. It may be worth giving up a few months liquidity, especially in states with high income taxes. T-bills are state tax-exempt. That adds about 0.09% to their effective yield if you're in a 5% tax state, and 0.19% or more if you're in a state like California.
    For anyone obsessed about an impending financial apocalypse (though if you are, why are you trusting government dollars?), note that T-bills are backed by the full faith and credit of the US government. Bank accounts are "only" insured by the FDIC, which carries just the "sense of Congress" that it's backed the full faith and credit of the government. And a bank's more likely to fail than the US government, even if it is insured.
    Ease of purchase may be a tossup. Brokerages may sell new issue T-bills with no fee, though you still have to place the order. (They may offer a service to automatically roll over the T-bill, similar to banks rolling over CDs.) Accessing cash in an online savings account requires you to click on a few buttons as well to transfer the cash to your checking account. But you could wind up chasing rates from bank to bank to maintain competitive returns.
    These days, prime MMF yields at places like Vanguard and Fidelity are also in the same ballpark. The plus is a bit more convenience, especially at Fidelity. There, if you need more cash (for withdrawals or transactions) than you have in your "core" account, Fidelity automatically taps your prime MMF. You don't have to manually transfer the money out (though you do have to manually transfer money in). The minus is no insurance, and potential freezes/redemption fees if their liquidity level drops too low.
    Online banks are finally getting competition, though obviously not from TBTF banks.
  • RPGAX
    MikeM - if the fund was investing in Blackstone the company it would declare BX as a holding. This particular position is an investment in one of Blackstone's proprietary black-box offerings, such as what a so-called 'sophisticated' or 'accredited' investor might throw money into. In other words, a totally different beast than just being a shareholder invested in Blackstone....which anyone could buy into on the open market.
    @Crash, I believe there is a distinction about RPGAX investing in Blackstone Hedge Fund Solutions that I haven't heard on this thread yet. The TRP fund is not, I don't believe, investing in a "hedge fund". It is investing in a company that manages hedge funds. Blackstone is a financial company just like investing in Merrill Lynch or JP Morgan, isn't it? At least this is how I interpret that TRP fund holding.
    How does this hedge fund company make money, just like any other financial institution, they charge their clients for money management.
  • RPGAX
    @Crash, I believe there is a distinction about RPGAX investing in Blackstone Hedge Fund Solutions that I haven't heard on this thread yet. The TRP fund is not, I don't believe, investing in a "hedge fund". It is investing in a company that manages hedge funds. Blackstone is a financial company just like investing in Merrill Lynch or JP Morgan, isn't it? At least this is how I interpret that TRP fund holding.
    How does this hedge fund company make money, just like any other financial institution, they charge their clients for money management.
  • Pimco Accused Of Discrimination, Retaliation By Female Executive
    Over the last 2-3 years I'm actually seeing the pendulum swing WAY to the other side. Surprising to see large financial firms not getting ahead of such things. At a minimum they don't need such press.
    So much for their ANALytical capabilities for picking stocks and bonds. First figure out your employees.
  • Value Funds vs. Growth Funds vs Bonds - No Longer True?
    Thanks @Catch22
    I always enjoy your comments (and sense of humor) - and appreciate your taking the time to write them.
    Your analogy of the carriage is exactly my point about so many of the "Value" funds today. Either that, or the company/stock has fallen out of favor for an extended time by investors for whatever reason.... or hedge funds shorting the stock for reasons of their own.
    A big help for me when a MF I've liked for a long time has had an extended bad period is to look at the ratio of stock categories (tech, financial, health, etc) to see if the categ itself has been out of favor (like health, long-term care, solar, etc.) and also to look at the company names of their top 15 holdings. If it doesn't show they reduced their % allocation to the losing companies that, in my opinion, are not going to get any better, I remove that fund from consideration.
  • Investing in China. One Belt, One Road - Many Motives
    "The Belt and Road (B&R, or One Belt, One Road) is an ambitious vision for global trade, infrastructure development, and diplomacy. First articulated by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the initiative frames China as the geographic and financial center, with ties radiating toward Europe, Asia, and Africa."
    A white paper by Stephanie Gan outlining her thoughts on this new Chinese initiative. Worth your time if one is considering investing/investments in China.
    http://www.seafarerfunds.com/documents/one-belt-one-road-many-motives.pdf
  • Josh Brown: I Am Failing
    FYI: I am failing and I need your help.
    Last spring I attended the Tiburon CEO Summit, which brings together high level executives from the biggest financial advisory firms in the country. The highlight is always Chip Roame’s State of the Industry presentation, where he barrels through a hundred slides of key statistics about what’s going on within the industry.
    Regards,
    Ted
    http://thereformedbroker.com/2018/04/11/i-am-failing/
  • Asset Managers Back U.S. Plan To Limit Stock Exchange Rebates
    FYI: Financial firms representing more than $1 trillion in assets under management have endorsed a U.S. regulator’s plan to test limiting the rebates and other incentives that stock exchanges can pay to brokers, a practice critics say creates conflicts of interest.
    Regards,
    Ted
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-stocks-sec/asset-managers-back-u-s-plan-to-limit-stock-exchange-rebates-idUSKBN1HG2T0