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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.
  • Here comes Vanguard’s global credit bond fund: News Scan Money Management Executive
    With today's lower expected return environment, potential for rising interest rates, inflationary pressures and increasing volatility, it is critical for investors to maintain a well-designed allocation to alternatives that can help their portfolios weather uncertain markets," said Matthew Bass, head of global product strategy and alternatives business development at AllianceBernstein.
    PRODUCTS
    Assetmark launches 12 new portfolios
    AssetMark announced 12 new portfolios coming to its platform, which the firm expects will drive higher returns.
    "Dimensional Fund Advisors' robust investment process addresses a growing advisor need for low-cost, tax-efficient strategies," said David McNatt, senior vice president of product management and development at AssetMark.
    The portfolios, known as AssetMark MarketDimensions, are aligned with six risk profiles to target investors in different life stages, says the firm.
    Global X introduces new ETF family
    Global X is releasing two new ETFs aimed at helping investors achieve a specific income level: the Global X TargetIncome 5 ETF (TFIV) and the Global X TargetIncome Plus 2 ETF (TFLT). They have expense ratios of 0.77% and 0.78%, respectively, according to Morningstar.
    The funds were developed by Wilshire Associates. "We've structured indexes that aim to target specific yield objectives while mitigating risks," Jason Schwarz, president of Wilshire Analytics and Wilshire Funds Management, said in a statement.
    TFIV will seek a 5% yield, net of fees, and TFLT will seek the current 10-year US Treasury note plus 2%, according to the firm, which expects the funds to pay distributions monthly.
    Innovator launches ETF with structured outcomes
    Innovator Capital Management listed the Innovator S&P 500 Defined Outcome ETF, which offers protection levels of 9%, 15% or 30% over a near one-year period, the firm said.
    "No other ETFs in the market today seek to offer investors defined exposures to the S&P 500, where the downside protection level, upside growth potential and outcome period can all be known, prior to investing," said Innovator CEO Bruce Bond.
  • Here comes Vanguard’s global credit bond fund: News Scan Money Management Executive
    Sorry... that's funny... Got it in my email just fine probably already subscribed
    Vanguard proposes global credit bond fund
    Vanguard filed preliminary registration for a global credit bond fund, which the firm expects to launch in November.
    The fund will be actively managed and aim to invest in corporate and non-corporate obligations, excluding government-guaranteed issues, the firm said. The fund, a portion of which will be hedged to the U.S. dollar, will offer investors two share classes: Investor Shares (VFINX), with an expense ratio of 0.35%, and Admiral Shares (VFIAX), with an expense ratio of 0.25%, Vanguard said.
    Vanguard is cutting commissions for 15 mutual fund shares.
    “Our clients are increasingly looking to reduce their home bias and harness the return potential and diversification benefits offered by the international equity and fixed income markets,” said John Hollyer, global head of Vanguard’s fixed income group, adding that the fund’s “wide range of security selection opportunities and regional and sector exposures, combined with the flexibility of active management, will make it an attractive core or satellite portfolio holding.”
    Alts made available to more clients at AllianceBernstein
    AllianceBernstein announced it has reached an agreement to provide iCapital Network's alternative investment platform to high-net-worth investors, RIAs and multi-family offices.
    The partnership will simplify access and streamline the subscription process and performance reporting, improving the advisor and investor experience, the firm said.
  • Here comes Vanguard’s global credit bond fund: News Scan Money Management Executive
    https://www.financial-planning.com/news/vanguard-files-paperwork-to-launch-a-global-credit-fund-news-scan?feed=00000153-9f90-d098-a37b-dfb9d93c0000
    August 15
    Money Management Executive Bond funds International funds Asset management Alternative investments ETFs Vanguard BMO Global Asset Management
    Our weekly roundup of industry highlights
    Vanguard proposes global credit bond fund
    Vanguard filed preliminary registration for a global credit bond fund, which the firm expects to launch in November.
  • What are you folks adding buying?
    Have some $$ coming in today from matured bonds... Likely add Brk.b and Sp500 or Qqqq Another friend told me a great biotech stocks MNK (or Preferred MNK stocks_will take a look). Probably over wt in bonds in private brokerage acct. Still 80/20 distribution in Tsp.
    Anyone buying undervalued Em which took a beating due to turkey... Sounds like a recession coming due to Turmoils in em... Folks maybe running away from China also. Thx for any suggestions
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/asian-shares-hit-one-low-020426223.html
  • How To Invest In A Mutual Fund That Is Closed To New Investors
    https://www.thewealthadvisor.com/article/how-invest-mutual-fund-closed-new-investors
    August 15, 2018
    Two weeks ago I published a list of 17 mutual funds whose managers have been at the helm for 10 years, outperforming the S&P 500's 10 year return of 10.61% and their category benchmark by enough of a margin to make a difference to investors.
  • MFO Ratings Updated Through July 2018

    All 11 Baillie Gifford funds have outperformed their peers since launch in US. YTD, however, its international/EM funds have followed their categories down ... now in 6th month of drawdown. And, last month its two growth funds dipped with FB. Still, impressive numbers so far.
    Here are numbers since launch ...
    image
    Past 12 months ...
    image
    Multiple period returns ...
    image
  • PRGTX
    @rforno: Beg to differ with you on PRGTX being a great fund. It's perfromance over the last fifteen years doesn't match what I consider to be a great fund. You are right on QQQ's sector allocation only 56% technology, about 25% in Consumer Staples/Discretionary and 9% in Healthcare, that's what makes it a great fund.
    Regards,
    Ted :)
    PRGTX:
    15yrs. 1st Percentile
    10yrs. 4th Percentile
    5yrs. 7th Percentile
    3yrs. 46th Percentile
    1yr. 89th Percentile
    YTD: 91st Percentile
    QQQ:
    15yrs. 2nd Percentile
    10yrs. 1st Percentile
    5yrs. 1st Percentile
    3yrs. 2nd Percentile
    1yr. 19th Percentile
    YTD: 13th Percentile
  • The 4% Rule For Retirement Savings Desperately Needs To Be Modernized
    thanks ... I just ran several rmd scenarios (vanguard calculator) for me and my wife, with a mix of actual and imagined asset totals and returns, and the percents all came in at around 3.65 - 3.8%, which was very interesting.
    I mostly want to know when I can start prudently giving small amounts to my kids, even with 25y to live max ...
    tnx for your thoughts; I would not have considered it, and it still looks conservative.
  • The 4% Rule For Retirement Savings Desperately Needs To Be Modernized
    @davidrmoran,
    As for inflation, a well diversified portfolio (especially equities) should inflate with inflation...one would hope. TIPS inflate by external means (posted by the government), but equities over time should inflate as a reflection of "equity inflation"..much like Real Estate inflates over time.
    I wonder if inflation adjustments, with regard to retirement withdrawals, should be derived as a reflection of these embedded inflationary elements of one's portfolio rather than a fictitious derived number that may or may not be reflective of one's portfolio. Keeping up with inflation requires a portfolio that at least inflates proportionally with external inflation. If it doesn't, these external inflation adjustments could prematurely wipe out a portfolio.
    To me RMD is an interesting alternative to the 4%, 4.5%, etc rule. As you age RMD withdrawal percentages increase (as a result of amortization not inflation). The RMD withdrawal method can be tailored to a starting age other than 70.5.
    I believe a retirement portfolio's biggest challenge is adjusting withdrawals for prolonged market downturns that are also accompanied by rising inflation. An RMD withdrawal schedule accommodate this possible scenario, but a fix withdrawal plus additive inflation adjustments may not.
  • International Funds
    I bought PRIJX for my MIL. Didn't time the buy well, but...
    Thinking Emerging Value should do better over Emerging Growth assuming that narrative is going to play out.
    Until the dollar tanks I don't see how Emerging / International going to outperform S&P500. Just when it seemed dollar was turning, we got turkeyfied.
  • M*: Q&A With Ed Slott: Backdoor Roth IRA Conversions Alive and Well: Text & Video
    I'd been holding these in my back pocket (meant to post, hadn't gotten around to it):
    Ed Slott's column from a month ago:
    https://www.fa-mag.com/news/irs-finally-says-back-door-roth-s-are-ok-39697.html
    Yale Law and Policy Review, Spring 2017, Slam the Door: Why Congress Should End the Backdoor Roth IRA
    https://ylpr.yale.edu/inter_alia/slam-door-why-congress-should-end-backdoor-roth-ira
    Congress was aware at the time of the backdoor Roth IRA’s passage that it would not facilitate greater retirement savings, particularly for those households for which increasing savings is most critical. As Brookings Fellow Peter Orszag warned Congress in 2005, “[r]ather than bolstering retirement security among middle- and lower-earners, proposals to increase income and contribution limits would generate significant asset shifting and be of primary benefit to households who are already disproportionately well-prepared for retirement.”[31] Instead, the driving force behind the backdoor Roth IRA was the need to facilitate the extension of capital gains and dividends rate cuts.[32]
  • TCW Funds liquidates the TCW/Gargoyle Hedged Value Fund (I and N classes)
    https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1625654/000119312518248332/d583955d497.htm
    497 1 d583955d497.htm TCW GARGOYLE HEDGED VALUE FUND
    TCW Alternative Funds
    TCW/Gargoyle Hedged Value Fund – Class I and Class N
    Supplement dated August 14, 2018 to
    the Prospectus dated February 28, 2018 (the “Prospectus”)
    Disclosure relating to TCW/Gargoyle Hedged Value Fund
    The Board of Trustees of TCW Alternative Funds (the “Trust”) has approved a Plan of Liquidation for the TCW/Gargoyle Hedged Value Fund (the “Fund”), pursuant to which the Fund will be liquidated (the “Liquidation”) on or about September 27, 2018 (“Liquidation Date”). This date may be changed without notice at the discretion of the Trust’s officers.
    Suspension of Sales. Effective the close of business on August 14, 2018, the Fund will no longer sell shares to new investors or existing shareholders, including through exchanges into the Fund from other funds of the Trust.
    Mechanics. In connection with the Liquidation, any shares of the Fund outstanding on the Liquidation Date will be automatically redeemed as of the close of business on the Liquidation Date. The proceeds of any such redemption will be equal to the net asset value of such shares after the Fund has paid or provided for all of its 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 shareholders of the Fund of record at the time of the Liquidation. Additionally, the Fund must declare and distribute to shareholders any realized capital gains and all net investment income no later than the final Liquidation distribution. TCW Investment Management Company LLC (“TIMCO”), investment advisor to the Fund, intends to distribute substantially all of the Fund’s net investment income and realized capital gains, if any, prior to the Liquidation. TIMCO will bear all expenses in connection with the Liquidation to the extent such expenses exceed the amount of the Fund’s normal and customary fees and expenses accrued by the Fund through the Liquidation Date, provided that such accrued amounts are first applied to pay for the Fund’s normal and customary fees and expenses.
    Other Alternatives. At any time prior to the Liquidation Date, shareholders of the Fund may redeem their shares of the Fund and receive the net asset value thereof, pursuant to the procedures set forth under “Selling Shares” of “Your Investment – Account Policies and Services” in the Prospectus. Shareholders may also exchange their Fund shares for shares of the same class of any other fund of the Trust, as described in and subject to any restrictions set forth under “Exchanging Shares” of “Your Investment – Account Policies and Services” in the Prospectus.
    U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters. For tax purposes, with respect to shares held in a taxable account, the automatic redemption of shares of the Fund on the Liquidation Date will generally be treated as any other redemption of shares (i.e., as a sale that may result in gain or loss for federal income tax purposes). Instead of waiting until the Liquidation Date, a shareholder may voluntarily redeem his or her shares prior to the Liquidation Date to the extent that the shareholder wishes to realize any such gains or losses prior thereto. See “Distributions and Taxes” in the Prospectus. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of the Liquidation.
    If you have any questions regarding the Liquidation, please contact the Trust at 1-866-858-4338.
    Please retain this Supplement with your Prospectus for future reference.
  • The Closing Bell: Dow, S&P 500 Bounce Back As Investors Shake Off Turkish Tantrum
    FYI: U.S. stocks halted a multiday tumble Tuesday, with the three main equity benchmarks advancing as Turkey’s currency slide abated, allowing investors to focus instead on a healthy domestic economy and strong corporate results. All 11 S&P Sectors were in the green with XLY up .97%.
    The session, however, has been marked by seasonally light volume which can make benchmarks prone to volatile intraday moves, market participants said.
    Regards,
    Ted
    Bloomberg:
    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-13/asian-stocks-set-for-mixed-open-dollar-holds-gain-markets-wrap
    Reuters:
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-stocks/wall-st-gains-on-earnings-recovery-in-bank-stocks-idUSKBN1KZ19R
    IBD:
    https://www.investors.com/market-trend/stock-market-today/stocks-today-walgreens-mcdonalds-lead-dow-jones/
    MarketWatch:
    https://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-stocks-look-set-to-pop-higher-as-global-markets-try-to-shake-off-turkish-tantrum-2018-08-14/print
    CNBC:
    https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/14/us-markets-investors-shake-off-turkeys-economic-crisis.html
    Bonds:
    https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/14/us-bonds-and-fixed-income-auction-data-and-turkey-crisis-in-focus.html
    Currencies:
    https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/14/forex-euro-in-focus-as-lira-emerging-market-currencies-seen-vulnerab.html
    Oil:
    https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/14/oil-markets-saudi-cuts-output-but-looming-demand-slowdown-drags.html
    Gold:
    https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/14/gold-markets-focus-on-dollar-after-currency-touches-13-month-high.html
    WSJ: Markets At A Glance:
    http://markets.wsj.com/us
    SPDR's Sector Tracker:
    http://www.sectorspdr.com/sectorspdr/tools/sector-tracker
    SPDR's Bloomberg Sector Performance Pie Chart:
    https://www.bloomberg.com/markets/sectors
    Current Futures: Positive
    https://finviz.com/futures.ashx
    Quote
  • International Funds
    PRIDX is a TRPrice SC International
    FMIJX is a risk averse LC International
    If you have a long term horizon EM funds like PRMSX or the index VWO
    Also many Blue Chip US companies do business Internationally / Globally so you may actually be more "globally" positioned than 5% ... maybe TRBCX
    OGIYX - global opportunities in SC space
  • International Funds
    Performed X-Ray on portfolio and I’m only showing 5% invested overseas. I tend to let money run in investments such as PRMTX, which when I started in 2002 was 25, now 106 per share. I probably need to diversify a bit more away from large cap which is roughly 45% of portfolio.
    Where are some international areas to invest in. Thanks
  • Questions to ask a financial planner
    Yes, and increasingly higher, for God knows what justification --- the base charged fees have gone to 1.1%, 1.25%, and more.
    They reduce w/ higher assets; if you turn over millions, they go under 1%, and increasingly well under (marginal).
    There are institutional advisers (yours is one, maybe, being w/ ML?), whom one is always advised to stay away from by indies even though many do very good work, whose fees are lower sometimes, or were back in the day, because they were getting spiffed from placing you in the institution's funds and paying said brokerage small fees for stock transactions. The pricing revolution of the last decade has reduced much of that, I hear.
  • Case for staying invested in bonds
    I've become rather disenchanted with bonds and consequently find the paper's arguments less than persuasive. In part because I question why, at least for long term investors, volatility should even matter. Long term a pure stock portfolio wins out; even over "just" a decade, stocks win out around 80% of the time.
    In part, because bonds have done worse than the graphic suggests. A common complaint with the US aggregate bond index is that it is heavily weighted toward federal bonds. They have significantly less risk. In 2008 "Lower-risk Treasury-backed debt whipped most fixed-income categories, while company-issued bonds and more daring overseas debt suffered a similarly grim fate as stocks."
    This is not to suggest that bonds have near the risk of stocks, simply that the numbers don't tell the full story.
    If you're investing for income, then you're investing behind the "efficient frontier", which is okay. But I'm more interested in total earnings, whether that comes from coupons or dividends or capital gains.
    I do agree that bonds can serve a very useful role if you "must meet an expense at a particular time in the future. " For that, see bond immunization. The simplest form of immunization is just buying a zero bond that matures when you need the money. No reinvestment risk, and bond (as opposed to cash) rate of return.
    In one sense, absence of reinvestment risk makes zeros less risky than coupon bonds. Sure there's the risk that rates will rise and you'll be stuck with your low YTM zero. However, coupon bonds have a similar risk - you're still stuck with the bond paying low coupons. That is somewhat mitigated by the fact that you are getting cash out (interest payments) that you can reinvest at a higher rate, if rates rise. But if rates fall instead of rise, you lose because you reinvest those interest payments at lower rates. That's the reinvestment risk.
    Regarding not knowing markup: at least for munis, there's EMMA. Enter a CUSIP in the search box here, and you get not only real time trades, but information about the type of trade (inter-dealer, customer buy, customer sell), that let's you estimate markups in real time as well. Different markups by different dealers.
  • Questions to ask a financial planner
    MikeW,
    Will you be able to keep the Thrift Savings Plan?
    Often, at retirement, these plans can no longer be contributed to and may also have to be transferred out of the Thrift Savings Plan. This was the case for a relative who work for a government employer (military) who recently retired a few months ago.
    I'm not that familiar with TSP (all I know is what I read in the papers). Still, the situation you're describing sounds unusual.
    TSP holds itself out as " similar to a 401(k) plan in the private sector." In the private sector, by law you must be allowed to keep your money in your 401(k) so long as you have at least $5K there.
    Many plans allow you to keep your money even if you have a lesser amount. With TSP, "If your vested account balance is $200 or more, you can leave your entire account with the TSP until the account withdrawal deadline." The deadline it's talking about is just the usual rule that RMDs begin the later of age 70.5 or separation from service.
    https://www.tsp.gov/PlanParticipation/LoansAndWithdrawals/withdrawals/index.html
    It's pretty obvious that someone who is not working for an employer cannot make payroll contributions to that employer's sponsored plan (TSP, 401(k), 403(b), etc.) But TSP seems very flexible in the types of other post-retirement contributions it allows.
    It accepts rollovers from IRAs and transfers from retirement plans at other employers. "Not only can you leave your money with the TSP, you can simplify your financial life by moving money from plans into your TSP account." However, it doesn't look like it can accommodate Roth money, as it limits IRA rollovers to traditional IRAs.
    https://www.tsp.gov/PlanParticipation/EligibilityAndContributions/RolloversTransfers/index.html
  • Sector Performance Breakdown Since The 1/26 Peak: Utilities + 4.99%
    Tough holdings for me since 1/26/2018:
    SFGIX (actively managed) & VWO (EMM Index)- Both down almost 15 % in steady decline. Active management doesn't seem to be offering much downside protection:
    image
  • Sector Performance Breakdown Since The 1/26 Peak: Utilities + 4.99%
    FSUTX has done very well compared to the Utility Index:
    image
    FSRPX has buck the trend of (87% Consumer Cyclical & 10% Consumer Defensive) as a result of their choices / weighting in this sector.
    image