Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

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.
  • Bruce Berkowitz’ Bets Big On Sears, Fannie Mae, And Freddie Mac
    Just think about this: When this fund hit $10 billion in assets, it was taking in upwards of $100 million in fees a year. I don't think it ever had a tremendous analyst staff or back office or that many employees overall at like say Fidelity. That means a significant portion of that $100 million was going to Berkowitz directly. What does that do to someone's mind to make that much money in a single year? How does it affect your ego and your motivation to work hard to continue to produce excess returns?
  • Bruce Berkowitz’ Bets Big On Sears, Fannie Mae, And Freddie Mac
    @Shostakovich,
    Actually when I look at the old portfolios and annual reports I see the fund was then a truly all-cap fund with a few large companies like--Berkshire Hathaway--to some tiny companies like Gladstone Capital and Wlitel Communications and a number of mid-sized ones too. Here's an excerpt from the 2003 semi-annual report:
    We continue to act with the knowledge that the golden rule of investing is: Don't Lose. And the best way we know to follow that rule is to buy parts of good businesses run by exceptional people at the right price. We are continually on the search to find the next Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, Joe Steinberg and Ian Cumming, Jack Byrne - the next business thoroughbreds. While our search goes on, we will continue to buy more of what we know and understand best, subject only to paying the right price and the position limits imposed on the Fund by law.
    https://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096344/000109380103000886/ncsr-703.txt
    Even in the case of large companies it did own back then, I don't know how you go from buying a company like Berkshire Hathaway, which has long had a balance sheet like Fort Knox, to AIG and Fannie Mae.
  • Grand Prix Investors Fund to liquidate
    Hi, Ted.
    I had the same first reaction as you but, as it turns out, these are two separate funds. The current fund launched in 2010 with the mission of investing in Formula 1 companies, which includes folks who sponsor racing teams or are otherwise tied to them. The other Grand Prix GPFFX (and its sibling Grand Prix Midcap) liquidated in 2009, so far as I can tell. I'm hedging on that statement just because the SEC database is bereft for references to it.
    David
  • A 60-40 Portfolio Could Return Less Than A Savings Account
    So, the author; in view of his scenario of future investment growth going into the toilet, would still expect these online "returns" will be in place???
    Quote: "By comparison, annual percentage yields of 1 percent or more are available in online savings accounts from Ally and Synchrony, and online checking accounts from Aspiration."
    The banks and related all have "their" spreads of profit, yes? How would they be able to continue to pay these rates when we enter "deflation"???
    Anyone able to find performance data from this organization?
    Seems to be hidden away unless one provides a life history or opens an account.
    Marketing is what I see from the article.
    More coffee? Yes, I do believe I need another cup.
    If you are able to sort out any of the authors jibber-jabber, please let us know.
    Regards,
    Catch
  • Grand Prix Investors Fund to liquidate
    @MFO Members: For a couple of years, 1998-1999, Grand Prix Mutual Fund was the hottest thing since sliced bread, and investors were willing to pay a front-load of 5.5% and an expense ratio of 2.5%. Bob Zuccaro's fund returned 111.8% in 1998, followed up with a 147.8% return in 1999. The fund was up 70% until March of 2000 when the Nasdaq crashed and died
    Regards,
    Ted
    Grand Prix's Big Mo:
    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2000-05-28/grand-prixs-big-mo
    Bob Wins The Bobby Prize:
    https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/0920/246.html:
    NY Times Article: (Roy Weitz, FundAlarm Founder, comments.)
    http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/09/business/mutfund/for-a-few-tech-stars-time-for-a-second-act.html
  • Fidelity now offers T Rowe NTF?
    Funds often have multiple share classes designed with additional fees to be sold NTF.
    T. Rowe Price has "advisor class" shares, e.g. PAVLX (the 12b-1 version of TRVLX). Years ago I purchased $5K of an advisor class fund (costing me an extra $12.50/year, pre-tax) from a bank's brokerage in order to qualify for some service I wanted. I figured $9 bucks/year wouldn't break me. It still sells this share class.
    This time, TRP is offering its "normal" retail shares NTF. ISTM that TRP might choose to absorb the platform costs because: (a) it may give them more AUM (could still be profitable, though less so than selling directly), (b) larger fund companies cut special deals with brokerages to reduce platform fees, and (c) there is some small cost savings for TRP by servicing a single omnibus account from each brokerage as opposed to servicing all the underlying accounts separately.
    If you haven't seen Fidelity charge more than Schwab for the same fund, you haven't looked at N&B funds. Fidelity offers N&B "trust" shares NTF. These shares have an extra 10 basis point 12b-1 fee (and may add extra expenses on top of that), vs. the investor shares you'd buy directly from N&B or from Schwab NTF. For example, NBSSX is NTF at Schwab. If you want to avoid a transaction fee, at Fidelity you'll have to buy NBFCX; NBSSX carries a transaction fee.
  • Part Trois, Not many friends today anywhere in investment land, eh?
    JUNE 29
    No, not an everything list and the same list from the 27th of June.
    Gonna need some Preparation H if this continues.
    Hey, ask someone you know who has the inside track; as to where the money is flowing.
    Thank you.
    chg | %
    ITOT -0.82%
    FREL -1.18%
    HEDJ -2.38%
    FHLC -0.91%
    LQD -0.31%
    IEF -0.37%
    EDV -1.07%
    HYG -0.25%

  • Fidelity now offers T Rowe NTF?
    Just checked my TDA account. I moved PRHSX from TRP to TDA in 2012, so it seems they are offered since 2012.
    Very luck y with this fund. Bought a small amount ($2k) in 2011. Sold $3k since then and still hold 1.2k. Insignificant part of the over portfolio, but happy to see such a return.
  • Grand Prix Investors Fund to liquidate
    Wow, that fund still exists! I'm having flashbacks to the roaring 1990s.
  • Grand Prix Investors Fund to liquidate
    https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1496315/000116204417000567/grandprixfundsupplement.htm
    497 1 grandprixfundsupplement.htm
    GRAND PRIX INVESTORS TRUST
    (the “Trust”)
    566 West Lancaster Blvd., Suite #1
    Lancaster, CA 93534
    GRAND PRIX INVESTORS FUND
    Supplement dated June 29, 2017 to the Grand Prix Investors Fund’s Prospectus, Summary Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, each dated December 1, 2017
    ______________________________________________________________________
    The Board of Trustees of Grand Prix Investors Trust (the “Trust”) has determined that it is in the best interests of the Grand Prix Investors Fund (the “Fund”) and its shareholders to close the Fund effective July 28, 2017 (“Liquidation Date”).
    Effective immediately, the Grand Prix Investors Fund will not accept any new investments, and will no longer pursue its stated investment objective. The Grand Prix Investors Fund will begin liquidating its portfolio and will invest in cash equivalents until all shares have been redeemed. Any capital gains will be distributed as soon as practicable to shareholders and reinvested in additional shares, unless you have previously requested payment in cash. Shares of the Fund are otherwise not available for purchase.
    Accordingly, the prospectus has been amended:
    References to Grand Prix Investors Fund. All references to the Fund in the Trust’s Registration Statement are deleted effective as of June 29, 2017.
    Suspension of Sales. Effective immediately, the Fund will no longer accept orders to buy shares of the Fund from any new investors or existing shareholders.
    Prior to July 28, 2017, you may redeem your investment in the Fund, including reinvested distributions, in accordance with the “How to Redeem Shares” section in the Prospectus. Unless your investment in the Fund is through a tax-deferred retirement account, a redemption is subject to tax on any taxable gains. Please refer to the “Tax Status, Dividends and Distributions” section in the Prospectus for general information. You may wish to consult your tax advisor about your particular situation.
    ANY SHAREHOLDERS WHO HAVE NOT EXCHANGED OR REDEEMED THEIR SHARES OF THE GRAND PRIX INVESTORS FUND PRIOR TO JULY 28, 2017 WILL HAVE THEIR SHARES AUTOMATICALLY REDEEMED AS OF THAT DATE, AND PROCEEDS WILL BE SENT TO THE ADDRESS OF RECORD. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your financial advisor or the Fund at 1‐800‐453-6556.
    IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RETIREMENT PLAN INVESTORS
    If you are a retirement plan investor, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the consequences of a redemption of Fund shares. If you receive a distribution from an Individual Retirement Account or a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA, you must roll the proceeds into another Individual Retirement Account within sixty (60) days of the date of the distribution in order to avoid having to include the distribution in your taxable income for the year. If you receive a distribution from a 403(b)(7) Custodian Account (Tax-Sheltered account) or a Keogh Account, you must roll the distribution into a similar type of retirement plan within sixty (60) days in order to avoid disqualification of your plan and the severe tax consequences that it can bring. If you are the trustee of a Qualified Retirement Plan, you may reinvest the money in any way permitted by the plan and trust agreement.
    You should read this Supplement in conjunction with the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information dated December 1, 2016, which provides information that you should know about the Grand Prix Investors Fund, and should be retained for future reference. These documents are available upon request and without charge by calling the Fund at 1‐ 800‐453-6556.
    ______________________________________________________________________
    PLEASE RETAIN THIS SUPPLEMENT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
    #
  • Bruce Berkowitz’ Bets Big On Sears, Fannie Mae, And Freddie Mac
    FYI: Investors have pulled more than $16 billion from the Fairholme Fund in the past six years, but that isn't stopping the fund manager from making concentrated bets on extreme value plays.
    Regards,
    Ted
    http://www.barrons.com/articles/bruce-berkowitz-bets-big-on-sears-fannie-mae-and-freddie-mac-1498764299
    M* Snapshot FAIRX:
    http://www.morningstar.com/funds/xnas/fairx/quote.html
    Lipper Snapshot FAIRX:
    http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/fund/fairx
    FAIRX Is Ranked #196 In The (LCV) fund Category By U.S. News & World Report:
    http://money.usnews.com/funds/mutual-funds/large-value/fairholme-fund/fairx
  • Fidelity now offers T Rowe NTF?
    401k/403b accounts likely have other available allowances included.
    When attempting a test "buy" via a Fido IRA, the select function box doesn't display any choices; which would normally be buy, sell, trade, etc.
    This page link still indicates "closed to new investors".
    https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mutual-funds/summary/77954M105?type=sq-NavBar
  • Fidelity now offers T Rowe NTF?
    I wonder if it will be reciprocal with my TRP 401k able to purchase Fidelity funds.
  • Fidelity now offers T Rowe NTF?
    Mind you, I have a brokeragelink account attached to my 401k/403b at Fidelity, but TRP funds are now NTF! I paid two TFs to purchase PRWCX (largest holding in that account, and one purchase was in the last few months). I hope it's not a glitch, and for everyone, I hope it's ALL Fidelity accounts! Didn't find this posted here or on M* yet. Pretty cool....
  • Economists Forecasts Tend To Be To Optimismic
    Hi Guys,
    Indeed, the data demonstrate that economists are an optimistic band. The chart not only illustrates that optimism, but also shows that they are very asymmetric in their forecasts. Over the many forecasts provided in the chart, the economists never projected a meaningful downturn. From their view, the economy is forever expanding. I wish it were so!
    The article does not identify what is included in their 10 year projection. That would be a useful input.
    Best Wishes
  • U.S. Housing Stocks May Rally As Millennials Age:
    FYI: Stocks of large U.S. home builders and building materials companies are poised to rise as millennials age and need housing, according to Bill Smead, the chief executive of Smead Capital Management.
    Regards,
    Ted
    http://www.reuters.com/article/us-smeadcapital-housing-idUSKBN19J2JX?il=0
    M* Snapshot SMVLX:
    http://www.morningstar.com/funds/XNAS/SMVLX/quote.html
    Lipper Snapshot SMVLX:
    http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/fund/smvlx
    SMVLX Is Unranked In The (LCB) Fund Catrgory By U.S. Nesws & World Report:
    http://money.usnews.com/funds/mutual-funds/large-blend/smead-value-fund/smvlx
  • Economists Forecasts Tend To Be To Optimismic
    FYI: The Fed’s Survey of Professional Forecasters for 2017 Q2 shows that 10-year rates are expected to rise to 2.9% over the coming 12 months. The problem is that Wall Street economists have been consistently too optimistic for the past 15 years, see chart below. To correct for the excessive optimism among forecasters, one can subtract the average forecast error, i.e. the average mistake made for the past 15 years by the forecasting community, which is 0.6%-points. Doing that gives a 12-month forecast for 10-year rates of 2.3%.
    Regards,
    Ted
    http://ritholtz.com/2017/06/excess-optimism/
  • HBLAX at Fido
    @Maurice,
    Wow. Go to Fidelity.com. You do not have to log in. Type hblax in the top search field, the only search field on the page.
    That takes you to
    https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mutual-funds/summary/416648244
    The first thing you see is the name of the fund.
    Then, right underneath the fund name is the key sentence in question --- load-waived.
    With a circle i next to it, to call your attention that this is important information about the fund.
    Click the link, you'll see.
    It has a load, but before you see that, you see that the load is waived at Fidelity.
  • HBLAX at Fido
    Hi @Maurice,
    This is a good 1st page to visit when viewing funds, etf's and what ever other ticker you choose to enter at the top right in the "search". The search box is pretty much available at all Fido pages and one doesn't need to be signed in to use many of the functions. You will see under the ticker symbol (top left) the "info" note about the load waive. The 5.5% load is still shown in the listing info. You may also click onto "composition" or the other tabs for other info.
    https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mutual-funds/summary/416648244?type=o-NavBar