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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.
  • Vanguard Whistleblower Could Get Billions In Tax Dodge Complaint
    FYI: (This is a follow-up article)
    If you are among the 20 million Americans saving for retirement through Vanguard, you may be in for an expensive shock. The nation’s largest mutual fund company is under fire for not taking more of your money. That sounds ridiculous, but based on arcane provisions of the endlessly complex U.S. tax code, the Pennsylvania-based company may soon be forced to pay a staggering amount of back taxes because of the famously low fees it charges to manage your nest egg
    Regards,
    Ted
    http://www.newsweek.com/vanguard-whistleblower-tax-dodge-complaint-400901
  • MLP post
    @Junkster Agree. Corporate junk is actually in a lot more distress than I think many (most?) people believe. Specifically,
    http://wolfstreet.com/2015/12/02/distress-in-corporate-debt-spikes-to-september-2009-level/
    Just look at the distress ratios for some of the sectors that haven't been mentioned yet in the news. Not insignificant, and they're growing. So much of it is unsecured, or subordinated; in the event of a default, investors will get very little in recovery.
  • Art Cashin: "Draghi Facing A Revolt"
    Kenny Polcari...
    Now to be fair - in my view - Draghi did not fail at all…….and in time it will be seen as a cautious and prudent move
    Let’s be clear - Draghi did 3 things….He cut the penalty rates to -0.3% on bank reserves (expected), he extended the QE program out until March of 2017 (expected) and he broadened the pool of eligible bonds (expected) - all events that are sure to balloon the ECB balance sheet for longer than previously expected….so what else do these pigs want?
    Well, they WANTED him to increase the monthly rate of purchases - (currently 60 bil Euros/month) to something north of 70 bil Euros/month and they wanted him to cut the penalty rate on reserves to -0.4% vs. the -0.3%…. in fact what THEY want is for the ECB to support their RISK - something that every central bank around the world has been doing for more than 7 yrs now - so on the one hand you can’t really blame them because they have been conditioned to get what they want - until they don’t………..and because they did not get what THEY wanted - they decided to stamp their feet and create chaos……
    Now to be fair - in my view - Draghi did not fail at all…….and in time it will be seen as a cautious and prudent move. We are in unchartered territory my friends and so the fact is that no one really knows what the right thing to do is (and that is not any clearer than here in the US..) We are flying by the seat of our pants and in the end - the mkts will price in the risk and find equilibrium - it may not be pretty getting there, but it will get there. Look - just like the FED - He faces a split among his members…..with some of them clearly voicing concern that the ECB has already done way to much - while others suggest that they can do more……in the end - what we have learned is that monetary policy alone can’t fix the problem…..and until elected officials fix fiscal policy - we may be in this purgatory for yrs more…..
    http://kennypolcari.tumblr.com/post/134523722625/interpretation-is-in-the-ear-of-the-beholder
  • MLP post
    @Junkster Missed your earlier M L P post ????
    Anyways, You might be getting some M L P,s or their debt in some of your Junk Fund portfolios !
    Kinder Morgan's attempt to reassure instead stirs up more questions
    Dec 4 2015, 18:55 ET Seeking Alpha
    Kinder Morgan (NYSE:KMI) rolled over late in today's trade to close -12.7%, not far off an all-time low $16.56 reached earlier in the session, as its midday attempt to reassure investors about its dividend and cash flow did little to ease concerns.
    Analysts increasingly expect a dividend cut, given that KMI said it will not issue more equity and plans to retain its investment grade rating, which means it also cannot issue more debt; KMI could sell assets but only at bargain basement prices, or find additional alternative financing, but it already issued a big chunk of convertible preferred shares this year.
    "Dividend growth is unrealistic,” says Jefferies' Vivek Pal, calculating that the company needs a 50% dividend cut to avoid being downgraded to junk.
    TheStreet.com's Dan Dicker, still a KMI bull, believes Rich Kinder will not force a full-scale capitulation of its shareholders by slashing the dividend.
    Citi analyst Faisel Khan keeps his rating at Neutral with a reduced $22 price target, incorporating a 40% dividend cut.
    KMI is now the weakest pipeline operator in the S&P 500 this year, -60% YTD.
    http://seekingalpha.com/news/2967346-kinder-morgans-attempt-to-reassure-instead-stirs-up-more-questions
  • Janus' Other Bond Bigwig Is Leaving
    I have to admit I am surprised by this development. Only 12 months since Gross came aboard? I thought it would take at least 18. :)
  • M*: CEF Upcoming Distributions
    I don't understand the column headings of this tabulation:
    1. Amount, Change$, Change%
    what is "Change$" , why is that different than the amount of distribution?
    2. Some of the Change% figures are quite bizarre
    e.g. Avenue Income Credit Strategy (ACP) = -88.6792% ?
    e.g. Western Asset Emerging Mkts Debt (ESD) = -79.5095% ?
    e.g. Western Asset Managed High Income (MHY) = -95.8841% ?
    Are these funds being liquidated, or what?
  • Debunking 4 Common Myths Advisers Have About Mutual Funds
    image
    Source: Morningstar data as of 9/30/15; calculations by Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
    "For each month, beginning in February 2003, we tracked the funds that received each of the five possible star ratings and then compared the performance of those funds to the median fund in the corresponding Morningstar category over the next three years. The chart shows you the percentage of funds of each rating that did better than that median category peer over the next three years."
    Ha--- love it!! :)
  • Grandeur Peak reduces expenses on two funds
    http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/915802/000091580215000101/grandeurpeakfeecapfootnoteup.htm
    h497 1 grandeurpeakfeecapfootnoteup.htm
    FINANCIAL INVESTORS TRUST
    Grandeur Peak Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
    Grandeur Peak Global Reach Fund
    SUPPLEMENT DATED DECEMBER 4, 2015 TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED AUGUST 31, 2015
    Grandeur Peak Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
    The footnote under the Table titled “FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND” on page 2 of the Prospectus is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
    ** Grandeur Peak Global Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), has agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage expenses, interest expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) to 1.95% and 1.70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Fund’s Investor Class Shares and Institutional Class Shares, respectively. This agreement (the “Expense Agreement”) is in effect through August 31, 2016. The Adviser will be permitted to recover, on a class- by-class basis, expenses it has borne through the Expense Agreement to the extent that a Fund’s expenses in later periods fall below the expense cap in effect at the time of waiver or reimbursement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund will not be obligated to pay any such deferred fees and expenses more than three years after the end of the fiscal year in which the fee and expenses was deferred. The Expense Agreement may not be terminated or modified prior to August 31, 2016 except with the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
    Grandeur Peak Global Reach Fund
    The second footnote under the Table titled “FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND” on page 10 of the Prospectus is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
    ** Grandeur Peak Global Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), has agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage expenses, interest expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) to 1.60% and 1.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Fund’s Investor Class Shares and Institutional Class Shares, respectively. This agreement (the “Expense Agreement”) is in effect through August 31, 2016. The Adviser will be permitted to recover, on a class- by-class basis, expenses it has borne through the Expense Agreement to the extent that a Fund’s expenses in later periods fall below the expense cap in effect at the time of waiver or reimbursement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund will not be obligated to pay any such deferred fees and expenses more than three years after the end of the fiscal year in which the fee and expenses was deferred. The Expense Agreement may not be terminated or modified prior to August 31, 2016 except with the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
    * * *
    Please retain this supplement for future reference.
    ttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/915802/000091580215000101/grandeurpeakfeecapfootnoteup.htm
  • Debunking 4 Common Myths Advisers Have About Mutual Funds
    FYI: With rising ETF popularity, some have written off mutual funds, but advisers need to understand the nuances.
    Regards,
    Ted
    http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20151204/BLOG09/151209957?template=printart
  • Equinox funds and EQCHX in particular
    Bitzer, imho, the best shot at figuring out why an MF fund loses or gains a ton on a given day/week is to look at the last portfolio data disclosure and see if the long and short exposures explain it. But of course the disclosures are infrequent and sometimes really sketchy, depending on the outfit, so good luck with that.
    I came to the conclusion after a couple of tries at MF investing in Q4 2014/H1 2015 that they're just not worth it for the "alt" use I had in mind - mainly an investment less correlated with equity that at least partially sidesteps FI duration and credit risk. There were just too many days when equity and MF losses coincided, including some (apparently like yesterday?) when the MF losses were way worse than equities ...
    Fwiw, back when I was giving MFs a trial run, one of the biggest drivers of their gains and losses was currency exposure.
  • Equinox funds and EQCHX in particular
    Since this tread seems to reference managed futures in general, I hope the following question won't be off topic: I own three managed futures funds as part of my group of non-traditional diversifiers. Yesterday, the best performer was down 3 1/2%.
    I have a general understanding of how managed futures funds operate, but was surprised, yesterday, to see such large one-day losses across the board. Can anyone offer an explanation for this? Thanks!
  • the roller coaster continues...MCXAX/MCXIX
    This fund is insane- tvix, 3x etns. Then again, there's 600% turnover, so I really don't know what's in it now. I'm all for a profile of this beast for next month's issue.
    The profile will have to be updated every 10 minutes ;)
  • Is that my head on the platter? Pretty sucky today.....
    As of market close (12/03/2015) Old_Skeet is down according to M* portfolio manager by about 1.5%. In comparison, the Lipper Balanced Index is about even for the year. I have a good number of funds in the Growth & Income and Growth Areas of my portfolio that are generating positive returns; but, overall they can not offset the others that are down. However, my broker generated monthly statements indicate I have positive returns thus far this year due to special investment positions (spiffs) that I have utilized from time-to-time. With this, my trading activity has put me net positive through November.
    With a current high P/E Ratio (23.1 TTM) on stocks (S&P 500 Index) along with as reported earnings in decline, a strong dollar and expectations of a FOMC rate increase I'm thinking it is going to be a bad year for my portfolio. I could reduce my portfolio's equity allocation downward another 10% and still be within my equity allocation range of 40% to 60% equity; however, that would put me extremely overweight cash as I am already above my cash allocation range now of 10% to 20% along with being light fixed income (currently at 20%) with an allocation range of 20% to 40%. In addition, other assets as defined in Xray remain at 5%.
    So, it is what it is. Some years you make good money, some years you do not. In addition, M* portfolio manager indicates that my portfolio's mutual fund holdings combined and on average are currently off their 52 week highs by about 8.5% as I write. With this, I've got some funds that have been extremely poor performers, thus far over the past 52 week peroid, with the worst performers being my emerging market and global infrastructure funds. I am glad I sold my gold and commodity funds, a while back, as they would also have been detractors.
    In addition, @Old_Joe, I am thinking that @Junkster will make money this year along with @Ted. Then there is @bee that is an active investor ... she may as well. I am sure there are also a few others ... so, let's not leave out @Scott.
    And, so it goes ...
  • Is that my head on the platter? Pretty sucky today.....
    I'm going to Vegas early January, so my objective is to make up my losses during the trip. We all need objectives.
    It's not been a pleasant year overall, but yin and yang are at work....some plusses offsetting the laggards somewhat. Down overall though...smells like 2011, except that my dividend stocks were the lifesavers unlike this year.
    press
  • Fortunatus Protactical New Opportunity Fund to be liquidated
    http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1552947/000158064215005557/fortunatus497s2.htm
    497 1 fortunatus497s2.htm 497
    FORTUNATUS PROTACTICAL NEW OPPORTUNITY FUND
    Class A FPOAX
    Class C FPOCX
    Class I FPOIX
    A Series of Two Roads Shared Trust
    Supplement dated December 3, 2015
    to the Prospectus dated November 24, 2014, as supplemented.
    __________________________________________
    The Board of Trustees of Two Roads Shared Trust (the “Trust”) has concluded that it is in the best interests of the Fortunatus Protactical New Opportunity Fund (the “Fund”) and its shareholders that the Fund cease operations. The Board has determined to close the Fund and redeem all outstanding shares no later than the close of business on December 31, 2015.
    Effective immediately, the Fund will not accept any new investments. The Fund will begin liquidating its portfolio and will invest in cash or cash equivalents (such as money market funds) until all shares have been redeemed. The Fund will no longer pursue its stated investment objective once it begins liquidating its portfolio. 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.
    Prior to December 31, 2015, you may redeem your shares, including reinvested distributions, in accordance with the “How to Redeem Shares” section of the Fund’s Prospectus. Unless your investment in the Fund is through a tax-deferred retirement account, a redemption is subject to tax on any taxable gains. No redemption fees will be assessed on redemptions of Fund shares made after the date of this notice. 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 REDEEMED THEIR SHARES OF THE FUND PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31, 2015 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 DIRECTLY OR THE FUND AT 1-844-798-3646.
    ________________________
    This Supplement and the existing Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) each dated November 24, 2014, provide relevant information for all shareholders and should be retained for future reference. The Prospectus and the SAI have been filed with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission, are incorporated by reference, and can be obtained without charge by calling 1-844-798-3646.
  • Telcom Fund and the Internet of Things
    image
    Typical antenna array of low-level cell-site
    These antennas are driven by low power transmitters typically located in a small shed-enclosure near the antenna pole- note the black cables leading from the antenna array. Sometimes these antenna sites accommodate equipment from competing carriers. Installations such as this are typically interconnected to the internet or a central communication facility by either microwave radio or fiber cable.
    image
    An alternative inconspicuous antenna of a very low-level cell-site (from scott's Crown Castle links, above)
    Antennas such as this are driven by very low power transmitters: note the small enclosure located on the light pole. This installation is interconnected to the internet or a central communication facility by fiber cable.
  • Ping Scott: GASFX?
    "Substantially all of our frac sand production is sold to leading investment grade-rated pressure pumping service providers under long-term, take-or-pay contracts that require our customers to pay a specified price for a specified volume of frac sand each month." Doesn't matter, stock has literally gone from $70 in the Summer of 2014 to $7 and just dropped the distribution.
    Can someone fill in the blank(s) for me. Was this due to stock over pricing or customers in bankruptcy?