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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.
  • Fractional Shares
    Yogi's description seems reasonable in light of Schwab's restrictions: only S&P 500 stocks (no ETFs) and market orders only (limit orders are harder to track). Further, fractional share orders are treated as ...
    market “not held” orders, and will be executed at market. A “not held order” means that you grant Schwab time and price discretion to transact your order(s) on a best-efforts basis. There may be a delay between the time when your order(s) are executed and when they appear in your account. You will not be permitted to enter limit or other conditional orders for Stock Slices purchases.
    https://www.schwab.com/public/file/P-12533231
    FWIW,
    The broker uses personal judgment on the best price and time to enter or exit a trade. Nonetheless, a not-held order holds the broker harmless, and they will not be responsible for any monetary losses that the investor suffers in the process. Usually, not-held orders are common with international stocks. The opposite of not-held orders is held order, which requires immediate execution since the trader is given little discretion in finding the best price.
    https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career-map/sell-side/capital-markets/not-held-order/
    Robinood is likewise explicit in saying that fractional share orders there are on a not held basis. It does not appear to constrain fractional share orders to market orders (i.e. limit orders may be okay).
    Vanguard takes a different approach. The only fractional shares you can buy there are Vanguard ETFs. I infer that Vanguard handles these trades in-house.
  • US stock markets fall again as Trump calls Fed chair ‘a major loser’
    @hank, there was a closed-door meeting between Bessant and investors. He seems to be one who can persuade Trump to de-escalate the China trade war. The dollar went up, so did the stock and bond market.
    https://msn.com/en-us/money/markets/stock-market-rallies-after-treasury-secretary-bessent-tells-a-closed-door-investor-summit-that-the-tariff-standoff-with-china-is-unsustainable/ar-AA1Dpzgk?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=cfb176155df1432582c4107f6aa212c0&ei=18
    Will see what tomorrow brings?
  • US stock markets fall again as Trump calls Fed chair ‘a major loser’
    One wonders how a “major loser” differs from the regular kind? :)
    PBS News Hour interviewed with Ron Insanna this evening after Trump had toned down the criticism of Powell. Insanna credits (without proof) Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary, as having spoken to Trump and convinced him to back down based on reactions in various markets. The International Monetary Fund also issued a forecast for sharply lower global growth today citing Trump’s actions.
    @stillers said, “Futures pop!” - Let us hope. Underweight cash from recent buying. A nice bump would be fine.
  • Bond yields leap connected to sell-off
    AND, for today only (Tuesday, April 22); although you've probably already looked. Some relief today in pricing, with lower yields, as of 6pm, EST.
    ***Trump now states he won't fire Powell, and Mr. Treasury had a private meeting this morning with banker buds. An unofficial related press note indicated that he stated or implied the high tariff thingy could not remain in place between U.S. and China without damage.
    Markets should be happy again on Wednesday.
    --- AGG = +.19% (I-Shares Core bond), a benchmark, (AAA-BBB holdings)
    --- MINT = +.03% (PIMCO Enhanced short maturity, AAA-BBB rated)
    --- SHY = +.04% (UST 1-3 yr bills)
    --- IEF = +.07% (UST 7-10 yr bonds)
    --- TIP = +.37% (UST Tips, 3-10 yrs duration, some 20+ yr duration)
    --- TLT = +.56% (I Shares 20+ Yr UST Bond
    --- BAGIX = +.21% Baird Aggregate Bond Fund (active managed, plain vanilla, high quality bond fund)
    --- LQD = +.25% (I Shares IG, corp. bonds)
    --- HYG = +.39% (I Shares High Yield bonds, proxy ETF)
    U.S. Dollar Index A BIG happy today and right now. Likely more positive overnight and tomorrow. NOTE: for the day about a +1.36%. It appears the site is reset for today.
  • Buy Sell Why: ad infinitum.
    Raised my Fidelity basket holdings from 14 to 15 today. Buys: RIV & PCEF. Sale: BWG.
    Basket contains 11 CEFs, 3 stocks, 1 etf. Smallish amount each, but together 25% of my portfolio.
    Fido’s basket option is neat. But a record-keeping nightmare if you increase or decrease total number of holdings (causing the weight / shares owned of everything to change). Performing their one-touch rebalance or a one-touch “across the basket” buy / sell is super easy - but causes similar pain. Swapping out holdings one at a time however (1 buy / 1 sell) is possible and doesn’t rejigger everything.
  • Buy Sell Why: ad infinitum.
    Received semi-annual interest payment for 5 Year TIPS bond last week.
    Used the proceeds to purchase a few shares of STIP today.
  • Wednesday was no dead cat bounce says…….
    As posted on the BSW thread yesterday, we started our DCA process into one of the the hardest hit sectors, tech, as comments about Powell and FEAR gripped the markets.
    Today, markets are immediately back to the HOPE phase.
    https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/22/bessent-trump-tariffs-china-deescalate.html
    Not sure why HOPE took over today based on that line of Bessent BS, other than the notion that we are haphazardly developing a range with bumpers at the Liberation Day low and Buffoon BLINK Bounce high.
    If history is any lesson, we will make at least one solid run at the re-test of the LD low, and will have a hard time busting above the BBB high, notwithstanding the expected trouble breaking back further above the 50% and 61.8% Fibo retracement levels.
    Expecting the whole process to once again see Golden Crosses to take ~6-9-12 months. We started re-deploying into hard hit Domestic funds yesterday, will be adding a new Foreign fund today, and will finish the DCAing back in of March 31 SELLs proceeds over the next 3-12 months, with specific timeline TBD by the ebbs and flows of the buffoon.
  • Oakmark International Funds
    Again, OAKMX is a 5*, LCV fund that tracks well vs the S&P, beating it by 2% over the past 3 years, by 5+% over 5 years, trailing it by a measly 0.5% over 10 years, and beating it by 2% over its LFE.
    I don't diss funds that do that, especially LCV funds! I more tend to own them.
    EDIT: Corrected based on @Shostavovich post
    No idea what this has to do with their international products
  • Just received this email. Schwab anti-trust settlement
    Like all class action suits the only ones who make money are the lawyers.
    Not to worry. In case you feel that investors should instead be able to file individual claims, your wish has been granted:
    If approved, Settlement Class Members will receive valuable injunctive relief without releasing their individual damage claims,
    https://www.schwabcorrentesettlement.com/faq#faq_5
    See also FAQ #10 (class members are only giving up non-monetary claims.)
    ... So, they're just agreeing to be supervised?????
    Schwab is agreeing to implement an anti-trust compliance program designed by an independent third party. The complaint is that Schwab made more money by merging with Ameritrade (and reducing competition) than it would have otherwise. The injunctive (performance) relief is designed to ensure that Schwab does not continue to take advantage of its customers because of the merger. As to past losses, you're still free to sue for damages.
    https://www.schwabcorrentesettlement.com/faq#faq_9
    Any idea how much the merger cost you since 2020?
  • Just received this email. Schwab anti-trust settlement
    "......Settlement Class Members will not receive a payment...."
    Pfffffft.
    SUMMARY NOTICE OF PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT  
    If you are a person, entity, or corporation who is a current U.S. brokerage customer of Schwab or any of its affiliates, including as a customer who previously held accounts at TD Ameritrade (“Ameritrade”), your rights may be affected by a pending class action settlement.   
    This notice is to alert you to a proposed settlement reached with The Charles Schwab Corporation (“Schwab”) in Jonathan Corrente, et al. v. The Charles Schwab Corporation, No. 4:22-CV-470ALM (E.D. Tex.) and the injunctive relief contemplated in the proposed settlement, specifically, the implementation of an antitrust compliance program.  The settlement with Schwab will resolve the claim against it in this action. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (the “Court”) authorized this notice.  The Court appointed the lawyers listed below to represent the Settlement Class:Yavar BathaeeBATHAEE DUNNE LLP
    445 Park Avenue, 9th FloorNew York, NY 10022
    Tel: (332) 322-8835
    [email protected] M. BurkeBURKE LLP
    402 West Broadway, Suite 1890San Diego, CA 92101
    Tel: (619) [email protected]
    Who Is a Member of the Settlement Class?
    Subject to certain exceptions, the Settlement Class consists of all persons, entities, and corporations who are current U.S. brokerage customers of Schwab or any of its affiliates, including customers who previously held accounts at Ameritrade. 
    “Schwab” or “Defendant” means Defendant The Charles Schwab Corporation. 
    If you are not sure if you are included in the Settlement Class, you can get more information, by visiting www.SchwabCorrenteSettlement.com or by calling toll-free 888-828-5845 (if calling from outside the United States or Canada, call +1-888-828-5845).What Is This Lawsuit About?
    Plaintiffs allege they were injured as a result of the combination of Schwab and TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation, in October 2020.  Specifically, Plaintiffs allege that the merger decreased competition among brokers, resulting in Plaintiffs making less money from their trading activity. Plaintiffs assert a claim under federal antitrust law.What Does the Settlement Provide?
    To settle the claim in this lawsuit, Schwab has agreed to implement an antitrust compliance program to be designed by a third-party Consultant.  This Consultant, to be jointly retained by the Parties, will consist of a team of attorneys from Fried, Frank, Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP, including Bernard A. Nigro, Jr., Aleksandr Livshits, and Nihal Patel.  If the settlement is approved, all Notice Costs, Court-awarded attorney’s fees and litigation expenses, any service awards for the class representatives, and any other expenses approved by the Court will be paid by Schwab.
     Settlement Class Members will not receive a payment.What Are My Rights?
    If you are a Settlement Class Member and do not object, you will release certain legal rights against Defendant and the other released parties, as explained in the Court’s detailed Notice and the Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement, which are available at www.SchwabCorrenteSettlement.com. If you do want to object to the Settlement you must do so by July 29, 2025.  You may object to the Settlement, application for an award of attorney’s fees and litigation expenses, and/or service awards for Plaintiffs.  Information on how to object is contained in the Court’s detailed Notice, which is available at www.SchwabCorrenteSettlement.com.  No Settlement Class Members’ damages claims are released in this resolution.
    When Is the Fairness Hearing?
    The Court will hold a fairness hearing at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Paul Brown United States Courthouse, 101 East Pecan Street, Sherman, Texas 75090, on August 28, 2025 at 9:00 am CST to consider whether to finally approve the Settlement, award any attorney’s fees and litigation expenses, and order any service awards for Plaintiffs.  You or your lawyer may ask to appear and speak at the hearing at your own expense, but you do not have to.
     For more information, call toll-free 888-828-5845 (if calling from outside the United States or Canada, call +1-888-828-5845) or visit www.SchwabCorrenteSettlement.com.  
  • Bond yields leap connected to sell-off
    Here are today's returns for a few other bond funds.
    DODIX -0.64%
    STIP -0.11% (0-5 Year TIPS)
    BBBMX 0.00%
  • Nomura Buys Macquarie's N American & European Businesses
    "Japanese investment bank and brokerage group Nomura said Tuesday it will buy the North American and European public investments business of Australian investment banking company Macquarie (MAM) for $1.8 billion."
    "As a result of the transaction, MAM will be a more focused, leading, global private markets alternatives business serving the fast-growing Institutional, Insurance and Wealth markets, with a scaled full-service asset manager in Australia.....This transaction will allow MAM to build on our leading global position in private markets, and our leading position in Australian public markets, as we focus on providing solutions for our Institutional, Insurance and Wealth clients."
    https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/22/nomura-to-buy-macquarie-us-europe-public-asset-management-business.html
    https://www.macquarie.com/au/en/about/news/2025/macquarie-group-announces-agreement-to-divest-macquarie-asset-managements-public-investments-business-in-north-america-and-europe-and-enter-broader-strategic-relationship-with-nomura.html
    https://www.morningstar.com/asset-management-companies/macquarie-BN000009CG
  • Morons and mutual funds
    Repugnants in Congress = spineless. There should be no need to wait and see IF we get the chance to vote. There are 50,000 things he could be impeached for.
  • Oakmark International Funds
    Again, OAKMX is a 5*, LCV fund that tracks well vs the S&P, beating it by 2% over the past 3 years, by 5+% over 5 years, trailing it by a measly 0.5% over 10 years, and beating it by 2% over its LFE.
    I don't diss funds that do that, especially LCV funds! I more tend to own them.
    EDIT: Corrected based on @Shostavovich post
  • US stock markets fall again as Trump calls Fed chair ‘a major loser’
    Following are excerpts from a current report in The Guardian:
    President amps up attacks against Jerome Powell, pushing him to lower interest rates to offset impact of tariffs
    US stock markets fell again on Monday as Donald Trump continued attacks against the Federal Reserve chair, Jerome Powell, who the US president called “a major loser” for not lowering interest rates. “There can be a slowing of the economy unless Mr. Too Late, a major loser, lowers interest rates, NOW,” Trump wrote on social media.
    In recent days, Trump has amped up attacks against the Fed chair, pushing Powell to lower interest rates to offset the inflationary impacts of the new tariffs. Trump is pressuring the Fed to cut rates, likely to appease the stock market, which plummeted after he announced his newest slate of tariffs. But Wall Street isn’t taking the bait and appears to be reacting in opposition to Trump’s attacks against Powell and the independence of the US central bank.
    The Dow ended the day down 2.5%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell over 2.5% down and the S&P 500 fell 2.4%. Former tech stocks favorites including Tesla and Nvidia lost ground, while the value of the dollar fell to multiyear lows against most major currencies. Stock markets had recovered the losses they endured after Trump rolled out his “liberation day” tariffs proposals, which would have imposed huge levies on all of the US’s trading partners. But almost all the gains made in the stock market following Trump’s announcement of a 90-day pause of his so-called reciprocal tariffs have been erased amid these new jabs against Powell.
    Powell, known to be extremely measured in his public remarks, has in recent weeks spoken out about Trump’s tariffs and warned that they may lead to a “challenging scenario” for the Fed, implying that the Fed has no plans to cut interest rates anytime soon: “Tariffs are highly likely to generate at least a temporary rise in inflation. The inflation effects could also be more persistent,” Powell told reporters on 16 April.
    US inflation peaked at 9% in June 2022 but has slowly come down over the last few years, largely due to the Fed’s careful adjustment of interest rates. The Fed has set its inflation rate target at 2%. Powell often refers to the central bank’s “dual mandate” – to keep inflation in check while maximising employment. Higher interest rates can bring down prices, though it can come at the risk of higher unemployment. Over the last few years, the Fed has been able to bring down inflation while keeping the unemployment rate relatively low, around 4%. Last month, inflation cooled to 2.4%, though the most recent government figures do not account for the Trump tariffs.
    The Fed has long been treated as a nonpartisan, nonpolitical federal agency, though Trump has recently floated the idea of terminating Powell, whose term is up in May 2026. “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” Trump wrote on social media last week.
    Such a move would be unprecedented and would likely put Wall Street into a further tailspin. In an interview with CNBC, Krishna Guha, the vice-chair of Evercore ISI, an equity research firm, said that there would be a “severe reaction” from markets if Trump fires Powell. “I can’t believe that’s what the administration is trying to achieve,” Guha said.
    It’s also unclear whether Trump has the authority to remove Powell from his post. The supreme court is currently hearing a case that could give Trump more power to fire federal officials before their terms are up, though it’s unclear whether that could reach the Fed. Last week, Powell emphasized the importance of the Fed’s independence from political forces: “Our independence is a matter of law,” Powell said. “We serve very long terms, seemingly endless terms, so we’re protected by the law.”
    But that doesn’t mean the Trump administration isn’t trying. On Friday, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told reporters that the administration “will continue to study” if they can legally fire Powell.
    Fed officials meet monthly to discuss potential changes to the interest rate. The next meeting between officials will take place 6 and 7 May.
  • Buy Sell Why: ad infinitum.
    50k CD came due today- redeployed into SUTXX MMKT rather than new CD or Treasury because rates seem to be rising a bit and didn't want to lock up yield until I see where things are going to settle.
  • Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio will undergo a reverse stock split
    https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/874964/000093041325001297/c112534_497.htm
    97 1 c112534_497.htm
    THE LAZARD FUNDS, INC.
    Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio
    Supplement to Current Summary Prospectus and Prospectus
    The Board of Directors of The Lazard Funds, Inc. has approved a reverse share split for all outstanding share classes of Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio (the “Portfolio”). The effect of the reverse share split is to reduce the number of shares outstanding of the Portfolio and increase the Portfolio’s per share net asset value (“NAV”). The amount of each shareholder’s aggregate investment in the Portfolio, however, will remain unchanged as a result of the reverse share split.
    The reverse share split will occur automatically and without any action on the part of shareholders after the close of business on May 16, 2025. The shares of the Portfolio will be offered, sold and redeemed on a split-adjusted basis beginning on the first business day following the split (i.e., May 19, 2025). Shareholders’ next account statement after the reverse share split occurs will reflect the reverse share split.
    Immediately following the reverse share split, each Portfolio shareholder would hold one Portfolio share for every three Portfolio shares held immediately prior to the reverse share split. For example, if you had a $30,000 investment in the Portfolio represented by 6,000 shares with an NAV per share of $5.00 immediately prior to the reverse share split, immediately following the reverse share split you would have a $30,000 investment in the Portfolio represented by 2,000 shares with an NAV per share of $15.00. The 1:3 split ratio will apply equally to all outstanding share classes of the Portfolio.
    The reverse share split will not be a taxable event, nor will it have an impact on the Portfolio’s holdings or performance.
    Dated: April 21, 2025
    Please retain this supplement for future reference.
    SUPP-042125
  • Bond yields leap connected to sell-off
    NO, that must have been someone else in Michigan you heard screaming today !!!
    AND, for today only (Monday, April 21); although you've probably already looked. Pretty NASTY down day in pricing. Only Short duration, MINT; remained unchanged from Friday.
    --- AGG = -.60% (I-Shares Core bond), a benchmark, (AAA-BBB holdings)
    --- MINT = +.00% (PIMCO Enhanced short maturity, AAA-BBB rated)
    --- SHY = -.06% (UST 1-3 yr bills)
    --- IEF = -.54% (UST 7-10 yr bonds)
    --- TIP = -.51% (UST Tips, 3-10 yrs duration, some 20+ yr duration)
    --- TLT = -1.75% (I Shares 20+ Yr UST Bond
    --- BAGIX = -.51% Baird Aggregate Bond Fund (active managed, plain vanilla, high quality bond fund)
    --- LQD = -1.08% (I Shares IG, corp. bonds)
    --- HYG = -.59% (I Shares High Yield bonds, proxy ETF)
    U.S. Dollar Index Hammered again today.