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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.
  • Meta laying off more than 11,000 employees: Read Zuckerberg’s letter announcing the cuts
    Interesting a number of tech companies are laying off workers now. Could be recession harbingers. Also, interesting:
    Shares of Meta were up about 7.7% Wednesday morning.
    Perhaps it's finally time to put to bed the notion that the health of the economy is dependent on the health of the stock market and vice versa. Wall Street often likes layoffs: https://cnbc.com/2022/11/09/meta-to-lay-off-more-than-11000-thousand-employees.html
    Here's a list of other tech companies either freezing hiring or laying people off: https://cnn.com/2022/11/07/investing/premarket-stocks-trading
  • Crypto Crash. 11/8/22
    It is surprising that in this day and age, what happened could happen. Binance and FTX had a spat. CZ/Binance attacked SBF/FTX, threatened to liquidate holdings of FTX token FTT, caused a crisis of confidence in FTX and sort of a run on FTX. Then Binance rescued FTX for a song ($1 + liabilities) with the contingency of due diligence - who knows if that turns out to be a Musk-ian trap to try to wiggle out of the deal later.
    Coinbase/COIN CEO Bryan Armstrong had a long tweet explaining why its operations are different from those of Binance or FTX.
    https://twitter.com/brian_armstrong/status/1590088673726717952
    But then, those who relied on what SBF/FTX and CZ/Binance said just a few days ago got burned.
  • Crypto Crash. 11/8/22
    Hearing SBF lost 90+% of his worth today, that is a difficult day when you are only left with $1 billion.
  • So... Are the past couple of days upward just a head-fake? #2
    Junk bonds: still 13+ percent of my stuff. Better yield than BL offerings, though the share price on FR/BL has held up pretty well.
  • Crypto Crash. 11/8/22
    Crypto Crash, 11/8/22
    BIG news today, 11/8/22 was another crypto crash. The #3 exchange FTX (non-US ops; run by flamboyant SBF) went bust and was acquired for $1 + liabilities (and subject to DD) by its rival #1 Binance (non-US ops; run by cool sharpie CZ). Remember that SBF was the guy running around and rescuing other crypto firms in an earlier crypto crash, and some called him the new generation "Buffett", and now this happens to him. Also, due to stricter crypto regulations (some say, lagging/lacking), these firms had separate US and non-US operations; and this drama relates to their non-US operations.
    #2 Exchange is Coinbase/COIN and it retains a US focus. It wan't involved in the Binance-FTX intrigue but it price was down as well.
    And hey, this is YBB.
    https://i.ibb.co/RH3hmWD/Screenshot-2022-11-08-16-21-29.png
    image
  • So... Are the past couple of days upward just a head-fake? #2
    It has been more than the past couple days. It began on October 13 when the S@P was down 2.3% intraday on the hot CPI report but then closed up 2.6%. The very definition of an out of the ordinary price momentum day. This rally has a different feel as bonds seem to have bottomed (peak in rates) too. It also has a different feel in how it has reacted to all the negative earnings recently from the tech giants. I also find it hard to believe the market won’t bottom until the Fed pivots as that seems to be the consensus view. Universally held by almost everyone.
    A good trader has to play every rally as THE rally even though there has been so many false rallies this year. Much akin to 2008. This may be nothing more than the impressive fake out rally in July/ early August. Regardless we have three major catalysts on the horizon that could answer if this time the bottom is really in. Next week’s Fed meeting/comments, next week’s October employment report, and maybe the real biggie, the election results week after next.
    That out of the ordinary momentum day as well as Dow double bottom on October 13 looking more and more like something more than another bear market rally. Dow up almost 16% in less than a month. Thursday could be pivotal especially if there is a larger than expected decline in inflation. Then there will be talk about a Fed pivot/pause. If it is the opposite and yet another bad inflation report will be interesting how the market reacts to the bad news over the ensuing days. Lately bad news hasn’t been able to bring it down.
    Edit: Can’t say the action in junk bonds has been very encouraging since the 10/13 bottom. Positive yet very muted gains. A bond person would be just as well off in the less volatile floating rate funds. Then again, does it really matter? All the old time traders from days gone by, many frail and feeble now seem to be enjoying camping out in money market funds and earning a six digit income.
  • Steady rising yields in CDs and treasuries
    Rates and the inflation rate probably depend on 1) the unemployment rate ( which probably will not drop as much as expected in a recession, with 3 million long Covid people unable to work), 2) Economic activity if there is a serious more than two quarter recession/depression and 3) Price of Energy and raw materials , artificially inflated by war and politics
    I fear 1) and 3) are really unknowns and could make inflation stay far higher than it otherwise might with weakening economic activity, similar to the late 1970s early 1980s
    There are so many moving parts. Interest payments on federal debt have increased 25% in less than a year. Does the Gov borrow more money just to pay the interest if rates stay high? Cut benefits including SS to the non-college educated ( even if they vote Trump) ?
    What happens when the GOP refuses to increase debt ceiling? Will foreigners stop buying treasuries to fund all this stuff, even if USA is the "cleanest of a lot of dirty shirts" ( if judeged by GDP/debt ratios) ?
    In the past, the world knew we were good for the money, as taxes could ( and can be raised, especially since they "sunset" anyway in what ? 2025). If the tea party/Trumpers are in control will they go along, or will we have the mother of all fights with people like Rick Scott apparently willing to "defund" the entire US Government.
    What would that do to interest rates on Treasuries, regardless of the inflation rate?
    A rational mind would not propose "Sunsetting" the entire US Government or making Medicare and Social security "discretionary".
  • Steady rising yields in CDs and treasuries
    For me, a question that will become very relevant in 2023, is a prediction of where CD rates will settle at. If we do not experience a major, or prolonged recession, I am guessing they will settle somewhat higher, than where they are at the end of 2022--maybe around 5% to 6% for shorter term rates. After that, the question will arise as to the attractiveness of CDs on a longer term investing option, than various categories of bonds and equities. At least for a significant percentage of retired investors, CDs may take away a large amount of money, that use to go into various categories of bond and equities, because CDs were too low to produce meaningul income. When all the dust starts settling, I suspect we will have a much different set of market conditions than what we have had over the last 15 to 20 years, with low to zero interest rates, and tons of government spending. Of course, if we go into a major recession, it seems likely that the government will have to lower interest rates, and it is hard to guess where that might settle.
  • Steady rising yields in CDs and treasuries
    Bassman is suggesting that with bond volatility MOVE high, the short-term MBS tranches (structured securities) are good deals now due to their high spreads (over Treasuries).
    He also likes mREITs, highly leveraged pools of mortgage securities.
    Remember that the bond market anticipates some future Fed moves - may be 3-4 25-bps equivalent hikes. So, the bond market may bottom in 2022/Q4 or 2023/Q1.But this guessing has been terrible so far. Last year, when the Fed started hikes, many thought that all the Fed may do would be 3-4 25-bps equivalent hikes total, but now we are past 15th with at least 4-5 more hikes to come. So, those who have stuck with bond funds, or were early, have had severe and historic bond losses. This will change at some point.
  • Timely Tax Ideas from Barron's This Week
    Thanks for the heads up. Has anyone considered that if you were to sell (TLH) all your losses, when you re-buy you have just lowered your basis and will eventually pay more tax? My idea is that you need to selectively TLH.
    Perhaps an example: I bought at $50, I TLH at $40, I buy (something else with the equivalent worth) for $40. I take the $3k off every year but in trade, when I sell shares to live my basis is $10 less.
    To take it further, I write off $3k/yr for next 3 yrs but then sell at $50, and pay tax on the “gain”.
  • AB All Market Income and AB Tax-Managed All Market Income Portfolios to liquidate
    https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/81443/000091957422006268/d9806843_497.htm
    497 1 d9806843_497.htm
    AB VALUE FUNDS
    -AB All Market Income Portfolio
    THE AB PORTFOLIOS
    -AB Tax-Managed All Market Income Portfolio
    Supplement dated November 4, 2022 to the Summary Prospectuses and Prospectuses (the “Prospectuses”) dated February 28, 2022 for AB All Market Income Portfolio and dated December 1, 2021 for AB Tax-Managed All Market Income Portfolio (the “Portfolios”).
    At a meeting of the Board of Directors of AB Cap Fund, Inc. and The AB Portfolios held on November 1-3, 2022, the Board approved the liquidation and termination of the AB All Market Income Portfolio and AB Tax-Managed All Market Income Portfolio, respectively. Effective as of November 3, 2022, the Portfolios have suspended sales of their shares to investors who purchase shares directly from the Portfolios pending the completion of the liquidations and the payment of one or more liquidating distributions to each Portfolio’s shareholders. In the case of sales to certain retirement plans and sales made through retail omnibus platforms, however, the Portfolios will continue to offer their shares. The Portfolios expect to make their liquidating distributions on or shortly after February 3, 2023.
    In connection with the liquidation, the imposition of front-end sales charges and distribution and/or service (Rule 12b-1) fees for the Portfolios has been suspended, effective as of November 3, 2022. In addition, contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSCs”) upon redemption of a Portfolio’s shares will be waived. This CDSC waiver will also apply to redemptions of shares of other AB Mutual Funds that are acquired through exchange of a Portfolio’s shares.
    Shareholders may redeem shares of the Portfolios, and may exchange shares of the Portfolios for shares of other AB Mutual Funds, until February 1, 2023. Shareholders should be aware that the Portfolios will begin to convert their assets to cash and/or cash equivalents approximately 3-4 weeks before the liquidating distributions are made to shareholders, although the Portfolios may begin immediately to reduce or eliminate the use of derivatives to facilitate an orderly conversion process. After a Portfolio converts its assets to cash, the Portfolio will no longer pursue its stated investment objective or engage in any business activities except for the purposes of winding up its business and affairs, preserving the value of its assets, paying its liabilities, and distributing its remaining assets to shareholders.
    This Supplement should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses for the Portfolios.
    You should retain this Supplement with your Prospectus(es) for future reference.
    ______________________
    The [A/B] Logo is a service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered trademark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
  • Help buying individual BOND
    Progress I want to share for your comments, dipping my toes in income investing.
    Bank preferred - JPM-C & -M & BAC-B -> will get around 6% till they are called, bought under-par so some scope of CG when they are called.
    Agency bonds - will collect dividends till they are called - not for trade.
    FEDERAL FARM CR BKS BOND 6.44000% 11/01/2032
    FEDERAL HOME LN MTG CORP MTN 5.75000% 10/27/2027
    Looking for corporate bonds????
    I have been playing with 1 month CDs - rates from 1.75 to now 3.15.
    Once they mature - will build a treasury bill ladder as YB suggested above.
    Thanks, thanks & thanks.
  • what's weirder: MJIN is liquidating or MJ is not?
    The safest bet in the investing universe is investing in ETFMG 2X Daily Inverse Alternative Harvest ETF (MJIN), up 37% YTD. It is supposed to return twice the inverse of the ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF (MJ, as in "Mary Jane"). MJ is in the midst of its fifth consecutive year of double-digit losses, and still has $380 million in AUM.
    MJIN is up 80% since its 2021 launch, but has under $1 million in AUM. So, it's dead. MJ is down 67% since its launch seven years ago, and yet zombies on.
    Weird.
  • Timely Tax Ideas from Barron's This Week
    +1. Appreciate this update all the time, always, yogi. Thanks.
  • Steady rising yields in CDs and treasuries
    @Old_Joe @JD_co
    I share your dismay with bond funds, as they have produced a miserable return and lost principal. A year or two ago, no one seemed to believe the old adage that the return of a bond or a bond fund is essentially it's yield. With yields of 1% in 2019 etc, it is obvious many people are going to be hurt.
    Buying short term bonds now ensures you get your money back, although you have an opportunity cost and do not equal inflation if rates rise substantially.
    A "barbell" approach makes the most sense to me, aiming to buy longer term bonds for the expected drop in rates in 5 years or less.
    If hyperinflation arrives, only cash will prosper, making several years living expenses essential to keep in cash.
    One of the smartest people I have run across writing about interest rates and bonds is Harvey Bassman, with a monthly report. He invented PFIX, which is up 86% this year as bet on rising rates, and for bond fund protection.
    He just doubled down on agency bonds for a variety of reasons all explained in this comprehensive discussion. The math is a bit intimidating but worth working at
    https://www.convexitymaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Convexity-Maven-Deep-Dive-MBS.pdf
  • Timely Tax Ideas from Barron's This Week
    OPTIONS. NOVEMBER 29 (Tuesday) is the last day this year to DOUBLE-UP for tax-loss harvesting (TLH) this year. The doubling up can be by buying a fallen stock or cheaper options by 11/29/22 and then selling the older lot(s) by DECEMBER 30 (Friday), the last trading day of this year. AXP is used as an example. (Alternate is to immediately swap into something similar but not identical) (Tax-losses for individuals don’t expire and can be carried forward for years to offset future gains and up to $3K/yr in ordinary income)
    https://www.barrons.com/articles/tax-loss-stocks-options-51667426293?mod=past_editions
    LINK1
    REVIEW. Wash sale rules don’t apply to CRYPTOS (as they are considered property). Rules may be changed by the Congress in future. (Note – Wash sale disallows loss if a security or its options are traded within +/- 30 days)
    ROTH CONVERSIONS are attractive tax-wise when the markets are down; taxes on conversions should be paid from taxable funds. Other benefits of Roth IRAs include no RMDs; TAX-FREE withdrawals in retirement (some limitations apply); tax benefits carry over to INHERITED Roth IRAs but now, most non-spouses must drain the Roth IRA within 10 years (spouses can retitle as their own). Seniors beware of Medicare IRMAA in conversion planning. This is by @LewisBraham.
    https://www.barrons.com/articles/roth-ira-conversions-tax-move-51667342555?mod=past_editions
    LINK2
  • TUHYX
    TUHUX ranked on top quartile in 2019 and 2020, but it ranked in the bottom quartile this year! Being ranked 95% among HY category may help a bit. As of 11/4/22, YTD return of BND is down -16.1% and TUHYX is down -16.7% (and that is too much for me).
    Hello, everyone and thanks for the replies. I see a discrepancy, and this is my point: the chart shows a bad year in '22, yes. But at the same time, the chart shows the fund TUHYX to be (slightly) outperforming its Index and peers. WTF?
  • TUHYX
    And Vwehx ,,, vanguard high yield is down YTD 11.49%.
  • 2022 year-end capital gains distribution estimates (Vanguard's Final estimated year-end posted)
    @TheShadow, interesting about large CG distributions for SSGA index funds:
    SP500 Index (Class N) SVSPX 7.51-8.30% (Classes A, I, K have much lower CG distributions; these must be for a different series/pool)
    Hedged International Developed Index (class K) SSHQX 15.18-16.78%
    SMID Index SSMJX (class A) 12.44-13.75% (similar for Classes I, K)