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I looked at a number of other Asian conglomerates, including Swire, Genting and Hutchison Whampoa, but Jardine was what I went with. I did own spin-off Genting Singapore (parent company Genting seems impossible to get in the US) for a time, but sold…
"As the private wealth of the Empire was gradually confiscated or taxed away, driven away or hidden, economic growth slowed to a virtual standstill. Moreover, once the wealthy were no longer able to pay the state's bills, the burden inexorably fell …
I thought the idea of the focus being the elements of the holding company was appealing, as well as Strategic's ability to take on smaller stakes in other companies (Tata Power and Asia Commercial Bank, for example, which are listed in the financial…
Jardine Strategic Holdings ADR shares are JSHLY, or parent company Jardine Matheson is, I believe, JHMLY. Neither trade frequently and DEFINITELY DO RESEARCH before investing, as this is a stock, not a fund. Start at the website, http://www.jardines…
Being of a younger age than most people on the board, I don't recommend what I'm doing, especially for those in retirement.
I certainly do take some risks (although I wouldn't consider what I do very aggressive as a whole), but am interested in a w…
I'm not much at all in cash. I do actually have some hedges, both stock index shorts and actually (stunningly) a little long dollar hedge (a trade, I still think the dollar has awful fundamentals for the longer-term, but everyone hates it, so I thou…
I don't think that anyone at or near retirement age should be 50% equities, but they shouldn't be entirely bonds, either. Risk tolerance is really different for everyone, and what is "comfortable" for me is going to be entirely different for someone…
Thanks for the note! :) Interesting to see which funds own the stock (either strategic or the parent company). I think the biggest one is David Winters/Wintergreen (WGRNX). The former Mutual Discovery managers at Pimco (Gudefin) also own it last I l…
It's not that I don't like the Matthews funds and I still own a good deal of Matthews funds.
Jardine Strategic Holdings is a stock; the name sounds like a fund, but it is a holding company related to Jardine Matheson, which is an Asian conglomera…
"do you see revolution coming to america - and 77% agreed. Commentators were shocked but that shouldn't surprise anyone." Not surprising to me. What was pleasantly surprising to me though was another poll where the highest % response about what was …
Technicals and momentum are not a huge factor in my investing, although I do take them into account. I am not diversified, I am definitely not conventional/traditional (and I've discussed the reasoning before and how I view it as a learning experien…
In terms of the NCV fund that Rono mentions, that manager does manage a few mutual funds, such as AGIC Growth and Income (AZNDX), which I think is a unique and little known fund that has put together a good track record so far. Not saying the mutual…
I did add back Cambria Global Tactical ETF (GTAA) yesterday, but I think the entire question becomes a shift away from some of the themes (EM, commodities) that I've held onto for 2-3 years now. Those were very large holdings, and it's time to keep …
I don't agree with Ted regarding alternative strategies overall. However, I do agree with him that 9 alternative strategies within one fund is going to be very difficult in terms of finding a balance and it will be interesting to see what manner of …
I've been reasonably pleased with AQR Risk Parity and International has been okay. Not really interested in this fund as it would be overlap with other funds, but I've been satisfied with the two AQR investments.
It's really a massively difficult time for older individuals looking for stable income (CDs, etc.) What are seniors supposed to do, get Brazilian bonds? In terms of yield, it's hard to find yield without risk. That's what I've discussed with the eme…
"Oh, and while I'm at it, I really don't like the stock market right now one damn bit. Do you realize how juiced this sucker is with QE cash?!? If the Fed takes away the punch bowl . . . look out below. That's why I don't see them able to stop the m…
It's a matter of being nimble, as I think you will see continued higher volatility in a number of asset classes, including bonds, stocks and commodities. I still wouldn't own US T-bonds (especially over the long-term), but congrats to those who can …
Oh absolutely. I think the issue with silver especially (not as much gold) is that the volatility is tremendous and moves either way can be tremendous. The fundamentals are still certainly there, but now that I believe silver has likely (?) broken t…
I've lightened up on commodities, including an unintentional (oops) sale of Rydex Long/Short Commodities (RYLFX) that worked out rather well a couple of days ago. However, I still like commodities (especially agriculture and metals) for the long hau…
Well, what appealed to me about some of the London market investments is that you're investing in actual hedge funds. Currency risk aside, terms of something like Bluecrest Allblue, you're getting a multi-strategy (managed futures, credit funds, arb…
Yeah, I think I'll probably sell one or two things today. I've continued to put money into Bluecrest Allblue (a foreign fund of hedge funds run by Bluecrest) as sort of a similarly mild-risk (aside from currency risk, which certainly does exist) al…
I'm seeing an ER of 1.38% on All Asset/AA; that does not seem particularly outrageous for a fund-of-funds.
What's the limit on ER for some posters? It would appear to be under 1.25% (under 1%?), which I think would be significantly limiting in term…
Neither fund is intended as "absolute return" and do have mild risk involved. AA/AA can short; I believe Pimco MA has far out of the money S & P puts ("Armageddon insurance")
I think NARFX is definitely a disappointment; I owned it initially early on but sold it. The fund looked promising and they offered things like shareholder conference calls; 2008 was fine enough, but 2009/2010/2011 were dissapointing even with lowe…
You're getting a manager who is very intelligent and who has a very good long-term record. However, in the shorter term, he's going to call it as he sees it, and while the fund is never going to hit home runs, it may disappoint in the short-to-mid t…
I'm sure the fans of the Fed who adore every Fed action and think every Fed decision is flawless and comes without consequence (I call this "Leismanism") will come up with some excuse to defend the Fed as they always do. As to the rest, it comes as …