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.
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Sven
Lynn,
Thank you so much. I am planning on a 3-year ladder since I am a year away from retirement. Lots of spreadsheet work to calculate the income replacement needed. This ladder will create a steady income stream. So thank you for all your help.
I moved back to high quality bond funds this year. Some of which you covered in the SA article. For now, I will stay with agency bonds to the bond ladder. I will pick active managers for corporate bonds.
Sven
This year my value funds, large and small, are out-perform their larger siblings by large margin. Often in excess of 5-10%. I like the mid-cap value stocks where they tend to lead to in early phase of recovery while they have real earning. Labor a…
@Mark, I often get frustrated with the Windows 10 PC at work. Several years ago Mac computers were introduced in the workplace and our lives became very good. Our kids got the new M1 MacAir for school and they absolutely love them. My old iMac at h…
Yes, MFO board is quite active today. We managed to survived the big drawdown last year and gained a bit. Learned from 2008's crisis and held still (sold nothing and added to few funds) while the market fully recovered in August/September. Got va…
Don't think there is any. Just like buying stocks on margin in major brokerages. They charge a healthy interest rate on borrow $. The investors can in turn sell stocks to pay back the brokerage, or they have to raise cash from elsewhere. This may…
investors who borrowed money from Robinhood were nearly 14 times more likely to be unable to repay the loans than investors who borrowed from rival brokerages eTrade, TD Ameritrade and others.”
Is it more like gambling?
@Investor, welcome back. I agree that it will take sometime to build the infrastructure to support EVs. Charging stations are more doable than those for fuel cell-powered vehicles.
The mutual fund discussion here continues to evolve with time. There is already many discussion on index funds, ETFs, CEF, and target date funds. Lately, active managed ETFs are being discussed as they become available.
Thank you for sharing your experience with Vanguard Personal Services. They has been on top of my list if we decide that additional help is needed sometime in the future. Our parents had less rewarding experience with large brokerages - expensive …
The brokerage business is getting very competitive in their products (something the investors can see). The intangible customer service is harder to quantify until you open an account for awhile. This pandemic revealed the weakness of certain brok…
@Derf, Cognitive decline is inescapable as we age. I like to explore the options long before I have to make the choice sometime down the road. Getting market return is enough for us. Our goal is similar to yours and to retire comfortably.
@hank, I believe TMSRX is a TF fund at Fidelity. Even so you can do "automatic investment" at specific amount and date for purchase, $5 fee. No fee for selling TF funds. Other TRF funds are on no-transaction fee platform. Each brokerage is differ…
From the link above:
Overall, the resulting asset-weighted average fee reduction, based upon assets under management as of March 31, 2021, is 6.3 basis points across mutual funds and 4.8 basis points across trusts. Specific fee changes vary across …
For Fidelity I use their online chat. For example, how to perform asset transfer from another brokerage to Fidelity? They will provide step by step instruction. This support is quick and seems to be 24/7, unlike a live representative. This way I d…
@hank, you are getting great advice here from everyone on new brokerages. Products, services (online, office) and your specific needs are the key as a customer. Brokerages continue to evolve for the better or worse over time. As pointed out here th…
@hank, thanks for the highlights. Lots of topics presented in Barron's. I am making my way thru it. Inflation is the biggest topic. LEwis Branham also has an article on ETF.
Let's hope the timing is right on twice. The change from 10% equity from 50% is a significant departure. The managers must expect the Fed will not raise rates this year or next year in order to deal with inflation. No further details on the bond s…
Yes, the investor share at 1.22% is not cheap, but other alternative funds could cost even more. Don't recall that the fund ever took aggressive short equity position greater than 5%. Nevertheless 2020 drawdown was -8%, whereas Vanguard balanced ind…
I think electrical problem is a much encompassing risk to the aircraft than ice build-up. Electronic control just about everything today. Just like new cars today they have many safety control systems in addition to those in the drive train system.…
Thank @Derf. Two ideas are defense sectors and buyback stocks.
Defense stocks track closely with the increasing geographical conflicts as shown in past events. Stock buyback reduced the number outstanding shares in the market while boosting its…
Thanks for the link. South Korea and Taiwan are leading the pack. At the height of pandemic in March last year, few funds or ETFs are in black. What a turnaround!
It is really unfortunate that value stocks have been out-of-favor for quite a while. Those value managers stick to their discipline suffer as investment dollars move to the growth funds.
Today First Eage Global fund is managed by Matt McLennan, …
