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.
Breaking down Trump's first 100 days in office
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/breaking-down-the-first-100-days-of-trumps-2nd-term-and-the-effects-of-his-agenda
"We’re gonna win so much, you may even get tired of winning, and you’ll say, “Please,…
David Blanchett researched how average spending evolves during retirement.
He discovered that spending tends to decline in today's dollars
for younger retirees especially those entering their 70s.
At around age 90 to 95 spending can increase sharply…
Sold QLTY yesterday and used proceeds to buy MRFOX today.
I still like QLTY but wanted to reduce overall portfolio risk.
MRFOX has a very attractive upside/downside capture ratio.
@Observant1
Is this fund available as NTF?
I see it as fees only option at Schwab and Fido.
@rmt,
I only checked Fidelity and Schwab.
Subsequent TF fund purchases can be made for $5 at Fidelity
or $10 at Schwab when the appropriate buy options are…
@Sven,
I hold two international equity funds - MIEIX (CIT clone version) and ARDBX.
These are the top-performing funds in my portfolio YTD.
I don't hold dedicated international/global bond funds but my DOXIX fund has minor international exposure.
…
COVID-19 vaccines were developed in record time and helped save many lives worldwide.
What's the plan to prevent an international economic cataclysm caused by the imprudent actions
of a delusional, but very influential, head of state?
@Observant1, if you are Vanguard customers, VZICX, Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Admiral Shares is also managed by Wellington. F. Halsey Morris and Anna Lunden are the fund managers.
Hi Sven,
Thanks for the info.
I'm somewhat familiar w…
Following story was posted in WSJ Live Updates.
"China hasn't engaged in trade talks with the Trump administration, Chinese officials said, denying reports the world's two largest economies have started negotiations."
"'China and the United States…
Took a quick look at HILAX.
Managed by a team from Wellington.
Wellington, which I greatly respect, is the sub advisor for many mutual funds from Hartford Funds.
Seems like a good choice in the Foreign Large Value category.
This brings to mind David Brooks' comments on the PBS News Hour during the first Trump administration.
Mr. Brooks stated (paraphrasing) that Trump diminishes everyone who comes into close contact with him.
Ms. Noem was dining at The Capital Burger, a popular restaurant near downtown Washington, DC.
She reportedly placed her Gucci handbag under the seat against her foot.
"The person entered Capital Burger at 7:55 p.m., sat near Noem’s table,
scooted c…
"looking for EX US bond fund/ etf. Ideas? "
If global bond funds are acceptable, you may want to check DODLX and PFORX.
VEGBX seems like a good choice for EM bonds.
Hi YBB,
The trade was executed via Fidelity.
I found the following Fidelity doc regarding fractional trading.
Unfortunately, the doc doesn't state why limit orders with the Good til Cancelled option are prohibited.
I'm not sure if Good til Cancelle…
"Another potential consequence of Powell’s removal would be an erosion of confidence in US assets as reliable, safe havens for international investors. If the United States’ financial and political system is perceived as unstable and critical polici…
I am moved periodically to look into alt funds.
I usually find they have very high expenses and may behave in unexpected ways during certain times.
Therefore, I've passed thus far...
Nothing to laugh about, you guys haven't changed anyone's opinion but you definitely dragged down substantially one of the best investment site by the same people.
Your irrational, ill-informed political rants have failed to sway public opinion.
F…
Here's the best bond article I read this weekend.
https://www.marketwatch.com/articles/high-yield-junk-bonds-9ed6141e?mod=search_headline
Excerpt:
The higher spreads split investors “into two camps—head for the hills or this is an incredible buyi…
Supreme Court blocks, for now, new deportations under 18th century wartime law
https://apnews.com/article/aclu-trump-deport-venezuelans-supreme-court-5d85ffec44fca7c267315b34cec9ddb2
Yes, there are several excellent Barron's articles in this week's magazine.
I would recommend reading Randall Forsyth's "U.S. Spending Threatens the Dollar's Status..."
Unfortunately, I'm unable to provide a link that is not paywalled.
"The trend of bond sales and other asset reallocations is likely to continue to put downward pressure
on the dollar, though strategists say it is too early to say how long the trend will last."
"The moves lower in the dollar could also be large bec…
The Week in Charts (04/18/25)
The most important charts and themes in markets and investing, including:
00:00 Intro
00:18 Topics
00:52 Global Trade Chaos
06:40 A Self-Inflicted Recession?
14:50 "The US Doesn't Make Anything Anymore"
19:35 The Mag 7…
"The nice thing is there’s a point of view to match every type of investor or political leaning."
This is very true!
"My take - The major indexes are off for the year. But that follows a couple stellar years."
The S&P 500 had two consecutive ye…
The Ask the Compound crew received many questions from anxious readers expressing concerns
about stocks and the present investing environment. The crew provides some context for the current situation
and offers potentially helpful suggestions. There…
"go ahead and scream 3 times daily"
You are the one who is "screaming."
Your incessant whining is extremely disruptive to the forum!
"My main point stands: this thread was a rant about NOTHING."
This thread is for discussing how the U.S. dollar and…
Chicago Fed president Austan Goolsbee discusses tariffs and recent threats to fire Jerome Powell.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/chicago-fed-president-on-trumps-trade-war-and-threats-to-fire-powell
Excerpted from Heather Cox Richardson's Letters from an American (April 17).
Bolded text was added by me.
"Today a federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to stop Judge Paula Xinis’s order that it 'take all available step…
[snip]
Here is another article from 2016(link)
"Donald Trump is a "dangerous, destructive" choice"..."The letter, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, was signed by 370 economists, including eight Nobel Prize winners."
[snip]
The letter refe…
