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.
Right or wrong I bail on new positions if they hit an 7-8% loss. It's benefitted my bottom line a bunch. It tells me that I took those positions too early, that I need to have more patience and/or that I don't have a full understanding of the equity…
What a move! Umm … I track lots of things just for fun. +15% over a short period is a nice gain. Not uncommon in today’s volatile markets. Capture an quick gain like that and reinvest it back into your (more conservative) overall portfolio. Helps …
I may have called the bottom on this one. TROW has steadily risen from around $113 a month ago to $130.50 now. Up 4.70% today alone and a total gain over 15% since I mentioned it.
No, I didn’t buy it. Hope someone else did
@Derf says “You can’t…
ISTM this type of focused industry is a bit risky for the average investor. I haven’t a clue whether the gambits will pay off. If based on one’s analysis of the relative health and valuation of the component industries, than go for it! If the motiv…
I do think a couple knocks on the ol’ pipe would have been appropriate here (or 3 on the ceiling).
Fun to hear that one again.
Glad you liked. You know, I probably listened to that song a hundred times when it came out back in the 70s. A lot of…
Yes, a thoughtful opine by LB. I’m under the impression fees have been falling for individual investors, however, for years. (Doesn’t negate Lewis’ point.) I recall at work in the early 70s the original 2 options in our 403-B were either to inves…
Good luck @Crash
Individual equities are in a different league (than funds) for sure. More risk / reward. Of course, I’d never give advice or offer an opinion on someone else’s deliberations in that regard. In addition, I won’t even divulge my i…
+1 Mark / 17.5% here. (5 or 6 different ones)
But I think it all depends on the particular stocks and also achieving some balance between the sectors so they don’t all move in the same direction. I’m just a novice on that front, but I’m sure I …
Sausage is made.
Manchin takes a lot of heat. But have you ever spent time in W. Virginia? I have. It’s a miracle anyone labeled D could ever get elected there. Rascals like Graham (SC) are far more likely to win. As a friend sometimes reminds …
ISTM Alternative funds occupy a bizarro corner of the investing universe. For lack of a better source, U.S. News does offer up a mixed platter of such funds. For those interested in return, checking the 5 year + return of some of these might give …
- “I’m not against alternative funds perse … But when do these winning alternative funds get mentioned? When do they come into MFO attention? - when they have already made their money. That's my point.”
- “I'm sure there are some here that are good…
As I mentioned earlier, I swapped out GATEX with NLSAX in my alternative sleeve. I thought the reasons might be worth explaining …
In late March of this year Warren Buffett agreed to purchase a stock I held in the alternative sleeve of portfolio.…
@MikeM, The Professor’s a true “buy and holder” from what I can recall. However, does make adjustments occasionally. I’m eager to hear his more recent take on TMSRX. (An alt fund?) I think he owned a fair amount at one time. I and a few others ha…
@Crash, I like the suggestion from David. Also, I’ve found nothing works as well as a carefully typewritten letter outlining your case and sent to a company’s customer relations department by certified mail. It serves notice that you’re a literat…
“With the continuing advance of machine learning and especially AI, I wonder if active investing is truly doomed.”
Say it ain’t so, Joe!
- Libraries begin removing from their circulation shelves the works of Graham, Lynch, Bogle, Tobias, Marks,…
Rattner manages Michael Bloomberg’s personal wealth and also his philanthropic investments. So they provided a disclaimer early on. He seems of a more liberal social / political bent than your typical big time money manager. I didn’t care for the f…
Steve Rattner of Willett Advisors is worth a listen on this week’s Wall Street Week. Comes in about half way into show. Expects investors to be blind-sided by upcoming FOMC actions.
@MikeM’s been a practitioner of the robo approach for near a decade by my count. And he has consistently reported great results. I’d trust his word and judgment. One thing he might have added was that the robo approach he uses and likes excels over…
@hank : Did you have a stake in DK, I see it popped this week. Article in Weekend WSJ.
@Derf - I bailed from DKNG at just over $14 some time ago. Had been as low as $10.66 during the time I was averaging in. Didn’t do bad - but would have made a wh…
Added NLSAX to my alternative sleeve last week. Replaced GATEX. I think it will be a good fit. Held up quite well 1st quarter 2020. I’m very diversified. Largest single holding (DODBX) is at 8.7%. NLSAX is 7.95%.
Tacking on … Another thing I learn from listening to Marks (via audiobook) is perseverance - sticking to your guns. Once you’ve thought something through carefully and made a decision don’t second guess yourself and settle for half a loaf as long …
Sounds like folks are talking past each other here …
Well, yes and no. I won’t disagree with LB. Made some excellent points. I’m into Marks’ thinking more on a philosophical level than his performance as an actual practitioner. I’m convinced that…
Something similar happened to me in late 2007 at TRP. I put through a sell order shortly before 4:00 PM. while traveling in Michigan’s UP after arriving at destination. Markets were in absolute turmoil & their website was really slow.
Anyhow,…
Scanned @bee’s linked article. Typical Marks. To me the take away is that market valuations follow a herd mentality. At any given time part of the price of a security rests on investor sentiment. Now, none of us has the research capabilities and a…
I listen to Marks several times a week. He’s so “right” and I find it so difficult to follow his advice. I held DKNG and ARKK at various points this year at well below what they closed at yesterday. Yes, I made a few $$ on those spec plays. But the…
I have no idea how to make geographical sector bets so personally I wouldn't use any non-diversified EM fund myself, especially as a buy and hold fund.
Yeah, That’s a tough nut to crack. I have a little diversified EM at Dodge & Cox. Blind fai…
RIP
No disrespect to Vin Scully, who probably wrote the book on broadcasting. But in watching & listening to maybe a dozen different broadcasters this season I’m struck by how similar their voices, timing, mannerisms sound. Two different school…
“ However, compared with Morningstar Category peers historically, the strategy is less exposed.”
@Crash asked “What does this refer to?”
Poorly composed for sure. Best guess is they’re referring to the tendency of investors to “bolt” in mass and f…
Wandering a bit. But in this northern reach of Mi’s lower peninsula the pro-trump faction of the R’s ruled primary day. From what I can tell all the “winners” from candidate for Gov. down to state representatives are running against the 2020 electio…
TYVM for the info.
Checking to see how a portfolio is doing on an intra-day basis is arguably a pointless activity that one should not be engaging in anyway. But it can be somewhat amusing -- for a certain kind of person.
Agree. :)
70% or more…
+1, 2, 3 @msf
I think generally (but not always) there’s some rough correlation between risk and potential reward in any investment. Even a stock or fund that’s been racking up a “mere” 30% in consecutive annual returns sets off caution flags i…
