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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.
  • What moves are you considering for 2022?
    just an odd fyi --- DSTL (like CAPE) is 'blocked' at ML, cannot be bought, at least in my accounts (retirement and brokerage)
  • Drawdown Plan in (Early) Retirement
    For the love of Pete...I hope there are NOT any blog entries by any "FIRE" proponents who burnt out from the corporate world, stated they retired early, got a van to escape reality but in reality are still working writing a blog which contains "financial investment porn", securing eyeballs so they can post and monetize digital ads.
    Just like Elizabeth Warren, AOC, Bernie Sanders...just go away. Everyone is tired of your nonsense and general kookiness.
    It's kind of like when you put on a suit and tie and are a white dude...no one questions you or looks at you funny when you walk into a store....you write an investment porn blog and just because you get a following that makes you an expert? Never take investment advice from anyone who doesn't have over $10MM. As Josh Brown refers to in is book, "How do you invest, show me your portfolio". Sheet.
    Apologies for the snark. Sincerely DO appreciate the post.
    In reality, all snark aside, I do truly believe the only safe retirement plans are for those who have a gov't pension and live in a "blue" state and will suckle off the teets of their fellow tax payers, come what may. The rest of us are all somewhat gambling in the casino and left to the whims of government monetary and fiscal policy.
    Maybe, just maybe, keep it simple, control your spending, stay healthy as much as possible, don't take on too much risk (meaning either too aggressive investments or too conservate (guilty as charged))
    Best,
    Baseball Fan
  • George F. Shipp of Sterling Capital to retire in 2022
    update:
    https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/889284/000139834421024111/fp0071142_497.htm
    497 1 fp0071142_497.htm
    STERLING CAPITAL FUNDS
    SUPPLEMENT DATED DECEMBER 20, 2021
    TO THE
    CLASS A AND CLASS C SHARES PROSPECTUS AND THE
    INSTITUTIONAL AND CLASS R6 SHARES PROSPECTUS,
    EACH DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2021, AS SUPPLEMENTED
    This Supplement provides the following amended and supplemental information and supersedes any information to the contrary in the Class A and Class C Shares Prospectus and the Institutional, Class R6 Shares Prospectus, each dated February 1, 2021 (collectively, the “Prospectuses”), with respect to Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund and Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund:
    Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund
    Effective immediately, George Shipp will cease to serve as co-portfolio manager of the Fund, due to his upcoming retirement from the Adviser as disclosed July 12, 2021. Accordingly, the “Management—Portfolio Managers” section in the Prospectuses with respect to Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:
    Portfolio Managers
    Joshua L. Haggerty, CFA
    Executive Director of Sterling Capital and Co-Portfolio Manager
    Since July 2021
    (formerly, Associate Portfolio Manager from February 2016 – July 2021)
    Daniel A. Morrall
    Executive Director of Sterling Capital and Co-Portfolio Manager
    Since December 2021
    (formerly, Associate Portfolio Manager from July 2021 – December 2021)
    Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund
    Effective immediately, George Shipp will cease to serve as co-portfolio manager of the Fund, due to his upcoming retirement from the Adviser as disclosed July 12, 2021. Accordingly, the “Management—Portfolio Managers” section in the Prospectuses with respect to Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:
    Portfolio Managers
    Adam B. Bergman, CFA
    Executive Director of Sterling Capital and Co-Portfolio Manager
    Since July 2021
    (formerly, Associate Portfolio Manager from February 2016 – July 2021)
    Charles J. Wittmann
    Executive Director of Sterling Capital and Co-Portfolio Manager
    Since December 2021
    (formerly, Associate Portfolio Manager from July 2021 – December 2021)
    The following replaces the description of the Portfolio Managers set forth under “Fund Management—Portfolio Managers” in the Prospectuses with respect to the Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund and Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund:
    Special Opportunities Fund and Equity Income Fund. Joshua L. Haggerty, CFA, Executive Director, joined the CHOICE Asset Management team of BB&T Scott & Stringfellow in 2005, which integrated with Sterling Capital in January 2013. He has investment experience since 1998. He has been Co-Portfolio Manager of the Special Opportunities Fund since July 2021 and was Associate Portfolio Manager of the Special Opportunities Fund from February 2016 to July 2021. Josh is a graduate of James Madison University where he received his BBA in Finance. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
    Adam B. Bergman, CFA, Executive Director, joined the CHOICE Asset Management team of Scott & Stringfellow in 2007, which integrated with Sterling Capital Management in January 2013. He has investment experience since 1996. He has been Co-Portfolio Manager of the Equity Income Fund since July 2021 and was Associate Portfolio Manager of the Equity Income Fund from February 2016 to July 2021. Adam is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce where he received his BS in Commerce. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
    Charles J. Wittmann, CFA, Executive Director, joined Sterling Capital Management in 2014 and has investment experience since 1995. He has been Co-Portfolio Manager of the Equity Income Fund since December 2021 and was Associate Portfolio Manager of the Equity Income Fund from July 2021 to December 2021. Prior to joining Sterling Capital, he worked for Thompson Siegel & Walmsley as a portfolio manager and (generalist) analyst. Prior to TS&W, he was a founding portfolio manager and analyst with Shockoe Capital, an equity long/short hedge fund. Charles received his B.A. in Economics from Davidson College and his M.B.A. from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
    Daniel A. Morrall, Executive Director, joined Sterling Capital Management in 2014 and has investment experience since 2001. He has been Co-Portfolio Manager of the Special Opportunities Fund since December 2021and was Associate Portfolio Manager of the Special Opportunities Fund from July 2021 to December 2021. Prior to joining Sterling Capital, he worked as an equity analyst for Harber Asset Management and S Squared Technology LLC, technology-biased long/short funds. Dan received his B.S. in Business and Economics from Washington and Lee University, his M.B.A. from Columbia Business School, and his M.S.I.T. from Capella University.
    SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD RETAIN THIS SUPPLEMENT
    WITH THE PROSPECTUSES FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
    SUPP-1221
    -2-
  • The Metaverse Is a $1 Trillion Revenue Opportunity.
    Has the mutual fund METAX been formed yet? It's coming...
    First, a short primer on the history of the internet and where we believe it’s headed. The earliest days of the internet, known as Web 1.0, were characterized by static, one-way webpages—think Netscape and Yahoo. Users were little more than passive observers.
    Next came Web 2.0, the period we’re currently in. Controlled by a disproportionately small number of companies (Facebook, YouTube, etc.), the internet of today is highly centralized despite users’ role as an active participant.
    That brings us to Web 3.0, which will usher in a whole new level of experience that, to some people, may sound more like Tron than real life.
    the-metaverse-is-a-1-trillion-revenue-opportunity-heres-how-to-invest

    There is the ETF META
    https://www.roundhillinvestments.com/etf/meta/
  • The Metaverse Is a $1 Trillion Revenue Opportunity.
    Has the mutual fund METAX been formed yet? It's coming...
    First, a short primer on the history of the internet and where we believe it’s headed. The earliest days of the internet, known as Web 1.0, were characterized by static, one-way webpages—think Netscape and Yahoo. Users were little more than passive observers.
    Next came Web 2.0, the period we’re currently in. Controlled by a disproportionately small number of companies (Facebook, YouTube, etc.), the internet of today is highly centralized despite users’ role as an active participant.
    That brings us to Web 3.0, which will usher in a whole new level of experience that, to some people, may sound more like Tron than real life.
    the-metaverse-is-a-1-trillion-revenue-opportunity-heres-how-to-invest
  • DSEEX Drop?
    @carew388: I referred to the link in @yogibearbull’s post in which DoubleLine provides a prospectus for a CEF using the Schiller Cape strategy.
    Kudos to @wxman123 for hanging tough with the strategy. I chickened out.
  • DSEEX Drop?
    @yogibearbull: thanks for that link to the DoubleLine filing. The derivative and options strategies described in the filing sound very complicated, but maybe the same sort of thing has been going on in DSEEX and CAPE all along. ("I would be shocked to learn that gambling has been going on in our funds," said the unflappable spokesperson.) On top of those complications is the CEF format, one which usually favors the issuer of a new fund, but not the early shareholders. As the vast majority of CEFs invest in fixed income and seek yield, it is not surprising that this prospectus for the DoubleLine Shiller Cape Enhanced Income Fund lists generation of income as its first mentioned purpose. Capital appreciation appears to take up the rear as a goal.
  • DSEEX Drop?
    msf is the one who has explained this weirdness the best:
    https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mutual-funds/composition/258620822
    As one who has had quite a bit of money in both CAPE and DSEEX I was curious (a little) about the OP and then the followup about utter failure yada yada, but now thinking I were better not to have queried, as it all seems uninformed.
  • DSEEX Drop?
    @davidmoran: DSEEX being a mutual fund, I suppose the sponsor could shut it down, but the shareholders would get back what their holdings are worth. IDNK what happens to the holders of an ETN if the issuer decides to fold it. In the case of CAPE, Barclays is not seemingly a bank likely to suddenly fail (nor was Lehman Brothers…).
    Thanks to all for the useful information you’ve added.
  • DSEEX Drop?
    Is there an etf version of CAPE etn ?
  • DSEEX Drop?
    The huge distribution this year would have taken me by surprise. In addition to the December payout, shareholders of DSEEX also pay taxes on the monthly distributions. When I owned this strategy I had a portion in the ETN (CAPE) which paid out nothing at year end. CAPE has outperformed its MF Doubleline brethren since it debuted in 2012, but ETNs carry the risk of being dissolved by the issuer with little notice and the risk of the issuer (Barclays in this case) failing. Trading CAPE shares requires a certain amount of time and effort; this fund trades in low volumes, so getting a good purchase or sale price can be frustrating, somewhat like trading a jumpy small cap stock. I think CAPE has proven its mettle, but it’s not for most fund investors.
  • Best Biotech Fund?
    Biotech stocks resemble a landscape filled with craters. The two ETFs that cover the sector, IBB and FBT, are hurting badly, YTD, 1yr or 3yr. FBIOX is down about 15% YTD while broader-based HC funds have not kept up with the stock market as a whole. I owned CELG until it was bought up by BMY which I kept for a while. The stock rose to nearly $70, but it now trades for about $53. At one time it was a M* 5 star pick, but it turned out to be a value trap. I feel lucky to have exited when I did. For a pure growth HC fund, BHCFX has impressed, but it’s volatile.
  • Just for the Dippers !
    Thanks for the note from my Barron's summary this AM. People know where to find it.
    "COMMODITIES. The auto market (new or used cars) is very tight. But PALLADIUM (-26% YTD) and PLATINUM (-14% YTD) are down sharply because of the drop in auto production caused by SEMI CHIPS shortages. This is unusual as most commodities are strong (S&P GSCI commodity index +28% YTD). Palladium is used more widely in the catalytic converters of gasoline-powered cars while platinum is used more in diesel-powered cars; although either metal can be used, there are large capex costs for the switch for the manufacturers. Rebound in palladium may be dramatic when the auto production picks up as chips supply-chain issues ease. On the other hand, platinum demand has fallen sharply for investments and also for other industrial application, so there is now a platinum surplus. Platinum is also much cheaper than gold (it used to be the reverse years ago)."
  • This New ETF (SARK) is Betting Against Cathie Wood and ARK
    LOL. Too funny. DKNG lost almost 10% today. Sitting at $31+ change. It was the first stock I ever owned. Guess I escaped a beating getting out while still above water. Just 2 stock holdings left: RIO and WPM Both have been holding up pretty well - better than some of my funds today.
    Most everything trashed today. Bonds held up.
  • Wealthtrack - Weekly Investment Show
    Ms. Lazar definitely thinks outside the box.
    Her capex and inflation projections surprised me.
    Time will tell whether this comes to fruition, but her thesis is thought-provoking nonetheless.
  • Wealthtrack - Weekly Investment Show
    Good episode; especially good for some counterpoints to conventional wisdom. Nancy L. is one of the macro guests of Consuelo's I most look forward to hearing.
    I was surprised by the capex figures she cites, and others may be surprised by the inflation and rate outlook. If she's pretty much right on the overall thesis, it sure seems positive for the U.S.
  • Inflation
    OP linked thread is a Bloomberg pay article (for me at least) and my investment site subscriptions are currently at max capacity. So unfortunately did not read it.
    That said...
    Great new thread started today on the Fido Community Forum by Dick, aka dickoncapecod, titled Inflation Outlook. That's an invitation only board so hoping anyone interested has been invited. Post starts with...
    Hi. Anyone interested in a SERIOUS discussion of the inflation outlook --- not the usual complaints and moaning and not political BS........?
    He then offers up a six bullet point analysis of the issue citing technical data and offering analysis/commentary befitting someone with his professional experience and insights.
    Here's hoping all/many can check it out, then get on with worrying about things we can actually control.
  • A Flexible Fund Adept at Finding Income - FMSDX / by Lewis Braham in Barron’s
    “Adam Kramer is used to finding value in unusual places. He grew up in Montreal with two favorite activities as a child—collecting hockey cards and reading Barron’s every week …
    “His sharp eye for investing opportunities is especially critical now, when the landscape for fixed-income investing feels a bit like a minefield. Interest rates are almost zero. Some investors worry that recent economic-stimulus packages could spark a bond rout if higher inflation follows. (Interest rates rise with inflation, and bond prices move inversely to rates.) But a resurgence of Covid-19 cases could cause the opposite effect—another economic downturn, which would likely drive some lower credit-quality bond issuers into bankruptcy.
    “In this environment, income-hungry investors need flexibility, and a willingness to go beyond bond-only investments. Fidelity Multi-Asset Income offers that. The $1.4 billion fund can invest anywhere for income—dividend-paying stocks, high- or low-quality corporate bonds, U.S. or foreign government bonds, preferred stocks, convertible bonds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and master limited partnerships (MLPs). Such flexibility has produced strong results. The fund’s 16.7% three-year annualized return beats 99% of its peers in Morningstar’s Allocation—30% to 50% Equity fund category.”

    -
    Nice article. I note the fund appears to have 58% invested in equities - certainly not your typical “income” fund. And, its largest holding, WPM (Wheaton Precious Metals) just happens to be a stock I picked up a couple weeks back when it was mired in the weeds. I plan to hold it forever. I think that’s why Barron’s editors included the photo of Mr. Kramer in the weeds (searching for another bargain).
    image
    Excerpt from Barron’s, October 18, 2021 LINK
  • Will President Biden’s economic stimulus cause inflation? Economists are unsure
    Here is a look at the impact of deficit spending in our still low interest rate world and what the future may hold in store for us despite the deficit's continued growth:
    image
    The Real Cost of U.S. Debt Is Nearer the Floor Than the Ceiling