RSSCOMPANIES: INDUSTRIES:
3 Mutual Funds to Invest in the Small-Cap Rally
Ben Baden
For investors who have been scared off by recent volatility, here's three small-cap mutual funds that are highly ranked by S&P and have a low beta compared to their peers
Mutual Fund Buzz: America the Beautiful
Kirk Shinkle
For all the talk of a double-dip recession, there's a surprising amount of near-term interest in buying American. Just look at bond giant Pimco, where managers continue to move into U.S. Treasuries.
Mutual Fund Buzz: Emerging Markets Get a Boost
Kirk Shinkle
Emerging markets, with their hoped-for consumer booms and relatively modest debt burden compared to the developed world, should continue to draw inflows of all sorts.
Target-Date Funds Are Not A 'Sure Bet'
Humberto Cruz
Rather than have to put together and readjust a diversified portfolio over time, investors leave the task up to the fund manager. Target-date funds typically invest in a diversified mix of stocks, bonds and cash that becomes more conservative as the target date nears.
ETFs Can Be Volatile Too
Andrew Leckey
Just when investors thought the exchange-traded fund was the absolutely perfect investment to diversify their portfolios, turns out it can carry risks just like other investment vehicles.
3 Mutual Funds to Steer Clear Of
Rob Silverblatt
Long-term investors are often loath to part with their mutual funds. Still, there are plenty of problem-plagued funds, and in many cases it's downright difficult to make a case for them. With that in mind, here's a list of the three worst-rated funds
Mutual Fund Buzz: Alternatives On The Rise?
Kirk Shinkle
Here's the leading edge of long-short, arbitrage, and other hedge fund strategies being turned into mutual funds over the past few years. It's a sign that asset managers may be wading further into more exotic terrain formerly occupied by hedge funds alone
Mutual Fund Buzz: The Tax Man Eyes The Fund Manager
Kirk Shinkle
It could be a rough one for some fund manager paychecks. That's because the Senate is expected to vote on a jobs bill that includes a big tax hike on private equity firms, hedge funds, and some real estate fund managers
Mutual Fund Buzz: Bond Bubble?
Kirk Shinkle
Is the bond bubble real? The WSJ says yes after surveying bond-fund managers. It's been a huge year for bond funds, as fixed income funds felt the love along with a rush of inflows from investors who fled stocks. Unfortunately, the tide may be turning as more scared investors continue to pile into bonds in the face of a still-weak economy and the European debt crisis
Ease Back Into Stocks With These Mutual Funds
Ben Baden
Investors spooked by recent market volatility are considering conservative allocation funds as a way to ease back into stocks. These funds contain a mix of stocks and bonds, but generally invest less than half of their assets in equities. Instead, they focus on a range of fixed-income investments, cash, and sometimes commodities like gold. Here's five conservative allocation funds
Why Emerging Markets Belong in Your Portfolio
Ben Baden
First things first: emerging markets stock funds are still a volatile asset class. But if you break up the globe into different regions, the countries these funds invest in rank among the most attractive long-term prospects. Why?
Mutual Fund Fees: How Much is Too Much to Pay
Katy Marquardt
When it comes to mutual fund investing, cost matters -- a lot. Studies show that over time, funds with highest relative returns are often the cheapest. What's more, funds with steep annual expenses tend to have weaker management, higher risk strategies, and fewer resources. So how much is too much to pay?
How to Repair Your Damaged Portfolio
Rob Silverblatt
In the financial turmoil of the past decade, mutual fund investing became decidedly more complicated. After all, over the course of just 10 years, investors looked on as two bear markets ravaged the economy, as a pair of bull markets jolted stocks back to life, and as the Internet and housing bubbles inflated to their breaking points and then burst
Why Not All Target-Date Funds Are Created Equal
Ben Baden
For investors who would rather give professionals the keys to their portfolio, target-date funds are a simple solution. Investors select funds with a horizon date, which generally matches up with the year they turn 65, then leave the fund allocation, and rebalancing up to the fund company. That's the general idea, but investors should be aware that allocation strategies can vary significantly
Keep Bond Portfolio Broadly Diversified
Humberto Cruz
With uncertainty about the economy and the government deficit, inflation expectations and the direction of interest rates, bond investors are in a pickle. So what to do? Should investors abandon bonds and bond funds or keep their money only in the shortest-term instruments to minimize risk of principal loss if interest rates rise?
Read Mutual Fund Ads Critically
Humberto Cruz
For many fund companies, performance sells although some firms advertise low costs rather than performance. And when the fund's actual return isn't all that great, then 'relative' performance, is the thing to tout when you can. We need to read ads critically, including the tiny-print disclaimers in the footnotes. We also need to question how significant performance numbers are. Here's why
Keep the Right Bonds in Your Portfolio
Kathy Kristof
Investors, made nervous by two years of roller-coaster performance in the stock market, have been pouring money into bond funds over the last year, seeking a haven for their assets. But if interest rates start to rise next year -- as most expect they will -- these mutual funds that hold bonds may not look quite as profitable, experts say.
Mutual Funds and a Changing Landscape
Kirk Shinkle
Investors will find that they face a changing landscape. Shifting demand, new investment choices, and fallout from the downturn mean that the most common type of fund owned by average Americans -- equity funds run by a stock-picking manager -- will experience new competition. Here's a look at a few of the most significant trends people shopping for mutual funds now will want to consider
The Reality of Mutual Fund Returns
Ben Baden
Morningstar calculates what it calls investor returns. And the difference can be huge. That's because, by using 'dollar-weighted' returns to measure how your own dollars fared while in the fund, Morningstar takes into account an all-too-common investing error: buying funds when they're flying high and dumping them when they fall behind.
Utility Stocks: Trade Flash for Dependable Payouts
Andrew Leckey
The utility stock has been a 'no-brainer' investment, an obvious choice of those foraging around to find greater income. In 2010, the prospects of this traditional vehicle may improve somewhat. Exciting, utilities stocks are not. Yet conservative and retired investors usually covet utilities not for any flash, but for steady dividends
Formulate Strategy Before Diving Into Higher Risk Mutual Funds
Andrew Leckey
Sometimes -- especially when a bear market awakens from its hibernation -- investors begin to feel the urge to take a flier on a higher-risk mutual fund. Which can be OK. Having a very small portion of your holdings in speculative choices can be acceptable so long as it doesn't involve little Johnny's tuition, next year's retirement expenses, or the bulk of your family nest egg.
Contrarian Investors Target Promising Out-of-Favor Stocks
Andrew Leckey
Running with the herd is the most popular way to invest because everyone will commend you for heading in the right direction. Taking a contrarian view, on the other hand, opens you to ridicule from your peers. You may seem out of step, as if you missed getting the proper message or aren't smart enough to grasp the obvious.
Income Investors Face Challenges as Economy Shifts
Andrew Leckey
The search for high yields presents a quandary for income investors. If interest rates rise in the future, the value of high-yield, longer-term bonds bought now will decline. But if a high-dividend-paying stock is chosen, the investor needs to be relatively sure that today's impressive dividend is here to stay. Here's high-quality ETFs with predictable futures
John C. Bogle's Old-fashioned Investing Advice Still Applies
Kathy Kristof
There aren't a lot of investment experts who will tell you what they said 10 years ago and just how much of it turned out to be right. But John C. Bogle isn't your average investment expert. The 80-year-old founder of Vanguard has been preaching a simple, disciplined approach to managing money since he graduated from Princeton and got a job at Wellington Management in the 1950s
10 Great Mutual Funds You've Never Heard of
Rob Silverblatt
Here are 10 great funds you've probably never heard of. All of them are small funds (only one has more than $100 million under management) that receive at least an 8 out of 10 using U.S. News's recently unveiled Mutual Fund Score.
Mutual Funds Fees & Expenses Only One Factor
Humberto Cruz
I often read about avoiding high expenses in mutual funds, but when I talked to my broker he said expenses don't matter because rates of return have to be stated after all expenses and fees. So, if I have a return of 7 percent a year and a lower-cost fund also has a return of 7 percent, it's all the same to me. Is this correct?
Why Investors Are Flocking to Index Funds
Ben Baden
Since the dawn of indexing, a debate has raged between indexing diehards -- who think passive investing is the only way to match the market over time -- and those who believe that real, live stock pickers can do the job better. It may just come down to your personality. Do I trust a manager to pick the best stocks or put my faith in an index fund?
Exchange Traded Funds Offer Low-Cost Diversification
Andrew Leckey
More than $1 trillion is invested worldwide in exchange-traded funds and those assets continue to grow as new ETFs are introduced and investors discover the concept. ETFs replicate indexes or sectors with a goal of low-cost diversification. ETFs are traded on an exchange so you can buy and sell during market hours, unlike a mutual fund in which you trade shares at the end of the day.
Fresh Look at Socially Responsible Mutual Funds
Rob Silverblatt
Most socially responsible mutual funds are born of a desire to help the environment, slow the spread of violence, or boycott certain practices. Parnassus Workplace (PARWX), on the other hand, sprang from the stocks of publicly traded companies that made Fortune's list of the '100 Best Companies to Work For'
Make the Most of Your Mutual Fund Money
Ben Baden
For most investors, the past 10 years have been sobering. Speculation drove growth stocks sky-high culminating in the tech-bubble burst. Later on, once trusted financials companies came to the brink of collapse. Times have changed. In turn, so should your investing habits. Here are some tips on becoming a smarter, more frugal mutual fund investor.
Growth Vs. Value Investing: 2010 Promises to be An Exciting Year
Andrew Leckey
The battle of growth versus value investing rages on in 2010. These distinct investment personalities move in cycles, one dominating for a period before being overtaken by the other. And then it starts all over again. Here's a look at potential growth and value investments.
Are International Investments Still Good Plays
Andrew Leckey
There is still promise abroad in 2010, yet don't get carried away. Dynamic years are often been followed by dismal ones in the quixotic world investment mix. It increasingly makes sense to include international stocks or mutual funds as part of your personal portfolio, but you should do so in moderation.
The 10 Strangest Mutual Funds
Rob Silverblatt
When mutual funds step off the beaten path, there's no telling what will happen. In the past, for example, oddball funds have fought the war on terror, tried to prop up the sky, and fantasized about swinging a presidential election. And although those particular funds failed, others have stepped in to carry the torch and preserve a long and proud tradition of eccentric investing styles. Here are the 10 quirkiest funds we could find
Know Target-Date Fund's Strategy Before Investing
Andrew Leckey
Forget about resting easy. Target-date funds, billed as confidence-building vehicles that gradually shift your holdings into more conservative fixed-rate instruments as their date nears, have caused some sleepless nights. Investors stashed money in these one-stop retirement plans so they didn't have to worry about making their own allocation decisions. But it has become clear they need to better understand the basic
Festive Times for International real estate Funds
Andrew Leckey
Let's get the party started: An overseas run-up in real estate funds is rocking. International real estate funds are up 38 percent in 2009, or about 100 percent above their market bottom in March, according to Lipper Inc. Global real estate funds that also include U.S. companies are up 28 percent this year.
Investing - PIMCO Fund Family Has Excelled During Downturn
Andrew Leckey
The PIMCO fund family gets a gold star for insight and early detection of the housing and mortgage debacles, resulting in strong results throughout many of its funds over the past three years. 'PIMCO and the strength of its bond portfolios has really stood out as a perceived advantage for it during the downturn'
Best Mutual Fund Families
By Katy Marquardt
In a recent survey, more than 3,000 financial advisers weighed in with their picks of the top fund families. Criteria included consistency, ethics, trustworthiness, sophistication, and social consciousness. The survey was commissioned by Horsesmouth, an online adviser community and kasina, a financial services consulting firm. But since straight rankings reveal only so much, We asked a handful of financial advisers which fund families they favor and why.
Mutual Funds Stage a Comeback: Time to Forgive and Forget?
By Katy Marquardt
After spending much of last year in the doghouse, mutual fund managers have now had two quarters in 2009 to regain the faith of investors. Many of last year's losers are now posting solid gains over the S&P 500
Stock Market Roller Coaster Ride
M. Ryder)
The Case Against (Some) ETFs
By Kirk Shinkle
Touted as a revolution in transparency, cost, and access to exotic investments, ETFs are now being slammed for inefficiencies, hidden fees, and opaque structures. Some experts argue that ETFs are just the latest means for investment advisers to hoist flawed products on unsuspecting customers. ...
7 Tips for Picking a Target-Date Fund
Emily Brandon
Many retirement savers think they can put their investment choices on cruise control if they use a target-date fund. These funds offer a mix of stocks, bonds, and cash that the fund manager automatically adjusts to become more conservative over time, based on the retirement date the participant selects. But it's best to take a look under the hood before stashing your nest egg in a target-date fund. Here are some tips for finding a target-date fund that is right for you.
5 Funds That Are Off to a Fast Start in 2009
By Katy Marquardt
Categorywise, large growth, midsized growth, and small growth funds have fared the best so far this year (although small companies have led the rally over the past three months). But not all of the top performing funds fall into one of those categories. Here's a look at some of the front-runners among diversified U.S. stock funds ... But beware ...
Mutual Funds Jobs & Careers Search
Find your next job in Mutual Funds. Search Mutual Funds jobs from thousands of job and career search sites.
A search engine for jobs with a different approach to job and career searches. In one simple search, job
seekers get free access to millions of employment opportunities from thousands of websites. Find your next job in Mutual Funds today.
Tweedy's High Performing Global Fund
Skip breakneck China and Brazil, say the money men at Tweedy, Browne. Look for slow-moving companies in Europe and Japan.
What Happens When Cities Go Broke?
In a tough economy, bankruptcy has become a dreaded--yet not uncommon--phenomenon, even for cities and municipalities.
Variable Annuities Don't Belong In Retirement Plans
High-cost tax-deferred annuities are poor choices for 401(k) and 403(b) plans. But the insurance industry fights change.
The First Annual Cheap Fund Awards
Vanguard, Blackrock iShares, Schwab and State Street SPDRs take honors for the best index funds and ETFs for really cheap investors.
How To Cut The Cost Of A Variable Annuity
If you've already bought a high-cost, deferred variable annuity, consider exchanging it for a low-cost one.
Closed-End Fun
If you want income with some inflation protection, consider closed-end funds owning TIPS and convertible securities.
The Average Investor Is His Own Worst Enemy
Terry Odean's research into investor behavior shows how people sabotage themselves.
Annuities: Good, Bad Or Ugly?
Bogleheads object to high expense, surrender fees and sales tactics.
How To Revamp Your Portfolio
Case study: A 50-year-old couple sets a more conservative stock allocation and then starts restructuring.
Rothify Your 401(k)
Got an ex-employer retirement account sitting around? Convert it into a Roth IRA.
Investing in Un-Sexy Tech Stocks
Tech fund veteran Paul Wick expects to cash in on a boom in business computer spending.
Forbes.com: Mutual Funds News
Mutual Funds News from Forbes.com
Not Your Father's Index Fund
Watch out. Indexing methods have become more complex--and more costly.
Dissecting Leveraged ETF Returns
These funds seem simple, but there is more going on behind the scenes.
Why Corporate Dividends Are A Sign Of Weakness
Execs like Warren Buffett, Steve Jobs invest cash rather than hand it away.
Is The Stock Market Rigged?
Many would-be, first-time investors in the stock market do not believe it is a fair playing field.
Retail Notes: A Simpler Alternative To Bond Funds
These securities are meant to be held until maturity, removing the burden of complex pricing that sometimes plagues bonds.
Can You Maintain Virtue In Vice Stocks?
When a company's fundamental business carries moral questions, it creates complications for investors.
How To Invest For The Rest Of 2010
Dividend-payers and foreign stocks top shopping lists after a tough first half.
The Four Key Elements Of A Well-Managed Portfolio
If you choose an actively managed portfolio, be sure that your manager isn't neglecting one of these points.
The Hidden Differences Among Index Funds
These funds don't all match index returns. Find out how to avoid costly surprises.
Gauging Forex Market Sentiment With Open Interest
Examining open interest on currency futures can help confirm the strength of a trend in forex market sentiment.
Five Steps For Building Wealth Automatically
Putting finances on autopilot can build savings and ease stress.
Forbes.com: ETF News
ETF News from Forbes.com
Calculating the Dow
The Dow Jones Industrial Average, along with its related ETFs, is one of the most prominent stock benchmarks, with millions around the world following its every movements every day. How is it calculated? The Dow is made up of 30 stocks but uses a divisor – not just dividing by 30 – that is gauged to make the Dow’s average equivalent to past levels due to shifts in its composition, reports Walter Updegrave for CNNMoney. The divisor, which is currently 0.132129493, will change as stocks are swapped in or out of the index.
Tom Lydon submits:
Complete Story »
Taking Mexico Seriously: 7 ETFs Profiting From the Country's Renaissance
While Mexico doesn't quite enjoy the celebrity status of rival Brazil, there is no denying the fact that the country is undergoing something of an economic renaissance. With its last financial crisis more than 10 years behind it, Mexico is enjoying record foreign currency reserves and an investment-grade debt rating, thanks to much-improved fiscal discipline. It even boasts several companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ and dozens of others that trade over the counter. Money managers are especially keen on stocks in the residential construction business as more and more Mexicans qualify for loans to build their own homes.
World Market Pulse submits:
For years the most prominent feature of Mexico has been its exotic cuisine with all its varied flavors, colorful decoration, and variety of spices while investment options were never taken seriously. Longtime investors have viewed other Latin American economies like Brazil and Argentina with more interest discussing plans possibly sitting in a restaurant serving Mexican cuisine.
Complete Story »
10 Stock ETFs With Enormous Changes in Relative Strength
What if determining stock market direction was as simple as wetting your finger in the outdoors and holding it up to the sky? A cool breeze telling you if the wind was coming out of the northwest? Not surprisingly, it has never been quite that easy. While we have trendlines that we base on moving averages — 50-day, 100-day, 200-day — the predictive value of price change information has always been imprecise.
Gary Gordon submits:
Complete Story »
Eldorado Gold Corp. Q2 2010 Earnings Call Transcript
Eldorado Gold Corp.(ELD) Q2 2010 Earnings Conference Call July 29, 2010 8:30 AM ET
Complete Story »
ETF Update: Week of July 29, 2010
Our short list ETF rankings for Oscar and Felix as of Wednesday's close are posted below (click to enlarge):
Jeff Miller submits:
Complete Story »
Which Is Better, A Commodity Mutual Fund or an ETP?
by Brad Zigler Commodities are the lifeblood of this site. And with all the ink—er, electrons—devoted to the analysis of exchange-traded products here, you'd think these newfangled notes and funds had sucked up most of the assets allocated to the commodity space.
Hard Assets Investor submits:
Complete Story »
Thursday ETF Roundup: UNG Soars, XLU Tumbles
U.S. equity markets had a rocky Thursday as solid earnings figures were overshadowed by uneasiness over tomorrow’s crucial GDP report to send all the major indexes slightly lower for the day’s trading. This uncertainty helped to boost the demand for commodities which saw broad strength with oil and gold both jumping higher on the day. Precious metals also gained significantly with all four finishing higher by at least 1% and palladium jumping by close to $23/oz. to finish the day at $491 an ounce. “There is a shuffling of positions prior to tomorrow’s [gross domestic product] number, with investors getting positions in line and taking some risk off the table,” Dan Cook, senior market analyst at IG Markets, said of the session’s seesawing trade. One of the biggest winners on the day was the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) which soared higher by 2.8%. This came after today’s weekly report on gas storage levels from the EIA showed a lower than expected build-up of supplies. Traders had expected a build-up of between 31 to 35 billion cubic feet but only 28 billion cubic feet were added which increased the bullish sentiment for the commodity. Natural gas looks to be in high demand as hot weather continues in much of the Northeast and Midwest however much of this has already been priced in. “Much of the buying came in yesterday and the the day before, so if you were going to buy on the [EIA] number, you would have bought yesterday,” said Hamza Khan, energy analyst at The Schork Group, about the price pullback, while noting many expected a lighter injection. “And we haven’t really received any other information to push prices higher today.”
ETF Database submits:
Complete Story »
Seven Reasons Silver Could Soar and Four ETFs to Play
With consumer confidence plunging and governments around the world racking up seemingly unpayable bills, many investors have sought refuge outside of fiat currencies in order to help protect some of their assets from the ravages of inflation which is sure to come eventually. Almost by default, investors have piled into gold which has seen its price soar to $1250/oz. before dropping back to the $1160/oz. level it is at currently. This recent pullback has left gold investors will an interesting dilemma; buy more assuming that the economy or the dollar collapse, or sell as the economy picks back up on the back of solid corporate earnings in a variety of sectors. Although gold remains an excellent hedge against failing currencies, it does not offer the same upside in good times that its cousin silver does which is extremely important in these uncertain times. This is because gold has virtually no industrial uses while silver finds its way into a host of critical applications ensuring that the metal will be in demand no matter if a boom or a bust is in our immediate future. This is especially important in today’s economic climate since the economy could seemingly turn in either direction at any time; there is plenty of data to support both sides of the debate. Due to this conflict, we believe that silver could make an interesting choice for investors who are concerned about the world’s fiscal condition but also realize that things are not all bad in the world. Not only does silver have a variety of uses but demand is currently outstripping supply. In fact, it is estimated that for every 1.5 ounces of silver that are consumed, 1 oz. is produced, suggesting that as time goes on silver only becomes more in demand for its multitude of uses. So while gold receives the bulk of the attention due to its high price and rarity, an excellent case can be made for investing in silver as well. Below, we profile the seven best reasons why demand for this metal is likely to stay high no matter what the economic situation.
ETF Database submits:
Complete Story »
Shorting Volatility Without the Pain
Investors have routinely watched the volatility indicators like the VIX to measure investor “fear” in the market via the implied volatility of the underlying index options. In recent years, they’ve been able to partake in spikes in volatility as a portfolio hedge via the exchange traded notes, otherwise known as ETNs VXX and VXN, which track volatility futures in the broader market and the NASDAQ. But what about when the VIX runs up in spectacular fashion and it’s evident to you at least, that there’s nowhere to go but down? In the past, you’d have to either short an existing long VIX ETF or buy puts, neither of which are appealing. Novice investors are often duped by the futures roll effect in the options, not to mention that most options expire worthless. Now though, there’s an inverse volatility ETF which allows you to buy when there’s blood in the street, if you will. Ticker: XXV
Dan Pritch submits:
Expense Ratio: 0.89%
Yield: n/a
ETF Basics:
Complete Story »
Gold ETF Holdings Tumble
I have written extensively about the extremely strong relationship (.pdf) between gold ETF holdings and gold prices. For much of this year, that relationship benefitted gold, as both holdings and prices relentlessly increased. The trend has obviously reversed over the past month, but interestingly, prices led the decline in holdings. It is important to remember that gold investors are not a homogenous group. There are gold bugs— perennial bulls who most likely hold physical gold rather than shares in ETFs, there are momentum traders who sell on the first sign of weakness, and then there is everyone in-between. One of the most significant differences between these groups is their respective levels of conviction. Gold bugs will never sell. Momentum traders will sell in a heartbeat. Importantly, the liquidity of gold ETFs makes them a very appropriate vehicle for those closer to the momentum trader side of the spectrum of conviction. Without a doubt, many of these traders bought gold ETFs simply because prices were rising. As prices fall, the process works in reverse.
Sumit Roy submits:
Complete Story »
High Yield Bonds Signal More Equity Strength Ahead
Investor appetite for risk is what drives markets higher as that appetite increases and lower as that appetite decreases. One of the best measures of investor appetite for risk is the performance of high yield bonds in relation to U.S. Treasuries. This spread shows a very close correlation to the performance of the S&P 500 and its behavior over the short term can actually help determine if a pullback is merely corrective or if it signifies something deeper.
The chart below shows a spread between the iShares High Yield Bond ETF (HYG) and the Lehman 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF). When the black line is rising, that means that high yield bonds are seeing more inflows than treasuries (bullish). When the black line is falling, that means that treasuries are seeing more inflows than high yield bonds (bearish). The S&P 500 index is also plotted (the red line).
Complete Story »
Mixed Economic Reports Mean Mixed ETFs
Mixed economic reports sent stocks and exchange traded funds mixed in early trading this morning. The Dashboard shows a mix of top ETF winners and losers; among the top movers are oil ETFs and the euro. While jobless claims stayed high this week, they did decline for the third time in four weeks, so that’s something. It’s a sign that the U.S. economy added jobs this month, but few think it will be enough to nudge the general unemployment rate lower.
Tom Lydon submits:
Complete Story »
Reasons to Consider Turkish Investment Fund
My portfolios are full but when screening on Barchart for stocks hitting the most frequent new highs I came across the Turkish Investment Fund (TKF). It's a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company managed by Morgan Stanley. The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation through investments primarily in equity securities of Turkish corporations. The fund is concentrated in 23 issues and the top 5 comprise over 45% of the portfolio. 87% of the fund is in 5 sectors: Financial Services, Consumer Goods, Telecom, Industrial and Energy. I'm considering the fund on technical reasons but after researching the economy in Turkey I've got some other reasons too. The IMF is predicting that the Turkish economy is stable and expected to grow between 3.5% - 4.0% in the next few years. Turkey has the 17th largest economy in the world and S&P just raised their sovereign bond rating a notch. Turkey has instituted financial restraints on their economy and didn't need to be bailed out like some of the smaller Euro countries. The country stands at the cross-roads of trade between Europe and Asia and even Israel makes sure to stay on Turkey's good side although recently some problems with relief efforts to Arab areas had to be worked out.
Jim Van Meerten submits:
Complete Story »
Trading the Pause - ETF Ideas
In one of his RealMoney.com 7/28/10 blogs, Jim Cramer said of the stock market: “It's nonsensical. It's stupid. It's the way it is as we come into August in what I think most people would admit is the most confounding and hated market we've seen in ages.” The Pause-Trading ETF Model I introduced on Seeking Alpha last week seems, at least for now, made to order for those who agree given its abandonment of equity exposure and its focus on gold and fixed income. Here is this week’s top-five list:
Complete Story »
Protecting Your Portfolio With Bearish ETFs
Some investors have made some profits, want to hold on to their shares, but don't want to lose their gains if the market tanks. There are several ways of protecting a portfolio, including buying puts, shorting similar stocks, or just selling the stocks outright. However, there is an alternative, the bearish ETFs, also known as short ETFs.
Stockerblog submits:
An ETF or Exchange Traded Fund is structured to track various stock indices or the inverse of various stock indices. Most are traded on the American Stock Exchange. To get more bang for your buck, there are over 40 bearish ETFs that are leveraged, according to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. These leveraged bearish ETFs cover numerous sectors, industries and sub-industries.
Complete Story »
Europe ETFs Don’t Stress After Tests: Should Investors?
The majority of European banks passed a round of “stress tests” aimed to measure their financial system’s durability against economic disasters. But some wonder whether the results would ease the minds of Europe ETF investors who are worried about the stability of the whole euro system. Only seven of Europe’s 91 largest banks needed more capital to withstand any declines in economic growth or deterioration in sovereign debt issued by Greece, Portugal and Spain, reports Jack Ewing for The New York Times.
Tom Lydon submits:
Complete Story »
Bringing Dynamic Volatility Hedging to ETFs
As the ETF space continues to evolve and push into new territory, such as strategy-in-a-box ETFs and more actively managed ETFs (e.g., QAI, ALT, PQY, PQZ, GVT, PSR, RWG), it was only a matter of time before a volatility play was added to the pool of actively managed ETFs. Credit Direxion with being the first to venture into the realm of actively managed ETFs with a strong volatility component. In a recent SEC filing, Direxion unveiled plans to launch an intriguing new ETF under the name of S&P 500 Dynamic VEQTOR Shares. This ETF will seek to track the S&P 500 Dynamic VEQTOR Index, which was launched by S&P on November 18, 2009.
Bill Luby submits:
Complete Story »
Three Energy ETFs in Focus as Exxon Reports
By Jared Cummans In the midst of earnings season, stock markets are no strangers to volatility. The first week saw mixed results, with some industry leaders beating estimates while others disappointed the Street on weak revenue numbers. Week two was slightly more upbeat, with some major financial and energy companies –such as Morgan Stanley (MS) and Halliburton (HAL)– crushed their estimates. Along with these two industry bellwethers, Microsoft (MSFT) reported positive earnings, while Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) reported a dismal outlook for the remainder of 2010.
Michael Johnston submits:
Complete Story »
Thursday’s ETF to Watch: Claymore/MAC Global Solar Energy Index ETF
With low levels of economic growth predicted for much of the world, demand for many commodities has been modest to say the least. This has helped to keep the price of oil in check and force the commodity to trade in a $20 dollar range between $70-$90 a barrel for much of 2010. While welcomed news for most consumers who have been especially hard hit by the crisis, this has been a terrible development for the alternative power industry which thrives on higher costs for traditional power sources in order to make its products competitive. In the past, alternative power companies could compete with oil and coal thanks to large subsidies from governments around the world. However, as balance sheets have become more bloated, many governments have resorted to cutting solar power subsidies in order to cut expenses without having to fire state workers or cut benefits. Germany, one of the world’s leaders in alternative energy, cut solar power subsidies by close to 16% which sent many solar companies tumbling and has set the stage for further cuts in other developed markets, including the U.S. where a small company was forced to abandon a $400 million project after failing to obtain financing earlier this year. In addition to cutting into solar power company earnings, these cuts in subsidies have also pushed up the price point at which solar is competitive with oil which is helping to further cloud the outlook for the solar industry in 2010.
ETF Database submits:
Complete Story »
Elusive Low Correlations
Two items today from Wednesday's FT Alphaville. One was part of an ongoing dialogue about correlation having increased lately and the extent to which high frequency trading (HFT) and the popularity of ETFs might be contributing to the problem. Concerns over correlation sprang up in 2008 when "diversification didn't work" and this has been a front burner topic ever since. It will not, however, be a front burner topic forever.
Roger Nusbaum submits:
Complete Story »
ETFs News and Commentary from Seeking Alpha
'ETF' Tag RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com
Ignis launches UK Enhanced Income Fund
Ignis Asset Management has launched the Ignis UK Enhanced Income Fund. 
Court bars Paul Greenwood in investment scam case
A federal court in New York has entered a consent order of permanent injunction and equitable relief against Paul Greenwood of North Salem, New York. 
Hedge funds limit losses in June as markets continue to fall
Hedge funds as measured by the Greenwich Global Hedge Fund Index cut net exposures and limited the losses experienced by markets in June. 
Capital IQ and Tamale RMS data available via single dashboard
Advent Software, a provider of software and services for the investment management industry, is making Capital IQ and Tamale RMS data available via a single dashboard view. 
Acquisition of Interactive Data completed
Interactive Data, a provider of financial market data, analytics and related solutions, has been acquired by investment funds managed by Silver Lake and Warburg Pincus. 
CFTC charges Texas firm with soliciting USD30m to trade commodity futures
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has charged Robert Mihailovich, Sr., and Growth Capital Management, both of Rockwall, Texas, with fraudulent solicitation in connection with the trading of commodity futures contracts and leveraged foreign currency. 
ICMA moves its London office
The International Capital Market Association’s office in London will be moving on 30 July to a new location. 
State Street launches indices assessing turbulence of market behaviour
State Street Global Markets, the investment research and trading arm of State Street, has launched its Turbulence Indices, a suite of indices that measure the unusualness, or turbulence, of market behaviour on a daily basis.
SBI Japannext Securities joins Fidessa’s network
Fidessa group, a provider of trading, connectivity and market data solutions for the buy-side and sell-side, has added SBI Japannext Securities, a Japanese proprietary trading system, to its global FIX network. 
RAB Capital makes loss before tax of GBP3.3m in first half
Asset manager RAB Capital made a loss before tax of GBP3.3m in the six months ended 30 June 2010, compared with a loss of GBP2.7m for the same period the previous year.
Goldman Sachs launches clearing services for OTC derivatives
Goldman Sachs has launched its Derivatives Clearing Services business.
Ireland Hedge Fund Services 2010
Understand what is making the pendulum in Ireland swing back from threat to opportunity - read our report
AIC board elects Sarah Bates as next chairman
The board of the Association of Investment Companies has elected Sarah Bates to be the new chairman succeeding Carol Ferguson. 
Guernsey plans timing for move to automatic exchange of information
Guernsey’s government plans to give financial institutions a window from 1 January 2011 to 1 July 2011 for moving to automatic exchange of information.
Absolute return sector favours equity and multi-asset strategies
Fund managers are increasingly turning to equity and asset allocation as the number of fixed income funds in the absolute returns sector falls, says Standard & Poor’s Fund Services in its latest sector review. 
BP spill has implications for oil prices and alternative energy, says ETF Securities
The BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has potentially large implications for the energy sector with the cost of the spill being estimated at USD32.2bn, according to ETF Securities. 
Battenkill to sub-advise Hatteras Alternative Mutual Funds
Battenkill Capital Management, a Princeton, New Jersey-based investment adviser, has been engaged as a sub-adviser by Hatteras Alternative Mutual Funds, a provider of alternative investment mutual fund products. 
Appleby expands funds and investment services team
Offshore law firm Appleby has appointed Christian Victory as an associate in its funds and investment services team. 
Secondary market rebounds from May’s low
The average price for assets on the secondary hedge fund market rose to 78 per cent after shaking off some of the fallout from May’s European debt crisis, according to Hedgebay’s June index.
FRM Capital Advisors enters relationship with Varna Capital
FRM Capital Advisors, the hedge fund seeding division of Financial Risk Management, and Varna Capital have formed a relationship which involves FRM making a significant investment in Varna’s first fund.
Alpha Strategic income rises to GBP441,000
Alpha Strategic, which delivers hedge fund fee revenue to the public market, saw its revenue rise to GBP441,000 in the year ended 31 March 2010 from GBP342,000 at 31 March 2009.
Sascha Bloemhoff appointed managing director of Climex
Sascha Bloemhoff has been appointed as managing director of Climex, a pan-European organisation which provides a marketplace for trading and auctioning environmental commodities and energy contracts. 
Morningstar 1000 Hedge Fund Index down 0.3 per cent
The Morningstar 1000 Hedge Fund Index fell 0.3 per cent in June, ending the quarter with a 3.6 per cent loss and down 2.2 per cent for the year to date. 
CFTC charges three with destroying records and failing to supervise staff
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has filed an enforcement action charging Chicago-based New World Holdings with destroying business records and failing to diligently supervise employees.
Global Distressed Fund among BarclayHedge top ten
Global Investment House says the Global Distressed Fund was ranked sixth in the fund of funds – distressed securities/event driven category for May 2010 by BarclayHedge. 
Hedgeweek
Hedgeweek
Schwab Best for Mutual Funds
According to SmartMoney, Schwab is "Best" in mutual funds and investment products. This is a nice piece of publicity for Schwab. SmartMoney's rankings are highly regarded and garner much attention from individual investors. But what does it really mean to be "Best" and why did Schwab win the coveted rankings? According to the article on SmartMoney's website, Schwab edged out the competition for a couple of reasons that mainly pertain to the number of mutual funds available and percentage of mutual funds that are no load (and a couple of other factors not related to mutual funds). So, how should mutual fund investors use this information provided by SmartMoney? Investors certainly shouldn't read that they should buy their mutual funds from Schwab for the above stated reasons (number of funds and percentage that are no load). In fact, too many fund offerings may be a distraction for investors. My recommendation is to use this information as one factor out of several. Other factors to consider and questions to ask when looking for a place to buy your funds: What is the transaction charge to buy a mutual fund? What is the minimum investment in the funds that are available? What mutual fund research is made available on their website? That's enough of my point of view. Send me an email or make a comment below and tell us what you look for when choosing a discount broker to buy your funds. Maybe you don't buy through a discount broker - we still want to hear from you. Schwab Best for Mutual Funds originally appeared on About.com Mutual Funds on Sunday, June 6th, 2010 at 23:31:17.
One of the Worst Fixed Income Investments?
TIPS (Treasury Inflation Protected Securities) are among the worst performing fixed income investments over the past six months. Other than two international bond benchmarks and two short-term US Treasury Bond benchmarks, the BarCap US TIPS Index has underperformed all other fixed income indexes. But wait, you say, many gurus expect a massive dose of inflation in the coming years due to ballooning debt and deficits. Shouldn't TIPS be outperforming other bonds? Not necessarily. Read my interview with John Hollyer, co-manager of the Vanguard TIPS Fund for detailed information about TIPS and the benefits and risks of investing in TIPS. Also, don't be concerned if you own TIPS. It's a reasonable diversifier and hedge against inflation. The recent performance should also be ignored. Considering that TIPS are one of the top performing fixed income investments over the past three years, it will payoff if investors ignore past performance and rely on investment diversification strategies. There's no reason to run from TIPS today. But make yourself aware of the upside and downside of this esoteric bond investment. Learn More About TIPS A Primer on Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities Pros and Cons of TIPS Mutual Funds One of the Worst Fixed Income Investments? originally appeared on About.com Mutual Funds on Saturday, May 29th, 2010 at 16:28:07.
A Visit from John Bogle
I didn't doubt the CEO of my firm, Jim Joslin, when I heard him once say that he worked with, and regularly played squash with, John Bogle, founder of Vanguard. But I did doubt that I would ever have the honor of hearing the living legend himself speak to our small firm of 15 employees in Boston. Of course, until Jim said that it was a possibility... Speak to our firm was just what Mr. Bogle did. Last week, he joined us in celebrating Jim's birthday, shared his thoughts on investing, signed a copy of his latest book for everyone, and gave us more than a bit of advice. While there was plenty to take away from the evening, I will share a question that was asked by Jim's wife, Sally Joslin. The question was not common, but the answer surprisingly was one that we have all heard before, but many refuse to accept and practice. Sally's question was: "If you could warn investors about one thing, what would it be?" Mr. Bogle, as he admitted, could have shared any number of his opinions about the current state of the financial world (e.g., financial reform, derivatives, unscrupulous advisors, Greece), but instead focused on investor behavior. He strongly advised that investors heed the warning that past performance is not indicative of future performance. He went on to say that too many investors (and investment professionals) focus on past performance. If a particular asset class/style outperformed another, it is not reason to buy the investment; there is no reason to believe the outperformance will continue. Of all the things he could have warned us about, he chose to warn us about our behavior and tendencies. After all, as Mr. Bogle obviously recognizes, we cannot control the Greek debt issues, financial reform, etc. We can control, or should be able to control, our investment behavior. So we should consider ourselves warned, by one of the most influential invesment industry thoughtleaders of our time, to not chase the hot dot. Read More: Top Performing Funds and the Cover Story Curse A Visit from John Bogle originally appeared on About.com Mutual Funds on Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 at 13:10:21.
Before You Invest in Mutual Funds
For the past month, I have been highlighting "back to the basics" articles in my free weekly newsletter. Why? For starters, we have experienced (or are experiencing) one of the most difficult market environments in history. Some investors are frozen, many investors have lost confidence in the financial system and others simply do not know how to get their financial houses in order. Getting back to the basics won't help everyone, but for those looking for a place to begin, Before You Invest in Mutual Funds offers a simple approach to explaining funds and other investments (with helpful links to each). Before You Invest in Mutual Funds originally appeared on About.com Mutual Funds on Sunday, May 16th, 2010 at 22:16:48.
The Dow's 1,000 Point Plunge
The market's recent 1,000 point plunge created a bevy of stories about the cause of the rout. Maybe it was an erroneous trade entered on a trading desk, lack of liquidity in the electronic markets or a simple, yet disturbing, technological glitch. Regardless of the cause and the solution, if you pick up your local paper, turn on the news or read a couple of blogs, it's apparent that politicians, regulators and related parties have something to say. The $1 trillion market freefall is the perfect material for a soap box -- and anyone who may be blameworthy, or anyone who needs to protect their constituency (or show their face as if they are protecting) will surely continue to discuss one of the most volatile trading days in US stock market history. More worrisome are those who will attempt to profit from the mess by stirring up more fear than necessary. Their stories will no doubt advise you to sell out of all things stocks (including mutual funds and ETFs) and buy the product they are hawking. After all, why buy into this opaque Wall Street profit machine, right? Expect to see and hear more "doom and gloom" related pitches in the coming days and weeks as interested parties will weave swaying stories. These stories may convince people to buy gold, insurance, a vault to hold cash, etc. So what is my advice to long-term investors? Ignore the hype. Ignore the pitches. What is my advice to short-term investors? Become long-term investors and then ignore the hype and the pitches. Don't be persuaded to drop a long-term plan in order to buy into the fear. If you are a mutual fund investor, either through your 401k or another account, and you are considering selling your mutual funds due to recent market activity, read 4 Reasons to Sell Your Mutual Fund Now and avoid selling due to last week's performance. The Dow's 1,000 Point Plunge originally appeared on About.com Mutual Funds on Saturday, May 8th, 2010 at 11:56:19.
Vanguard's Free ETF Trades
Vanguard is offering free ETF trades. Yes, they have joined Fidelity and Schwab who are both offering free ETF trades of their own (restrictions apply in each case). I won't regurgitate the press release for you. My thoughts are that regardless if you pay $0, $10, $50 for an ETF trade, then the fact remains that you need to know what you are buying and why. In other words, concern yourself less with the product (ETF/mutual fund) and more with the holdings of the product -- how do the funds invest its assets? Don't get me wrong, price competition is positive; zero-commission trades are great. Keep in mind, now these ETF transaction fees are on par with Vanguard's no-load (commission free) mutual funds. There are other costs involved with ETFs and mutual funds. Vanguard has an excellent tool on their website that sheds light on the difference in costs between these Vanguard products. Learn about ETFs vs. Mutual Funds ETFs vs. Mutual Funds: An Active vs. Passive Debate Decision Tree: ETFs or Mutual Funds? Vanguard's Free ETF Trades originally appeared on About.com Mutual Funds on Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 at 22:51:52.
Your Mutual Fund Company Goes Bankrupt, Now What?
I recently read a question on an online forum that asked: "What Happens If Your Mutual Fund Goes Bankrupt?" Good question, but many wrong answers were posted. Let's clear it up. First, we need to understand how a mutual fund company goes bankrupt. It is not from the holdings within the mutual fund going to zero. A mutual fund company files bankruptcy for the same reason any other company files bankruptcy -- they file if they are unable to pay their bills. Bankruptcy will have to do with the parent company of a mutual fund -- Fidelity (as the parent company) does not own the Fidelity mutual funds. Fidelity profits from the management fees and other revenue generated from their business. Remember, your mutual fund is not owned by its mutual fund company; your mutual fund is owned by its shareholders -- namely, you. Vanguard has a more unique structure, but that is the subject of a future post. Back to the question -- Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which governs the fund industry, each fund is set up as an individual corporate entity with its own board of directors. If the company were to file for bankruptcy, its creditors would not be able to touch the mutual fund's assets (your investment dollars). Shareholders' assets are not at risk due to the mutual fund company's inability to manage their business. If the fund company goes bankrupt, the mutual fund's (your fund's) directors could immediately hire a new fund advisor. The other option is to liquidate the fund's assets and return them to the shareholders. So there you have it. Questions? Learn More About Mutual Funds: Making Sense Out of the Structure of Mutual Funds Your Mutual Fund Company Goes Bankrupt, Now What? originally appeared on About.com Mutual Funds on Wednesday, April 28th, 2010 at 21:43:16.
Choosing Mutual Funds
I always enjoy receiving questions from readers. It helps me understand what is of interest and gives me ideas for future educational pieces. So, thanks and keep them coming. Last night, I received the following email question from a newsletter reader. "Dear Lee, Some experts suggest that the surest way to profit is to choose funds with the lowest expense ratios. To me, it seems looking at 5-10 year performances is more logical. Fund A has an expense ratio of .5 and a 5 year average annual return of 6% Fund B has an expense ratio of 1.5 and a 5 year average annual return of 6.5% Wouldn't Fund B have been more profitable in spite of its higher expenses? Please clear up my confusion. Thanks." The reader was correct, expenses do not mean everything. However, if you are buying index funds, you can generally depend on the cheapest index funds (in each category -- that is, compare the cheapest S&P 500 funds with other S&P 500 funds and not with emerging markets index funds). Another issue to consider is style drift. Style drift may result in an overweighting in one investment class and underweighting in another, therefore changing the risk/reward characteristics of a portfolio. In terms of choosing funds based on past performance -- be careful. Remember the adage that past performance does not predict future performance. There are many more factors that I will touch upon in future articles and blog posts in the weeks and months ahead. Until then, the following related articles may be of interest: Should You Buy Last Year's Top Performing Funds? Choosing Mutual Funds originally appeared on About.com Mutual Funds on Tuesday, April 27th, 2010 at 21:23:53.
401(k) Investing: The Basics
In my previous post, I mentioned that it's time to get back to basics. More than one reader asked about 401k investing. So here you have it, a few basic tips -- including links to other helpful sites -- on How to Invest in Mutual Funds in Your 401(k). The article also applies to IRA investing and other types of retirement plans. 401(k) Investing: The Basics originally appeared on About.com Mutual Funds on Monday, April 26th, 2010 at 20:27:15.
Back to Basics
So we've spent the last few weeks discussing taxes as they relate to mutual funds. It's not the most exciting topic (to most) nor the simplest for many to grasp. Let's get back to basics. I get emails regularly asking questions about how to invest in funds, about advisors and whether they should be trusted, about a host of issues. I'm compiling a list of frequently asked questions that, hopefully, will answer many of your questions. But I'm sure there are more. I've posted a few links below to a couple of recent questions. Now I'm asking for your help. What questions do you have about mutual funds? Do you understand how to buy a fund? Do you know the difference between large cap and small cap? No question is too basic. Leave a comment below or email me directly at mutualfunds.guide@about.com. What Is the Definition of a Mutual Fund? Back to Basics originally appeared on About.com Mutual Funds on Sunday, April 25th, 2010 at 12:22:48.
About Mutual Funds
Mutual Funds
Jonathan Burton's Life Savings: Investor sentiment gets hotter in July
Bullish sentiment is on the rise, but which investors are we talking about? A recent survey shows once again that people’s ability to handle market uncertainty hinges on what type of investor they are.
Mutual Funds Weekly: Gold bugs swatted as investors picnic on stocks
Is there still a case for gold? Yes, but only if you believe that governments will have to pump more stimulus into the global economy at the expense of national currencies. Read about this and more in this week's Mutual Funds and ETF stories.
ETF Focus: ETF as the 'TAO' of Chinese real estate
One of top-performing ETFs for July tracks Chinese real estate companies, rallying about 13% in the month to date.
FundWatch: Emerging markets' outperformance draws investors
International stock mutual funds and exchange-traded funds could attract more new money this year over 2009, powered in part by emerging markets holding up better than developed nations in the downturn.
ETF Investing: S&P 500 ETF may be sending bearish signal
Investors are hoping a summer rally will revive their battered stock portfolios, but the recent action in a key exchange-traded fund tracking the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index suggests a troubling lack of buyer conviction.
Chuck Jaffe: Firsthand fundholders get second-rate deal
Mutual-fund managers typically don't want to make bad performance worse, but that seems to be the path Kevin Landis has set for the Firsthand Technology Value Fund.
Jon Markman's Speculations: Five places to invest before you retire
While the start of this year was all about the misery of the PIIGS, the rest of the year is likely to focus on the mastery of the STINC.
Outside the Box: Market-timing indicators are bearish
With so many market indicators giving mixed signals, it’s no wonder that many traders and investors are confused about where the stock market may go next. Some predict a complete collapse of the financial markets while others believe we’ll have a mildly bullish run.
Bill Donoghue: Find a safe harbor in foreign-stock ETFs
Nowadays, four emerging markets' ETFs have generated substantial upward momentum over the past couple of months: iShares MSCI Turkey and siblings dedicated to Chile, Malaysia and Thailand.
Mutual Funds Weekly: Fund investors may get relief from 'killer Bs'
If securities regulators stick to their guns, mutual-fund shareholders will get a break on fees they pay to fund companies and to brokers who sold them the investment. That’s great news for investors, but what took so long?
MarketWatch.com - Mutual Funds
MarketWatch, a leading publisher of business and financial news, offers users up-to-the minute news, investment tools, and subscription products.
Why you can't forget inflation
Now that Europe's financial markets have hit a giant speed bump, raising fears that the U.S. recovery could also stall, inflation probably isn't something you're worried about today. But when it comes to the threat of rising prices, there are a couple of things you should know.
Money makeover: Married couple, separate finances
Michelle Spranger and Scott Zuckerberg have been husband and wife for eight years, but they've yet to marry their finances.
When Howard Marks talks, the Street listens
Since founding Oaktree Capital in L.A. in 1995, Howard Marks, 64, has built his institutional investment firm into a $76 billion powerhouse in high-yield bonds, distressed debt, and private equity. During the 2008 financial crisis he raised an unprecedented $10.9 billion fund to buy distressed assets -- a bet that has paid off richly for his investors. Admired for the folksy charm and astute commentary of his letters to investors, Marks shared his wisdom with Fortune's Mina Kimes.
Are the mutual fund's days numbered?
Ever since exchange-traded funds were created in the early 1990s, they've been seen as a threat to old-fashioned mutual funds. That's because ETFs can offer you instant exposure to a wide range of investments -- from the broad stock and bond markets to individual sectors to niche strategies -- all with a single trade.
The great debate: Are stocks pricey?
Equities have soared more than 70% since last March, but they're still down 25% from their 2007 peak. Does that mean stocks are trading at a bargain, or has the recent rally made the market frothy again?
Deflation? Inflation? Protect against both
You know that stocks have a knack for climbing a wall of worry. You saw that firsthand last year, when in the midst of the global financial crisis, the Standard & Poor's 500 index skyrocketed more than 70% from its March 2009 lows.
Finding good buys in tough industries
You've probably been told to keep things simple when it comes to managing your portfolio. And that's typically good advice. Yet I'm reminded of that famous quote from Albert Einstein, who said, "Make everything as simple as possible -- but not simpler."
When a fund manager flees, should you?
Navigating a choppy market is hard enough. Making matters worse is the fact that some of the most respected skippers in the fund industry are leaving the portfolios they've helmed for years.
Putting your money where your heart is
Years ago I interviewed a money manager who was a Mormon. One of his biggest (and ultimately shrewdest) bets was a tobacco company.
Leon Cooperman: There's still room to move
When it comes to hedge funds, few have been doing it longer -- or better -- than Leon Cooperman.
A star fund manager gets cautious
In the past few years you'd have been paid well to listen to Tom Forester. He saved investors tens of millions in 2008 as the only U.S. stock manager whose fund posted a gain for the year.
3 lessons for investing overseas
Greece, of all places. Who knew you had to worry about what happens in Greece?
The wrong way to pick funds
Photographer friends tell me that if you're picking out a point-and-shoot camera you shouldn't focus much on the megapixels. That measure of a camera's resolution is hyped by manufacturers, but most cameras on the market give you all the pixels you'll need.
Mr. Distress is ready to buy
Whether it's steel, textiles, or auto manufacturing, Wilbur Ross has built a lucrative career finding gold in industries left for dead.
Why diversification will work again
Diversification, the notion of spreading your investments among different baskets of assets that don't rise and fall in unison, has long been considered one of the safest and surest moves you can make with your portfolio. After all, if any one basket falls apart, most of your brood should remain intact.
3 ways to find value in a pricey market
A year ago, when all sorts of investments -- stocks, bonds, commodities -- were being tossed on the scrap heap, dyed-in-the-wool bargain hunters who had the courage to sift through the market's ruins were richly rewarded.
Do we have the right investment mix?
Richard and Cheryl Ebers began their married life together just nine years ago. She was divorced and raising two sons (now adults); he was a widower with a young boy of his own (Eric, now 13 ).
Can you outsmart the market?
As you try to figure out how to put your money to work in a market that veers from depression to mania, you're confronted with two opposing facts that lead to opposing investing strategies.
Can I retire early?
Kevin ford has worked as an engineer in the Detroit auto industry for more than three decades - currently for the car company that best suits his name. His wife, Janice, is also a veteran of the field, a fellow engineer who even ran her own dealership for a few years before leaving the industry in 2005 to do part-time business development consulting. Kevin hoped to follow her into retirement at age 55, and two years ago that seemed doable. The family had nearly $1 million saved, plus a hefty pension; they had no debt besides a $300,000 mortgage; their son, Darrell, was out of college and daughter, Kimberly, would be done in 2011.
Mutual fund advice and news - CNNMoney.com
From CNN and Money magazine, CNNMoney.com combines business news and in-depth market analysis with practical advice and answers to personal finance questions.
Jonathan Burton's Life Savings: Investor sentiment gets hotter in July
Bullish sentiment is on the rise, but which investors are we talking about? A recent survey shows once again that people’s ability to handle market uncertainty hinges on what type of investor they are.
Mutual Funds Weekly: Gold bugs swatted as investors picnic on stocks
Is there still a case for gold? Yes, but only if you believe that governments will have to pump more stimulus into the global economy at the expense of national currencies. Read about this and more in this week's Mutual Funds and ETF stories.
ETF Focus: ETF as the 'TAO' of Chinese real estate
One of top-performing ETFs for July tracks Chinese real estate companies, rallying about 13% in the month to date.
FundWatch: Emerging markets' outperformance draws investors
International stock mutual funds and exchange-traded funds could attract more new money this year over 2009, powered in part by emerging markets holding up better than developed nations in the downturn.
ETF Investing: S&P 500 ETF may be sending bearish signal
Investors are hoping a summer rally will revive their battered stock portfolios, but the recent action in a key exchange-traded fund tracking the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index suggests a troubling lack of buyer conviction.
Chuck Jaffe: Firsthand fundholders get second-rate deal
Mutual-fund managers typically don't want to make bad performance worse, but that seems to be the path Kevin Landis has set for the Firsthand Technology Value Fund.
Jon Markman's Speculations: Five places to invest before you retire
While the start of this year was all about the misery of the PIIGS, the rest of the year is likely to focus on the mastery of the STINC.
Outside the Box: Market-timing indicators are bearish
With so many market indicators giving mixed signals, it’s no wonder that many traders and investors are confused about where the stock market may go next. Some predict a complete collapse of the financial markets while others believe we’ll have a mildly bullish run.
Bill Donoghue: Find a safe harbor in foreign-stock ETFs
Nowadays, four emerging markets' ETFs have generated substantial upward momentum over the past couple of months: iShares MSCI Turkey and siblings dedicated to Chile, Malaysia and Thailand.
Mutual Funds Weekly: Fund investors may get relief from 'killer Bs'
If securities regulators stick to their guns, mutual-fund shareholders will get a break on fees they pay to fund companies and to brokers who sold them the investment. That’s great news for investors, but what took so long?
MarketWatch.com - Mutual Funds
MarketWatch, a leading publisher of business and financial news, offers users up-to-the minute news, investment tools, and subscription products.
Federated Enhanced Treasury Income Fund Reports Earnings
PITTSBURGH, July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Federated Enhanced Treasury Income Fund (NYSE: FTT), a closed-end investment company, today announced earnings for the period ended May 31, 2010. Launched on Jan. 29, 2010, the fund employs an integrated U.S. Treasury-based strategy with an option
Federated Investors' Closed-End Municipal Funds Report Semi-Annual Earnings; Annual Shareholder Meeting Announced
PITTSBURGH, July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Federated Premier Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: FMN) and Federated Premier Intermediate Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: FPT) today announced earnings for the six-month period ended May 31, 2010. Established in 2002, the funds seek to provide investors
TIFF Appoints Laurence H. Lebowitz as President and Chief Investment Officer
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Laurence H. Lebowitz, former Chairman and Managing Director of Dallas-based HBK Capital Management, will become President and Chief Investment Officer of The Investment Fund for Foundations (TIFF), whose affiliates steward more than $8.5 billion on beh
Global X Funds Launches First Brazil Financials ETF (BRAF)
NEW YORK, July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Global X Funds, the New York-based provider of exchange traded funds, launched today the Global X Brazil Financials ETF (ticker: BRAF). This is the first ETF to offer targeted access to the rapidly growing Brazilian financial sector.
The Global X Brazil F
BNY Mellon Asset Servicing Becomes First Service Provider to Support ETF Short Positions
NEW YORK, July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, the global leader in securities servicing, became the first service provider to support short positions in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) after being selected to provide ETF services, custody, fund accounting and fund administrat
Investment Technology Group Reports Second Quarter 2010 Results
NEW YORK, July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Investment Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE: ITG), a leading agency broker and financial technology firm, today reported results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. An increase in U.S. volumes drove revenues and pro forma operating earnings higher as co
Unified Fund Services Hosts Web Seminar on Use of Social Media in the Mutual Fund Industry
COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Unified Fund Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (Nasdaq: HBAN) (www.huntington.com), will host a free web seminar about the use of social media in the mutual fund industry on Tuesday, Aug. 3 at 1 p.m. ET.
Alliance New York Municipal Income Fund Releases Monthly Portfolio Update
NEW YORK, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliance New York Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: AYN) (the "Fund") today released its monthly portfolio update as of June 30, 2010.
Alliance New York Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
Top 10 Fixed-Income Holdings
The Ibero-America Fund Releases Monthly Portfolio Update
NEW YORK, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Ibero-America Fund, Inc. (NYSE: SNF) (the "Fund") today released its monthly portfolio update as of June 30, 2010.
Top 10 Equity Holdings Portfolio % Sector
AllianceBernstein Income Fund Releases Monthly Portfolio Update
NEW YORK, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AllianceBernstein Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: ACG) (the "Fund") today released its monthly portfolio update as of June 30, 2010.
AllianceBernstein Income Fund, Inc.
Top 10 Fixed-Income Holdings Po
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund Releases Monthly Portfolio Update
NEW YORK, June 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: AWF) (the "Fund") today released its monthly portfolio update as of May 31, 2010.
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund
As of
Alliance California Municipal Income Fund Releases Monthly Portfolio Update
NEW YORK, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliance California Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: AKP) (the "Fund") today released its monthly portfolio update as of June 30, 2010.
Alliance California Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
Top 10 Fixed-Incom
Eaton Vance Pennsylvania Municipal Income Trust Report of Earnings
BOSTON, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eaton Vance Pennsylvania Municipal Income Trust (NYSE Amex: EVP) (the "Trust"), a closed-end management investment company, today announced the earnings of the Trust for the three and six-month periods ended May 31, 2010. The Trust's fiscal year ends o
Eaton Vance Ohio Municipal Income Trust Report of Earnings
BOSTON, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eaton Vance Ohio Municipal Income Trust (NYSE Amex: EVO) (the "Trust"), a closed-end management investment company, today announced the earnings of the Trust for the three and six-month periods ended May 31, 2010. The Trust's fiscal year ends on Novemb
Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust Report of Earnings
BOSTON, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust (NYSE Amex: CEV) (the "Trust"), a closed-end management investment company, today announced the earnings of the Trust for the three and six-month periods ended May 31, 2010. The Trust's fiscal year ends on
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust Report of Earnings
BOSTON, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust (NYSE: EVN) (the "Trust"), a diversified closed-end management investment company, today announced the earnings of the Trust for the three and six-months ended May 31, 2010. The Trust's fiscal year ends on November 30, 2010.
Fo
Eaton Vance Michigan Municipal Income Trust Report of Earnings
BOSTON, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --- Eaton Vance Michigan Municipal Income Trust (NYSE Amex: EMI) (the “Trust”), a closed-end management investment company, today announced the earnings of the Trust for the three and six-month periods ended May 31, 2010. The Trust’s fiscal ye
Eaton Vance New Jersey Municipal Income Trust Report of Earnings
BOSTON, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eaton Vance New Jersey Municipal Income Trust (NYSE Amex: EVJ) (the "Trust"), a closed-end management investment company, today announced the earnings of the Trust for the three and six-month periods ended May 31, 2010. The Trust's fiscal year ends on Novemb
Eaton Vance Closed-End Fund Quarterly Data Now Available
BOSTON, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eaton Vance Management announced that quarterly fund data as of June 30, 2010, including performance, call schedule for issues held, top-ten holdings, and sector weightings, is available for the Eaton Vance closed-end funds. The information is availabl
Virtus to Become Advisor to Phoenix Edge Series Fund Under Agreement with Phoenix Companies
HARTFORD, Conn., July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (NYSE: PNX) and Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRTS) today announced they have reached an agreement for Virtus to become the advisor and distributor to the Phoenix Edge Series Fund, a variable insurance trust.
PR Newswire: Mutual Funds
Press Releases from PR Newswire about Mutual Funds
Morningstar's Most Popular
Read full story for details.
Fairholme Continues to Find Values in Financials
Read full story for details.
Futures Sink on Lower-than-expected GDP Growth
Read full story for details.
Transocean--An Opportunity Amid Uncertainty
Read full story for details.
Asian Stocks Dive on US Sentiment, Strong Yen
Read full story for details.
Europe: Trade Cautious Ahead of US GDP
Read full story for details.
Asian Stocks Dive on Negative U.S. Sentiment
Read full story for details.
Stocks End Lower Ahead of GDP Report; Earnings and Jobless Claims in Focus
Read full story for details.
First American Funds Joins Nuveen
Read full story for details.
Stocks Turn Lower; Earnings and Jobless Claims in Focus
Read full story for details.
Morningstar Articles
Find fresh, independent perspectives on top investing stories and comprehensive information on stocks, mutual funds and ETFs.
Suncor Swings to a Profit in Q2
Maxim Reports Fiscal 4Q Results
Tesoro Swings to a Profit in Q2
Cavium Still Reporting Healthy Sales Growth
LoopNet Enjoys Nonrecurring 2Q Benefit
Charles River Folds on WuXi Acquisition
Morningstar Stock Analyst Notes
Find fresh, independent perspectives on top investing stories and comprehensive information on stocks, mutual funds and ETFs.