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Have a Care, And an Opportunity
October 7, 2008NEW YORK -- The explosive run-up in technology stocks that ended so badly early in the decade laid bare the risks in chasing performance and throwing money at any company with a dot-com in its name. Investors took their lumps and many waited patiently before essentially repeating the exercise a few years later, this time in Asia.
Volatility With a Potential Payoff
October 7, 2008 NEW YORK -- Closed-end funds have the misfortune to carry a name that connotes exclusivity, certainly not the more egalitarian overtones of a term like "mutual fund." But closed-end funds are not the exclusive province of Wall Street insiders and can be as much an everyman investment tool as mutual funds.
Spotlight Turns to Large-Cap Mutual Funds
October 7, 2008NEW YORK -- The roar the Dow Jones industrial average has unleashed in recent months is being heard by some as the sound of large-capitalization stocks reasserting themselves. It appears, though, that many mutual fund investors aren't listening or at least aren't rushing into mutual funds that invest in these companies.
Ginnie Mae Funds Show Promise as Safe Bets
October 7, 2008NEW YORK -- If the Federal Reserve leaves short-term interest rates unchanged this week, investors looking for a conservative income mutual fund might consider those that invest in Ginnie Maes. Some fund managers think the government-backed mortgages can perform well in a stable interest-rate environment.
Keep a Sharp Eye On Distribution Dates
October 7, 2008NEW YORK -- Investors itching to take part in the stock market's recent run-up should make sure that when investing in a mutual fund they aren't also buying into a year-end tax liability.
With Funds of Funds, A One-Stop Advantage
October 7, 2008 NEW YORK -- If a mutual fund can be likened to a general store in the variety it can offer, then a fund of funds would certainly resemble a warehouse retailer, allowing investors to pick up enormous variety all under one roof.
Spreading the Muni Advantage
October 7, 2008NEW YORK -- Many investors have long viewed the tax advantages municipal bonds provide as largely benefiting the rich, who pay a higher tax rate. While it's true that investing in municipal bonds is a no-brainer for those in the upper brackets, it's also something for regular investors to consider.
Balancing Act Begins With Bonds
October 7, 2008NEW YORK -- With some investors wringing their hands about inflation and the Federal Reserve's efforts to keep it in check, those with bond fund holdings could be forgiven for wanting to take their money and run. But while some market observers see volatility ahead, few are ready to call it quits.
SEC Rule Seen as a Threat To Power of Chief Executives
October 7, 2008NEW YORK -- The two-year tussle over a regulation requiring that mutual fund chairmen be independent has pitted the Vanguard Group against John C. Bogle, its founder. It's thrown the former governor of Minnesota against the son of a Supreme Court justice.
Sector Investing Isn't for Amateurs
October 7, 2008 NEW YORK -- Sector investing can look deceptively easy.
