Barron’s has a lead article titled “Invest in Japan.” What do you think? Time to jump in after the huge tragedy? From my own experience, tragedies are one of the best times to jump in. Take 9/11, quick slide, nice and quick recovery. Will Japan be the same? Nobody really knows, especially with the current level of uncertainty.
If you do want to invest, as I’m thinking about it, I think investing in ETFs is the smart way to go.
Exchange-Traded Funds | |
Ticker | Currency |
FXY | CurrencyShares Japanese Yen Trust |
JYN | Barclays iPath JPY/USD |
JYF | WisdomTree Dreyfus Japanese Yen |
Stocks | |
EWJ | iShares MSCI Japan Index |
DXJ | WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity |
DFJ | WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend |
ITF | iShares S&P/Topix 150 Index |
JSC | SPDR Russell/Nomura Small Cap Japan |
SCJ | iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap Index |
JPP | SPDR Russell/Nomura PRIME Japan |
Marsico has a few good funds
Marsico Focus (MFOCX)
Marsico Growth (MGRIX)
But looks like the best one, and also part of Kiplinger’s 25, and one that I own, is Marsico Global Fund (MGLBX).
While at the Barnes & Noble today, I got drawned in by a title in US World & Reports: The 100 Best Mutual Funds for the Long Run. Sure enough, I found a few funds that I think are top quality.
The Yacktman Fund (YACKX)
Comparing it to Fidelity Contrafund, which is considered one the top funds, I can see why Yacktman is on top: 3 year return of 8.9% is much better than -0.2% for the Fidelity fund.
Sextant International (SSIFX)
Very good returns. Better than Marsico Global, also a top rated fund.
Fidelity Canada (FICDX)
Very good returns.
In my retirement accounts, I only hold Mutual Funds. Why? More security. More diversity. I’m also open to holding ETFs, which are almost like Mutual Funds, but I try to stay away from stocks.
It’s good to rebalance every year or so. It’s been a while since I’ve done it. But because we had a decent dip recently, I think it might be a good time for me to do so. Plus, I have come across some excellent Mutual Funds in the Kiplinger’s magazine — I always try to buy their yearly issue focused on Mutual Funds.
Here are some funds which I like and which I picked mostly from that issue. I’m entering trades as I’m writing this post.
Loomis Sayles Bond (LSBRX)
Pimco Total Return (PTTAX)
A pair of the best and most famous bond funds, as per Kiplinger’s.
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index (VBMFX) (also available as an ETF, (BND))
Another of our favorites, same source.
Harbor Fund (HABDX)
The portfolio of Harbor more or less reflects the distilled wisdom of Bill Gross and his colleagues at Pimco. Kiplinger’s top 25 pick.
Vanguard Infaltion-Protected Securities (VIPSX) (also available as an ETF, (TIP))
For added security, it’s always have to have some TIPS.
Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX)
Recently reopened. Kiplinger’s Top 25.
Longleaf Partners (LLPFX)
Kiplinger’s Top 25. Impressive returns.
Marsico Global (MGLBX)
Very good returns. Kiplinger’s top 25 pick.
Vanguard Global Equity Fund (VHGEX)
Good returns as well. I like it.
There you have it!
Coming from the Feb 2010 SmartMoney magazine.
iShares Barclays TIPS Bond (TIP)
1-5 Year US TIPS Index (STPZ)
IQ CPI Inflation Hedged (CPI)
Not according to this chart.
This article, Is It Time to Buy a House Yet?, was part of today’s Must Read newsletter from Seeking Alpha (a good resource for investors). It caught my attention. I like to read stories about housing. But what really caught my attention was the chart you just saw.
Do we really have a few more years of downturn? I think so. I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet. But as with everything, and especially money issues, you never know.
Mr. Smith does have some valid and interesting points. Here a few.
Simply put: if the bubble took seven years to reach its blow-off top, then its decline will typically take a similar length of time as prices fully retrace to pre-bubble levels.
As for supply: it is common knowledge that hundreds of thousands of homes are currently in the limbo of “shadow inventory”–homes the lenders won’t foreclose on for fear they can’t be sold, homes held off the market by owners who are deeply underwater on their mortgages, etc. As soon as demand appears, then supply rockets up as those anxious to sell move properties from the “shadow inventory” into the market.
Interesting article to read.
Here are some funds that offer diversified exposure to the emerging markets in Europe, Asia, Africa/Middle East, and Latin America. These are taken from the latest BusinessWeek, Dec 28th edition.
Sorted by 2009 Total Return
Easter European Equity (VEEEX)
98% Europe, 1% Asia, 1% Latin America
Fidelity Emerging Europe, Middle East, Africa (FEMEX)
70% Africa/Middle East, 30% Europe
SPDR S&P Emerging Middle East & Africa (GAF)
100% Africa/Middle East
Claymore/BNY Mellon Frontier Markets (FRN)
51% Latin America, 26% Africa/Middle East, 17% Europe, 6% Asia
Templeton Frontier Markets (TFMAX)
50% Africa/Middle East, 25% Asia, 22% Europe, 3% Latin America
There is a very good article on investing in the latest Kiplinger’s (Feb 2010) “Make A Buck Off A Sagging Dollar.” Their view is that the dollar is on the decline, and you better diversify. They have a few suggestions how you can do that.
I also think the long term the dollar does not look so good. Especially when comparing it to emerging markets.
Read on…
You can invest in emerging-markets bonds through Pimco Emerging Local Bond (PLBDX). “Pimco invests in 15 markets, including Poland, South Africa, Mexico, and Thailand.” It’s on the expensive side, though, with an annual cost of 1.35%. I try to stay under 1%, but this might be worth the price.
For a lower cost alternative, check Wisdom Dreyfus Emerging Fund (CEW). “This exchange-traded fund, launched last summer, uses futures contracts to provide exposure to money-market rates of 11 emerging markets currencies, including the Polish zloty, Chinese yuan and Chilean peso.” Annual fee is 0.55%.
Sorry. No data so far.