My Stock Picks – My Investing Notes

29May 2010 by stanley No Comments

Excellent Mutual Funds

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. Large Cap Value 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. Foreign Large Cap Blend Very good returns. Better than Marsico Global, also a top rated fund. Very good returns.

22May 2010 by stanley No Comments

Good Quality Funds

investing, My Stock Picks

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. Bond Funds A pair of the best and most famous…

09Jan 2010 by stanley No Comments

Where to be in 2010? Investor picks.

investing, My Stock Picks

Just the type of an article I like in the latest Barron's, The Best ETF Bets for 2010 John Mauldin, Millennium Wave Advisors "A healthy dose of cash and other forms of fixed income may be the best prescription for 2010." Mauldin recommends putting money temporarily in short-maturity corporate and municipal bond ETFs like and . He sees the economy headed for a second recessionary dip later this year, and so recommends rotating into defensive funds -- particularly, high-dividend-payers like or . Mauldin also likes health-care funds, especially those with biotechnology exposure such as . He is bullish on biotech: One of the purer plays is ."Wait for the real buying opportunity."Longer term, Mauldin recommends gradually shifting portfolio weights from securities of developed countries whose valuations "are out of whack"…

03Jan 2010 by stanley No Comments

Bets for a Sagging Dollar

My Stock Picks

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 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 . "This exchange-traded fund, launched last summer, uses futures contracts to provide…

02May 2009 by stanley 1 Comment

Sell in May?

My Notes, My Stock Picks

Sell in May, buy in November?It's a technique that's proven to yield good results. I wrote about it in 2007, see Sell in May, Buy Back in November.Last year, the biggest losses were in that period. This year, I think it might be similar. Over the past couple of weeks, the stock market rebounded a great deal. I feel that stocks might be overvalued. Too fast too soon -- that's my general feeling. I've sold several of my stocks recently. It's not only because of this rule. I want to simplify my investing. I want to own companies that I know (TJX, PHG,NOK,F,CSCO,VZ are some that I'm sticking with). I want to own less stocks and more ETFs. I'm going to test the impact of this rule, though. I have…

27Aug 2007 by stanley No Comments

Some technology ETFs; CLUB

My Stock Picks

Being well diversified is the key to long-term investing. If you were not, you probably learned from the recent correction. I began moving towards big, dividend paying, safe companies for some time. As a result, my portfolio is in good shape after the correction. The fact is, though, the economy is slowing and might even go through a recession. It doesn’t mean that there are no good picks. Actually, the best time to buy is during market downturns. Here are some of the stocks and ETF that I’m currently looking at. I think technology is a good place to be in the near future. There is decent growth and the stocks do not look overpriced. I am going to have to pick on technology oriented ETF and invest in it.…

10Apr 2005 by stanley No Comments

My April 2005 Buy Stocks

My Stock Picks

Here are the stocks that are "on my radar" now. I am doing a little re-shuffling in my portfolio. My objective is to have 10-15 quality stocks and invest in them regularly. (In addition to the ETFs I hold.): ($44.1, S&P Rating: 4 stars, Great Value Line rating): Good company to own. Great appreciation potential. Recommended in Value Line as well as S&P Outlook.: ($127, S&P Rating: 5 stars): Recommended in Value Line as well as S&P Outlook.: ($31.4; S&P Rating: 4 stars): Owner of Red Lobster and Olive Garden is looking exceptionally well. Ready to deliver. Recommened by Value Line, S&P Outlook, and Barrons.: ($59.3; S&P Rating: 4 stars): I've always liked Amgen. I invested in it couple times before and always came ahead. The stock looks good, has…

06Mar 2005 by stanley No Comments

My March-2005 Buy List

My Stock Picks

Here are the stocks that are "on my radar" now. I haven't been buying lately (only investing in stocks that I currently own -- dollar costing, to be exact), but these look good...Now, after February is gone -- one of the worse months, historically -- it might be a good time to load up on some stocks. This year, my strategy is to pick big, international companies as the dollar is weak and the economy might cool a little bit. I'm also investing in the following ETFs: SPY, VDE, VGT, VHT, VUG, EFA, EEM.: ($23.5, S&P Rating: 5 stars): Very good company to own for superior returns. I'm looking to get in. Recommended in Value Line as well as S&P Outlook.: ($18, S&P Rating: 5 stars): Very good company beaten…

10Sep 2004 by stanley 3 Comments

My Sept-2004 Buy List

My Stock Picks

Here are the stocks that are "on my radar" now. I haven't been buying lately (only investing in stocks that I currently own -- dollar costing, to be exact), but these look good and might be up for grabs soon.Note, however, that September has been, historically, the worst month of all.: (S&P Rating: 5 stars): This is a good stock, good long-term play.: (S&P Rating: 4 stars): Chip stocks are down but because they're cyclical they'll bounce back. Applied Materials should do well. Good time to get in.: (S&P Rating: 4 stars): Good stock; cheap.: Stock that was recommended in BusinessWeek (see article); I think it has a lot of potential. I like their business plan.: (S&P Rating: 5 stars): Recommended all over the place: good international player; safe bet;…

21May 2004 by stanley No Comments

My May-2004 Buy List for Stocks

My Stock Picks

OK, you might have noticed that I stopped updating my stock lists. The main reason for that is that it was becoming painful to update the XML file with the picks (that's how I stored them). I have not given up on stocks -- I don't think that will ever happen. I'm going to make my picks in this Stas on Investing blog, under the My Buy List category.Investing in stocks is exciting. Although, I have to tell you that I bought some mutual funds and some ETFs, just to diversify a little more. OK, I'll tell you which ETF I bought in the list below, as I think it is a good time to buy ETFs. What is an ETF? Exchange Traded Fund, that's the name. It is basically…

Category: My Stock Picks