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Money Talk!

Sensible..

Money 101

A step by step guide to gaining control of your financial life.

http://money.cnn.com/pf/101/index.html

Online Book: Investment Strategies for 21st Century

http://www.investorsolutions.com/v2content/book/index.cfm

PGVFX, only fund you might need in your portfolio.

PGVFX, Polaris Global Value run by Bernard R. Horn is like a go anywhere fund. Currently this invest around 35 % in US equity and rest international. Value Approach of manager is remarkable for it ranks in top 1% of funds in return from last 5 years. Even in the bear market of 01,02 this gave a positive return. Some people do argue, that it is an all cap fund so it benefitted from the small and mid cap run of last few years. I would say pairing this with PRWCX- T Rowe Price Capital Appreciation and LSGLX Global bond fund is just what needed if one likes not to hold too many funds in portfolio.

For me it was a toss between OAKGX and PGVFX, both great global funds for any cycle of market.

http://cxa.marketwatch.com/WellsFargo/MutualFundCenterPublic/snapshot.aspx?mode=&symb=PGVFX

10 investing ideas for 2007 from Merrill lynch

  • Buy large-cap stocks in developed markets, no more of small cap.
  • Technology Stocks, quite a few value stocks with good potential.
  • Media Stocks.
  • Military expansion and supplier stocks.
  • AAA-rated corporate bonds.
  • Non-U.S. dividend-paying stocks.
  • Japanese consumer stocks, with recent surge in disposable income of average japanese.
  • Sell retailers, except discount retailers.
  • Trim exposure to financials, except multiline insurers.
  • Reduce stakes in energy and commodities stocks.

link to story

Gold, an inflation hedge

Gold - Bull or Bear? It is actually an asset that is sold in crisis to raise funds.
The primary trend is up since all critical drivers for gold are still pointing towards much higher gold prices the years ahead.
  • US$
  • Suppy / Demand
  • Oil

Let me know what you think on gold as an investment vehicle when hedge funds and real estate seems to be a riskier bet?

disclaimer: I currently own fidelity select gold, fsagx.

My International Fund Holding and Research

  1. Taxable Account
  • ARTKX: Artisan International Value
I really admire value based investing approach from oakmark. when I was looking for international all cap fund, I came across this excellent fund from artisan whose manager was prior with oakmark and share same investing philosphy.
This is excellent fund, broadly diversified in different countries and cap. 3 year annualised return greater then 25% ranks it into top echelon of well managed international fund.
  • OAKGX: Oakmark Global
If you are looking for an excellent large cap global value fund, look no further then Oakmark Global. Excellent performance in bear market too. This is close to new investor from usual fund shops, you have to buy it directly from oakmark.
  • EGLRX: Alpine International Real Estate Equity
This is my small holding which I am DCA into. I kind of believe and my own research says international REIT is maturing and there lies some opportunity too, unlike US which seems to be little overpriced.
  • PRASX: T Rowe Price New Asia
This is very volatile fund from excellent fund company TRP with low expense ratio and good track record. I firmly believe asian market especially korea, china and India is poised to grow for atleast few more years.

2. 401(K)
  • FOSFX: Fidelity Overseas
  • NIIVX: Ing International Value
3. Roth IRA
  • SSEMX: Ssga Emerging Market fund
This is a diverified emerging market fund with excellent past return and diversification in latin america, asia and russia.
comments are welcome from readers!

Not so socially responsible fund

This morning I came across a fund which invest primarily in liquor, casino and cigarette companies and they have named it vice fund. Quite ironic, this fund received 5 star rating recently from M*

Vice fund