Any hot mutual funds?

[cannon_fodder]

Liquidated some contrarian funds over lunch today so I have some cash to reinvest.  Wondered if anyone has any hot non-insider tips that will be deemed to be of a speculative nature and not taken as financial advice (aka will not leave you nor I in pmitap).

I already reinvested in an emerging markets fund (MEMEX) and was looking at a Japanese Index fund (flat for 2 years but most Japanese stocks are at or below book: EWJ) as well as for an Indian market (duplicative to emerging markets to some degree and I couldn't find one worth a damn expense wise).  Eastern Europe?  US Index? Particular industry?

Just figured I float it out there and see if anyone has any hot ideas or funds that look good.  Average or greater risk with a corresponding return, most everything is trading as a bargain for the year.  I have money in the US a plenty in retirement funds so overseas is fine (even though I think the dollar fall is done). Anywho...

Oh yeah, if anyone knows the exact line for giving advice that we can't cross, let me know that to.  I don't have nor want a license but we have to be able to discuss what we think is a good idea - don't we?  

SEC > 1st Amendment?

Nothing posted should be construed as financial advice, an intelligent nor good idea, or as proper Enlgish. If you buy anything based on what I say you deserve whatever you get, so don't do it.  Everything in speculative and I may or may not actually believe what I posted. I hold no license nor even any good ideas, this is just what I think.

[RecycleMichael]

I have been investing in commemorative plates.

[Conan71]

Firearms and ammo.

With the way ammo prices keep going up, you might beat the market over a two year span.

[mspivey]

I used to invest in race cars. Now I invest in Canon cameras.

Seriously, good question. A month before 9-11 I was disgusted with the stock market and dumped my 401k in bonds. I didn't get back in at the absolute bottom but I did pretty well. Only time in my life I've made a move that worked out.

This time I've been a little slow on the uptake. Amazingly, my 401k is only down about 3% since the first of the year (after doing extremely well last year). I can't figure if I need to bail again or not. I'm getting to the age where I need to be conservative but I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

[cannon_fodder]

Ahh!  See, I am far from the conservative age.  I am but a young pup so am free to invest in seemingly ridiculously risky adventures.  Which worked out well the last couple of years but has burned me pretty good this year (my investment firms profit that I reported on our 1065 last week now exist only on that piece of paper).  

It's a long term game for me, so I can handle it.

I won't write off investments in bonds or commodities (I have a commodities account, I'm so proud).  I'm just not as familiar with the markets and generally they are lower risk/return propositions.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by mspivey

I used to invest in race cars. Now I invest in Canon cameras.

Seriously, good question. A month before 9-11 I was disgusted with the stock market and dumped my 401k in bonds. I didn't get back in at the absolute bottom but I did pretty well. Only time in my life I've made a move that worked out.

This time I've been a little slow on the uptake. Amazingly, my 401k is only down about 3% since the first of the year (after doing extremely well last year). I can't figure if I need to bail again or not. I'm getting to the age where I need to be conservative but I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

I wound up with a small fortune after investing in race cars.  [}:)]

[FOTD]

You can't time the market. I'd be patient here and see what's going on by June or July.
Viet Nam?
Cash is King for now.

[cannon_fodder]

Argh.  That advice makes about as much sense as most of your statements.

Actually, if you've been holding cash you've been losing 4-9% domestically and 10-15% on the international market annually.  That's pretty horrible.  Even assuming you stuck your cash into a CD you probably did little better than break even.

There is always something better than cash to invest it.  Copper has been on a steady rise and shows no sign of slowing.  Invest in a commercial or medical REIT.  Buy into a high yield company and try to draw a 7% dividend and some slow appreciation for gravy.

I might sit on a pile of Krugerrands, but other than that cash is a miserable investment.

[FOTD]

Roll over tax free munis=no risk

Some paid %12 last week....

Get off your high horse

http://goleft.tv/view.asp?v=1070

BTW, I use managers....they're smarter than me unlike CF who makes his own calls (and puts?).

[FOTD]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

Argh.  That advice makes about as much sense as most of your statements.

Actually, if you've been holding cash you've been losing 4-9% domestically and 10-15% on the international market annually.  That's pretty horrible.  Even assuming you stuck your cash into a CD you probably did little better than break even.

There is always something better than cash to invest it.  Copper has been on a steady rise and shows no sign of slowing.  Invest in a commercial or medical REIT.  Buy into a high yield company and try to draw a 7% dividend and some slow appreciation for gravy.

I might sit on a pile of Krugerrands, but other than that cash is a miserable investment.

That speaks towards opportunity cost....

You assume too much.

Why come to this board to ask such a question in the first place.

I see. To show off how smart you think you are?

[cannon_fodder]

I'm not riding a high horse, that's why I asked for ideas from others.  But you said "cash" not bonds for your investment idea.  And I "assumed" you had cash in a CD (mutual fund, somethign!) because just sitting on it outright is blatant stupidity.

And on that note, no bond is paying a 12% weekly coupon.  The worst (best) coupon rate I have found is for San Juan at 6.125%. Tulsa is at a 5% coupon rate from what I can tell.

You might have a realized return of 12% by selling the bond based on future returns of a higher yield bond in the midst of an unstable stock market and falling interest rates (PV of a future annuity).  But the bond itself certainly is not returning 12% if it is a municipal bond (let alone weekly) - which currently are being issued at an A grade 20 year coupon below 5%.  

But since I don't play the bond market directly, I'm not that familiar nor comfortable with it.

quote:
Why come to this board to ask such a question in the first place.

I'm sorry if I make you feel stupid, I'm not trying to.  The reason I came on this board to ask the question is because many people on here have good ideas.  Maybe they think Russia is on a nationalistic bender and I should stay away from exposure.  Maybe they thing with Castro going down I should increase exposure there.

Hell, I just posted it because I was thinking about it and was curious what other people idea's were.  Sorry I jumped on your cash idea, but you have a long history of posting things that pertain to economics and don't make sense so I have been trained to over react to you.

I believe my tag line specifically warranted that I am not smart nor have any good ideas.  I'm not pretending I'm smarter than anyone else - I might know more about finance but RM know more about recycling, theArtist knows more about (wait for it) art, Sq knows more about computers, and on and on and on.  I'm sure someone reading this is a financial analyst or trader and mocking my ignorance.

Anyway, I have a fair amount of managed money.  But since I like to try and figure out whats going on and see if I can perform on my own accord I invest a portion of my money myself (not at all uncommon between 529s, ROTHs, 401Ks, etc.).  You'll note this portion was seeking ideas for investment funds - so really it's cheating just the same.

[FOTD]

I sent you a pm.

Last week there was an anomoly in the bond market as some bonds were forced into the default rate category due to a lack of buyers.

This trend could continue. It's a freak of a freaky economy.

BTW, my posts on the economy can be found easily. They are reposts illustrating the predicament our economy is in and where it could be headed.

"believe it if you need it or leave it if you dare..." P Lesh

[rwarn17588]

Index funds. They're very low-cost, and many of them are no-load.

It's damned near impossible to beat the market average. So why try? Index funds match the market with a minimum of cost and fuss.

[grahambino]

after re-visiting this thread started by RM, im not sure here is the place to ask for investment advice.
that is....unless youre into shorting stocks.

[xx(]