Dangers of Dividend Funds

Dividend funds are currently very popular with investors.

In many parts of the world, interest rate yields are quite low on a historical basis. To enhance returns, fixed income investors have turned to riskier investments that may offer higher yields. Such as dividends on preferred shares or dividend paying common shares.

As well, general equity investors are turning to perceived “safer” equity investments. Common shares in large, dividend paying companies. Shares that provide capital gains potential over time, but are back-stopped by a (hopefully) steady stream of dividend income.

Sounds like a good strategy to me. But there are always risks when investing.

Here are a few things to consider when assessing dividend funds (or dividend paying shares).  (more…)

In the U.S., the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index (S&P 500) is up 12.6% year to date 2012.

That is the good news. The bad?

Your mutual fund is likely not meeting or exceeding this benchmark.

Why the underperformance against investment benchmarks?  (more…)

Top 10 Best Things About Mutual Funds

Started reading Morningstar’s “Fund Spy” last night.

A gift from the nice folks at Morningstar, so thanks.

In it, Morningstar produces a chart with the top 10 best things about mutual funds.

An interesting list.  (more…)

Vanguard Investment Funds

I like Vanguard investment funds for long term individual investors.

Especially investors who follow a passive management style.

As I am not directly or indirectly compensated in any way by Vanguard I recommend them based solely on their merits.

That is not to say that other funds are poorer choices. I recommend a wide variety depending on a client’s investment objectives, desires, and available offering in their home jurisdiction. I believe in a “best of breed” approach for clients, not what is best for my revenue. And within the “best of breed” options, Vanguard funds pop up with regularity.

Why is this so?   (more…)

Previously I have written about potential problems in diversifying one’s portfolio with funds.

The Wall Street Journal nicely illustrates three common concerns in an article today. (more…)

Fund of Funds

We will end our look at exchange traded funds (ETFs) with a few words on fund of funds.

Fund of funds are also available with mutual funds, so my comments equally apply to them.

I am not keen on fund of funds, so I shall keep this brief.   (more…)

One perceived advantage of exchange traded funds (ETFs) over open-end mutual funds is their greater trading flexibility.

Many investors believe that there are also advantages in respect of ETF costs. Specifically, expense ratios, transaction costs, and tax efficiency.

As with trading flexibility, the potential advantages will vary between investors depending on their investing tactics. I will lay out the reality and you can decide if there is a benefit for you. (more…)

Today we will start to look at the perceived advantages of exchange traded funds (ETFs) versus open-end index mutual funds.

Depending on the investor, some of these may be more important than others.

Or possibly these potential benefits may actually not entice an investors to choose ETFs over open-end index mutual funds. I write, you decide.

Let us begin with potential trading advantages. (more…)

Investment Related Expenses

I have written extensively on investment related expenses.

These include: transaction fees, mutual fund sales charges, management fees, operating expenses, administrative costs.

I will keep raising this issue for two reasons. (more…)

Open-End Index Mutual Funds

Many investors passively invest using open-end index mutual and exchange traded funds.

Some investors lump the two instruments together when discussing passive holdings. And there are a lot of similarities when assessing for investment potential.

But there are also material differences between the two, so I shall discuss them separately.

Today we will take a very brief look at open-end index mutual funds. (more…)

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