November 30, 2011

YTD Top Performer Non Leveraged ETF of Nov 2011

In my previous article, I have provided the list of the YTD Top Performer Mutual Funds of 2011. This list includes non-leverage and leverage Exchange Traded Funds. These non-leverage YTD top performer ETFs may be more desirable for regular investor. The top performers are PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon U.S. Treasury Index, Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index ETF, iPath US Treasury 10-year Bull ETN, and more. From this list, bond funds and volatility funds are among the top performer for year 2011.

The 10 YTD Top Performer Non Leveraged ETFs of Nov 2011 are:
Top Performer ETF
  1. PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon U.S. Treasury Index ETF (ZROZ)
  2. Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index ETF (EDV)
  3. iPath US Treasury 10-year Bull ETN (DTYL)
  4. iPath US Treasury Long Bond Bull ETN (DLBL)
  5. iShares Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT)
  6. iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX)
  7. SPDR Barclays Capital Long Term Treasury (TLO)
  8. VelocityShares Long VIX Short Term ETN (VIIX)
  9. Vanguard Long-Term Government Bond Index ETF (VGLT)
  10. PIMCO 15+ Year US TIPS Index ETF (LTPZ)
Note: There is no leverage fund and bear fund in this list. YTD = Year-To-Date

November 29, 2011

American Funds High Income Trust Fund (AHITX) Class A

With $15 billion total asset, this American Funds American High Income Trust is one of the most popular taxable high yield bond funds. This fund also has a high distribution rate of 8.54%. You can find the fund review below.

American Funds American High Income Trust A (AHITX)

This American Funds American High Income Trust fund objective is to provide a high level of current income. The fund’s secondary investment objective is to achieve capital appreciation. This fund invests primarily in higher yielding and generally lower quality debt including corporate loan obligations. It may also invest a portion of its assets in securities of foreign issuers.

Fund Details
American Funds High Income Trust Fund (AHITX) Class A
The American High Income Trust A
  • Fund Inception Date: February 19, 1988
  • Ticker Symbol: AHITX
  • CUSIP: 026547109
  • Beta (3yr): 0.71
  • Rank in category (YTD): 61%
  • Category: High Yield Bond
  • Distribution: 8.54%
  • Capital Gains: 0%
  • Expense Ratio: 0.68%  
  • Net Assets: $ 15.98 billion
  • Number of Years Up: 18 years
  • Number of Years Down: 4 years
  • Average Duration: 3.7 years
  • Average Life: 5.9 years
  • Annual Turnover Rate: 47.0%
Updated on 11/13/2011

November 28, 2011

YTD Top Performer Exchange Traded Funds of Nov 2011 ETF

The following is the list of the YTD top performer ETFs for 2011. The top performers include PowerShares DB 3x Lonng 25+ Year Treasury Bond ETN (LBND), Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X Shares (TMF), ProShares Ultra 20+ Year Treasury (UBT), and more. Most of these top performer funds are part of bond funds, bear market, and gold commodity funds (leverage and non-leverage). I also provide the details of fund’s review below. If you are interested in top performer mutual fund, you can check my article of YTD Top Performer Mutual Funds of November 2011.

Note: This list includes leveraged and non-leveraged ETFs / ETNs. ETFs or Exchange Traded Funds are traded like stock in stock exchanges like NYSE, Nasdaq, AMEX, etc. ETN = Exchange Traded Notes.

The 10 YTD Top Performer Exchange Traded Funds of November 2011 are:
YTD Top Performer ETFs
  1. PowerShares DB 3x Long 25+ Year Treasury Bond ETN (LBND)
  2. Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X Shares (TMF)
  3. ProShares Ultra 20+ Year Treasury (UBT)
  4. Direxion Daily India Bear 2X Shares (INDZ)
  5. PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon U.S. Treasury Index ETF (ZROZ)
  6. Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index ETF (EDV)
  7. iPath Short Extended Russell 2000 TR ETN (RTSA)
  8. iPath Short Enhanced MSCI Emerging Markets ETN (EMSA)
  9. ProShares UltraShort MSCI Brazil (BZQ)
  10. Direxion Daily 7-10 Year Treasury Bull 3X Shares (TYD)

November 26, 2011

USAA World Growth Fund (USAWX)

As one of the top S&P mutual funds, this USAA World Growth Fund is classified as world stock fund. This fund focuses on investing in U.S. domestic and foreign companies. Details about this best fund review can be found below.

USAA World Growth Fund (Ticker: USAWX)

This USAA World Growth fund objective is to seek capital appreciation. This world stock fund invests assets mainly in equity securities of both foreign and domestic companies. It may invest in companies of any size or capitalization.

This top fund will prioritize on companies with large market capitalizations. It may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in a single country, a small number of countries, or a particular geographic region. Investments are selected primarily based on fundamental analysis of issuers by the fund’s management.

Fund Details
  • Fund Inception Date: 10/1/1992
  • Ticker Symbol: USAWX
  • CUSIP: 903287704
  • Beta (3yr): 0.85
  • Rank in category (YTD): 28%
  • Category: World Stock
  • Distribution: 0.61%
  • Capital Gains: 0%
  • Expense Ratio: 1.29% 
  • Net Assets: $ 587.74 million
  • Number of Years Up: 14 years
  • Number of Years Down: 4 years
Updated on 04/26/2012

November 25, 2011

Top Mutual Funds of 2011 by S&P Capital IQ

On October 2011, S&P Capital IQ announced its U.S. Mutual Fund Excellence Awards Program for year 2011 (ending August 31st). This list includes USAA World Growth Fund (USAWX), Harding Loevner International Equity Portfolio Investor, Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, T. Rowe Price Retirement Income Fund, and more. More details about this list can be found in Financial Advisor Magazine.

Top S&P Mutual Funds 2011

The S&P Top Mutual Funds of 2011 are:
  • U.S. Domestic Large Cap: Dreyfus Appreciation
  • U.S. Domestic Mid Cap:  Vanguard Selected Value Fund
  • U.S. Domestic Small Cap: Homestead Small Company Fund
  • U.S. Domestic Multicap: Sequoia Fund
  • International Equity: Harding Loevner International Equity Portfolio Investor
  • Global Equity: USAA World Growth Fund
  • Taxable Fixed Income: DWS GNMA Fund
  • Balanced Individual Securities: Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares
  • Balanced Fund of Funds: T. Rowe Price Retirement Income Fund
  • New Fund: T. Rowe Price U.S. Large-Cap Core

Updated on 11/25/2011

November 24, 2011

Vanguard Intermediate Term Investment Grade Fund (VFICX)

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade fund is considered as one of the top rated taxable bond mutual fund. This Vanguard fund invests in US bond market. This intermediate term bond fund invests in a diversified portfolio of debt securities. This Vanguard fund is actively managed and has low expense ratio.

Details about this fund can be found below. You can also fund other best rated fund in my MEPB Financial website.

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Investor (VFICX)

This Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade fund (investor class) seeks to provide a moderate and sustainable level of current income. This Vanguard fund invests in a variety of high-quality and, to a lesser extent, medium-quality fixed income securities, <80% of which will be short- and intermediate-term investment-grade securities. This bond fund will keep a dollar-weighted average maturity of 5 to 10 years.

Fund Details

    Vanguard Intermediate Term Investment Grade Fund (VFICX)
  • Fund Inception Date: November 1, 1993
  • Ticker Symbol: VFICX
  • CUSIP: 922031885
  • Beta (3yr): 1.35
  • Rank in category (YTD): 8%
  • Category: Intermediate-Term Bond
  • Distribution Rate / Yield: 2.77%
  • Capital Gains: 0%
  • Expense Ratio: 0.20%  
  • Net Assets: $27.2 billion
  • Number of Years Up: 14 years
  • Number of Years Down: 3 years
  • Average Duration: 5.4 years
  • Average Maturity: 6.6 years
  • Annual Turnover Rate: 68.0%
Updated May 2017

November 22, 2011

YTD Top Performer Mutual Funds Nov 2011

The following is the list of the Year-To-Date top performer mutual funds of 2011. The list includes Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Institutional, PIMCO Extended Duration Institutional, Wasatch-Hoisington US Treasury, and more. Most of these top performers are bond funds especially Treasury bond and long term government bond.
YTD Top Performer Funds 2011

The 10 YTD Top Performer Funds 2011 include:
  1. Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Institutional
  2. PIMCO Extended Duration Institutional
  3. ProFunds US Government Plus Inv
  4. Rydex Govt Long Bond 1.2x Strategy Inv
  5. Wasatch-Hoisington US Treasury
  6. American Century Zero Coupon 2025 Inv
  7. Fidelity Spartan Long Term Treasury Bond Index Inv
  8. Direxion Monthly 10 Year Note Bull 2X
  9. Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Inv
  10. Vanguard Long-Term Government Bond Index Institutional
Updated on 11/22/2011


November 21, 2011

JPMorgan Core Bond Fund (PGBOX) Class A

This next bond fund invests primarily in investment grade bonds including corporate bond, US Treasuries, Mortgage based bond, etc. This JPMorgan Core Bond A is also one of the most popular fixed income fund hence it has $21 Billion total assets. Details review can be viewed below.

JPMorgan Core Bond A (PGBOX)

The investment objective of JPMorgan Core Bond fund is to maximize total return. This JPM fund is designed to maximize total return by investing in a portfolio of investment grade intermediate- and long-term bonds. This popular bond fund will invest at majority of assets (>80%) in bonds. The fund’s average weighted maturity will ordinarily range between 4 and 12 years.

Fund Details
JPMorgan Core Bond A fund
  • Fund Inception Date: May 1, 1992
  • Ticker Symbol: PGBOX
  • CUSIP: 4812C0357
  • Beta (3yr): 0.73
  • Rank in category (YTD): 25%
  • Category: Intermediate-Term Bond
  • Distribution Rate: 3.50%
  • Capital Gains: 0%
  • Expense Ratio: 0.74%  
  • Net Assets: $ 21.14 billion
  • Number of Years Up: 16 years
  • Number of Years Down: 2 years
  • Average Duration: 4.33 years
  • Average Maturity: 5.68 years
  • Annual Turnover Rate: 24.0%
Updated on 11/15/2011

November 18, 2011

Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund (VBISX) Investor Shares

This next fund review is another Vanguard index mutual fund. This index bond fund is Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index fund. This short term bond fund has low expense fee and best rated fund by Morningstar. More review is below.

Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Investor (Ticker: VBISX)

This Vanguard Short Term Bond Index fund’s objective is to seek to track the performance of a market-weighted bond index with a short-term dollar-weighted average maturity. This Vanguard fund uses passive management approach to track the performance of the Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Government/ Credit Float Adjusted Index. This fund invests >80% of assets in bonds held in the index. The fund maintains a dollar-weighted average maturity consistent with that of the index, which generally less than 3 years.

Fund Details
Vanguard Short Term Bond Index
  • Fund Inception Date: March 1, 1994
  • Ticker Symbol: VBISX
  • CUSIP: 921937207
  • Beta (3yr): 0.47
  • Rank in category (YTD): 11%
  • Category: Short-Term Bond
  • Distribution: 1.89%
  • Capital Gains: 0%
  • Expense Ratio: 0.22%  
  • Net Assets: $ 23.22 billion
  • Number of Years Up: 16 years
  • Number of Years Down: 0 years
  • Average Duration: 2.6 years
  • Average Maturity: 2.7 years
  • Annual Turnover Rate: 60.0%
Updated on 11/12/2011

November 16, 2011

Thornburg International Growth Fund (TIGAX)

Investing internationally is important for investor because of the global economy. Finding the right international companies to invest in can be challenging. The easiest way is to find the best rated international equity mutual fund. Thornburg International Growth A fund is one of the top international stock funds. Details fund’s review is described below.

Thornburg International Growth A (MUTF: TIGAX)

The Thornburg International Growth investment fund objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital. This Foreign Large Growth Equity fund invests mainly in companies stocks around the world with growth potential. It may own a variety of securities, including debt securities or bonds. The fund may invest in developing countries and in smaller companies with market capitalizations of <$500 million.

TIGAX Fund Details
Thornburg International Growth fund
  • Fund Inception Date: February 1, 2007
  • Ticker Symbol: TIGAX
  • CUSIP: 885-215-319 
  • Beta (3yr): 0.93
  • Rank in category (YTD): 2%
  • Category: Foreign Large Growth
  • Distribution: 0.23%
  • Net Assets: $ 196.33 million
  • Sales Load: 4.50%
  • Expense Ratio: 1.60%
  • Capital Gains: N/A
  • Number of Years Up: 2 years
  • Number of Years Down: 1 year
updated on 10/19/2011

November 14, 2011

Vanguard Intermediate Term Tax Exempt Fund (VWITX)

Vanguard Intermediate Term Tax Exempt fund (VWITX) is top muni bond mutual fund.

Municipal bond mutual fund can be attractive if you are on higher income tax rate. The income from this fund is tax free from federal tax rate (possibly states tax and local tax). One of the popular muni bond funds is Vanguard Intermediate Term Tax Exempt Fund. Below is the fund’s review.

Vanguard Intermediate Term Tax Exempt Inv (MUTF: VWITX)

The Vanguard Intermediate Term Tax Exempt Fund invests mainly (>75% of assets) in investment grade rated municipal bonds. It may also small part of its assets (<25%) in high yield municipal bonds (junk rated). As any muni bond fund, this fund’s objective is to offer moderate and sustainable current income that is not subjected to federal personal income taxes.
Vanguard Intermediate Term Tax Exempt

VWITX Fund Details
  • Fund Inception Date: 09/01/1977
  • Ticker Symbol: VWITX (Investor Shares)
  • CUSIP: 922907209
  • Beta (3yr): 0.91
  • Rank in category (YTD): 34%
  • Category: Muni National Intermediate
updated on 10/27/2011

November 13, 2011

American Funds Bond Fund of America A (ABNDX)

American Funds Bond Fund of America A (ABNDX) is a popular diversified bond mutual fund. This bond fund invests in U.S. government bonds, corporate debts.

American Funds is among the leader of mutual fund family. It offers variety of mutual funds including fixed income or bond funds, balanced funds, and equity or stock funds. One of the most popular funds is American Funds Bond Fund of America A fund. Details review is below.

American Funds Bond Fund of America A (ABNDX)

The American Funds Bond Fund of America fund’s objective is to provide as high a level of current income with consistent capital preservation. The fund generally invests >80% of assets in bonds and other fixed income securities. It invests a majority of its assets in debt securities rated A3/A- or better which is issued or guaranteed by US Government or other governments (including mortgages and other assets). It may invest its assets in corporate debts, mortgage related debts, and high yield bonds. This American Funds fund invests in debt securities with a wide range of maturities.

Fund Details
American Funds Bond Fund of America A (ABNDX)
American Funds Bond Fund of America A
  • Fund Inception Date: May 28, 1974
  • Ticker Symbol: ABNDX (Class A)
  • CUSIP: 097873103
  • Beta (3yr): 0.95
  • Rank in category (YTD): 33%
  • Category: Intermediate-Term Bond
  • Distribution: 1.75%
  • Capital Gains: 0%
  • Expense Ratio: 0.61%  
  • Net Assets: $ 31.90 billion
  • Number of Years Up: 34 years
  • Number of Years Down: 2 years
  • Average Duration: 4.72 years
  • Annual Turnover Rate: 99.0%
Updated May 2017

November 11, 2011

Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFINX)

One of the most popular index funds is Vanguard 500 Index fund. This Vanguard fund has low fee and has rated among the best fund by Morningstar. This fund track S&P 500 index performance and it is managed passively. Details about the fund’s review are below.

Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX)

Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFINX)
Vanguard 500 Index fund details
The investment objective of this Vanguard 500 index fund is to track the S&P 500 index performance which measures the large-capitalization stocks investment returns. The fund employs a passive management or indexing investment approach designed to track the index performance. This Standard & Poor 500 index is a widely recognized benchmark of U.S. stock market performance that is dominated by the stocks of large U.S. companies.

VFINX Fund Details

  • Fund Inception Date: 08/31/1976
  • Ticker Symbol: VFINX (Investor Shares)
  • CUSIP: 922908108
  • Beta (3yr): 1.00
  • Rank in category (YTD): 18%
  • Expense Fee: 0.14%
  • Yield: 1.80%
  • Total Assets: $316 billion
  • Fund Manager: Donald M. Butler and Scott E. Geiger
  • Min to Invest: $3,000
  • Category: Large Blend
Updated May 2017

November 10, 2011

American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund (SMCWX) Class A

This next world stock fund has invested in small cap / mid cap international stocks. American Funds SMALLCCAP World A fund is another popular mutual fund for investor. Investor can use this fund for portfolio diversification. More details about the fund’s review can be found below.

American Funds SMALLCAP World A (Ticker: SMCWX)

American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund (SMCWX) Class A
American Funds SMALLCAP World
The investment objective of American Funds SMALLCAP World A (SMCWX) fund is to achieve long-term growth of capital. This American Funds fund invests >80% of net assets in growth-oriented common stocks and other equity-type securities, including preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks, and convertible bonds, of companies with small market capitalizations.

According to the fund’s prospectus, the small capitalization companies are companies with market capitalizations of $3.5 billion or less. This international stock fund invests majority of its assets outside the United States.

Fund Details
  • Fund Inception Date: April 30, 1990
  • Ticker Symbol: SMCWX (Class A)
  • CUSIP: 831681101
  • Beta (3yr): 0.98
  • Rank in category (YTD): 87%
  • Category: World Stock
Updated on 11/7/2011

November 9, 2011

Franklin Income A (FKINX) Fund

Franklin Income A (FKINX) Fund is a balance mutual fund. This Franklin Templeton fund invests in stocks and bonds.

This next mutual fund has delivered a record of consistent dividend for the past 60 years. This fund is Franklin Income A fund. This fund is classified as conservative allocation balanced fund. More details on fund’s review can be found below.

Franklin Income A (MUTF: FKINX)

FKINX Fund Details
Franklin Income A (FKINX) Fund
Franklin Income A fund details
  • Fund Inception Date: 08/31/1948
  • Ticker Symbol:  FKINX (Share Class A)
  • CUSIP: 353496300
  • Beta (3yr): 1.04
  • Rank in category (YTD): 86%
  • Category: Conservative Allocation
  • Sales Load: 4.25%
  • Yield: 5.11%
  • Expense Fee: 0.61%
  • Assets: $82.9 billion
  • Number of Years Up: 50 years
  • Number of Years Down: 12 years
Updated on May 3, 2017

November 8, 2011

PIMCO Low Duration Fund (PTLAX)

This next fund, PIMCO Low Duration A, is part of best taxable bond funds. This fund is rated with 4 stars by Morningstar. It is categorized as short term bond fund. More details about the fund’s review can be found below.

PIMCO Low Duration A (Ticker: PTLAX)

PIMCO Low Duration Fund (PTLAX)
PIMCO Low Duration A
The investment objective of PIMCO Low Duration Fund is to provide maximum total return. This PIMCO fund invests >65% of total assets in a diversified portfolio of Fixed Income Instruments of varying maturities. It invests mainly in investment-grade debt securities, but may invest <10% of total assets in high-yield securities rated B or higher by rating agencies. The fund may invest <30% of total assets in securities denominated in non US currencies, and may invest beyond this limit in U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers.

Fund Details
  • Fund Inception Date: January 13, 1997
  • Ticker Symbol: PTLAX
  • CUSIP: 693390411
  • Beta (3yr): 0.28
  • Rank in category (YTD): 59%
  • Category: Short-Term Bond
  • Distribution: 1.93%
  • Capital Gains: 0%
  • Expense Ratio: 0.85%  
  • Net Assets: $ 21.34 billion
  • Number of Years Up: 12 years
  • Number of Years Down: 1 year
  • Average Duration: 3.83 years
  • Average Maturity: 2.94 years
  • Annual Turnover Rate: 461.0%
Updated on 11/8/2011

November 7, 2011

Top Performer Closed End Funds of Nov 2011 for Week 44

The following is the top performer CEFs (Closed End Funds) for week 44 of 2011. The top performing funds include Eaton Vance Ohio Municipal Bond (EIO), Equus Total Return (EQS), Invesco Insured Municipal Bond (IMC), ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity (EMO), etc.

The 12 Top Performer Closed End Funds CEFs 2011 (Week 44) are:
Weekly Top Performer CEFs 2011
  1. Eaton Vance Ohio Municipal Bond (EIO)
  2. Equus Total Return (EQS)
  3. Invesco Insured Municipal Bond (IMC)
  4. ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity (EMO)
  5. Western Asset Global Partners Income (GDF)
  6. Guggenheim Build America Bond Managed Duration (GBAB)
  7. Nuveen CA Select Quality Municipal (NVC)
  8. BlackRock Municpial Bond Investment (BIE)
  9. RENN Global Entrepreneurs (RCG)
  10. PCM Fund (PCM)
  11. Dreyfus Strategy Muni Bond (DSM)
  12. Invesco CA Quality Municipal (IQC)
Note: Week 44 = October 31, 2011 till November 6, 2011

November 6, 2011

Montrusco Bolton Quantitative Canadian Equity Fund Review

The following is the fund's review of another Canadian Equity Mutual Fund. Montrusco Bolton Quantitative Canadian Equity fund is another popular option for investor to invest in mutual fund.

Montrusco Bolton Quantitative Canadian Equity

Montrusco Bolton Quantitative Canadian Equity
The fundamental investment objective of the Quantitative Canadian Equity Fund is to achieve long-term growth of capital through the investment of its assets in a very concentrated group of stocks included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index and traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The lead manager of this fund is Ismael Chiadmi. This fund was introduced to public in February 1996. It has 1.21% annual expense ratio. This fund applies higher minimum initial investment of $150.000. There is no sales load fee. The benchmark of this fund is S&P/TSX Composite Index.

The top sector exposure of this fund as of June 2011 is Energy (28.7%), Information Technology (19.4%), Health Care (19.2%) and Materials (9.6%). The top ten holdings of this fund as of March 2011 represent 97.13% of the total portfolio. They are Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl. (11.89%), Precision Drilling (10.72%), Lundin Mining (9.83%), First Quantum Minerals (9.60%), Silver Wheaton (9.52%), Baytex Energy Corp. (9.36%), Viterra Inc. (9.23%), Trican Well Service (9.15%), Ivanhoe Mines (9.02%) and Suncor Energy (8.81%).

The risks investing in this fund include currency risk, interest rate risk, price risk, credit risk and liquidity risk.

November 5, 2011

American Funds Washington Mutual A (AWSHX) Fund

American Funds Washington Mutual A Fund (AWSHX) focuses its investment in established U.S. companies. It is a large value mutual fund.

The following American Funds Washington Mutual A fund is among the oldest and popular US stock mutual fund. This us equity fund is also among the largest mutual fund. Details about the fund’s review can be found below.

American Funds Washington Mutual A (MUTF: AWSHX)

The investment objective of American Funds Washington Mutual A fund is to provide income and to provide an opportunity for growth of principal consistent with sound common stock investing. This US stock fund invests mainly in common stocks of established companies that are listed on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and have a strong record of dividends and earnings.

AWSHX Fund Details

    American Funds Washington Mutual A (AWSHX) Fund
  • Fund Inception Date: 07/31/1952
  • Ticker Symbol: AWSHX (Class A)
  • CUSIP: 939330106
  • Beta (3yr): 0.92
  • Category: Large Value
  • Expense Fee: 0.58%
  • Yield: 1.77%
  • Total Assets: $90 billion
  • Category: Large Value
  • Number of Years Up: 46 years
  • Number of Years Down: 12 years
  • Sales Load: 5.75% (Front End)
  • Turnover Rate: 30%
Updated May 2017

November 4, 2011

Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund (VEIEX)

Known for its index mutual funds, Vanguard offers brokerage service and exchange traded funds as well. One of the most popular index funds is Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index fund. This fund invests mainly in emerging market countries stocks. This fund may be suitable for long term investors who wish to diversify his/her portfolio. More reviews can be found below.

Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index (VEIEX)

Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Idx
This Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index fund’s objective is to track the MSCI Emerging Markets Index performance. This passively managed fund invests most of its assets (>95%) in the stocks included in the index.

This Vanguard fund tracks 21 emerging market countries equity returns such as Russia, China, India, Brazil, Korea, South Africa, etc. Please note: This EM equity fund may be more volatile than US domestic stock fund or other developed countries stock fund, though it may provide higher long term returns.

As mentioned before, this fund uses indexing approached to manage its assets. The fund’s manager is Michael Perre since 2008. The total net assets are $50.78 Billion. It also has a yield of 1.87%. This fund’s expense ratio is 0.35%. This fee is lower than the average category of 1.67%. As any typical Vanguard fund, there is no sales load.

Fund Details
  • Fund Inception Date: February 26, 1999
  • Ticker Symbol: VEIEX
  • CUSIP: 922042304
  • Beta (3yr): 1.10
  • Rank in category (YTD): 61 %
  • Category: diversified emerging markets
  • Yield: 1.96%
  • Capital Gains: 0%
  • Expense Ratio: 0.33%
  • Net Assets: $ 67.7 billion
  • Number of Years Up: 10 years
  • Number of Years Down: 7 years
  • Annual Turnover Rate: 10%
Updated on 5/28/2012

This Diversified Emerging Market Stock fund is rated with 3 stars rating by Morningstar. It has the best 1 year total return in 2009 with 75.98% and the worst 1 year total return in 2008 with -52.81%. This EM stock fund has returned -17.63% over the past 1 year, 4.98% over the past 3 year, and 15.26% over the past 10 year.

This fund can be bought from 52 brokerages such as Vanguard, Northwestern Mutual, Schwab Retail, ETrade No Load Fee, Matrix Financial Solutions, Scottrade TF, etc. Investor may buy this Vanguard fund with $3,000 minimum investment for regular brokerage account and for retirement (IRA) account. This fund requires $100 for the minimum subsequent investment. The other class of this fund is the Admiral Shares (Ticker: VEMAX), Institutional Class (VEMIX), Institutional Plus (VEMRX), Signal Class (VERSX), and ETF (Ticker: VWO). The expense ratio of VEMRX is 0.12%.

Investing in this fund may include risks such as stock market risk, emerging markets risk, index sampling risk, currency and political risks.

As of October 2011, this fund has a total of 914 stocks. The median market cap is $15.4 Billion. The turnover rate is 16.2%. The top 10 largest holdings are Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Vale SA, China Mobile Ltd, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd, Gazprom OAO, America Movil SAB de CV, Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Hyundai Motor Co, and Industrial & Commercial Bank of China.

Pros:
  • Low expense ratio fee
  • No sales load

Disclosure: No Position

Other International Stock Mutual Funds:

November 3, 2011

American Funds Capital Income Builder A (CAIBX) Fund

American Funds Capital Income Builder A Fund (CAIBX) is a balanced mutual fund. This American Funds fund invests in stocks and bonds around the world. This post provides the fund review in details.

One of the advantages to invest in balanced mutual fund is investor can get instant diversification into equity (stock) and fixed income (bond) market. The following American Funds Capital Income Builder fund is part of World Allocation balanced fund. This World Allocation fund may invest in global stocks and bonds including preferred stock, convertible, emerging markets, high yield, corporate bond, etc.

American Funds Capital Income Builder A (Ticker: CAIBX)

American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund (CAIBX) Class A
AF Capital Income Builder A
This American Funds Capital Income Builder fund’s objective is to provide a level of current income and a growing stream of income over the years. The fund’s secondary objective is to achieve capital growth. This American Funds fund invests most of its assets (>90%) in income-producing securities, including common stocks and bonds (with <50% of assets in stocks). CAIBX may also invest in foreign companies stocks.

CAIBX Fund Details

  • Fund Inception Date: 07/30/1987
  • Ticker Symbol: CAIBX (Class A)
  • CUSIP: 140193 10 3
  • Beta (3yr): 1.08
  • Yield: 3.37%
  • Expense Fee: 0.60%
  • Total Assets: $104 Billion
  • Minimum to Invest: $250
  • Number of Years Up: 20 years
  • Number of Years Down: 3 years
  • Sales Load: 5.75% (Front End)
updated May 2017

November 2, 2011

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBMFX)

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index fund (VBMFX) is a popular taxable bond mutual fund. This Vanguard bond fund provides a decent yield. You will find the fund review in this article.

Vanguard has been well known with its wide selection of mutual funds. It also among the leader with low cost index funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs). One of the most popular Vanguard’s bond index fund is Vanguard Total Bond Market Index fund. Please check the fund’s review below.

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Inv (MUTF: VBMFX)

This Vanguard Total Bond Market Index fund objective is to provide return by tracking the performance of Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted index, the bond index. The fund invests >80% of assets in bonds held in the index. This Vanguard fund keeps a dollar-weighted average maturity consistent with that of the index, ranging between 5 - 10 years.

VBMFX Fund Details

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBMFX)
  • Fund Inception Date: 12/11/1986
  • Ticker Symbol: VBMFX (Investor Shares)
  • CUSIP: 921937108
  • Beta (3yr): 1.01
  • Rank in category (YTD): 7%
  • Category: Intermediate-Term Bond
  • Yield: 2.36%
  • Capital Gains: N/A
  • Sales Load: 0%
  • Expense Fee: 0.15%
  • Fund Manager: Joshua C. Barrickman
  • Number of Years Up: 22 years
  • Number of Years Down: 2 years
  • Total Net Assets: $179 Billion
  • Effective Duration: 6.09 years
  • Average Maturity: 8.3 years
Updated May 2017

November 1, 2011

Sequoia Fund (SEQUX)

US stock investment can be done through mutual funds. One of the best U.S. Stock Funds is Sequoia fund. This domestic equity fund is rated 5 stars by Morningstar and is one of the oldest mutual fund. Details about the fund’s review can be found below.

Sequoia (MUTF: SEQUX)

This Sequoia fund is seeking long-term growth of capital. This large blend stock fund invests primarily on undervalued common stocks with potential for growth. While the fund typically invests in U.S. companies, it also may invest in foreign securities. It may invest in securities of issuers with any market capitalization. The fund is non-diversified.

SEQUX Fund Details
Sequoia fund details
  • Fund Inception Date: July 15, 1970
  • Ticker Symbol: SEQUX
  • CUSIP: 817418106 
  • Beta (3yr): 0.78
  • Rank in category (YTD): 1
  • Category: Large Blend
  • Distribution Rate: 0.22%
  • Net Assets: $ 4.38 billion
  • Sales Load: 0.0%
  • Expense Ratio: 1.00%
  • Capital Gains: N/A
  • Number of Years Up: 34 years
  • Number of Years Down: 6 years
Updated on 10/18/2011

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