October 5, 2013

Fidelity Real Estate Investment Fund (FRESX)

Fidelity Real Estate Investment Fund (FRESX), top REIT stock mutual fund. This mutual fund invests mainly in equities of real estate companies or real estate investment trusts (REITs).

Top Fidelity Mutual Fund

The investment aim of Fidelity Real Estate Investment Fund is to achieve above-average income and long-term capital growth with reasonable investment risk. The mutual fund utilizes its assets to purchase common stocks of companies principally engaged in the real estate industry and other real estate related investments.

This sector stock fund invests in domestic and foreign issuers. It uses fundamental analysis of factors such as each issuer’s financial condition and industry position, as well as market and economic conditions, to select investments. The fund is non-diversified.

Fidelity Real Estate Investment Fund Profile

    Fidelity Real Estate Investment Fund (FRESX) details
  • Fund Inception Date: 11/16/1986
  • Ticker Symbol: FRESX
  • CUSIP: 316138205
  • Beta (3yr): 0.91
  • Rank in category (YTD): 25%
  • Category: Real Estate
  • Distribution: 1.39%
  • Capital Gains: 0%
  • Expense Ratio: 0.84%
  • Net Assets: $ 4.0 billion
  • Number of Years Up: 20 years
  • Number of Years Down: 6 years
  • Annual Turnover Rate: 26%
Updated on October 5, 2013

October 3, 2013

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund (ADLAX) Ad

Find sensible doesn’t need to be boring ad by Aberdeen about mutual fund. It features Aberdeen Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund in Barron’s financial newspaper.

Aberdeen Ad

Aberdeen  Mutual Fund Ad
Source: Barron's
Recently, Aberdeen advertised in Barron’s financial newspaper about “Sensible Doesn’t Need to be Boring”. You can find this ad in Barron’s page S2 on August 26, 2013. They provide 1 mutual fund for your investment or brokerage account: Aberdeen Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund (ADLAX).

While the ad looks promising, you should do more research before investing in this mutual fund. Whether the investment is for your brokerage or retirement account, it is important to understand the risk and investment strategy of this mutual fund. I have provided a fund review below.

The ad is as follow:
Sensible doesn’t need to be boring. 
Aberdeen Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund (ADLAX) 
To help achieve a diversified portfolio, it may pay to be adventures. Aberdeen’s global presence helps you diversify into some of the world’s most dynamic bond markets. 
Supported by 70 emerging market investment professionals covering both debt and equities and a track record of nearly two decades, we seek out potential opportunities across the world. A bit unusual? Yes. Sensible? We think so.

October 1, 2013

John Hancock Fund Ad of Approach to Investing: Give Backstage Pass

Investing advice on “Our Approach to Investing: We Give You a Backstage Pass,” a John Hancock Ad. Find this fund information in financial newspaper.

Investment Ad

John Hancock Ad: Give Backstage Pass
Source: Barron's
There is lot of investment ad if you read financial newspaper. To understand it, you need to review and research the fund in the advertisement. John Hancock advertised in Barron’s newspaper page 9 with title “Our Approach to Investing: We Give You a Backstage Pass.” on August 12, 2013. JHancock provides 1 mutual fund for you investment account: John Hancock Alternative Asset Allocation Fund.

This multialternative mutual fund is ranked among the top mutual fund in its category. I have provided the fund review below. You can find the information about the fund returns and fund profile. You should also read the fund prospectus and visit the fund website to understand more.

The advertisement is as follow:
Our approach to investing: We give you a backstage pass. 
John Hancock Alternative Asset Allocation Fund 
Morningstar Proprietary Ratings for Class I Shares as of 6/30/2013
Overall Rating: 5 stars (out of 131 multialternative funds) 
The fund provides unique access to 15 experienced asset managers and invests in 19 different alternative investments including key asset classes like currencies, natural resourcesm and commodities, plus unique strategies like absolute return and long/short.

September 29, 2013

Top Lowest Cost Sector Stock Mutual Funds for 2014 Investment

Top lowest cost sector stock mutual funds 2014 for investing. Financial investment in best mutual funds with lowest fee in sector stock category for financial investing. The top funds are Hennessy Gas Utility Index fund, Fidelity Select Biotechnology fund, etc.

Top Lowest Cost Sector Stock Mutual Funds for 2014 Investment Best Cheap Sector Stock Mutual Funds

Sector stock mutual fund invests mainly in a specific industry of sector of the economy. It may invest in gold, basic materials, service, technology, utility, conglomerate, consumer staples, consumer discretionary, energy, industrials, and more. It may provide greater diversification than owning an individual stock. Some funds may have higher yield for income such as utilities sector.

These lowest cost five star bond mutual funds are sorted based on its expense ratio and top star rating. You can invest the mutual funds in your brokerage account and retirement account (Roth IRA, traditional IRA or 401k). These best mutual funds are highly volatile and may provide high rewards.

The top lowest cost sector stock mutual funds 2014 are:
  1. Hennessy Gas Utility Index Fund (GASFX)
  2. Fidelity Select Biotechnology (FBIOX)
  3. T. Rowe Price Health Sciences (PRHSX)
  4. Fidelity Select Software & Comp (FSCSX)
  5. Fidelity Select Chemicals (FSCHX)
  6. Fidelity Select Retailing (FSRPX)
  7. Fidelity Select IT Services (FBSOX)
  8. T. Rowe Price Global Technology (PRGTX)
  9. Nuveen Real Estate Securities I (FARCX)
  10. Baron Real Estate Institutional (BREIX)

September 27, 2013

Delaware Extended Duration Bond Fund (DEEAX)

Delaware Extended Duration Bond Fund (DEEAX) is a great bond mutual fund for financial investing. It invests mainly in long duration debts.

Top Financial Investment

The investment objective of Delaware Extended Duration Bond Fund is to seek total return. This mutual fund invests mainly in corporate bonds. Its focus is on corporate bonds that have investment grade credit ratings from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO). This bond mutual fund may also invest in unrated bonds, if the fund managers believe their credit quality is comparable to those that have investment grade ratings. It may also invest < 20% of its net assets in high yield corporate bonds or junk bonds.

Fund Details

    Delaware Extended Duration Bond Fund - DEEAX | Top Mutual Fund
  • Fund Inception Date: 09/14/1998
  • Ticker Symbol: DEEAX
  • CUSIP: 245908835
  • Beta (3yr): 2.49
  • Rank in category (YTD): 71%
  • Category: Long-Term Bond
  • Yield: 4.30%
  • Capital Gains: 0%
  • Expense Ratio: 0.95%
  • Net Assets: $ 756.3 million
  • Number of Years Up: 12 years
  • Number of Years Down: 2 years
  • Average Duration: 12.59 years
  • Average Maturity: 18.39 years
  • Annual Turnover Rate: 172%
Updated on September 27, 2013

September 25, 2013

BlackRock Fund Ad: Once Thought Safe Now Risky? Rethink Bonds

Find the investing review of Once Thought Safe Now Risk? Rethink your bonds, a BlackRock ad. You can find this ad at recent financial newspaper or magazine.

BlackRock Ad

BlackRock Ad: Rethink Bonds
Source: Barron's
If you read financial newspaper, you will notice a BlackRock ad about bond investment. I find this BlackRock ad about “Once Thought Safe Now Risk? Rethink your bonds” in Barron’s page 4 on August 19, 2013. The ad provides 1 mutual fund for consideration. You can invest in your financial account such as retirement account, brokerage account, or 401(k) account.

Whether it is the right choice for your investment account, you should do research and study about this mutual fund. I have provided the fund review below. Please do check the fund prospectus and fund summary profile to understand more about this BlackRock mutual fund.

The ad is as follow:
Once Thought Safe Now Risky? Rethink your Bonds.
The traditional bond funds you once considered safe investments may not be so safe anymore. Yields today are near record lows. Your income stream has slowed to a trickle. Many investments–like U.S. treasuries–aren’t even keeping pace with inflation. And if interest rates rise or inflation picks up, these once low-risk bonds could do something they’ve rarely done in 30 years–lose you money.
“So what do I do with my money?” BlackRock can help you seek out income and returns, no matter the climate. The BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Fund (BASIX) is

September 23, 2013

How to Increase Your Retirement Savings with IRA

Most people or investors like tax-deferred retirement account such as 401(k) plan. They can set up automatic payroll deductions at the companies for financial investment; most of the companies also offer matching contributions. Some companies may provide 50% match up to the first 6%, and some may offer 100% match up to the first 10%, etc.

With higher costs in healthcare and portfolio lowered due to economy, these plans alone may not be enough for their retirement. According to recent studies, future retiree may need 80% of their pre-retirement income per year to maintain current standard of living. To increase their retirement income, it is advisable to add additional saving plans with individual retirement accounts or IRAs.

How to Increase Your Retirement Savings with IRA | Top IRA Funds IRA Types

There two main types of individual retirement accounts such as traditional IRA and Roth IRA. Both may have each own benefits and disadvantages. Traditional IRA permits retirement contributions to grow tax-deferred until it was withdrawn. This may increase their growth potential. Investors may claim income tax deduction on their IRA contributions.

On the other hand, Roth IRA offers tax-free growth because the contributions are done with already-taxed income. There is no income tax deduction, but contributions (minus earnings) can be withdrawn without tax or penalty. It is popular for investors for college or education and retirement saving.

The eligibility to contribute to an IRA phases out above certain income level. Please check with IRS or
your financial advisor for details about the eligibility. The current annual limit per Internal Revenue Services on total IRA contributions as of 2013 is $5,500 ($6,500 for anyone 50 or older currently).

As you probably know, there is also a limit to invest in your 401(k) plan. Using IRA, you may increase your retirement saving for your future income. Currently the contribution limit to a tax deferred retirement plan is $17,500 per year. If you have reached the limit for your 401(k) contribution, investing in Roth IRA or traditional IRA is not a bad idea after all.

Top Retirement Income Funds

Some of these best funds are suitable for your investments in your retirement account:
    Top IRA Funds
  • PIMCO Total Return Fund (PTTDX)
  • Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSMX)
  • DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund (DLTNX)
  • Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund (VTXVX)
  • Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund (DODFX)
  • Vanguard Wellington Fund (VWENX)

Best Brokerage to Invest

Choosing a brokerage for individual retirement account (IRA) is another challenging topic. I have listed the following top fund brokers for your selection. These online brokerages are suitable for your traditional IRA or Roth IRA.

If you want to invest for your retirement account, you can choose online or discount brokerage. Some of these brokerages are:
  • Vanguard – It provides wide selection of investment funds including index fund
  • Fidelity – It provides financial services and top fund picks, you can trade stocks or bonds
  • Charles Schwab – There is no maintenance fee, you can choose low cost Schwab funds
  • Scottrade – There is low initial balance requirement, only $500 to start. There are wide selection of funds to choose from.

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