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.

September 21, 2013

WisdomTree ETFs Ad: Future of Dividend Growth Funds

Find Introducing: The Future of Dividend Growth, a WisdomTree advertisement about ETF Fund in Barron’s financial newspaper. Find the ETF fund review for your long term investing or financial account.

New ETF Ad

WisdomTree ETFs Ad: Future of Dividend Growth Funds
Source: Barron's
Recently, WisdomTree advertises in Barron’s financial magazine about “The Future of Dividend Growth”. You can find this advertisement on Page M52 of Barron’s on September 9th, 2013. They provide diversified selection of dividend ETF funds including large cap fund, small cap fund, and international stocks, etc.

Some of these funds may be suitable for your brokerage account or retirement account (Roths IRA / traditional IRA). Prudent investment strategy is needed especially for long term investment. Check the fund risk and fund performance below as well.

The advertisement is as follows:
Introducing: The Future of Dividend Growth
  • DGRW - U.S. Dividend Growth Fund
  • DGRS - U.S. SmallCap Dividend Growth Fund
  • DGRE - Emerging Markets Dividend Growth Fund
  • DNL - Global ex-U.S. Growth Fund

September 19, 2013

Top High Yield Stock Closed End Funds for 2014 Investment

Top high yield stock closed end funds for investment in 2014, best income stock CEF funds. These CEF funds provide high income and growth for investors. You can buy this investment funds from your brokerages.

Top High Yield Stock Closed End Funds Best Stock Closed End Funds

Stock closed end funds are not as popular as bond closed end funds. However if you seek growth and income, stock closed end funds are the right choice. Stock CEF funds are traded like stock or stock ETFs. They are categorizes into 2 main categories: U.S. stock fund and International stock fund. From these major categories, CEF funds are divided such as preferred stock fund, value stock fund, growth stock fund, global stock fund, emerging markets stock fund, covered call fund, real estate sector fund, etc.

These top high yield stock closed end funds are selected based on its potential for income growth and capital appreciation. These stock funds are among the best performer fund for the past 5 years in its category. You will find the fund review below. These funds are great for investment during this year, 2013 as well.

Top High Yield Closed End Funds for 2014 are:
  1. John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (HTD)
  2. Delaware Enhanced Global Dividend & Income Fund (DEX)
  3. Cohen & Steers REIT and Preferred Income Fund (RNP)
Updated on September 19, 2013

September 17, 2013

Cullen Funds Ad: Be a Long Term Investors

Be a Long Term Investors, a Cullen Funds ad review. Find the fund review of each fund described in this advertisement in Barron’s financial newspaper.

Fund Ad

Be a Long Term Investors by Cullen Funds
Source: Barron's
Cullen Funds advertised a half page details about some of their funds. You can find the ads on Page 6 of Barron’s The Dow Jones Business and Financial Weekly on September 9th 2013. They provide diversified selection of funds including large value fund, mid cap fund, and international stock mutual fund. I have provided a review of each fund.

Some of these funds may be suitable for your brokerage account or retirement account. Prudent investment strategy is needed especially for long term investment. Check the fund risk and fund performance below as well.

The ad is as follows:
Cullen Funds
At the end of the day, the message is clear. Be disciplined about price, don’t overreact to headline news and be a long-term investor” Jim Cullen, Chairman & CEO
  • Cullen High Dividend Equity Fund (CHDEX)
  • Cullen Value Fund (CVLEX)
  • Cullen Small Cap Value Fund (CUSIX)
  • Cullen International High Dividend Fund (CIHDX)
  • Cullen Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund (CEMDX)
Risks: Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. The funds invests in foreign securities, which involve greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods. The CVLEX, CUSIX invest in small- and medium-capitalization companies, which involve additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility.

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