Continue reading Baron iOpportunity (BIOPX): Fund Favorite in Technology

Baron iOpportunity (BIOPX): Fund Favorite in Technology originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We include Price Small Cap Value (PRSVX) in all five of our Master portfolios as well as our Best Buy model portfolios," says Mark Salzinger.

In his The No-Load Fund Investor, the fund expert suggests, "Overall, we consider this fund to be an excellent core holding for small-cap exposure." Here's his bullish overview.

"The fund lost just 28.6% in 2008, vs. anearly 37% loss for the average small-cap-value fund. In 2009, though, that has reversed a bit: Price Small Cap Value has gained 19.6% to its average peer's 22.7% gain. Two reasons for the sluggish performance this year are rooted in the fund's basic composition.

Continue reading Finding value at Price Small Cap Value Fund (PRSVX)

Finding value at Price Small Cap Value Fund (PRSVX) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Preferred stock has been much in the news over the past 18 months, primarily as the favorite way for cash-strapped banks to raise new capital," explains Mark Salzinger.

In The Investor's ETF Report, he says, "These unusual securities are popular because they offer high yields and have a higher position in corporate credit structure than common stock." Here, he offers a pair of favored ETFs that invest in preferred shares.

"We caution that preferred stocks also have significant drawbacks that dampen their appeal. Apreferred stock is really more like a fixed-income instrument than an equity security.

Continue reading A preference for yield: Investng in preferreds

A preference for yield: Investng in preferreds originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund (MSMLX) was among the top-performing funds of the first half of 2009, with a return of more than 47%," says Mark Salzinger.

In his No-Load Fund Investor, he suggests, "Though volatile, it wouldn't surprise us in the least if Matthews Asia Small Cap turned out to be one of the top-performing funds we cover over the next decade." Here is the fund's expert's review.

"The fund has benefited so far this year from its focus on China and India, two of the year's best-performing stock markets. However, the fund's mandate to invest in developing Asia's small companies also has been a boon.

Continue reading A favorite fund for small cap exposure to Asia

A favorite fund for small cap exposure to Asia originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We are adding Artisan Opportunistic Growth (ARTRX), which we consider a 'new opportunity,' for long-term ivvestors, to our Best Buys portfolios," explains Mark Salzinger.

The mutual fund specialist and editor of The No-Load Fund Investor explains, "Launched lst September, the fund fits neatly into one of our key strategies for maximizing risk-adjusted returns: It's a new, small and flexible fund from experienced, highly successful managers.

"This new fund is managed by Andrew Stephens, James Hamel and Shayne John-the same trio of managers who guide Artisan Mid Cap to excellent long-term results.

Continue reading Artisan (ARTRX): An 'opportunistic' best buy

Artisan (ARTRX): An 'opportunistic' best buy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Resource-rich, politically stable and increasingly prosperous, Chile is an attractive play on commodities and growing wealth in emerging markets," explains Mark Salzinger, editor of The Investor's ETF Report.

Chile is also a favorite investment position of Nicholas Vardy, editor of The Global Bull Market Alert, who notes, "Thanks to its fiscal prudence, its lack of a domestic housing bubble, and its sizeable wealth reserves, Chile has weathered the current global economic meltdown better than most countries."

Here, the two advisors assess the longer-term opportunity in iShares MSCI Chile (NYSE: ECH), an exchange-traded fund.

Continue reading Hot prospects for Chile (ECH)

Hot prospects for Chile (ECH) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 01 May 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Given President Obama's meeting last weekend with Latin American leaders, a look at Latin America-related mutual funds seemed particularly timely. As such we turn to fund expert Mark Salzinger.

The editor of No-Load Fund Investor explains, "The best way for mutual fund investors to add exposure to Brazilian stocks is through Fidelity Latin America (FLATX) or T. Rowe Price Latin America (PRLAX)." Here's his review of the two mutual funds.

"Both funds have solid records and new managers, but each has substantial experience and is backed by deep research teams.

Continue reading Favorite funds for investing in Latin America

Favorite funds for investing in Latin America originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We have been recommending iShares MSCI Brazil (ASE: EWZ) in our speculative portfolio," says mutual fund and ETF expert Mark Salzinger.

In The Investor's ETF Report, he adds, "But we now think Brazil's solid long-term economic fundamentals and the ETF's 'scompelling valuation and well-positioned companies offer exceptional return potential as a portion of some investors'core portfolios, too."

"Brazil's stock market was assailed on all sides in 2008, when EWZ declined by about 55%. Robust gains in the previous five years had priced Brazil's stocks dearly, and investors'decreased tolerance for any perceived risk saw them abandon emerging markets stocks in droves.

Continue reading ETF expert looks to Brazil

ETF expert looks to Brazil originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Global advisors look to China.

"SPDR S&P China (NYSE: GXC) is our favorite ETF among more speculative contrarian ideas," fund expert Mark Salzinger.

In The Investor's ETF Report, he explains, "Worries over China's economic growth in the face of global recession savaged Chinese stocks in 2008; GXC fell 48.8% from admittedly stratospheric valuations. Now, though, GXC trades at a price/earnings ratio of only 10.7.

Continue reading SPDR S&P China (GXC): Best buy among contrarian ETFs

SPDR S&P China (GXC): Best buy among contrarian ETFs originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Like other US Treasuries, Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPs) have virtually no credit risk," explains fund expert Mark Salzinger.

The editor of The No-Load Fund Investor adds, "Unlike other US Treasuries beyond short-term bills, however, TIPs also have no inflation risk." Here, he looks at an EYF based on TIPs.

"Twice a year, TIPs' principal valuis are adjusted upward by the amount of the increase in the Consumer Price Index Urban (CPI-U), thus protecting their holders against increases in inflation.

"The total return of the bond equals its yield plus the change in principal value based on inflation, changes in real interest rates (published interest rates minus inflation) and supply-demand in the market for TIPs.

"TIPs' yields are lower than those of regular Treasury sercurities of similar maturities. That's one of the disadvantages of TIPs.

"The other is that any increase in principal value due to the biannual inflation adjustment gets taxed every year as if it were received income.

Continue reading Fund expert offers tip on TIPs

Fund expert offers tip on TIPs originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We've added two bond fund's to our buy list: PIMCO Total Return (PTTDX) and Loomis Sayles Bond (LSBRX)," says Mark Salzinger.

The editor of The No-Load Fund Investor explains, "We favor both funds for many of the same reasons: both have experienced, top-flight management supported by robust credit-research staffs." Here's his review.

"Both bond funds have performed strongly over the long-term and during recent market turbulence. And each has a relatively open mandate that allows their respective management teams the flexibility to scoop up attractive bonds from diverse sectors of the bond market in pursuit of both capital appreciation and income.

"PIMCO Total Return is the world's biggest bond fund, and second large mutual fund of any stripe, with $128 billion in assets. The fund's popularity is a product of the outstanding track record and enormous reputation of its manager, Bill Gross. Its 10-year annualized return of 6% puts the fund in the top 5% of all intermediate-term bond funds over that time.

Continue reading Best bond fund bets: Core picks for income investors

Best bond fund bets: Core picks for income investors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In the latest issue of his industry leading No-Load Fund Investor, fund expect Mark Salzinger reviews convertible bond funds, highlighting his two favorites.

Here, the leading fund authority looks at Fidelity Convertible Securities (FCVSX) and the "more conservative" favorite, Vanguard Convertible Securities (VCVSX).

"Convertibles are hybrid securities, often slight below investment grade, which can be redeemed for stock at a predetermined price and quantity.

"Because their values are often closely correlated to the value of the underlying equities, convertible bonds have more capital appreciation potential also more volatility than plan vanilla corporate bonds. However, because the value of their interest payments creates a floor of value, they tend to be less volatile than stocks.

"Our top convertibles pick is Fidelity Convertible Securities. The fund has been managed by Tom Soviero since 2005, since when it has generated an annualized return of 11.7% vs. 5.7% for Merrill Lynch All Convertible Index.

"Soviero is one of Fidelity's best portfolio managers. He favors convertibles that trade in line with the movements of the underlying equity's price and he wants the underlying equity to have an inexpensive valuation.

Continue reading Favorite funds for investing in convertibles

Favorite funds for investing in convertibles originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 May 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"One of the best way to capture lower-risk commodity exposure is through funds that invest in Canada," says Mark Salzinger, noting "Much of Canada's economy is tied to natural resources."

In his The No-Load Fund Investor, the long-standing fund expert looks to two ways to invest north of the border: iShares MSCI Canada ETF (ASE: EWC) and Fidelity Canada (FICDX). Here is his review of both.

"Though its population is clustered primarily along its border with the US, Canada is vast: it is the second largest country in the world behind Russia. Unlike most developed countries, Canada is one of the few net exporters of energy.

"As such, the performance of the Canadian stock market has benefited enormously from rising commodity prices over the past several years. Over the past five years, the iShares MSCI Canada ETF has produced a total return of 316%, more than tripling the return of the S&P 500.

"Canada has room to grow its commodities production. Much of its far northern provinces remain untouched by mining or energy interests, and many of its highest potential resources are only now beginning to be exploited.

"Such attractive assets and the growing cash hoards of global natural resources companies have sparked numerous mergers and acquisitions between Canadian companies, further boosting stock prices.

Continue reading North of the border: Best funds to invest in Canada

North of the border: Best funds to invest in Canada originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.