Continue reading Physical Precious Metals Basket (GLTR): All in One Metals ETF

Physical Precious Metals Basket (GLTR): All in One Metals ETF originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Income-starved investors have flocked this year to master limited partnerships (MLPs); however these securities involve tax and bookkeeping hassles," notes fund specialist Mark Salzinger.

The editor of The Investor's ETF Report explains, "As a result, investing in MLP through an exchange-traded fund -- such as The Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) -- has numerous advantages.

"Indeed, by holding a single ETF that aggregates income and returns, tax reporting is streamlined (typically on Form 1099, just like corporate dividends).

Continue reading Alerian MLP (AMLP): High Yield and Tax Benefits

Alerian MLP (AMLP): High Yield and Tax Benefits originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Janus Flexible (JAFIX): A 'Sterling' Track Record

Janus Flexible (JAFIX): A 'Sterling' Track Record originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Canada's economy is expected to see faster real GDP growth in 2010 compared to most developed nations, including the U.S., Western Europe and Japan.

Continue reading Canada's Comeback: ETF Expert Looks North

Canada's Comeback: ETF Expert Looks North originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 11 May 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading What's an Income Investor to Do? Buy Utilities

What's an Income Investor to Do? Buy Utilities originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"iShares MSCI Germany (EWG) has bounced back in 2009 from an especially rotten 2008," says exchange-traded fund specialist Mark Salzinger.

In his The ETF Investor's Report, he explains, "We think Germany's major export-oriented stocks are poised to perform well again in 2010, despite concerns about domestic spending."

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: iShares Germany (EWG)

Top Picks for 2010: iShares Germany (EWG) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"Though most investors do not associate Pacific-Rim investments with high-dividend yields, Matthews Asia Dividend (MAPIX) could change their perception," says Mark Salzinger.

In his No-Load Fund Investor, he looks to this fund, which he notes recently offered a dividend yield of approximately 4%.

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: Matthews Asia Dividend (MAPIX)

Top Picks for 2010: Matthews Asia Dividend (MAPIX) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:00:00 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.

"Being socially responsible means different things to different people; however, in the mutual-fund world, it refers to funds that combine progressive 'social' mandates with investment criteria," explains fund expert Mark Salzinger.

In The No-Load Fund Investor, he suggests, "We have no problem with the concept of socially responsible funds for an investor who wants his investments to reflect his values, provided that the funds have also provided good risk-adjusted returns." Here, he looks at two favorites.

"Funds that call themselves socially responsible usually avoid stocks that don't meet progressive, or politically liberal, standards of environment impact, workplace environment, and diversity/tolerance and community involvement.

Continue reading Parnassus: Favorite funds for socially responsible investors

Parnassus: Favorite funds for socially responsible investors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Reflecting the stability and maturity of its economy and financial markets, Israel was recently upgraded to developed-market status," says fund expert Mark Salzinger.

In The Investor's ETF Report, he looks at iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market ETF (NYSE: EIS), noting, "For a nation of just more than seven million people, Israel generates exceptional economic productivity."

"GDP per capita was recently $28,200, good for 49th in the world, very close to established developed markets like New Zealand and Italy.

Continue reading Shalom: Say hello to the first all-Israeli ETF

Shalom: Say hello to the first all-Israeli ETF originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:00:00 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.

This post is part of a 12-article feature that can be read here: Today's best income ideas.

"Assuming you want to invest a little more in the markets now, which ETF should be your first choice?" asks ETF expert Mark Salzinger.

In The Investors's ETF Report, he reveals his favorite picks from from two of his model portfolios -- a favorite for long-term wealth building and one investors still in their pre-retirement years.

Continue reading Best income buys: Wealth building and pre-retirement

Best income buys: Wealth building and pre-retirement originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"My top investment recommendation for 2009 is the SPDR S&P China ETF (NYSE: GXC)," says Mark Salzinger, exchange-traded fund expert and editor of The Investor's ETF Report.

"I recognize that this is an aggressive, risky choice. However, the Chinese economy boasts some impressive strengths, and, after falling by at least half in 2008, Chinese stocks are trading at very low valuations.

"China has approximately $2 trillion in U.S. dollar reserves, which it can use to buttress economic and political stability in the country. Also, even with a much reduced economic growth rate in 2009, China still will be a huge importer of oil and many industrial commodities.

"That means China will benefit greatly from lower prices for these products, some of which have lost two-thirds of their value just since May 2008.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: S&P China SPDR (GXC)

Top Stock Picks '09: S&P China SPDR (GXC) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.