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Using a Flexible Fund in Larger a Portfolio

Flexible funds give the portfolio managers the ability to shift assets based on market conditions. This type of flexibility makes these funds appropriate as a sole holding, but can also be a benefit in a more broadly diversified portfolio.Read more

Mutual Funds: The Benefits of a Family Approach

Mutual fund investors face the choice of cherry picking funds or sticking with one fund family. There are benefits to going this route and negatives; there’s also a workaround.Read more

Mutual Fund Screen: Top-Performing International Bond Funds of 2012

Value Line’s International Bond objective group is a very broad grouping of funds. The funds in this category invest in foreign and U.S. bonds or exclusively in foreign fixed-income securities in pursuit of current income.Read more

Fund Highlight: Cohen & Steers Realty Shares (CSRSX)

Cohen & Steers Realty Shares (SCRSX) is managed by a team that included Martin Cohen and Robert Steers, a pair often referred to as the grandfathers of real estate investment trust investing. With a solid long-term track record, this fund is worth a look for more growth minded investors.Read more

Bond Funds are Hot, But Fear May Be Clouding Investor Judgment

Bond funds have been drawing more investment than stock funds. Since this is most likely driven by fear and performance chasing, it is worth taking a moment to consider why one would want to own bonds in the first place.Read more

Mutual Fund Screen: Top-Performing Health Funds of 2012

Value Line’s Health objective group is a fairly small, yet surprisingly diverse, collection of mutual funds.Read more

Fund Highlight: T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund (PREMX)

Emerging market stocks get all the press, but many growing economies have vibrant bond markets, too. T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund (PREMX) is a solid way to participate on the bond side of developing nations around the world.Read more

Options Strategies The Pros Use

Options have their place in an investor’s overall toolkit. When used judiciously, options can help increase the income generated by a portfolio and provide downside protection to wary investors. Two funds to examine that use options are Van Kampen Equity Premium Income Fund (VEPAX) and Gateway Fund (GATEX). Although the news in recent years has highlighted the risks of certain investment strategies, such as options, the headlines shouldn’t dissuade investors from learning more.

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For Some Funds it’s All About the Manager

When investors look at purchasing a fund, they often review a fund’s objective and its historical performance. While both are logical to examine, it is also important to know exactly who it is that is managing the fund, since this person is, ultimately, the one to whom an investor is entrusting his or her money.

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Funds with a Focus on Distributions

Mutual funds rose in popularity during a time when the accumulation of wealth was the main focus of most investors. Now, however, as more investors end their work careers, there looms a demand for a product that replaces a salary. This is the exact opposite of what most mutual funds are set up to do and the vast majority of fund companies do not appear to be preparing for the change that is slowly happening. A few, however, have ventured into the waters of distribution-focused mutual funds.

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