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
This review lists 15 of the largest funds in our 19,000+ Mutual Fund database. These funds’ total assets account for about 11% of the assets of all the funds we follow. Consequently, many investors are affected by how these funds perform.
Read more
There is no denying that China is “hot.” While buying individual stocks is one way to gain exposure to this rapidly developing nation, mutual funds may provide a more diversified avenue. From owning individual stocks like the ones covered in The Value Line Investment Survey to using an Asian specialist like Matthews Funds, there are a plethora of options to gain exposure to China.
Read more
Interest rates are at historical lows. Although one can persuasively argue that rates can still go lower in the near-term, it is unlikely that they will remain this low forever. The current environment is a dilemma for income-oriented investors. Though not a solution, floating rate funds can help provide some consistency.
Read more
Mutual fund investors may have more in common than they think. While the objectives of various funds are often very different, the general goal of most mutual fund managers is the same—capital appreciation. In fact, many of the largest U.S. mutual funds hold considerable positions in the same stocks, which means that mutual fund investors could have a stake in some well-known companies without even realizing it.
Read more
As pass-through entities, mutual funds must distribute dividends and capital gains to shareholders. These distributions often occur at the end of the calendar year and can, at times, be quite large. Fund shareholders need to be cognizant of these distributions lest they find themselves in a surprising situation.
Read more
