Search found 5554 matches
- Fri Feb 09, 2024 4:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Why BlackRock not used as much?
- Replies: 45
- Views: 5376
Re: Why BlackRock not used as much?
The answer to your question is simply "history". Until fairly recently, Vanguard was the only place to get access to a diverse array of super-low-cost index funds. That's changed, but most people in finance still think of Vanguard first when you say the words, "index fund/ETF."
- Thu Dec 21, 2023 1:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Saddlebrooke Ranch in Oracle, Arizona
- Replies: 31
- Views: 5883
Re: Saddlebrooke Ranch in Oracle, Arizona
One comment about Tucson in general is that compared to other cities of its size, getting around is quite challenging, at least by car. Not as much of an issue if you envision spending most of your time close to home.
- Tue Dec 05, 2023 12:06 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: [Panicking because of potential loss of health insurance. Please help!]
- Replies: 56
- Views: 4797
Re: Got laid off- please HELP with the Marketplace insurance process
Having COBRA for the next two months does not impact your ability to sign up for a Marketplace plan with coverage presumably starting on 2/1. "Open enrollment" is anytime for people who lose their employer-provided coverage during the year. You have time to compare Marketplace plans, focusing on the provider networks for each and the compare the cost vs. continuing with COBRA. For subsidies, if you mis-estimate your 2024 income, you'll either get a tax credit or have to pay subsidies back that you weren't entitled to when you file your 2024 taxes in 2025. Getting the income numbers entered correctly is more important if you will quality for cost-sharing subsidies since those payments aren't retroactive. But that may not be relevan...
- Fri Dec 02, 2022 8:15 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Muni bonds: VTEB vs. VWIUX/VWLUX (and why so much difference in distributions?)
- Replies: 71
- Views: 10183
Re: Muni bonds: VTEB vs. VWIUX/VWLUX (and why so much difference in distributions?)
Distribution yields are based on what the YTM of the bonds in the portfolio were *at the time the fund acquired them*
So, basically the mutual funds purchased more of the bonds in their portfolio when interest rates were higher than has the ETF.
You'll even see this in the Treasury space. If a long-term treasury fund was just launched this year during a time of "high" rates, its distribution yield will be a lot higher than a fund that's been around for 15 years.
So, basically the mutual funds purchased more of the bonds in their portfolio when interest rates were higher than has the ETF.
You'll even see this in the Treasury space. If a long-term treasury fund was just launched this year during a time of "high" rates, its distribution yield will be a lot higher than a fund that's been around for 15 years.
- Wed Jul 20, 2022 4:49 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Help me choose/understand BND yield vs Brokered CD interest rate
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1383
Re: Help me choose/understand BND yield vs Brokered CD interest rate
To evaluate whether the CD is a "good deal" or not, I compare to treasury rates of the same maturity (e.g. https://home.treasury.gov/resource-cent ... nth=202207).
A 5 year Treasury right now yields 3.18%. One should ask for some additional yield over the treasury rate to compensate them for the lesser liquidity of the CD vs. a Treasury bond or bond fund. Whether .3% of additional is "enough" is of course an arbitrary decision.
Personally, I wouldn't find the 5 year brokered CD interesting unless the rate was over 4% and it was non-callable.
A 5 year Treasury right now yields 3.18%. One should ask for some additional yield over the treasury rate to compensate them for the lesser liquidity of the CD vs. a Treasury bond or bond fund. Whether .3% of additional is "enough" is of course an arbitrary decision.
Personally, I wouldn't find the 5 year brokered CD interesting unless the rate was over 4% and it was non-callable.
- Mon Mar 21, 2022 12:22 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Denver vs Cincinnati
- Replies: 160
- Views: 12777
Re: Denver vs Cincinnati
If you're looking to stay somewhere for a while, it's worth thinking about what both places will be like in 10 years. For all the things people say are great about Denver, all of them are likely to be worse in 10 years. Taxes and COL will be higher, fires will be more frequent (and closer to the city), outdoor spaces will be more crowded etc. Seems like Cinci has higher odds of being a being a better place to be in 10 years than now. Not sure if I agree. Your wages grow & RE goes up in a booming city. Yes, the outdoor might be more crowded but why would that matter for a working family? They aren't retiring to Denver. Rising home prices only help you if you sell and move to a cheaper location. Perhaps a reason to have bought in Denver ...
- Mon Mar 21, 2022 12:04 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: I am thinking of buying an individual bond on the secondary market will this cause a lot of tax work?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 542
Re: I am thinking of buying an individual bond on the secondary market will this cause a lot of tax work?
Individual bonds are a PITA with taxes. Accrued interest, market discount, ABP etc.
- Mon Mar 21, 2022 12:00 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Denver vs Cincinnati
- Replies: 160
- Views: 12777
Re: Denver vs Cincinnati
If you're looking to stay somewhere for a while, it's worth thinking about what both places will be like in 10 years. For all the things people say are great about Denver, all of them are likely to be worse in 10 years. Taxes and COL will be higher, fires will be more frequent (and closer to the city), outdoor spaces will be more crowded etc.
Seems like Cinci has higher odds of being a being a better place to be in 10 years than now.
Seems like Cinci has higher odds of being a being a better place to be in 10 years than now.
- Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:23 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Stone Ridge All Asset Variance Risk Premium Fund
- Replies: 133
- Views: 9140
Re: Stone Ridge All Asset Variance Risk Premium Fund
In reading the thread, I'm confused on what happened here. So the fund has some performance issues in March 2020, but that doesn't seem to have brought down the fund. Instead it folded in Feb 2021. There was not some big event that caused it to crash then, was there? It almost seems more like the story is that investors lost interest in the the fund and Stone Ridge shut it down as a business decision? Or was there an event I missed?
- Wed Dec 23, 2020 12:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to make ensure worker starts and finishes home project
- Replies: 34
- Views: 3305
Re: How to make ensure worker starts and finishes home project
1 Have you gotten 5 estimates for this? I’d rather do it twice than get five estimates. In my experience to get five actual quotes I’d have to call ten people. One won’t call back, two won’t show despite having a confirmed time. Two will show but never get back on a quote. Of the five remaining, one will not put anything in writing. Two will be so high I’ll wonder if they understood the job and the last two will not have any availability for the next 8 weeks. I had a small bathroom redone a couple of years back and had to try calling 12 people to get 2 estimates. Most didn't call back, 4 people came and looked at the project and never got back to me on a quote. Took about 3 months of effort to find someone. I'm sure it depends on where you...
- Sat Dec 05, 2020 4:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Commuting after COVID
- Replies: 133
- Views: 10524
Re: Commuting after COVID
My megacorp is basically planning on about 1/2 of the people coming back. We have 3 locations in my city and they've already decided not to renew the lease on one of them.
Since we are a global company, we were already very used to working with people not at our location. I used to prefer going into the office, but that was mostly about going out to lunch with people. When I was physically at the office, 99% of all meetings will still on Teams--even if we were all in the same building, LOL.
I plan to continue WFH. I like sleeping a little later in the morning and I've lost some weight having lunches with smaller portion sizes.
Since we are a global company, we were already very used to working with people not at our location. I used to prefer going into the office, but that was mostly about going out to lunch with people. When I was physically at the office, 99% of all meetings will still on Teams--even if we were all in the same building, LOL.
I plan to continue WFH. I like sleeping a little later in the morning and I've lost some weight having lunches with smaller portion sizes.
- Sat Oct 24, 2020 7:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Moving to Fidelity from Vanguard and Charles Schwab
- Replies: 36
- Views: 4634
- Wed Oct 21, 2020 12:14 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: CalPers offers MetLife Legal Plan
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1615
Re: CalPers offers MetLife Legal Plan
I used an attorney through the Met Life plan to do a will/loving will.
Customer service was good. Haven't had to use the docs so I can't say if there are any issues with what was drawn up.
Customer service was good. Haven't had to use the docs so I can't say if there are any issues with what was drawn up.
- Sat Oct 17, 2020 4:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Try Out Verizon While Keeping T Mobile Active?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1103
Re: Try Out Verizon While Keeping T Mobile Active?
I just switched from Consumer Cellular (AT&T MVNO) to Verizon Prepaid. If I stay on Verizon for 2 months they'll credit my account $60. You don't get those kind of incentives when you activate a new line now and port later. If I end up deciding that I don't like VZ, I can switch back.
It's not that hard to switch. If you don't like Verizon, switch back to T-Mobile or switch to somebody else.
It's not that hard to switch. If you don't like Verizon, switch back to T-Mobile or switch to somebody else.
- Sat Oct 17, 2020 11:03 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: VYM vs SCHD vs ? - Strategizing Moderately Conservative Investing
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2505
Re: VYM vs SCHD vs ? - Strategizing Moderately Conservative Investing
We need to remember is that everything is priced relative to everything else. The pricing of stocks reflect the fact that interest rates are at 0 and will be for a while. Prices of residential real estate have gone up because mortgage rates are so low. And so forth.
An an investor, I wish I could get a CD yielding 5% and that stocks were selling at 8x earnings. They aren't.
The question for you is whether the current situation means that you have a *need* to take more risk. And are you willing to do so? From the OP I can't answer those questions for you, but worrying whether ETF X yields 2% while ETF yields 3% is putting the cart before the horse.
An an investor, I wish I could get a CD yielding 5% and that stocks were selling at 8x earnings. They aren't.
The question for you is whether the current situation means that you have a *need* to take more risk. And are you willing to do so? From the OP I can't answer those questions for you, but worrying whether ETF X yields 2% while ETF yields 3% is putting the cart before the horse.
- Fri Oct 09, 2020 11:12 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: [EDIT 10/11/2020] Fidelity Telephone Support Is Back to Its Usual Excellence
- Replies: 31
- Views: 3934
Re: Did Fidelity Just Revamp/Reduce Its Telephone Support?
I called Fidelity middle of the day a couple of weeks ago and had no wait to talk to a real person.
- Wed Oct 07, 2020 9:33 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Vanguard Ultra Short vs Short-Term Bond Index
- Replies: 63
- Views: 10926
Re: Vanguard Ultra Short vs Short-Term Bond Index
Looks like interest rates went down in 2020.
- Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Experience? Buying items such as computers directly from manufacturer (e.g. Dell) instead of Amazon
- Replies: 46
- Views: 3786
Re: Experience? Buying items such as computers directly from manufacturer (e.g. Dell) instead of Amazon
I bought as desktop from Lenovo last month. Everything worked out great.
- Sun Sep 20, 2020 12:05 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Relocation - CO considerations?
- Replies: 66
- Views: 7102
Re: Relocation - CO considerations?
One thing to keep in mind about Denver and other places where everybody is from somewhere else is that it's easy to meet people but really hard to make friendships that will last for a decade or more. Very different from the Midwest in that regard
- Mon Sep 14, 2020 11:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Universal Life Insurance Keep or Cash Out
- Replies: 71
- Views: 6478
Re: Universal Life Insurance Keep or Cash Out
I'm considering adding additional funds this year but historically I've just paid the regular premium.
I would probably 1035 to a VA at Fidelity if I was to do it today.
I would probably 1035 to a VA at Fidelity if I was to do it today.
- Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Universal Life Insurance Keep or Cash Out
- Replies: 71
- Views: 6478
Re: Universal Life Insurance Keep or Cash Out
I have a similar policy acquired the same way. The interest rates on them are very good
Each year I just calculate my return (increase in what I could cash it out for minus premiums paid). When I stop liking the results I'll probably do a 1035 exchange.
Assuming the numbers on yours work out like mine is keep it--especially given the rates will be at 0 for a long time to come.
Each year I just calculate my return (increase in what I could cash it out for minus premiums paid). When I stop liking the results I'll probably do a 1035 exchange.
Assuming the numbers on yours work out like mine is keep it--especially given the rates will be at 0 for a long time to come.
- Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Fidelity CC declined, they deny declining
- Replies: 41
- Views: 5249
Re: Fidelity CC declined, they deny declining
Quirky things happen with this card. The interwebs have quite a few stories.
For a few months I went through a stretch where they declined all charges at Best Buy. No other issues--just Best Buy. That problem has since gone away for me.
For a few months I went through a stretch where they declined all charges at Best Buy. No other issues--just Best Buy. That problem has since gone away for me.
- Sat Sep 12, 2020 11:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Visiting Oregon Coast
- Replies: 22
- Views: 3879
Re: Visiting Oregon Coast
What it's like now doesn't really tell you about Monday and definitely doesn't tell you about a week from now. It all depends on wind direction. In all of the fire affected areas in the west there have been nice clear days and bad hazy days. If you are doing to be there for a week and a half you'll have some body (along with some rainy days).
- Wed Sep 09, 2020 9:10 pm
- Forum: Non-US Investing
- Topic: Bonds - Why do we hedge to local currency?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1966
Re: Bonds - Why do we hedge to local currency?
Question for you--let's step back from the bonds question for second. For a US investor, what proportion of their portfolio do you think should have foreign currency exposure?
I think that's the first question, then the second one is with what holdings it makes sense to obtain that exposure.
I think starting out with the question of whether to hedge one particular investment puts the cart before the horse.
I think that's the first question, then the second one is with what holdings it makes sense to obtain that exposure.
I think starting out with the question of whether to hedge one particular investment puts the cart before the horse.
- Mon Sep 07, 2020 1:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
- Replies: 70
- Views: 9272
Re: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
How would you compare Flight Gear vs. the Microsoft simulator? I installed FG just in the past week mainly to see if I would enjoy the flight sim thing before spending any money on the Microsoft product.oldcomputerguy wrote: ↑Sun Sep 06, 2020 9:02 pm
As a side note, for those who do wish to play with a flight sim but don't wish to shell out dollars for the software, you might check out FlightGear, an open-source flight simulator available for Linux, FreeBSD, Windows, and MacOS.
- Sat Aug 29, 2020 4:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Gravel Bike Recommendation
- Replies: 103
- Views: 9748
Re: Gravel Bike Recommendation
Out of curiosity (and apologies if I missed this in a prior post), is there any reason you aren't considering a Trek Checkpoint? The fit in a 54 would be good. If you're happy with your current bike... Another option I'll throw out is the Diamondback Haanjo series. They are worth considering just because they do give you a lot for the money. One other thing to watch on a gravel bike is max tire clearance. More clearance gives you more flexibility in what you can do with the bike. Since you already have a good road setup, you might as well have your gravel setup be truly gravel oriented. I would look for clearance for 45mm tires. That's common with most gravel bikes, but I notice the Ibis is limited to 40mm. I personally don't run a gravel t...
- Sat Aug 29, 2020 4:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Gravel Bike Recommendation
- Replies: 103
- Views: 9748
Re: Gravel Bike Recommendation
Are you able to do a comparison of the measurements lets say between Trek DOmane AL2 and Ibis Hakka MX and come up which you think is the right size for me? 53 vs. 55? I am inclined to get 53 if i get this bike. Sure. I kind of take from what you wrote that there are no obvious problems with your current bike. So that gives us a good place to work from. From the geometry charts there are really just three things that I focus in on. First is the seat tube angle. Something significantly different from what works well can get you backed into a corner where you can't get the saddle situated properly which would be the primary source of knee pain. This is something I have to pay close attention to personally. The rough rule of thumb is that a 1...
- Fri Aug 28, 2020 11:42 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Gravel Bike Recommendation
- Replies: 103
- Views: 9748
Re: Gravel Bike Recommendation
On the 1x vs. 2x discussion for a gravel bike, either works--pretty much all road bikes are 2x and all mountain bikes are 1x nowaways, and a gravel bike splits the difference. Not until we reach 14 speeds on the rear cluster would you want to get rid of 2x on the road. I generally suggest making the decision based on your preference of Shimano vs. SRAM. If Shimano, go 2x, if SRAM, go 1x. Shimano's latest generation of front shifting is just so good that I don't think it makes sense not to have it. I use my front deraileur all the time on my gravel bike and don't think twice about it because the shift is always perfect. It's a lot harder to get perfect front shifting on SRAM--I think working around all of the patents that Shimano and Campagn...
- Fri Aug 28, 2020 11:34 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Gravel Bike Recommendation
- Replies: 103
- Views: 9748
Re: Gravel Bike Recommendation
OP: What size frame are you riding on your current bike? How dialed in is your fit on it? Do you like riding it for a long time? What part of your body starts to hurt first? DId you have to do anything unusual to make it work (super long/short stem, lots of spacers etc.). Getting the fit right is the most important consideration, and that's really a numbers issue once you have a reference point. People here or on more dedicated bike forums can help compare what you have vs. options, but we/they would need to know where to start. The only bikes I've ever bought that I wasn't happy with were ones I test rode. A test ride can be helpful when you haven't even been on a bike in a long time. You've been riding a lot so the key now is to buy the b...
- Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Ergonomic keyboard suggestion
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1691
Re: Ergonomic keyboard suggestion
I use the Logitech 550. I like it. I can't say I had physical problems before getting it, but I do type faster with it.
- Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:58 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Big Difference in TIPS fund returns: SCHP vs VAIPX
- Replies: 20
- Views: 4255
Re: Big Difference in TIPS fund returns: SCHP vs VAIPX
Returns on the etf.com site are through the latest day; the returns on the Vanguard site are as of 5/31.
I would use the Schwab site to get their returns as of 5/31: https://www.schwabfunds.com/products/schp
I would use the Schwab site to get their returns as of 5/31: https://www.schwabfunds.com/products/schp
- Sun May 31, 2020 10:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Fold Flat Seats in a 2019/2020 car
- Replies: 41
- Views: 10287
Re: Fold Flat Seats in a 2019/2020 car
Are you looking for something that you can make work or something where you can just pull off the road, grab a pillow/blanket, and go to sleep?
If it's the later, I agree with "van". With most of the fold-down seat options, you'll need something to deal with the the transition between cargo area and seat. What looks "pretty smooth" becomes "highly annoying" when trying to go to sleep.
If you read about people who camp in Priuses, they have to put some effort into making them work (and they can work well).
I love my Prius--wouldn't want to sleep in it unless there was an emergency.
If it's the later, I agree with "van". With most of the fold-down seat options, you'll need something to deal with the the transition between cargo area and seat. What looks "pretty smooth" becomes "highly annoying" when trying to go to sleep.
If you read about people who camp in Priuses, they have to put some effort into making them work (and they can work well).
I love my Prius--wouldn't want to sleep in it unless there was an emergency.
- Sun Apr 12, 2020 5:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Unemployment vs. work at Amazon warehouse/CA
- Replies: 84
- Views: 7497
Re: Unemployment vs. work at Amazon warehouse/CA
What is the likelihood that she gets rehired to her old job next school year?
- Sun Apr 05, 2020 8:15 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Dow Futures Up Again?
- Replies: 131
- Views: 10053
Re: Dow Futures Up Again?
Virus numbers ticked positive in most of Europe and in NY.
- Fri Apr 03, 2020 11:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: where to go for fixed income advice?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1719
Re: where to go for fixed income advice?
Right now CDs are the best bet in fixed income in terms of yield for risk taken. That's not always the case, but it is right now. Make sure you say within FDIC limits at a given bank.
- Fri Apr 03, 2020 11:01 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Anybody want to guess the bottom of this "dip"?
- Replies: 573
- Views: 47028
Re: Lets predict the bottom of this dip/recession
I agree with about 2000. There going to be a lot of unexpectedly bad news to come yet (even if the overall trajectory ends up being on the positive side).
- Wed Mar 25, 2020 11:58 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Weekly unemployment claims - releasing Thursday 3/26 - Forecasts
- Replies: 24
- Views: 2760
Re: Weekly unemployment claims - releasing Thursday 3/26 - Forecasts
From what I've seen from individual states I think the total will be approaching 5m.
- Fri Mar 20, 2020 4:08 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: When will S&P 500 go back to 3386 ?
- Replies: 98
- Views: 8787
Re: When will S&P 500 go back to 3386 ?
I agree with those who say 2030.
- Fri Mar 20, 2020 4:03 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: have cash/dry powder- what to invest in?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 3708
Re: have cash/dry powder- what to invest in?
With helicopter money and debt monetization being the theme of the day, TIPS and gold.
This calamity is heading into Great Depression territory. Stocks didn't bottom for 3 more years back then.
You can be patient, IMO.
Disclosure: My market timing record isn't the best.
This calamity is heading into Great Depression territory. Stocks didn't bottom for 3 more years back then.
You can be patient, IMO.
Disclosure: My market timing record isn't the best.
- Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Take out food vs COVID 19
- Replies: 95
- Views: 8155
Re: Take out food vs COVID 19
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/arch ... ly/608008/
[Article from the Atlantic about ordering in or cooking during the pandemic. Moderator Misenplace]
[Article from the Atlantic about ordering in or cooking during the pandemic. Moderator Misenplace]
- Sun Mar 15, 2020 9:20 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Is there a single person on here that thinks Coronavirus is going to have a material impact on [earnings]
- Replies: 117
- Views: 11389
Re: Is there a single person on here that thinks Coronavirus is going to have a material impact on [earnings]
Ultimately people and and businesses large and small will get a bailout in some from. The opening bids are already in at $1T. And the government can borrow for 30 years at 1% to pay for it.
Debt service for student loans have already been postponed. Same will likely happen for bunches of other types of debt. Many restaurants will shut down now? Do you think anybody is going to lease all of that space in the next couple of months. In short, many owners and debt holders are doing to have to essentially move everything forward by 3 months. They don't have any other choice.
A recovery will happen and we'll do all right. Not as well as we would have w/o the virus, but investors don't get to live in a perfect world ever.
Debt service for student loans have already been postponed. Same will likely happen for bunches of other types of debt. Many restaurants will shut down now? Do you think anybody is going to lease all of that space in the next couple of months. In short, many owners and debt holders are doing to have to essentially move everything forward by 3 months. They don't have any other choice.
A recovery will happen and we'll do all right. Not as well as we would have w/o the virus, but investors don't get to live in a perfect world ever.
- Sun Mar 15, 2020 1:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Switch from AGG to BND
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1132
Re: Switch from AGG to BND
AGG holds 7635 bonds.
https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239 ... market-etf
BND holds 9183.
https://investor.vanguard.com/etf/profile/BND
AGG does have a somewhat higher weight toward Treasury securities than does BND as they follow slightly different indexes.
I would not change based on these differences.
https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239 ... market-etf
BND holds 9183.
https://investor.vanguard.com/etf/profile/BND
AGG does have a somewhat higher weight toward Treasury securities than does BND as they follow slightly different indexes.
I would not change based on these differences.
- Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Hotels still expensive but flights cheap?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 23618
- Wed Mar 11, 2020 10:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Postponed travel due to Corona Virus. Am I am overreacting ?
- Replies: 232
- Views: 27818
Re: Postponed travel due to Corona Virus. Am I am overreacting ?
The UK not being a Schengen country probably matters too.
- Sun Mar 01, 2020 9:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Question on VTEB
- Replies: 6
- Views: 853
Re: Question on VTEB
Yes, VTEB is an excellent choice for a national municipal fund.
- Sat Feb 29, 2020 9:55 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Corona Virus = Black Swan, Book Recommendation
- Replies: 127
- Views: 10674
Re: Corona Virus = Black Swan, Book Recommendation
My own view is that the market drop of the past week is just getting things back to a more defensible valuation level absent any significant dislocation due to the virus. Corrections happen fast nowadays. A sustained 2000-2002 or 1973-1974 style bear market where things just drag lower week after week would be something quite different.
- Sat Feb 29, 2020 9:52 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Corona Virus = Black Swan, Book Recommendation
- Replies: 127
- Views: 10674
Re: Corona Virus = Black Swan, Book Recommendation
Completely tangential, but Taleb did not think that the 2008 GFC was a black swan. http://content.time.com/time/business/a ... 31,00.html305pelusa wrote: ↑Sat Feb 29, 2020 2:15 pm
To be a Black Swan, as per Taleeb, it must:
1) Be essentially inconceivable because nothing like it has ever happened before.
2) Have an extreme effect.
3) Humans will look back on it and rationalize how obvious it was that it occurred (narrative fallacy).
World War 1 and the GFC are examples of Black Swans. I don't think coronavirus meets even a single one of these (although I suppose it could eventually meet #2 if it gets bad enough).
- Sat Feb 29, 2020 11:48 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Minimum volatility fund this week
- Replies: 54
- Views: 4560
Re: Minimum volatility fund this week
Over time the reported beta of USMV has fluctuated around between .65 and .85. It's never been anywhere close to .5.
Low vol funds are not bonds and are not bond proxies. They are stocks that overall aren't as volatile as the rest of the market.
Low vol funds are not bonds and are not bond proxies. They are stocks that overall aren't as volatile as the rest of the market.
- Wed Feb 19, 2020 9:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Fidelity Privacy Concerns
- Replies: 19
- Views: 3097
Re: Fidelity Privacy Concerns
I would clarify with them what this means. The normal definition of an investment advisor is that they are doing transactions for you. If you don't want this, I would call them and clear that up.
Otherwise, the others are correct that anybody you talk to there will see your account and they will be powerless to do anything with your account. A lot of technology and compliance work goes into enforcing what employees can and can't do with your account.
- Sat Feb 08, 2020 9:43 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Does VT include commodities and gold mines?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 963
Re: Does VT include commodities and gold mines?
Yes. But not enough that you would notice if they didn't