...are they worth it?
how much is a decent amount to invest ...starting off?

 

the amount you WANT to invest is really up to you, HOWEVER, many companies, such as vanguard, which is who i use for funds, require minimums of anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 for different funds.

a great "base" for anywhere from 40%-80% of your money, depending on your risk tolerance, is VFINX, which just tracks the s&p 500.

then, for the balance of yoru money, you can always check morningstar.com and see what funds are rated well, or you can look in various magazines from fortune to kiplinger's to money, etc....some people trust one, all, or none of those. also, there are plenty of other places to research as well on the web.

 

if i were you, i'd start off with an index fund...you can't go wrong with an S&P 500 index fund(i.e. vanguard)...keep adding to it, keep it forever, and by the time you hit 65 you'll be laughing...and all this without basically even lifting a finger...all you need is time. ahhhhhh....the beauty of compound interest

 

couldn't say it better myself, and i do this for a living!!!

 

yep, index fund is a great start and a base for any portfolio.


IMHO.

Also check out fool.com. Not that its the bible, but there is a lot of good, sound financial advice there (like the beauty of compound interest, thinking long term, thinking short term, etc)

-ps- just checked out VFINX (vanguard S&P 500 fund), minimum personal is 3000...IRA or gift is 1000.

This is considered the "it always goes up" fund. Meaning over the long haul it follows the market well. So the last few years have been rough for it, but over all you're still looking at 10%.

 

Here is one of the best free sites for researching mutual funds and stocks.

http://www.smartmoney.com/

 

yea im looking for something small 1000-3000 MAX and im thinking long term
maybe 10-15 yrs?!?

thanks for the help
i'll look into it

 

Im a broker. maybe i can help you. Are you an accredited investor? PM Me.

 

Vanguard is great. Low fees, and a good company.

Most mutual funds offered by brokers are rip offs. High fees and they can't even match the S&P 500.

 

Start reading Barron's. It's a great way to educate yourself and they have a whole section dedicated to mutual funds.

 

Index funds are perfect for the buy-and-hold investor - the kind of person who likes to sit back and let their investment grow, rather than moving in and out of the market in an effort to beat the market.

 

Type Of Fund Name of Fund Symbol Phone # Website: Acct. Min. IRA Min. Assets** Exp. Ratio Fund Inception 2000 Rtn. 1999 Rtn 1998 Rtn 1997 Rtn 1996 Rtn 1995 Rtn 1994 Rtn

S&P 500 Index 9.1%* 21.0% * 28.6% * 33.4% * 23.0% * 37.6% * 1.3% *
S&P 500 Index Deutsche Equity 500 BTIEX 800-730-1313 http://www.deam-us.com/ $2,500 $500 $836m 0.25% 12/31/1992 -9.40% 20.60% 28.60% 33.00% 22.80% 37.20% 1.10%

S&P 500 Index CA Inv. S&P 500 Index SPFIX 800-225-8778 http://www.caltrust.com/ $5,000 no minimum $149m 0.20% 4/20/1992 -8.90% 21.00% 28.80% 33.00% 22.60% 37.20% 1.00%

S&P 500 Index Dreyfus Basic S&P 500 Index DSPIX 800-782-6620 http://www.dreyfus.com/ $10,000 $5,000 $1.7b 0.20% 9/30/1993 -9.30% 20.60% 28.40% 33.00% 22.80% 36.80% 0.80%

S&P 500 Index Dreyfus S&P 500 Index PEOPX 800-782-6620 http://www.dreyfus.com/ $2,500 $750 $3.0b 0.50% 1/2/1990 -9.60% 20.30% 28.10% 32.60% 22.30% 36.70% 0.70%

S&P 500 Index Fidelity Spartan 500 Index FSMKX 800-343-3548 http://www.fidelity.com $10,000 $500 $9.6b 0.19% 3/6/1990 -9.10% 20.70% 28.50% 33.00% 22.60% 37.00% 1.00%

S&P 500 Index Galaxy II Large Company Fund ILCIX 877-289-4252 http://www.galaxyfunds.com/ $2,500 $500 $956m 0.47% 10/1/1990 -9.10% 20.50% 28.10% 32.80% 22.50% 37.10% 1.00%

S&P 500 Index Kent Index Equity Fund KNIDX 800-633-5368 http://www.kentfunds.com $1,000 $100 $39m 0.64% 11/25/1992 -9.50% 20.20% 27.90% 32.20% 21.90% 35.80% 0.80%

S&P 500 Index Northern Stock Index NOSIX 800-595-9111 http://www.northernfunds.com/ $2,500 $500 $513m 0.55% 10/7/1996 -9.50% 20.30% 27.80% 32.80% N/A N/A N/A

S&P 500 Index Schwab S&P 500 Fund SWPIX 800-225-8570 http://www.schwab.com/ $2,500 $1,000 $3.4b 0.35% 5/1/1996 -9.30% 20.60% 28.10% 32.50% N/A N/A N/A

S&P 500 Index Schwab S&P 500 Select SWPPX 800-225-8570 http://www.schwab.com/ $50,000 $50,000 $4.1b 0.19% 5/20/1997 -9.20% 20.80% 28.30% N/A N/A N/A N/A

S&P 500 Index Scudder S&P 500 SCPIX 800-728-3337 http://www.scudder.com/ $2,500 $1,000 $371m 0.40% 8/29/1997 -9.50% 20.40% 28.30% N/A N/A N/A N/A

S&P 500 Index Ssga S&P 500 Index SVSPX 800-647-7327 http://www.ssgafunds.com/ $10,000 $250 $2.6b 0.18% 12/30/1992 -9.20% 20.90% 28.40% 33.10% 22.70% 37.00% 1.30%

S&P 500 Index Strong Index 500 Fund SINEX 800-359-3379 http://www.estrong.com $2,500 $250 $181m 0.45% 5/1/1997 -9.50% 20.40% 28.10% 22.60% N/A N/A N/A

S&P 500 Index T.Rowe Price Equity Index 500 PREIX 800-225-5132 http://www.troweprice.com/ $2,500 $1,000 $4.0b 0.35% 3/30/1990 -9.30% 20.60% 28.30% 32.90% 22.70% 37.20% 1.00%

S&P 500 Index Transamerica Prem. Index TPIIX 800-892-7587 http://www.transamericafunds.com/ $1,000 $250 $46m 0.25% 10/2/1995 -9.10% 20.70% 28.50% 33.10% 22.30% N/A N/A

S&P 500 Index USAA S&P 500 Index USSPX 800-382-8722 https://www.usaa.com/ $3,000 $2,000 $3b 0.18% 5/1/1996 -9.30% 20.70% 28.60% 33.00% N/A N/A N/A

S&P 500 Index Vanguard 500 Index Fund VFINX 800-871-3879 http://www.vanguard.com/ $3,000 $1,000 $89.4b 0.18% 8/31/1976 -9.10% 21.10% 28.60% 33.20% 22.90% 37.50% 1.20%

S&P 400 MidCap Index Vanguard MidCap Index VIMSX 800-871-3879 http://www.vanguard.com/ $3,000 $1,000 $1.4b 0.25% 5/21/1998 18.10% 15.30% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

S&P 400 MidCap Index CA Inv. S&P MidCap Index SPMIX 800-225-8778 http://www.caltrust.com/ $5,000 N/A $74m 0.40% 4/20/1992 19.50% 14.70% 18.50% 31.90% 18.90% 30.60% -4.00%

S&P 600 SmallCap Index CA Inv. S&P SmallCap Index SMCIX 800-225-8778 http://www.caltrust.com/ $5,000 N/A $13m 0.65% 10/2/1996 10.90% 13.40% -2.90% 29.10% 3.70% N/A N/A

NASDAQ 100 Index Rydex OTC RYOCX 800-820-0888 http://www.rydexfunds.com/ $25,000 $25,000 $1.7b 1.15% 2/14/1994 -37.90% 100.70% 86.50% 21.90% 43.50% 44.20% N/A

Russell 2000 Index Vanguard SmallCap Index NAESX 800-871-3879 http://www.vanguard.com/ $3,000 $1,000 $3.4b 0.27% 10/3/1960 -2.70% 23.10% -2.60% 24.60% 18.10% 28.70% -0.50%

Wilshire 5000 Index Fidelity Spartan Total Mkt. Index FSTMX 800-343-3548 http://www.fidelity.com $15,000 $15,000 $1b 0.26% 11/5/1997 -11.00% 23.20% 24.00% N/A N/A N/A N/A

Wilshire 5000 Index T.Rowe Price Total Market POMIX 800-225-5132 http://www.troweprice.com/ $2,500 $1,000 $221m 0.40% 1/30/1998 -10.30% 23.30% 23.20% N/A N/A N/A N/A

Wilshire 5000 Index Vanguard Total Stock Mkt. VTSMX 800-871-3879 http://www.vanguard.com/ $3,000 $1,000 $16.6b 0.20% 4/27/1992 -10.60% 23.80% 23.30% 31.00% 21.00% 35.80% -0.20%

1000 Largest US Co. Schwab 1000 Fund SNXFX 800-225-8570 http://www.schwab.com/ $2,500 $1,000 $4.7b 0.46% 4/2/1991 -8.20% 21.00% 27.20% 31.90% 21.60% 36.60% -0.10%

1000 Largest US Co. Schwab 1000 Select SNXSX 800-225-8570 http://www.schwab.com/ $50,000 $50,000 $2.4b 0.35% 5/20/1997 -8.10% 21.20% 27.30% N/A N/A N/A N/A

BARRA/S&P Growth Index Vanguard Growth Index Fund VIGRX 800-871-3879 http://www.vanguard.com/ $3,000 $1,000 $12b 0.22% 11/2/1992 -22.20% 28.80% 42.20% 36.30% 23.70% 38.10% 2.90%

BARRA/S&P Value Index Vanguard Value Index Fund VIVAX 800-871-3879 http://www.vanguard.com/ $3,000 $1,000 $3.3b 0.22% 11/2/1992 6.10% 12.60% 14.60% 29.80% 21.90% 36.90% -0.70%

* S&P 500 Index Returns includes reinvested dividends

 

THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN BUYING MUTUAL FUNDS IS TO HAVE A BALANCE ALLOCATION MEANING DON'T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET BUT TO HAVE THEM SPREAD ALL OVER. THIS WAY YOU CAN GAIN WITH YOUR EQUITY FUNDS WHEN THE MKT IS UP AND WHEN THE MKT IS DOWN YOU WILL STILL HAVE SOME BONDS/DIVIDEND/INCOME FUND WHICH WILL GIVE YOU MONTHLY/QUARTERLY DIVIDENDS. TO HAVE A GOOD ASSET MIX IN YOUR PORTFOLIO IS VERY VERY IMPORTANT. I INVESTED $20000 WHEN 911 HAPPEN AND NOW I HAVE HAVE OVER $35000 IN MY PORTFOLIO IN LESS THAN 3YRS. NOT BAD EH!!!!

 

yup....post 9/11 was definitely a good time to invest :o

 

Not bad at all bro

 

I am planning on liquidating my funds when the market hits over 500 points in the DOW and TSE. With the money, I might think of trading the TL for the RL(300hp) AWD!!!! Wooohooo!!!! :bigclap:

 

Go for it bro....remember cars are consumable objects though....Lose as soon as you buy.

 

YOur right about consumable objects but I look at it as "You only live once in this World and you mine as well do something that makes you happy in life"!!!

 

edd99 i agree with you 100% .......As the saying goes ........The world is yours for taking......

 

This Year's Winners Fund Name/Symbol
S&P Report Category Portfolio Manager
Julius Baer International Equity
BJBIX Foreign Rudolph-Riad Younes
Calamos Growth & Income
CVTRX Convertibles John Calamos Sr./Nick Calamos
Calvert Social Investment Equity
CSIEX Large-cap Blend Daniel Boone III
Dodge & Cox Balanced
DODBX Domestic Hybrid Team Managed
Growth Fund of America
AGTHX Large-cap Growth Team Managed
Legg Mason Value Trust
LMVTX Large-cap Blend Bill Miller/ Nancy Dennin
Managers Bond
MGFIX Intermed. Bond Dan Fuss
TCW Galileo Total Return Bond
TGLMX Intermed. Govt. Barach, Gundlach, Horton
Thornburg Value A
TVAFX Large-cap Blend William Fries

 

Speaking of mutual funds I know the market has been a bit better compare to a few yrs ago but really has not turned around just yet due to the unstable economy in th USA and the War that is going on. Just out of curiosity if you would have any perdictions or knowledge when the market will start picking up again. Maybe after the US election??? I am suprise how the US increased their interest rate by 1/4 bp points and we here in Canada is out performing our neigbours but yet will have our rates the same. However, I believe our rates will soon follow and increase 1/4 bp points just like our counterparts. I guess all I am saying is would you know when the market will start climbing again.

 

My guess would be after the US elections.....I would imagine markets will pick up...They are not bad at the moment....Housing in Canada will see a dicline in the next few years...I see alot of new home buyers not being able to afford their homes....Those who bought with very little downpayment that is.
Hey Edd i am begining to like this section very much so.

 

I guess maybe everyone else is waiting for the USA election resulting investors to turn the other way such as buying into Bonds/Money Mkt/T-bills to be safe I guess. RIght now is still the buyers market to get in some good deals and turn it to profitable margin when the mkt picks up. However, alot of people don't think that way.

About the housing here in Vancouver has sky rocket over 200% for the past 2yrs. Since the Bank of Canada lowered the interest rate so low that everyone got out of renting and buying a place. Which is a good thing to do a yr ago. But not right now b/c it has driven supply and demand up the roof here. For example, I wanted to buy a condo in Downtown Vancouver 2bedroom over 1100square foot for $450,000.00. OUch....!!! Way too much money and alot of people is trying to cash in selling their houses double the price 2-3yrs ago. It is pretty insane I think and I agree that when the interest rates go up in the next 2-5yrs. people will not be able to afford their mortgage payments since they bought their house so high. Enough of the boring stuff here but maybe we should start a THREAD for TIPS IN STOCKS!!!! A place where everyone can learn something and share notes in what stocks are good to invest in. And we can all makes some money so we can buy toys for our TL. What do you all think???

 

THREAD for TIPS IN STOCKS........I AM IN

 

we need something to get this forum rolling :'( stock tips.....book suggestions......maria bartiromo gallery......something!! anything!!

 

The Day Trader's Bibler... My Secrets of Day Trading In Stocks"
by Richard D. Wyckoff

good book

 

As co-host of CNBC's "Business Center", Bartiromo sets the standard for business news programming throughout America and the world, delivering the stories behind every great deal each weeknight at 7:00 p.m. ET. She also covers breaking news from CNBC's New York Stock Exchange bureau during the network's "pre-game" financial show, "Squawk Box," and co-anchors "Market Wrap II" with Ted David. Her morning reports are presented live from the NYSE floor, beginning prior to the opening bell on Wall Street. And when warranted by vigorous stock market activity, Bartiromo provides business news reports to NBC's "Today" show, CNBC sister network MSNBC, WNBC-TV's "News Channel 4" and other NBC affiliates nationwide. She joined the network in 1993 after five years as a producer and assignment editor with CNN Business News. Additionally, she writes monthly columns for Individual Investor and Ticker magazines. In 1996, Bartiromo was nominated for a CableACE Award for her three-part series on the Internet and its implications for investors, and in 1997 she received the Coalition of Italo-American Associations' Excellence in Broadcast Journalism Award. She graduated from New York University, where she majored in journalism and minored in economics.

http://www.usaweekend.com/98_issues/...bartiromo.html

 

Giovanni,

Do you work in the brokerage industry??? If so, maybe you can start us off in what good stocks to go into. Any stocks that has potential of over 15-20% return would be great. However, the market has been down this month and Bank of Canada has decided not to increase interest for the moment. Maybe they expected the economy to pick up, however, it has not and the market is still unstable. In results to keep the same rate to boost the economy. Tips..tips..tips Giovanni???

 

damn...that's not a very flattering picture of her is it? she looks like a teenaged boy or something.......she looks alot better everyday on TV.... i saw her in real life too in NYC, and wow ..... she really is gorgeous in person

 

duly noted i'll sort through my shelf tomorrow and see what i got do you do any/alot of speculating giovanni?

 

i'm not sure about giovanni.......but there are a few guys here who work in the industry.... we'll/i'll get this forum bumping in no time ed..........reading material, stock tips, etc etc.....it's really dead in here :'( i'll start adding to it tomorrow

 

Ed,
I dont work in the brokerage industry........I wish i did....Occupational Health and Safety.....I am looking into some stocks at the moment...I should know better by the end of the week....will post

 

you have the chance of seeing her in real life.....wow...she is very intelligent and stunning....I envy you.....Rep points for seeing her in person

 

I want to get into the stock market minus all the mutual funds and shit that I already have.... I got like 4 mutual funds, 1 401k, IRA's and shit... I want to outwright own stocks, but I do not want to be a day trader (both my uncle's are day traders and they have some wild swings, I remeber one year they were living like fuckin kings and shit and the next year they were living like regular folks) sot my style....

What is a good book or soething, that we can pick up on how to identify a stock and make a purchase.... Also, I am thinking of going to TD Waterhouse and investing some of my hard earned money with these folks; any other places ya'll can recommend that chrarges a lower front load and/or no fees for trades????

Help me out.... Giovanni, I agree with you we need to get this forum going, so much money out there and so few people take advantage...

 

XRX Xerox Corporation The company said Friday that second-quarter profit more than doubled on stronger sales of copiers and printers and on cost cutting, raising its full-year outlook on strong demand for its new technology. 13.63 0.32 / 2.40%

MYG Maytag Corporation The appliance maker posted a quarterly loss due to restructuring and litigation charges, and slashed its full-year profit forecast citing higher steel costs. Shares fell following the announcement. 18.80 -2.48 / -11.65%

MSFT Microsoft Corporation The world's largest software maker said late Thursday its quarterly earnings rose 81 percent, but forecast full-year weaker-than-expected profit as long-term corporate contracts expire and personal computer sales growth slows. 28.18 -0.82 / -2.83%

KO The Coca-Cola Company The soft drink manufacturer reported late Thursday a 16-percent jump in quarterly net profit, boosted by a weak U.S. dollar and strong North American sales of diet Coke and noncarbonated drinks. 45.12 -3.85 / -7.86%

DCX Daimlerchrysler Ag Employees at the carmaker agreed Friday to work longer hours and give up perks to secure 6,000 jobs in Germany in a deal that will save $613 million a year beginning in 2007. And the management board will take a 10-percent pay cut. 44.02 -0.63 / -1.41%

AMZN Amazon.com, Inc. The Web’s largest online retailer late Thursday posted a quarterly profit below Wall Street forecasts, but vowed to continue free shipping incentives. The company's forecasts for the third quarter were also weaker than analysts expected. 40.85 -4.97 / -10.85%

 

American Intl Group Inc
Caterpillar Inc.
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
SBC Communications Inc.


some of the good ones in my view

 

I think we should concentrate no more than 5-10 really good stocks here. Choose the stocks were their is high volume and have potential of making us some money. Usually, high volume stocks would fluctuate more than other that don't trade as much. It is a higher risk for losing but a higher return. Resulting a good time to buy when low and sell once you hit over 10-20% return depending how greedy you are. However, investing in stocks would require everyday to monitor what is going on in the economy and you have to get in at the right time. We welcome any suggestions here on this thread!!!

 

Some good choice Giovanni but can you tell us why they are prospect stocks???

 

I think that these are some that in over period of time will be profitable investment.....then again i said before to myself and lost some money....