The Don’t Watch the News Edition

I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer me the position.
- Mark Twain

The only question with wealth is what you do with it.
- John D. Rockefeller

The markets pulled back again today on a strong move from the dollar, and as I write this, there’s bad news coming out of Asia. Japan cut its third quarter economic growth by more than anticipated. With the Asian markets down over 1% at this point, it will be intriguing to watch the trickle effect as the markets open across the world tomorrow (12/9).

In other news, Tiger Woods and the White House Gate-Crashers are both still in the news. All we need is Glenn Beck and…nope, wait. He’s there too. Here’s a scary news story that might make some investors think twice. The Chinese executed a rogue trader today for embezzlement. He was convicted of taking what would be $9.52 million in 2005. Makes me wonder if we should send Bernie Madoff overseas…

The Morningstar Fund Investor is a monthly newsletter that is edited by Russel Kinnel. The publication uses fundamental analysis to recommend mutual funds and portfolio allocations. Morningstar is a well known name and widely used by advisors and individual investors alike. The current issue lists the top 10 “Wealth Creators & Destroyers” of the decade. Anybody remember Janus??? This issue also has great information about fund manager changes, the re-birth of Fidelity and other changes you should be aware of if you own them.

Glen Ring’s View on Futures Daily Update continues to keep commodity traders up to date on the movement of wheat, corn and the entire futures market. His December 7th update also covers the dollar, cattle, hogs and the EU.

The Mutual Fund Strategist by Holly Hooper-Foumier is another publication we have discussed before. The December 7th edition gives a commentary on the past week and an update on the Relative Strength of the funds and ETFs monitored by the report. This proprietary method helps the Strategist build their portfolios and recommend trades.

Whether you are looking for the next mutual fund to put your retirement fund in or a futures play for this month, I hope you find what you are looking for. Keep coming back. ZepInvest is the gift that keeps on giving.

For more information, go to http://www.zepinvest.com.

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Mutual Funds: The Other White Meat

I think you'll do as well as most professionals. Most professionals don't beat the market. Let's not over-rate my industry. But if you have time, you can be in good mutual funds that have good records. -- Jim Cramer

Mutual Funds and ETFs have become a tremendous asset to the investing public. They have given people an opportunity that they would not have had a generation ago. While there are many who take advantage of $7 trades and build their own portfolios, many people do not have the time, resources or interest in doing the due diligence it takes to effectively manage their own investments.

Armed with Morningstar snapshots and their Barron’s, these people dump cash by the barrel into the mutual fund industry. Not everything is crystal clear though. This is why people come to ZepInvest for knowledge. Let’s see what the wise ones have for us today…

The Moneyletter is celebrating 30 years in print. This monthly piece written by Walter Frank, provides market commentary, has a mutual fund scorecard as well as portfolios built into the newsletter. It also provides a mutual fund profile. The November 20th edition focuses on the PRIMECAP Odyssey Growth & Aggressive Growth funds.

Bob Carlson’s Retirement Watch brings a conservative approach to investing and focuses on using mutual funds. In the most recent release, there is some great information on estate planning, as well as information on annuities and the upcoming tax season. You will also see market commentary, graph comparisons of different mutual funds as well as updates on both mutual funds and ETFs.

The Mutual Fund Strategist by Holly Hooper-Foumier uses technical strategies to “capture mutual fund profits when the market is advancing and protect gains during times of uncertainty.” The newsletter provides six month charts showing both 50 & 200 day moving averages for many of the major indexes. A market timing strategy using ETFs with Buy/Sell recommendations are available as well as information on many mutual funds.

Three more great examples of what is available to you if you are willing to look for it. Of course every single analyst and money manager has a differing opinion and what is going to happen and how to take advantage of it. As you look through these newsletters, find the one that you connect with, that you believe in. Please remember that not every recommendation or idea has to be followed. Make sure you are making the decisions for the right reasons, not just because you read it somewhere.

Tomorrow will be the fifth and final post of the first week here. I’m going to leave it as a wild card for now and see what is interesting tomorrow. I hope the three of you that have actually read this have found some interest here. I’m just here as a guide to point you in a direction, but would love to know if there is anything specific you might want to see.

For more information, go to http://www.zepinvest.com.

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