Review of the Top 5 T Rowe Price Funds
by RJ Camposagrado
Formed in 1937 by Thomas Rowe Price Jr. T. Rowe Price is one of the world's primaryinvestment management companies. With more than $391 billion in assets under management, it serves individuals, financial intermediaries and institutions. Relying on fundamental research and a disciplined approach, the company strives to provide a full assortment of investment strategies. In 2005, T. Rowe Price's target-date retirement funds set new records for asset growth, reaching $8 billion within two years of their inception.
Below we will share with you 5 top rated T. Rowe Price funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect the fund to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all T. Rowe Price funds, then click here.
T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation (PRWCX) seeks long term capital growth by investing in leading U.S companies that show significant potential for growth. At least 50% of its assets are used to purchase common stocks and the rest are invested in convertible and foreign securities, futures and options. The fund returned 33.05% in 2009 and has a ten year annualized return of 9.34%.
This T. Rowe Price fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 0.74% compared to a category average of 1.02%.
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free High-Yield (PRFHX) invests a large share of its assets in high default risk or speculative bonds. It may also develop 10% of its assets to purchase bonds in default. In the last one year, the fund was up 28.12%...
James M. Murphy is the fund manager and has managed this T. Rowe Price fund since 2002.
T. Rowe Price Emerging European & Mediterranean (TREMX) seeks capital appreciation by investing at least 80% of its assets in emerging European markets such as the former Soviet Union, the Middle East and North Africa. It is non-diversified and focuses on large and medium-sized companies, but considers companies of any size for investment. The fund has a five year annualized return of 10.6%.
As of December 2009, this fund held 42 issues, with 5.97% of its total assets invested in Magnit JSC.
T. Rowe Price Global Stock (PRGSX) seeks capital appreciation by investing across several sectors in developed as well as emerging markets. The fund focuses on large and mid-cap stocks and invests in at least five countries, including the U.S. At least 80% of its assets are invested in domestic and foreign companies, with the proportion varying over time. It is a no load fund.
This T. Rowe Price fund returned 44.77% over the last one year period.
T. Rowe Price Inflation Protected Bond (PRIPX) invests the majority of its assets in inflation-protected bonds. It focuses on U.S Treasury bonds but may also acquire bonds issued by companies and government agencies. This T. Rowe Price fund has a three year annualized return of 5.71%.
The Fund Manager is Daniel O. Shackelford and he has managed this fund since 2002.
To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all T. Rowe Price funds, then click here.
About Zacks Mutual Fund Rank
By applying the Zacks Rank to mutual funds, investors can obtain funds that not only outpaced the market in the past but are also expected to outperform going forward. Learn more about the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank at http://www.zacks.com/funds/mutualfund/.
About the Author
Top 5 T Rowe Price Funds
Types Of Stock Market Investors
There are as many different types of stock market investors as there are stocks to invest in. There is no one ‘bad’ type of investor, and there is no group of investors who will do better than the rest of the pack. Each personality type works in a different way. The stock markets need all types of investors to maintain a healthy balance.
Active Investors
These investors sometimes border on fanatics. They read everything on investing, study the stocks, and subscribe to magazines, associations, or newsletters. Their motivation can be to flip stocks and make money fast, or it can be the satisfaction of finding a treasure missed by Wall Street pundits. Whether driven by wealth or ego, this type of investor turns investing into their hobby and even passion.
These investors learn how to read financial statements, market predictions, economic analysis reports, and editorials. They learn the names of the world’s best economists, and are familiar with the London and New York Times Newspapers.
These investors prefer stocks that are rising and promise to be a forerunner for future outperformance. They have one focus, accelerating earnings, from a company which has tapped into a new product or innovation that promises to hit the market hard. There are many approaches to picking stocks, based on a number of factors including stock price behavior, markets, and earnings growth.
Passive Investors
These people are often interested in investing their money, but they do not want to spend their weekends studying financial statements, markets, and even weather reports. This type of investor laughs at the good luck mantras and charms used by some investors. They are often happy to put their money in the hands of a broker and walk away.
The passive investor creates a plan, researches stocks, invests, and then patiently waits for a return in the future. A passive investor takes a look at the company’s value, assets, debt, and financial health. They consider market and competition when estimating the company’s opportunity for success. They are not aggressive, or looking for a quick gain.
As long as their looses are not in the high-risk level, they leave their portfolio along. They follow the 10% rule when estimated acceptable loss. Once a stock falls 10% below what they paid, it is time to sell to the bargain hunters.
Bargain Hunter Investor
These investors circle like eagles waiting for the weak and wounded to fall, then they pick up the pieces. Many companies owe their survival in hard times to the bargain hunter. Kmart is one company that pulled through and recovered after Wall Street left it for dead.
The Player
At first glance this person may not seem to have a viable place in the market, but looks can be deceiving. This person wants to roll their money over and trade stocks constantly - that is part of the game. They are only interested in research and learning as long as there is money to play with.
There is a fundamental place for Chaos in the universe. Without Chaos there is no balance. The same applies to the stock market. Whether the player is using cash, or self-direct in their 401K, their main goal is to increase their money quickly, creating a feeding frenzy among some stocks, and then walking away before the market balances itself out.
There is a place for all investors, and while there are winners and losers in the market, the important thing is to pick a comfortable place and don’t let anyone force investors out of their comfort zones.
Mark Walters is a third generation entrepreneur and author. He offers free training and investing videos designed to speed you towards financial independence at http://www.cashflowinstitute.com/videosignup.htm
Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com
Banks Are Financing Life Settlement Investment Accounts, Diversifying Their Loan Portfolio Risks
By Dave Yelken
Banks are beginning to acknowledge the elephant in the room, that many of their loan portfolios are too heavily weighted with real estate as collateral. Nationwide property sales slowdowns, a decline (sharp decline in some markets) in real estate values, and the recent subprime mortgage meltdown have led more and more banks to look for other asset categories to diversify their loan portfolios.
Enter investors who want to leverage portfolios of life settlements. Life settlements are discounted cash settlements paid by investors to life insurance policyholders. In exchange, investors later receive the full amount of the life insurance policy upon the passing of the insured; a win-win transaction. Policyholders, who choose to sell their policy, receive cash now to enhance the quality of their remaining days. Investors receive an excellent return on investment, historically a double-digit return.
Along with that, investors also receive something quite rare in today's increasingly interconnected investment world; returns that are uncorrelated to market, economic, and geo-political forces. According to a review of the Life Settlements Fund Limited (Series I) in April 2006, "Life settlements...are not correlated to any traded market - whether stock, bond, currency or commodity markets - nor to political or economic upheaval. Once invested the only variable affecting a Fund's return is the life expectancy of the policies held."
The July 30, 2007 cover story of Business Week, Profiting From Mortality states "Moreover, [life settlements are] 'uncorrelated assets,' meaning their performance isn't tied to what's happening in other markets. After all, death rates don't rise or fall based on what's happening to commodities, say. Uncorrelated assets like these are highly prized in an increasingly connected global financial system." Life settlements bring a true measure of diversification to investment portfolios at a time when most other investment asset categories are increasingly operating in parallel.
Banks have taken notice. An asset that diversifies an investment portfolio also diversifies a loan portfolio. A life settlement is essentially a contractual obligation of the life insurance company to pay a predefined amount in the future. Naturally, the big question is, when? Holding life settlements from many different individuals mitigates the risk of "when" (just like the insurance company that sells thousands of policies, not knowing exactly when any individual will pass away). The more life settlements an investor holds, the more predictable the portfolio's rate of return will be.
In the past two years, aggressive investors have pursued financing to leverage their life settlement holdings, for two good reasons: 1) to increase their return on equity, and 2) increasing their holdings further mitigates life expectancy risks, and improves the predictability of their rate of return.
Banks, just like investors, are becoming attracted to the uncorrelated nature of risks associated with life settlements. Risk to principal is low, and the likelihood of a profitable outcome is quite reasonable. Payouts are backed by insurance companies with strong reserves. Combine the recent real estates shocks, and now we have an environment where more and more loan committees are prepared to entertain an, until now, uncommon collateralization for financing. It does not fit into any pre-existing lending "box". But the need to diversify their banks' loan portfolios, the quest for secure loans, and the desire for new high net worth clients, have, however reluctantly, forced banks to look outside the box. This author's agency has participated in negotiations for investors in Texas, Arizona, Illinois, and Nebraska to arrange such financing with commercial banks.
Wall Street firms are grabbing up life settlements in bundles, securitizing them, (siphoning a bunch of value out of them for themselves), and offering them to the public with mediocre returns (reference the above mentioned Business Week article). Savvy investors have learned to hold fractional life settlements outright, finance their holdings for leverage, and achieve the "institutional rates of return" that some on Wall Street would prefer they be excluded from.
Dave Yelken is a life settlement expert and the owner of Accelerating Wealth, LLC, a financial services agency based in Bedford, Texas. To learn more, and to receive Dave's free newsletter, please visit http://acceleratingwealth.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Yelken
Investing in Hard Money Loan Specialists
Author: Tim Doscher
If you are flush with funds and are seeking to find a good investment venue where you could deposit your capital, you should be looking at investment opportunities that would surely provide good and secured returns. Why not invest in a hard money specialist? Check out Coastal La Jolla Funding and see how the company could provide you with a good investment chance. Coastal La Jolla Finding is specifically known as a provider of hard money loans. The business is at the bullish side because more borrowers are filing loans at the company.
You know that hard money personal loans and poor credit loans are implementing significantly higher interest rates. That is a usual market practice and is legitimate. That is because such loans are posing greater risks to the lenders. Borrowers of such loan facilities are usually on the desperate side to accept and conform to the high interest rate provisions. That is why hard money loan specialists are also earning more than conventional loan providers. In fact, among the fastest growing financial firms not just in the United States but all around the world are hard money or poor credit loan providers.
That is a good reason why investors flock to hard money loan providers. Like most financial firms, such entities are welcoming investments because doing so is helping them expand and broaden their overall capital. Hard money loan providers know that to be able to attract and motivate investors, good investment rates and returns must be secured and provided. As an investor, it is logical that you aim to place your investments and resources at venues where they can grow to the fullest.
At Costal La Jolla Funding, you can be rest assured that your money would be productive. Some current investors even assert that their investments in the company are earning better that in any other venues. Investments in such loan providers are comparatively faster paced and more yielding than those at equities and other opportunities.
The sub prime mortgage lending sector is problematic during the current times. But Coastal La Jolla Funding sees this slump not as a setback but as an opportunity to further grow businesses. By sticking to such loans and to hard money loans, the company is proving that bad times could be converted into the best profit generating moments.
How can you be assured that the company would not fail? First, Coastal La Jolla Funding has strategies to secure itself and the hard money loans it provides. The company takes some equities to the mortgage loans and several other assets of the borrowers. Thus, no matter what happens, the company is holding security and is ensured that losses on loans even if borrowers become delinquent would not be incurred.
There are also existing legal contracts that are binding the company and its borrowers. Thus, there is a great assurance that the loan facilities are tenured and secured. Before making and placing the investment, you would be oriented to the basic company operations. If you would have any queries or doubts, you could easily raise your concerns and the company would be quick to address those issues.
There would also be secured contracts between you and Coastal La Jolla Funding to give you peace of mind over your investments. You will have the option on the frequency and terms of your investment. If you want, you could opt to collect returns annually, bi-annually or whatever term period you may like.
Investing in Coastal La Jolla Funding can also be considered a good deed and advocacy. If you want to help out financially needy people, investing in the company could be a good revenue and at the same time profitable. You know that most consumers nowadays are finding it hard to secure much needed and necessary loans. Hard money loans providers like Coastal La Jolla Finding is are somehow helping them raise money for their urgent needs for investments, startup businesses and even personal matters.
Coastal La Jolla Funding specializes in providing California real estate loans , California residential loans and California construction loans.
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_229757_19.html
Militaria: the Investment You Never Thought Of...
by: Bob Treend
Most knowledgeable investors are aware of the fact that "collectibles" have always been a good hedge against inflation and have proven to be a sound investment with regard to capital gain. When they think of collectibles the usual antiques, stamps, coins, art, etc., readily come to mind. However, very few think of "militaria".What is militaria? It's not even in my Webster's, so I'll define it myself. Basically it is any type of military or para-military collectible. This can range from weapons, uniforms, medals, badges, insignia, field gear, etc. If it's of military origin and people collect it, it's militaria.
There is someone out there who collects anything you can think of. If you looked hard enough, I'm sure you would find someone who collects, and wants to buy, combat boots of the Argentine army. I don't think they would be a very good investment however...
The most popular areas, or countries, for collectors are the United States, Great Britain, France, Japan, and Germany. While collectors can be found who are interested in all countries and time periods, perhaps the most popular period is World War II. Because this article is about investing, I'll concentrate on the area which has proven to be the best investment over the long run. Fortunately, this is the area I have collected for over 35 years...Third Reich Germany.
Even before the shooting had stopped in Europe, GI's were "liberating" souvenirs from German prisoners, and off the battle fields. Before long a brisk trade developed between the soldiers as they swapped items back and forth, not really knowing what they had or what they were doing, and basing their trades on an item’s purely personal appeal. For quite a few years after the war these souvenirs were sought by a few "hardcore" collectors. They appreciated the historical significance and the artistic qualities of the relics. Yes, a "Nazi" officer's full dress uniform can be a magnificent looking thing!
It was in the 1960’s that the hobby really "took off". What contributed most to its gaining popularity was that it was during this time that reference material started becoming available. Before then there was very little information available to the collectors. Reference books meant that a piece could be identified as to exactly what it was. The "old German jacket" was now a Panzer captain's parade tunic" and the "swastika pin" was now an N.S.D.A.P. membership pin in gold.
Now that collectors had some idea what they really had, they were able to start putting realistic values on their items. No longer would someone trade an Iron Cross 2nd Class (millions made) for a rare Army general's dress dagger. The hobby was becoming organized.
By the 1960s there were quite a few "dealers" who bought and sold German militaria either on a part time or, in some cases, a full time basis. Interest was increasing as more and more people (mostly men) realized what a fascinating hobby it was. As interest grew, demand grew, and as demand grew, prices grew. There was a steady rise in prices for the next 30 years.
A complete history of the hobby is beyond the scope of this article, so I'll skip forward. It's now 2007 and the prices demanded for German militaria have exploded! I would estimate that in the last 5 years most German militaria has increased in value 500%, and in some cases even more. Still the collectors can't seen to get enough and the prices keep going higher and higher with no end in sight. Some areas of the hobby have always been more popular than others. Among these are daggers, of which there are more varieties and variations than you can imagine, and the "SS". I know, the evil SS! Let's face it, the bad guys are always more interesting than the good guys. After all, which would you rather own, the outfit worn by Luke Skywalker or the one worn by Darth Vader?
So, what does this mean to you as a potential investor? It could mean big profits in the long run. A rare medal, dagger or uniform bought today for $5000 could be worth $25,000 in a few years. That is, or course, if things keep going the way they are. Unlike the stock market, German militaria "never" goes down in value. I base that on many years in the hobby and personal experience. At worst, the increase will slow down for a time, but prices always keep moving up.
I'm not suggesting that you run right out and buy some "Nazi stuff" at the local flea market. On the contrary, caution is needed in this, as in all investing. There are some pitfalls for the "newbie" in our hobby.
Unfortunately, as the values of the collectibles have risen, so have the number and quality of the fakes or reproduction items. Spending big bucks on one of these as an investment could prove to be disastrous. Be careful! Here are some suggestions for an investor with limited knowledge of our hobby.
1. Buy quality. Don't buy pieces that are in poor condition. And don't buy low grade pieces. It would be better to buy one really fine item than a bunch of junk.
2. Make your purchase through a reputable dealer. This will require some homework on your part, but it will pay off in the long run. The internet is full of dealers, some good and some not so good. Check them out before dealing with them. Auctions are a good source for militaria, however, I've noticed that the "giant auction" everyone knows, is full of fakes and junk. Another place to find dealers is at "militaria shows" and gun shows. Again, be careful who you deal with.
3. You might want to get an experienced collector to act as an advisor. Make sure it's someone who does not have a financial interest in your possible purchase.
4. Be prepared to hold your investment for a while. Don't expect to buy it one day and sell it the next for a profit.
I can't guarantee you will make a killing by investing in Third Reich militaria... no one can. However, if you buy quality pieces at a fair price and hold them for a time, you should do very nicely!
This article was written to acquaint potential investors and collectors with the hobby of German militaria collecting . The author does no believe in, or support the ideals represented by these collectibles.
Bob Treend has been involved in militaria for over 35 years as a collector, dealer, publisher and author. He has written numerous articles on the different aspects of militaria collecting. info@germanmilitariacollectibles.com
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