quote:
Originally posted by David:
If you guys like a high paying dividend stock look at Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc.(IMH)
I can testify to this stock (IMH)---good stuff. As to LU, I own it to, bought it at around $12 about 3 years ago--and then it tanked and I went down with the ship. I do think it will go back up, or I would have sold it by now. Will probably be mid-twenties within 18 months. If I had less tech stock in my portfolio, I would buy more of it. Bell Labs won't let it die, they're still a giant and have too much into it. However, I limit my exposure to tech stocks, for there are only a few with honest long-term potential and viable products.
I'm a finance major with a masters in financial planning and enjoy all forms of investing. Annuities are good for a small portion of a portfolio. Insurance is just that-whether it's a whole-life policy or an annuity. You pay high fees for that peace of mind and is not a good place for anymore than about 5% of your savings plan for those folks that are more than 20 years out from entering retirement. Financial planners love them due to the reciprocal commissions they earn on them (pays their kids college tuition). Anyway, EFTs are excellent to have and as well as a few mutual funds. I prefer Vanguard funds and IShares ETFs. They've got everything and SUPER low annual fees. Most, if not all of the planner-pushed funds have loads AND maintenance fees. This significantly errodes your investment principle. Any advisor that is whispering in your ear and showing you charts (biased I may add) that so "clearly" show that front-end funds are the better performer are laughing all the way to the bank. Find a good fee-based planner if you want professional advice and leave the commissions to pure stock brokers that should get paid for wise stock picks, not saving account mutual funds.
I enjoy and have success at buying stocks that I think are going places. Some of my favorites are: COST, CD, AXP, C, HD, IGE, KMX, NOVL, MSFT, RD, SGDE, TIVA, VIGN, CSCO. These are companies I think have potential for huge growth--some slow steady and some fast burners. However, all should do great in the next 5 to 10 years.
Anyone who truly thinks gloom and doom better stick their money in small coins of precious metals and jewels in a floor vault. That's the only real "money" if the economy falls and depression-like (or worse) events occurs. However metals and precious items should be a portion of everyone portfolio (like 5%).
Stocks are the best place for long-term investments. Commodities and futures contracts are for get-rich folks that have the time to watch the details 24/7.
There's my bit.....later