Tagged Questions

6
votes
2answers
79 views

How can I replicate Vanguard's Total Stock Market Index using their S&P 500 and extended stock market funds?

I want to approximate the total United States stock market with part of my 401(k). I have access to two low-cost index mutual funds: VIIIX, which tracks the S&P 500 (large cap), and VIEIX, which ...
8
votes
1answer
71 views

Index mutual fund “minimum initial investment” inside a Roth IRA?

When a fund says its minimum initial investment amount is $2500, does that mean I need $2500 in my Roth IRA account to trade that fund? If so, would I need $7500 total in my Roth IRA account to trade ...
3
votes
1answer
44 views

Why doesn't a mutual fund in my 401(k) have a ticker symbol?

For my 401(k), I am trying to diversify while avoiding high expense ratios. Luckily among my investment choices are the Vanguard Target Retirement date funds which have fairly low expense ratios ...
0
votes
1answer
51 views

Where can I find accurate historical distribution data for mutual funds?

I've used Yahoo! Finance to get historical price and dividend data in the past. A recent experience has made me question its accuracy and left me searching for a trusted, accurate source. Here is a ...
2
votes
1answer
71 views

Is there a problem with buying small amounts of a no-fee mutual fund every two weeks?

I am treating my HSA as a retirement account. To max it out I contribute about $100 every pay period (roughly every two weeks) pre-tax, plus employer contributions sprinkled in occasionally. Once I ...
1
vote
1answer
38 views

Does ownership of a mutual fund in another account sufficient to buy more if it is “closed to new investors?”

I would like to purchase shares in a mutual fund that has closed itself to new investors. The account in which I would like to purchase the shares is in my current employer's retirement plan. I ...
0
votes
1answer
64 views

What else besides fees should I consider in rebalancing my fund portfolio's asset allocation?

My portfolio is currently $10k invested in VWNFX. I also have a 401k (contributing about $13k/year) and an emergency fund. But for the purposes of this question I am just talking about my ...
1
vote
1answer
202 views

Difference between 1099-DIV and 1099-B forms

I was wondering about the differences between 1099-DIV and 1099-B forms. In the case of mutual funds, Is 1099-DIV for reporting investment income due to trading of the securities in a mutual fund, ...
1
vote
2answers
205 views

Net loss not distributed by mutual funds to their shareholders?

From Wikipedia Mutual funds pass taxable income on to their investors annually. The type of income they earn is unchanged as it passes through to the shareholders. For example, mutual fund ...
4
votes
1answer
137 views

When you buy mutual funds through a broker, where are the shares held?

This question arises from a previous one regarding managing all one's investments from one screen on a brokerage house's web site, and a recent answer by @Patches regarding segregation of the ...
3
votes
0answers
71 views

Foreign tax credit carryover w/o having filed previously?

I owned VGTSX for years now but only in year 2011 was it a requirement for me to file taxes. Can I claim foreign tax credit carryovers for past years even though I didn't file taxes during those ...
3
votes
1answer
132 views

Do all ETFs fall under the Investment Company Act of 1940?

Do all ETFs fall under the Investment Company Act of 1940? If not, how would a buyer know? Are there legal or financial terms to look for in the prospectus, or will be it spelled out explicitly?
1
vote
2answers
153 views

Which brokers offer the largest selection of mutual funds?

I use Morningstar for mutual fund picks, but my broker (Merril Lynch) does not offer many of them. It's a pain because sometimes they don't offer good fund alternatives. Is my only option to move to ...
4
votes
1answer
47 views

Should I have be worrying about selling a mutual fund before keeping it 1 year in an IRA account?

I am considering selling a mutual fund in a Roth account that I have had for less than a year. Since Roth and traditional IRA accounts are tax sheltered and capital gains only apply when distribution ...
3
votes
1answer
148 views

Wash sale rule + Mutual Funds/ETFs?

According to IRS rules, you can't sell a security, take a capital loss on your taxes, and then buy back the same or a "substantially identical" security within 30 days. However, "substantially ...
8
votes
4answers
220 views

How relevant or accurate are Morningstar “Star” ratings for mutual funds?

Morningstar is a leading site for finding and researching mutual funds. The simplest differentiation between funds that I have seen is the Morningstar "Star" rating. Does anyone know the methodology ...
4
votes
1answer
44 views

If a fund holds stocks paying dividends and doesn't give a payout, is it necessarily re investing those dividends?

I am looking at some mutual funds which are holding many dividend stocks as portfolio holdings. I can check that these individual stocks are paying out regular dividends. But the funds don't show any ...
5
votes
1answer
118 views

Are there any funds tracking INDEXDJX:REIT?

I'm looking to get into real estate, and topic index seems promising on a 5-10 year scale. Are there any ETFs, or mutual fund products offering to track this index?
4
votes
1answer
68 views

Are there two layers of fees in a 529 “portfolio”?

I'm looking specifically at this 529 plan Fidelity Intermediate Bond Portfolio, which is invested exclusively in this Fidelity Intermediate Bond Fund - Class I. The portfolio lists a 1.64% Gross ...
3
votes
1answer
502 views

Dividends and tax withholding for ETF vs Mutual Fund for U.S. Non-Resident Alien?

I'm a non-US resident alien, considering to invest in either commission-free ETFs and Mutual Funds offered by TD Ameritrade. According to The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, certain type of ...
2
votes
1answer
65 views

Change in taxes with change in residency status in U.S.?

I am on a student F-1 visa in the United States, and have invested in a number of U.S. mutual funds through Vanguard. Questions: Do I count as a non-resident alien OR a resident alien for tax ...
2
votes
3answers
120 views

Invest in new mutual funds before the end of the year, or after, in a retirement account?

I changed jobs this year and as a consequence, rolled over my employee 401(k) to a personal rollover IRA. I just completed the rollover earlier this month, and right now the money is just sitting in ...
4
votes
2answers
551 views

Vanguard retirement portfolio suggestions for my 403(b)?

I'm 28 years old and going to start my 403(b) retirement investment. My investment contributions will be 5% by me and 5% by my employer. I'm planning to invest 8% in pretax and 2% in Roth. The ...
3
votes
2answers
168 views

U.S. Mutual Fund Supermarkets: Where are some good places to buy mutual funds?

What are the options for mutual fund supermarkets? Which ones do people use and why?
4
votes
1answer
108 views

Taxes for resident alien investing in mutual funds and money market funds?

As a resident alien working in the US, what kinds of taxes will I be liable for when investing in mutual funds and money market funds? Some funds are federal, state, or municipal tax-exempt, will ...
3
votes
1answer
194 views

How do I minimize Federal, State, and Municipal tax due from money market funds or bond mutual funds?

I was looking into money market funds and bond mutual funds for some relatively stable investments. Before I make decisions, though, can someone explain under what circumstances would I need to pay ...
4
votes
2answers
189 views

What expenses do 401k funds charge?

What expenses do 401k funds charge? For example, do they charge front-end or back-end loads (commission when buying or selling funds)? Also how do I find out if the 401k administrator charges a fee?
3
votes
6answers
162 views

Super-generic mutual fund type

I have 20k in my emergency fund, which is about twice what I planned having in there. I think I can safely invest half of that in something better than the ING savings account it's currently in. I ...
4
votes
4answers
205 views

Simple and safe way to manage a lot of cash

I have an older relative that I am going to help in managing their money. His income is fine to live on. In terms of assets, he has about $250k in a variety of separate CDs, stocks, checking ...
10
votes
3answers
426 views

Should I “hedge” my IRA portfolio with a life cycle / target date mutual fund?

I'm fully contributing to my Roth IRA every year into a brokerage account that is 100% in mutual funds. I've done basic mutual fund research and picked about 5 different funds that match what would ...