Commentary

Read and review commentaries written by Morningstar experts. These observations and insights are specific to Mutual Funds.

Have Your Primecap-Run Vanguard Fund and Eat It Too

New investors can't buy Vanguard's Primecap-run funds anymore, but they can still buy Primecap.

by Dan Culloton | 2009-11-06 05:00:00

Earlier this year, Vanguard closed Vanguard Primecap Core to new investors, shutting what had been the only avenue left to invest with the redoubtable subadvisors from Primecap Management Company directly through Vanguard. So, where's a contrarian growth investor to go now? What other open actively managed funds at Vanguard or elsewhere follow a similar strategy of trying to buy and hold fundamentally solid growth companies when they are out of favor or attractively priced?

You're No Primecap
At Vanguard, the choices are somewhat limited. The family recently transformed Vanguard Growth Equity from a fast-trading, momentum-chasing aggressive growth fund into a lower-turnover offering that leans more on classic core growth stocks. The new subadvisors--Jennison Associates and Baillie Gifford--are e… Full Story

Five Mainstream Funds for Going Hybrid

The case for preferred stocks and convertibles in the current environment.

by Arijit Dutta | 2009-11-05 05:00:00

It feels like we're at a crossroads. Markets have come a long way off their lows since March, but there are serious doubts about where we go from here. Many keen market observers say the rally is on shaky ground because they see tough times ahead for the economy and corporate profits. Bulls counter by predicting a sustained and surprisingly strong recovery.

Fund investors can't be blamed for being circumspect in these dubious times. The market surge in recent months may suggest otherwise, but Morningstar's year-to-date fund flow data suggests the bulk of new money has gone to bond funds. Indeed, nine out of the top 10 funds this year in terms of inflows are bond funds.

Just as staying out of trouble is a key concern for investors, it must be equally nerve wracking to be missing out on a big equity ral… Full Story

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Market Data Disclosure

Commentary

Have Your Primecap-Run Vanguard Fund and Eat It Too

New investors can't buy Vanguard's Primecap-run funds anymore, but they can still buy Primecap.

Five Mainstream Funds for Going Hybrid

The case for preferred stocks and convertibles in the current environment.

Have Your Primecap-Run Vanguard Fund and Eat It Too

Five Mainstream Funds for Going Hybrid

Funds on Warren's Wavelength

Funds Going from Heroes to Ho-Hum

Three Tips to Make Your 401(k) Work for You

Four Strong Funds That Passed My Tests

Who Needs In-House Managers? Not This Good Fund Family

Last Year's Losses Easing This Year's Capital Gains Distributions

Fund Fees Get Their Day in the Highest Court

The Best Balanced Fund You've Never Heard About