YTD

[DRiP Guy]

We also have RPMGX. I'm confused as to why you compare it to VIMSX. When I look at both funds on morningstar, I see that RPMGX is classified as Mid Cap Growth, with year-to-date return being 6.8% (-2.2 for it's category). However, VIMSX is classified as a Mid Cap Blend, with year-to-date return being 13.6 (-0.2 for it's category).

I'm not saying that RPMGX didn't lag behind it's category (-2.2) this year, but I really don't understand why you are comparing it to VIMSX...appears to me it is a different category, and you are not comparing apples to apples? Am I interpreting this correctly

Yup yup yup -- sorry for any confusion -- I didn't really start out to compare it with VIMSX philosophically, I just sloppily plugged in some of the Vanguard funds that LOL! had quoted to see what the heck happened to my own fund return at the end of year, and RPMGX turned up as the laggard. I then plugged in what was indeed a comparable Vanguard equivalent (VIGRX), and it shows similar dip.

I think I owe thanks to "d" who has just gently tugged on my arm to point me where my money went -- short and long term cap gains.

Between my ignorance on CD vs bonds the other day (only looking at yield, not appreciation) and tonight's confusion, I think I am glad index funds just require me to... well, not really even do what I am doing...

"Bring me another champagne cocktail!"

Thanks to all!

 

[Helena]

... my own choice for a midcap fund (RPMGX) had a very weird drop
at what looks like about two weeks ago...

Ok, so it's a distribution...

But would'nt DRiP Guy, who owns the fund, be notified ?

 

[brewer12345]

Guess some people are sensitive to what might look like bragging... I'll try to be careful not to accidentally offend.

Not really sensitive, just trying to make the point that it usually degenerates into bragging pretty quickly and there is no verifying anyone's numbers. So we might as well compare penises.

 

[rs0460a]

there is no verifying anyone's numbers.

I'll tell you the truth...

Since it's before 1 a.m. on Jan 1 (I'm on the east coast), my YTD is 0%... )

- Ron

 

[DRiP Guy]

Not really sensitive, just trying to make the point that it usually degenerates into bragging pretty quickly and there is no verifying anyone's numbers. So we might as well compare penises.

Thanks, but I think I'll take a pass on that one...

I know what you mean, tho' !

 

[DRiP Guy]

Ok, so it's a distribution...

But would'nt DRiP Guy, who owns the fund, be notified ?

I don't know that it matters, but it's held in my 401(k), I never have gotten 'real time' individual holding info sent to me from there (okay, maybe the prospectus when I started a new fund), even when I held individual stocks. Of course, quarterly or annual statement would catch all changes to share amounts.

I once had a stock I held both 'street' in my name and also some shares that were in a retirement account -- I got lots of updates on the shares I held directly (quarterly updates, new tranche, press releases, annual report, proxy materials, etc), but never on the ones held inside.

I did just update Quicken this AM and it shows the additional shares having been reinvested in my account on 12/19/06, so everything is indeed in order.

Sorry if my ignorance was a bother for anyone...

 

[mmg2681]

I don't know what caused that loss with just a couple of biz days left in the year, but that is what caused my own overall underperformance. Still not complaining.

I have tracked the stock market almost every day in 2005
and 2006, and the last two days of the year on both years has been down.
I am trying to see "trends" in the market...but with only 2 years worth of data, it isnt so predictable.

:

~M

 

[Helen]

Years ago, I didn't worry about YTD returns. I never realized how far behind I was getting. Tracking returns at regular intervals forced me to accept reality and forced me to change investments and get on the bandwagon. So I have found it very productive.

Now you could write, "Go ahead and calculate all you want LOL!, but keep it to yourself." However, I think posting numbers helps confirm for folks that asset allocation is important and that indexing works.

I have to agree, and I have a big bruise on my @ss to prove it. I spent 2006 in safe investments because I am so smart that I knew we'd be in a recession in 2006.

Now that I've moved money back into the market so you can be sure 2007 will break records for the stock market decline.

If I can learn from my mistakes, I will be really smart by the time I die.

-helen

 

[DRiP Guy]

I have to agree, and I have a big bruise on my @ss to prove it. I spent 2006 in safe investments because I am so smart that I knew we'd be in a recession in 2006.

Now that I've moved money back into the market so you can be sure 2007 will break records for the stock market decline.

If I can learn from my mistakes, I will be really smart by the time I die.

-helen

he he he -- Hang in there.

You know the old saw:

"Boy that shore were a dum misstake!"

"Yup. How duzz I keep from doin that?"

"Need to git u sum speary ants."

"How duzz I git me some speary ants?"

"Jus' keep makin' misstakes."

 

[Shredder]

I have to agree, and I have a big bruise on my @ss to prove it.

-helen

I know the feeling Helen, I took a 65% loss in 2000-2001. Took me till 05 to catch up. Now that I'm retired I can not afford to do this again so my investments are a lot more conservative, with mostly indexes, and 40% bonds. I'd be relatively well off If I did that during the dot com phase..........Shredder

 

[saluki9]

My penis size is...

Well Brewer.... There are a good number of women here and I'm sure they would like to know. Don't leave them hanging waiting

 

[brewer12345]

Well Brewer.... There are a good number of women here and I'm sure they would like to know. Don't leave them hanging waiting

It would be unverifiable anyway, so why bother?

 

[Spanky]

19%.

 

[Helen]

I know the feeling Helen, I took a 65% loss in 2000-2001.

Let's not even go there. I work in IT and was following Peter Lynch's "buy what you know" approach. Talk about a lynching ...

My college tutition pales in comparison to my tutition costs of the market.

 

[Evelyne]

Let's not even go there. I work in IT and was following Peter Lynch's "buy what you know" approach. Talk about a lynching ...

Same here.

 

[lazygood4nothinbum]

2006, the year i inherited. my ytd incalculable & my loss immeasurable.

 

[Moemg]

Just checked 17.5% on portfolio of 15% bonds ,85%stocks .Energy and Reit funds were the big winners.

 

[Dude]

16.4%

 

[CCdaCE]

15.9% for my Roth IRA, solely VTSMX (Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Index) vs. 15.51% as reported as YTD for VTSMX on Vanguard's site. Should've eaten the minimum balance fees and switched to 50/50 TSM/Int'l. Hindsight is always 20/20.

/begin sarcasm.

Apparently my market timing paid off immensely by DCAing at the beginning of each month. Subscription newsletter to follow.

/end sarcasm.

Haven't seen the numbers from pension/pre-tax investments yet.

-CC

 

[sgeeeee]

. . . So we might as well compare penises.

Compare them to what?

 

[audreyh1]

13% on portfolio of approx 57% equities, remainder bonds and cash

Audrey

 

[tryan]

6% ... stocks did good ; RE not so good

 

[rs0460a]

12.29% total return in 2006 with the following breakdown:

21% Cash
23% Bonds
22% Large-cap stocks
14% International stocks
20% Small/Mid-cap stocks

All funds for Bonds/Stocks (no indivudial holdings).

- Ron

 

[SecondCor521]

As usual, whatever VFINX/VTSMX did.

2Cor521.

 

[Evelyne]

15.12%.