Any investment going in the right direction? (mutual funds, trading, FDIC)

[xz2y]

Is there any investment going up? How about a place with 4-5% growth and lower risk? Does this exist now? Or am I dreaming....

[davidt1]

Originally Posted by xz2y

Is there any investment going up? How about a place with 4-5% growth and lower risk? Does this exist now? Or am I dreaming....

Here is a list of the top performing mutual funds. Some of them have done well. Note the YTD return.

This response addresses the first question only. Although I don't trade mutual funds, I post about them because most people are familiar with or understand mutual funds better than other "investment" vehicles.

[tortoise]

Doesn't sound like YOU are making much of a research effort . . not watching the TV financial programs or even reviewing previous contributions to this forum. The "lower risk" stipulation indicates you would probably sleep better putting your money in FDIC insured savings, as compared to risking investment principal.

High Yield CD Rates

[xz2y]

Originally Posted by tortoise

Doesn't sound like YOU are making much of a research effort . . not watching the TV financial programs or even reviewing previous contributions to this forum. The "lower risk" stipulation indicates you would probably sleep better putting your money in FDIC insured savings, as compared to risking investment principal.

High Yield CD Rates

I have been making a concerted effort to do research online and watch TV financial programs and read various articles. However, I am not an expert and am seeking the opinion of those who have more experience than I do on this forum. The opinions on this forum are one aspect of my research. Asking this question doesn't mean I have not been actively gathering information in many other ways.

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by davidt1

Here is a list of the top performing mutual funds. Some of them have done well. Note the YTD return.

Many of those are short funds, none of which will be good long-term investments for a retirement.

[davidt1]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

Many of those are short funds, none of which will be good long-term investments for a retirement.

Let me address what I believe to be a huge misconception within the internet armchair investment community here. Whether you are investing for retirement or trading for short-term gains, the goal is the same. And it is to make money. If your investment is making you money, how is that not good as an investment?

I think what you might have meant to say is if you plan on holding on to your investment for years and years until you retire, then something that offer a short-term gain might not be good. Well, I have bad news for you. There are plenty people who, after years of "investing" for retirement, retired in 2007, 2008 and this year, lost much of their retirement investments.

The market has changed a lot in recent years. It has become more and more of a trading arena than a long-term "investing" market. The days of putting some money away every month for years and rely on the investment experts who manage your money to make money for your retirement are over.

[minx1021]

So having said all that..., what would anyone have to offer in the form of advice to a trading/investing virgin?? To be quite honest with you I really have no idea what I am doing. I am a 25 year old slightly educated single woman who works full time in a telecommunications industry that has relatively, for now, seen none of the drastic negative effects of our economy.
When I turned 18 I was given a lump sum of money that had been collecting since I was 12 due to the passing of a parent. For years, I was under the impression that there were no other responsibilites or ties between Metlife and myself. Recently I have been informed that I am an "investor" of BNY Mellon. My interest has been sparked because I actually think I may have the opportunity to finally learn/understand more about trading/stocks(as a whole)/buying/selling/and investing. From what I gather at this point, I basically have my work cut out for me, attempting to outsmart our economic downturn. . . But lets just say I usually learn the hard way anyhow. Any nonprofessional or professional advice is welcomed at this point...Isn't that why we're all here?

[Jaggy001]

Originally Posted by minx1021

So having said all that..., what would anyone have to offer in the form of advice to a trading/investing virgin?? To be quite honest with you I really have no idea what I am doing. I am a 25 year old slightly educated single woman who works full time in a telecommunications industry that has relatively, for now, seen none of the drastic negative effects of our economy.
When I turned 18 I was given a lump sum of money that had been collecting since I was 12 due to the passing of a parent. For years, I was under the impression that there were no other responsibilites or ties between Metlife and myself. Recently I have been informed that I am an "investor" of BNY Mellon. My interest has been sparked because I actually think I may have the opportunity to finally learn/understand more about trading/stocks(as a whole)/buying/selling/and investing. From what I gather at this point, I basically have my work cut out for me, attempting to outsmart our economic downturn. . . But lets just say I usually learn the hard way anyhow. Any nonprofessional or professional advice is welcomed at this point...Isn't that why we're all here?

The best advice I can give you at this moment in time ..... is to stay in cash. Get the best interest rate you can at a reputable bank and stay under the FDIC limit even if that means spreading your cash over several banks.

At the same time, educate yourself on buying and selling stocks. One good way is to choose a few stocks and track them without actually buying them. Test your research and your intuition in a type of "fantasy" investing situation.

[Jaggy001]

Originally Posted by xz2y

Is there any investment going up? How about a place with 4-5% growth and lower risk? Does this exist now? Or am I dreaming....

If you want that kind of risk-free investment then the best thing to do is pay down your mortgage.

[StealthRabbit]

I feel OK about the funds I have parked here, VFIIX ~ 7% last yr, ~5% of that is yield, it just had some NAV growth as response to 'flight-to-safety' (NAV growth is not typical to this fund)