About Michael A. Weiss, CFA Expertise I can provide high quality answers to questions about mutual funds domiciled in the United States. Overall, I have 15 years of investment experience. I am currently the Editor of <a href="http://www.mutualfundinvestor.net/">The Mutual Fund Investor</a>, a quarterly publication that provides recommendations and commentary on various no-load mutual funds. I am also currently the Chief Investment Officer of a state registered investment advisory firm that specializes in no-load mutual funds.
Experience Overall, I have 15 years of investment experience. I am currently the Editor of The Mutual Fund Investor, a quarterly publication that provides recommendations and commentary on various no-load mutual funds. To learn more about The Mutual Fund Investor, please visit <a href="http://www.mutualfundinvestor.net/">http://www.mutualfundinvestor.net/</a>. I am also currently the Chief Investment Officer of a state registered investment advisory firm that specializes in no-load mutual funds.My mutual fund experience began at a company called Lipper Analytical Services, where I researched and wrote about mutual funds. Lipper is one of the premier mutual fund research and ratings organizations. After Lipper, I worked as an investment analyst for Merrill Lynch’s multi-billion dollar Mutual Fund Advisor and Selects Programs. I also have experience working with individual stocks and bonds. I have managed investment portfolios for both Merrill Lynch Investment Managers as well as Evergreen Investments.<BR><BR><B>Organizations</B><BR>CFA Institute
CFA Society of Philadelphia
<BR><BR><B>Publications</B><BR>The Mutual Fund Investor
<BR><BR><B>Education/Credentials</B><BR>CFA charterholder
MBA in Finance and Investments from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College<BR>
Expert: Michael A. Weiss, CFA Date: 9/28/2007 Subject: ING SENIOR INCOME FUND CLASS C YOUR RATING
Question WE HAVE 1/2 OF OUR RETIREMENT INCOME IN THIS FUND AND WE ARE WONDERING IF IT IS A GOOD INVESTMENT DUE TO THE REAL ESTATE BUBBLE BREAKING.
Answer Hi John,
Thank you for the question. Please understand that I can not provide you with personalized investment advice in this type of forum. With that said, however, I will certainly try to help you.
The issue here is not so much the real estate market, as the fund does have significant exposure to real estate. The fund is fairly diversified in the terms of fixed income sector/industry allocations.
The ING Senior Income Class C fund invests primarily in below investment grade debt, which could be an issue if investors continue to favor high quality fixed income. The ING Senior Income Class C shares lost 1.81% during the past 3 months according to Morningstar.
There is another issue that really bothers me about this fund. Its expense ratio is 2.0% according to Morningstar. 2.00% is far too high for any fixed income fund. I could not recommend this ING fund... There are several mutual fund companies that offer very good, lower cost fixed income funds including Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, Fidelity and Metropolitan West.
