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 The Mutual Fund Investor, 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 http://www.mutualfundinvestor.net/. 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.
Organizations CFA Institute
CFA Society of Philadelphia
Publications The Mutual Fund Investor
Education/Credentials CFA charterholder
MBA in Finance and Investments from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College
Expert: Michael A. Weiss, CFA Date: 11/12/2007 Subject: Mutual Funds - No Load
Question QUESTION: My risk tolerance is high. I have about 10-12 years to invest for retirement, what high return funds would you suggest?
ANSWER: Hi Steve,
Thank you for the question. Please understand that I cannot provide you with personalized investment advice in this type of forum, but I will certainly try to help you.
Overall, I think that it is best that you start from the top down and look at the better no load mutual fund companies and then choose among their no load funds. For domestic equity, Royce, T. Rowe Price and Vanguard are all very good. T. Rowe Price and Vanguard also have good international funds.
When selecting any fund, you should always consider the fund's costs as well as its management team.
High risk tolerance and high returns can mean different things to different people. Also, there are aggressive domestic funds and aggressive international funds. In terms of domestic funds, smaller cap funds would be considered the most aggressive among the major investment categories. Many of the better small cap funds have closed to new investors, but the Royce funds still have several very good funds available open to new investors. Their funds also vary in terms of their aggressiveness and focus. Even though Royce is a value shop they offer funds that Morningstar classifies as growth.
QUESTION: Thanks for the information. Would I have higher returns in individual stocks or staying with the funds?
Answer Hi Steve,
There really is no one correct answer to that question. After all, a mutual fund is primarily a bundle of individual stocks and/or bonds. I would say that for a highly experienced investor in mutual funds as well as stocks or funds, it does not really matter all that much. However, for the person that is less experienced, mutual funds are probably the better investment.
