j'adoube

Sentiment Overview: Is Bearishness a Bullish Sign?

Those are some impressive logical somersaults. You will need some serious ibuprofen after that.

j'adoube

Marc Faber's Outlook on the Market and Commodities [Video]

What's with the ponytail? Dude, you're two-thirds bald!

Convertibles Strategies - An Interview with John Calamos

Thanks Andrew, nice interview.

However, woefully short (to the point of absence) on any specific recommendations, or even sectors or types of converts that are particularly cheap.

And JC's reference to how cheap converts are right now is a bit muddled. On the one hand, he says that they are the cheapest ever. On the other hand, he says that they were 11%-12% below fair value at year-end '08, and valuations have "improved" since then.

Does that mean they've gotten even cheaper? Or less cheap? Not sure what he means by improved valuations. In any event, is 11% below FV really an all-time cheap valuation?

Why Hedge Fund Strategy ETFs Are Catching On

Tom-

No offense buddy, but clearly there's a sucker born every minute.

These are nothing but expensive portfolios of ETFs with slick packaging intended to lever off the allure of hedge funds. An allure, I might add, that's quickly diminishing.

How do you spell GIMMICK?

Bright Spot for Leverage - Increasing Yield, Narrowing Discounts In Levered Municipal Bond Funds

That last bullet point seems like a cop-out. You spend the rest of the article relating what a compelling opportunity levered muni CEFs are, then in the last bullet point you take it away, saying there will be a better entry point than this.

Guys, make up your minds, and take a stand. If now is not the time, why don't you publish this article when it IS the time?

Gabelli's Global Deal Fund: Finding Value in Turbulent Times

LongInvestor-

Points taken, but notice they still haven't fixed the errors, two weeks later.

With the quality control they show in their posts, they don't encourage a whole lot of confidence in their attention to detail.

Oil Futures: Money for the Taking?

Yeah, Markitwatcha, remind me where you live. I want to buy some puts on housing values in the area, as there's a non-trivial chance they go to zero when someone drops a match in your pool.

First Convertible Bond ETF Comes to Market

That seems awfully concentrated for an ETF.

Investors don't buy ETFs to assume company-specific risk.

CEFs Advance in Shortened Week, Though Less Than S&P 500

You seem doubly appreciative.

Safely Position Yourself for a Rally with the iPath Covered Call Writing ETF

This is an ETN, not an ETF.

Please know the difference.

Gabelli's Global Deal Fund: Finding Value in Turbulent Times

Guys-

Given that based on that GQ pic in the upper left you want to convey the look and feel of thorough professionals, you also may want to spell-check your copy (GACBX? No, GABCX), and still proofread (run by a "season" professional? Is her name Summer?).

Details are everything, guys. Otherwise, fine article and all good points. I look forward to more.

ETFOX: A Mutual Fund for ETF Investors

>>Frank also believes that reasonable management fees should be the obligation of the fund manager.<<

An ETF with a 175 basis point fee -- before you add on the fees of the ETFs in its portfolio.

Yeah, real reasonable. Give me a break.

Corporate Bonds: Discounting Depression

So spreads come in 80 bps? What if the entire curve rises 400 - 500 bp because of a return of inflation? Sure you may be right about spreads coming in, and dead wrong about bonds in general being the place to be.

It's like choosing the slightly sturdier boat, but not realizing there's a tsunami coming straight at you.

Emerging Markets ETFs Soar Despite Gloom

Carl-

What value does this post add?

j'adoube

Income ETFs vs. CEFs

Oy vey, author makes the typical amateur goof of confusing yield with distribution policy. 36 years of experience, and he either doesn't know the difference or doesn't disclose it. Sad.