[net.invest] mutual fund query

phl@drusd.UUCP (LavettePH) (07/09/85)

>     a) Are there advantages to my dealing through this broker, or am
>        I just as well (or better) off dealing directly with Franklin?
>
>     b) Does anybody have a better suggestion for a high growth fund,
>        or any positive or negative feedback on Franklin funds?
>
>Jay Hyman,   AT&T Bell Labs

Most (not all) mutual funds require that you purchase through a brokerage
firm.  There is no broker's fee, per se, for this type of purchase. At
least I've never paid one.

A good measure of a fund's history is the Lipper Report which is published 
quarterly in BARRON'S. This report covers virtually all funds available in 
the US. It is based solely on past performance and makes no recommendations. 
A lot of people got burned back in the early seventies when the mutuals fell 
with the rest of the market. I would suggest you use the Lipper Report only 
as a guide to help you weed out the really poor performers and take a good 
hard look at the portfolios of some of the better performers.

Remember that each company offers a whole menu of investment strategies. Just
because one or two funds in their offering are performing well doesn't mean
that they are all top grade offerings.

- Phil

gj@bubba.UUCP (07/10/85)

> ...
> 
> I've got a broker from David Lerner Associates (NY area folks may have
> heard their ads on WINS radio)  who I use to invest in Franklin Group 
> mutual funds.  So far, I have only invested in the U.S. Govt. Series,
> which basically consists of GNMA securities.  I am now interested in
> moving into some growth fund, but I have several questions.
> 
>      a) Are there advantages to my dealing through this broker, or am
> 	I just as well (or better) off dealing directly with Franklin?
> 
>      b) Does anybody have a better suggestion for a high growth fund,
> 	or any positive or negative feedback on Franklin funds?
> 

I have blown off brokers for mutual fund investments.  I have found
that I can do better with the assistance of a newsletter I subscribe to.
The newsletter subscription costs about the same as the brokers commissions
I would pay and return has been much higher that any mutual fund recommended
to me by my former broker.  Right now, I am in Fidelity Magellan.  It is 
a growth oriented fund with a 3% load.  If anyone wants more info on
the newsletter or the mutual fund, mail me a note.  If there is enough
response, I'll post the details to the net.
-- 

George Jenkins, COSI Texas, Inc., 4412 Spicewood Springs #801, Austin TX
78759 USA

uucp: {ihnp4,seismo,ctvax}!ut-sally!cositex!bubba!gj
at&t: (512) 345-2780