Well, Rick, I am certainly no guru by any means. I've been playing the Selects with some IRA money for the last few years with generally good results, but not without some small losses.
I understand your concerns about loaded funds, and with the exception of these, all my other mutual fund money is in no-loads. I just like the excitement of having the chance to make some fairly spectacular returns in the Selects, although, to be honest, that has yet to happen! <g> Three % is a lot up front, but you can switch around after that without ever having to pay it again. There is, of course, the .75% back end load if you leave inside of 29 days ($7.50) after, but I don't find the annual fees to be too exorbitant for the kind of returns possible. Everyone has to take his/her own risk tolerance and goals for their money into account. What's good for me may not be good for you and vice-versa. I think there should be a certain amount of fun involved in investing. If you can't sleep at night for worrying about your investments, then it's probably time to reassess your investment strategy.
I'm in Technology and just moved into Am. Gold, but I have been looking strongly, along with you, at Electronics and also Home Finance and Regional Banks. The world's need for more and more tinker toys and multi-media products should keep FSELX strong for some time (barring, and here we go again) a much delayed correction. As long as interest rates stay low as they have been, FSVLX could continue its spectacular gains of the past 5 and even 10 years. There also seems to be a growing trend in consolidation within sectors, and the banking industry seems to be particularly heating up. That's why I like FSRBX
To end this rather long message, I'd say do what feels best to you. There'll be ups and there will be downs. If you are in for the long haul, time has a way of healing all wounds. A bad twist on an old saying, but you get my point.
Good Luck.....Jerry |
