International fund flaws and poor performances cited
Malcolm Berko notes that Growth Fund carries a 12b-1 fee of 1 percent a 4 percent deferred sales charge and an expense ratio of 19 percent. He cites last year’s 19.1 percent drop and this year’s 18.1 percent drop versus 4.9 percent for the S&P 500. He also lists Seligman Frontier Fund Class-A as one of the worst small cap funds with a five year annualized return of 4.5 percent and a 15.4 percent underperformance vs the S&P 500 over five years. Frontier Fund was revised in March 2000 replacing manager Arsen Mrakoveic with Mark Cunneen. The fund fell 14.2 percent last year and 9.2 percent this year as the S&P 500 gained 4.9 percent. The piece adds a 4.75 percent sales charge to own the fund. Berko also criticizes Strong International Stock Fund STISX for being the worst international fund on his list with a 2-star rating and under $100 million in assets despite a 93 percent gain in 1999. It underperformed the S&P 500 by more than 20 percent over five years. last year it fell 37 percent and this year it’s down 14.4 percent versus 4.9 percent for the S&P 500. He questions Morningstar’s 2-star rating for Strong International given its weak record. The column is syndicated by Copley News Service.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Seligman Frontier Fund
Frontier Fund
Frontier
Seligman
Arsen Mrakoveic
Mark Cunneen
Cunneen
Strong International Stock Fund
Strong International
STISX
Morningstar
Malcolm Berko
Copley News Service
Falling student loan rates offer consolidation appeal
Rates on federal education loans have fallen to the lowest level ever, enabling current and former students to lock in cheaper debt. Consolidation into a new fixed rate can reduce payments and extend terms, though it carries risks and new rules. Experts urge careful planning before acting.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Treasury
Christopher Walsh
Syracuse University
New York State Higher Education Services Corp
Walsh
Sallie Mae
Student loan consolidation information and help lines
Borrowers can learn about consolidation by contacting Sallie Mae at 800 448 3533 or www sallie mae com The New York State Higher Education Service Corp can be reached at 888 NYS HESC or www hess com Consolidation information from the U S Department of Education is available at loan consolidation ed gov
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Salle Mae
Salliemae
New York State Higher Education Service Corp
Nys-Hesc
Hess.com
U.S Department of Education
Loanconsolidation
Start young to grow a nest egg and buy a home
Jenkins advises 20s and 30s to consider home buying as a financial plan. He explains 80-10-10 mortgages as a workaround to avoid large down payments, notes risks of high equity loan rates, and highlights first-time buyer programs. He warns against overextending on large mortgages and stresses consistent saving and employer-matched plans. He adds that a child’s cost is substantial and college costs have risen, yet education remains attainable with aid.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jenkins
Federal Housing Authority
US Department of Agriculture
USDA
College Board
CS Department of Education
Gaston Caperton
Joint account benefits for engaged couples
The article explains that a joint account can ease approval by combining income and debts, and notes the first applicant’s name should appear on the credit card. It advises updating the name after marriage and asks about expedited ecard services, with guidance from Sharon Patchen executive director of the Consumer Credit Counseling Letter of Central New York.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Credit Department
Sharon Patchew
Conseamer
Central New York
Also Mentioned on This Page
Founders
IRS
Jkharris
ycompany.”Tiha Wed Street Journal
JK Haris & Company
Liverpool
George Urist
GFP
Urist Financial and Retirement Planning, Inc
Commons
Park Cave
Syracuse
Ip. Com
Unist Financial
LINSGO/PRIVATE LEDGER
Nasdysipc
Jim
Syracusemail
Syracuse Com
Education Department
Erin Love
Sallie Mac
Michelle Gabel
Stal
Todd Butler
SU Financial Aid
Archbold Buiding
Dick Blume
Kim Reed
Jim Durr
Reed
New York
NET Connect
Meta Group
Microsoft
IBM
Lotus
Companies
Microsoft Net
Turning Stone Casino
Verona
Turning-Stone
The
Mony Group
Ure Mony Group
Mony Life Insurance Company
MONY
Mony Secunties Corporation
MSG
Nasd Sipc
Broadway
van Mony
MSE
Cubsioune Mony
MSC
Moky Group
Leh
Hte
Sone
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