Search found 92 matches

by Swiss Bee
Sat Jul 23, 2022 11:15 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Switzerland- paying back the house
Replies: 1
Views: 837

Switzerland- paying back the house

Please remove
by Swiss Bee
Sat Jul 09, 2022 12:57 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Sell investments to refill the emergency fund?
Replies: 35
Views: 3640

Re: Sell investments to refill the emergency fund?

Here in Switzerland selling investments is tax free, at any time, from a private brokerage account. Hence, tax is not an issue…there is no capital gains tax
by Swiss Bee
Sat Jul 09, 2022 5:16 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Sell investments to refill the emergency fund?
Replies: 35
Views: 3640

Re: Sell investments to refill the emergency fund?

Thank you, I will fill it back up from the monthly salary then.

This situation had my thinking about if I need an emergency fund at all, as I could always sell off some investments… Maybe a small EF (eg not more than 3 months expenses) is enough then… 🍀
by Swiss Bee
Sat Jul 09, 2022 12:12 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Sell investments to refill the emergency fund?
Replies: 35
Views: 3640

Sell investments to refill the emergency fund?

Hello fellow investors,

Would you advise selling investments to refill the emergency fund, if it was used? Or just build it up over time again, not touching investments?

Many thanks 🙏
by Swiss Bee
Sat May 07, 2022 11:38 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Dividend Investing
Replies: 12
Views: 3119

Dividend Investing

Hello fellow investors,

I have two questions regarding dividend investing:

1. Why do many dividend investors prefer to buy individual stocks as opposed to dividend ETFs?

2. Why would anyone with a sound mind buy stocks from companies with negative equity, e.g. McDonalds, Starbucks, Colgate-Palmolive etc.? Wouldn’t you pay for something that is worthless?

These are genuine questions. As always, thank you for your advice. :happy
by Swiss Bee
Wed Apr 27, 2022 5:00 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Gold [appropriate allocation]
Replies: 74
Views: 12591

Re: Gold [appropriate allocation]

I must say, these days gold saves my portolio from tanking...
by Swiss Bee
Mon Apr 25, 2022 6:00 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Does VWRL/VWRA provide enough diversification?
Replies: 5
Views: 2049

Re: Does VWRL/VWRA provide enough diversification?

Hi Expat,

I think it gives enough diversification. Diversification by market capitalization has a good rationale. There is a reason why these companies are worth so much. It is based on their earnings, projections, demand for their products, global reach etc.

Just my 2 cents…

Good luck 🍀
by Swiss Bee
Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:56 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Netflix?
Replies: 54
Views: 6328

Re: Netflix?

Clever_Username wrote: Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:50 am
Swiss Bee wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:40 pm Is Netflix a buy now? They won’t go bankrupt any time soon and are still the largest streamer in the world.
I wonder if the large investment houses, whose analysts often work 80+ hour weeks, are aware of this information, and if so, if they have acted on it yet if they deem it relevant.
I wonder if markets are always, 100%, without exception, efficient or if there is sometimes negative sentiment around news :confused
by Swiss Bee
Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:30 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Netflix?
Replies: 54
Views: 6328

Re: Netflix?

Did they really lose their moat? Strong brand recognition (everyone knows Netflix), and market leader in streaming...
by Swiss Bee
Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:26 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Netflix?
Replies: 54
Views: 6328

Re: Netflix?

000 wrote: Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:19 am
Swiss Bee wrote: Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:10 am
000 wrote: Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:05 am Ok, what catalyst do you think would push this stock back up?
Even if they dont grow as much any more, they are much cheaper than most other value companies, e.g. Coca Cola (P/E 29), Procter & Gamble (P/E 29), PepsiCo (P/E 32)...
https://finviz.com/screener.ashx?v=111& ... e_u25&o=pe
Nice one, thank you
by Swiss Bee
Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:10 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Netflix?
Replies: 54
Views: 6328

Re: Netflix?

000 wrote: Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:05 am Ok, what catalyst do you think would push this stock back up?
Even if they dont grow as much any more, they are much cheaper than most other value companies, e.g. Coca Cola (P/E 29), Procter & Gamble (P/E 29), PepsiCo (P/E 32)...
by Swiss Bee
Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:04 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Netflix?
Replies: 54
Views: 6328

Re: Netflix?

P/E ratio of 20 is looking attractive, I must say...
by Swiss Bee
Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:40 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Netflix?
Replies: 54
Views: 6328

Netflix?

Is Netflix a buy now? They won’t go bankrupt any time soon and are still the largest streamer in the world.
by Swiss Bee
Fri Apr 01, 2022 11:04 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Gold [appropriate allocation]
Replies: 74
Views: 12591

Re: Gold [appropriate allocation]

So how much in the allocation then? 😂
by Swiss Bee
Mon Mar 28, 2022 12:07 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Gold [appropriate allocation]
Replies: 74
Views: 12591

Re: Gold

Sorry, I meant negative correlation (not uncorrelated). It is negatively correlated to the equity market.
by Swiss Bee
Sun Mar 27, 2022 10:00 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Gold [appropriate allocation]
Replies: 74
Views: 12591

Re: Gold

Thank you happyisland 🙏
by Swiss Bee
Sun Mar 27, 2022 12:33 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Gold [appropriate allocation]
Replies: 74
Views: 12591

Re: Gold

Thank you seajay, and thank you Lock 🙏
by Swiss Bee
Sat Mar 26, 2022 3:18 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Gold [appropriate allocation]
Replies: 74
Views: 12591

Re: Gold

TheNightsToCome wrote: Sat Mar 26, 2022 2:23 pm
Swiss Bee wrote: Sat Mar 26, 2022 1:51 pm Hello fellow investors,

How much gold is appropriate in a portfolio? Just for diversification. In an inflationary environment with low rates, “cash is trash” as Ray Dalio said.

Many thanks and good luck with your investments 🍀
Historically, a 15% gold position increased safe withdrawal rates. This is an excellent discussion by a PhD economist well known in the early retirement community:

https://earlyretirementnow.com/2020/01/ ... s-part-34/

The future may work out differently, but given the very high combination of recent stock and bond valuations (predicting low long-term returns), I have a gold position, albeit < 15%.
Thank you very much indeed
by Swiss Bee
Sat Mar 26, 2022 2:03 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Gold [appropriate allocation]
Replies: 74
Views: 12591

Re: Gold

I was hoping for a serious, scientific opinon on this topic. Some of the largest investors in the world use gold for its diversification properties as uncorrelated asset. Maybe I am in the wrong forum here... :confused
by Swiss Bee
Sat Mar 26, 2022 1:51 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Gold [appropriate allocation]
Replies: 74
Views: 12591

Gold [appropriate allocation]

Hello fellow investors,

How much gold is appropriate in a portfolio? Just for diversification. In an inflationary environment with low rates, “cash is trash” as Ray Dalio said.

Many thanks and good luck with your investments 🍀
by Swiss Bee
Sat Mar 26, 2022 1:05 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Gold and Bitcoin
Replies: 5
Views: 1352

Re: Gold and Bitcoin

Why? They are uncorrelated assets and hence provide diversification. Not even a small percentage of your SAA?

Equity exposure - even if well diversified - is still just equity exposure.
by Swiss Bee
Sat Mar 26, 2022 12:54 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Gold and Bitcoin
Replies: 5
Views: 1352

Gold and Bitcoin

Hello fellow investors, :moneybag

How much gold and Bitcoin is appropriate in a portfolio? Just for diversification. In an inflationary environment with low rates, “cash is trash” as Ray Dalio said.

Many thanks and good luck with your investments 🍀
by Swiss Bee
Mon Mar 21, 2022 12:22 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Broker for a child - Switzerland
Replies: 3
Views: 1144

Re: Broker for a child - Switzerland

No U.S. persons involved
by Swiss Bee
Sun Mar 20, 2022 11:18 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Broker for a child - Switzerland
Replies: 3
Views: 1144

Broker for a child - Switzerland

Hello fellow investors,

Any recommendations for a broker to invest in ETFs for a child in Switzerland? Please NOT just broker recommendations, but tried and tested brokerages to invest for kids.

Many thanks!
by Swiss Bee
Wed Mar 09, 2022 1:49 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: I bought Meta today
Replies: 23
Views: 3242

Re: I bought Meta today

I'm going to take a contrary view, not as a shareholder, but as long-time Facebook user. Addict might not be too strong of a word. I believe Facebook has broken whatever trust many of its users ever placed in it. I left cold turkey after the revelations by Frances Haugen last year, as well as having ads take up a disproportionate amount of space in my feed. I don't plan on going back. I have spoken to many friends who feel the same way. While Facebook has an enormous network advantage compared to social media companies that preceded it (say, MySpace), I just don't think social media is crucial to a properly functioning society, and I believe it may in fact be deleterious to it, at least in the format Facebook presently uses. I may well be ...
by Swiss Bee
Wed Mar 09, 2022 12:38 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: I bought Meta today
Replies: 23
Views: 3242

Re: I bought Meta today

Probably sell when it doubles or triples.

I prefer dividend stocks and I don’t love the company so I am not planning to hold it forever. That said, I really see it as a value play at this valuation even if the whole metaverse thingy does not work out. If it does work out tough, this could go to the moon 🌝
by Swiss Bee
Tue Mar 08, 2022 11:59 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: I bought Meta today
Replies: 23
Views: 3242

I bought Meta today

Ok, I bought Meta today @ USD 190.-, P/E 13.8. It is about 5% of my portfolio. Good move or not? Are you buying too?
by Swiss Bee
Thu Mar 03, 2022 11:36 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Seeking advice for first portfolio in Switzerland
Replies: 17
Views: 8419

Re: Seeking advice for first portfolio in Switzerland

Grüezi fellow investors, I also live in Switzerland 🇨🇭 and am in roughly the same age group. Agree, VWRL is a great option. It is my main holding too. I am holding cash instead of bonds as they don’t yield anything at the moment, and they might even decline further if interest rates go up (which they likely will because of inflation). I see this more as insurance than investment. I also added physical gold. Taxes: Switzerland is paradise. Capital gains are tax free! This means you buy an ETF / shares etc and sell them 10 years later with a huge profit - no tax! Regarding dividends, they are taxed at your income tax rate. For foreign stocks, there is also withholding tax and it all depends on the country you invested in. Ireland domiciled ET...
by Swiss Bee
Sat Jan 22, 2022 12:44 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Cash in the Strategic Asset Allocation?
Replies: 4
Views: 1419

Re: Cash in the Strategic Asset Allocation?

Many thanks, Spgold and tubaleiter. That’s an excellent way of looking at it 🙏
by Swiss Bee
Fri Jan 21, 2022 1:20 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Cash in the Strategic Asset Allocation?
Replies: 4
Views: 1419

Cash in the Strategic Asset Allocation?

Good day fellow investors :moneybag

I am thinking about my strategic asset allocation (SAA) and would appreciate your advice. I am neither including my fully funded emergency fund (cash) nor the property I live in in the SAA, as I don’t consider them investments.

Now when it comes real investments, would you recommend having a certain percentage in cash? E.g.

- 60% rental property
- 25 % stocks/bonds
- 10% cash (?!)
- 5% gold and alternatives

Or would you rather eliminate cash in this SAA and allocate it to other asset classes? I am really not sure why cash should be included in a SAA, unless you try to time the market (which is not my intention).

Many thanks in advance, Bogleheads 🙏
by Swiss Bee
Tue Jan 18, 2022 1:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Microsoft to acquire Activision, Guaranteed return?
Replies: 24
Views: 2806

Re: ATVI - bought by MSFT

Now, thinking about this a bit more, I am not sure if this is good news. In the short run, shares soared, but I would have liked to keep them for the long run… 🤨
by Swiss Bee
Tue Jan 18, 2022 12:24 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Microsoft to acquire Activision, Guaranteed return?
Replies: 24
Views: 2806

ATVI - bought by MSFT

[Merged into existing discussion -- moderator oldcomputerguy]

Hello fellow investors,

A good day for ATVI shareholders. :moneybag Do you have experience how this acquisition will play out? Will ATVI shareholders get USD 95.- cash per share when the acquisition goes through, and the shares disappear?

Cheerio!
by Swiss Bee
Sun Jan 09, 2022 7:48 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Please look at my situation and finances and tell me if it's ok for me to retire [Europe]
Replies: 14
Views: 2032

Re: Please look at my situation and finances and tell me if it's ok for me to retire [Europe]

Hello,

Where do you live? Switzerland or Romania? Cost of living is an important factor.

Are you debt free, including the mortgage?

Do you plan to buy your daughter a place to live?

Anyways, you have done very very well and I am almost sure you have enough 😉🍀
by Swiss Bee
Wed Jan 05, 2022 1:02 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: How to invest $500K (Switzerland)
Replies: 6
Views: 1390

Re: How to invest $500K (Switzerland)

Hi Tobias,

- I personally would not invest any money I need in 2-3 years. You mention that you want to start a business. How much would you invest in that? 100k? 400k? You get the idea.
- what is your strategic asset allocation for the remaining funds? You say you want to outperform the market - this is almost impossible… maybe you want to invest 90% in a passive ETF and try to speculate with 10%? It is all about your risk tolerance and willingness to take risk.

To sum up, not enough information here and lots of choices for you to make

Good luck! 🍀
by Swiss Bee
Sun Dec 26, 2021 10:57 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: BABA and Tencent
Replies: 93
Views: 26035

Re: BABA and Tencent

Looks cheap now :D :D
by Swiss Bee
Thu Dec 23, 2021 1:53 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: VHYL - Vanguard High Dividend Yield
Replies: 25
Views: 5093

Re: VHYL - Vanguard High Dividend Yield

Ok, I take the comments above as a no to VHYL - not a good idea to invest in a high dividend yield fund, because of 2 main reasons:

1. underperforming the market (eg FTSE All World)
2. tax inefficient, because of dividend distributions

Many thanks to all of you 🙏 I have read each comment carefully.

Merry Christmas y‘all🎄
by Swiss Bee
Thu Dec 23, 2021 1:36 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: VHYL - Vanguard High Dividend Yield
Replies: 25
Views: 5093

Re: VHYL - Vanguard High Dividend Yield

Not sure I can follow 🤷‍♂️ this is about equity ETFs, not bonds…
by Swiss Bee
Mon Dec 20, 2021 11:47 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: VHYL - Vanguard High Dividend Yield
Replies: 25
Views: 5093

Re: VHYL - Vanguard High Dividend Yield

Thank you Laurizas, the numbers are powerful.

At the same time, I am wondering if we should use this time period for comparison. The last 10 years was the greatest bull market ever, and in this market growth stocks outperform dividend stocks.

However, if the “new normal” (after such a long bull market) is that stocks will increase more like 3% per year, then stocks that pay dividends of 3% per year suddenly look like a good deal.
by Swiss Bee
Sun Dec 19, 2021 6:38 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: VHYL - Vanguard High Dividend Yield
Replies: 25
Views: 5093

Re: VHYL - Vanguard High Dividend Yield

Agree, tax is a real issue: capital gains are tax free (!) and dividends are taxed according to your tax bracket…
by Swiss Bee
Sun Dec 19, 2021 12:59 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: VHYL - Vanguard High Dividend Yield
Replies: 25
Views: 5093

Re: VHYL - Vanguard High Dividend Yield

Thank you for the reply. I live in Europe so no IRA, Roth IRA etc.

It is all about which funds to chose for my equity part of the asset allocation. Only VWRL or VWRL + VHYL 🤷‍♂️ capital gains are tax free in Switzerland, which favours more growth investments rather than dividend investments. I still like the constant flow of income.

Merry Christmas 🎁🎄
by Swiss Bee
Sun Dec 19, 2021 12:38 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: VHYL - Vanguard High Dividend Yield
Replies: 25
Views: 5093

VHYL - Vanguard High Dividend Yield

Hello fellow investors 👋

I like to supplement my investments in Vanguard FTSE All World (VWRL) with Vanguard’s high dividend yield fund (VHYL). I know that this approach deviates from the market capitalization investment approach, but I feel that VHYL is not overly expensive and I like the idea of regular dividends from excellent companies. It helps me forget about the price fluctuations.

Any thoughts on adding VHYL? To what extent do you add dividend paying investments (in your asset allocation)?

Many thanks and merry Christmas 🎄🎁
by Swiss Bee
Fri Nov 12, 2021 12:23 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Newbie: Why bother with a Bonds ETF?
Replies: 27
Views: 5182

Re: Newbie: Why bother with a Bonds ETF?

Addition: given your financial position, it sounds like you have the ability to sit tight even in a market correction. I believe bonds is more for people who cannot afford to lose a substantial percentage of their portfolios in case the market drops (but it sounds like you could afford this easily).

Do you have a paid off home and no other debt? If yes, enjoy life! You did it! :wink:
by Swiss Bee
Fri Nov 12, 2021 12:15 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Newbie: Why bother with a Bonds ETF?
Replies: 27
Views: 5182

Re: Newbie: Why bother with a Bonds ETF?

Hi Newbie,

Thank you for the question. To be short and blunt - I would not and do not invest in bonds either, at least in this interest rate and inflationary environment. In addition, in the likely case that interest rates will go up in the (near) future, bonds will decrease even further. Inflation will do the rest. My personal strategy: no bonds in the current environment.

Congratulations to your wealth and selling the software company.

🍀👍🚀
by Swiss Bee
Fri Oct 08, 2021 10:14 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Looking for advice - AUSTRIA
Replies: 11
Views: 5441

Re: Looking for advice - AUSTRIA

Hello fellow investor,

I would dissolve the GmbH. Too complicated, inheritance problems, access is inflexible - so in my view, the implications outweigh the benefits. Ich bin selbst Steuerberater 😉

I would do a simple portfolio with an asset allocation you are comfortable with and then get into the market over 6 months (not more).

I personally would not buy bonds, but maybe up to 10% gold.

Just my personal view 😉 Good luck 🍀
by Swiss Bee
Thu Oct 07, 2021 8:12 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Should I add bonds to my portfolio?
Replies: 22
Views: 7242

Re: Should I add bonds to my portfolio?

Well, I don’t think bonds are a good option currently so no thank you to a target date fund with bonds 😉
by Swiss Bee
Mon Oct 04, 2021 11:24 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Anyone using Flowbank?
Replies: 19
Views: 9453

Re: Anyone using Flowbank?

I have looked at Flowbank today. They are based in Geneva, Switzerland, and regulated by FINMA.

They have been founded in 2020, which might be the reason not many people know them. Doing a quick cost comparison on moneyland.ch they seem to be (one of the) cheapest Swiss brokers. I might look into it as their prices are very attractive. That said, they seem to have only 90 employees, which is quite small…

Please let me know if you have experience with them, as they look to be the cheapest broker here in Switzerland 🇨🇭 En guete
by Swiss Bee
Mon Oct 04, 2021 2:36 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Should I add bonds to my portfolio?
Replies: 22
Views: 7242

Re: Should I add bonds to my portfolio?

Very good point - I have never looked at the pension annuity (SS or company) as a bond-like investments. Many thanks 🙏
by Swiss Bee
Mon Oct 04, 2021 12:46 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Diversifying broker and ETF provider risk?
Replies: 4
Views: 2734

Diversifying broker and ETF provider risk?

Good morning fellow investors,

Is anyone diversifying funds across brokers (i.e. Swissquote, IBK etc.) and ETF providers (i.e. Vanguard, Blackrock etc.)?

I am aware that investments are segregated in the unlikely case of a broker going bankrupt, but it’s still a hassle to claim positions back, it takes time and effort, and is annoying if you want liquidity or need to trade.

Many thanks for your thoughts - as always 🙏
by Swiss Bee
Mon Oct 04, 2021 12:33 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Want to buy real estate (land for home), put money at which etf
Replies: 12
Views: 4345

Re: Want to buy real estate (land for home), put money at which etf

The simple answer is: Don’t invest money you need in the next 3-5 years 😉
by Swiss Bee
Mon Oct 04, 2021 12:31 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Should I add bonds to my portfolio?
Replies: 22
Views: 7242

Re: Should I add bonds to my portfolio?

By the way, if you go back to Spain in 2 years, just save up cash and take it with you when you leave 😉