Masonry Magazine January 2003 Page. 47
dependent on income tax receipts such
dependent on income tax receipts such as California, New York, and other New England and Great Lakes states, but think Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina and Virginia will stage a comeback as the economy recovers, he predicted.
As for which sectors we prefer
As for which sectors we prefer, we recognize that the recession has led to the worst deterioration of balance sheets since WWII. Consequently, we are de emphasizing tourist-related areas and are still avoiding airport bonds. Unlike the Federal Government, state governments cannot run deficits. We also like real revenue bonds, such as water and sewer, but are avoiding healthcare issues as they've suffered problems, said Carpenter.
We are also avoiding tobacco bonds
We are also avoiding tobacco bonds like the plague, Carpenter noted. As part of the settlement of lawsuits states brought against the big tobacco companies, these companies were required to pay the states money to be used for anti-smoking campaigns and to pay health benefits to smokers. But several states have issued bonds based upon these payments. "This is not a general obligation of the state," Carpenter advised. Some states are using these funds, not for their intended purpose but to cover their deficits, he said.
As a top down manager in the international equity style
As a top down manager in the international equity style, we are favoring investing predominantly in Europe (75 percent), to a smaller degree in Asia (22 percent), as well as allocating much smaller amounts to the nations of Brazil, Mexico and Canada, said Alfredo Rotemberg, Portfolio Manager, International Equity Investments.
We favor the United Kingdom over other countries in Europe
We favor the United Kingdom over other countries in Europe because of its low rates and better growth rates, according to Rotemberg. We are over-weighting U.K. banks that we believe are healthy and have good margins. We also like certain industrials. We love Australia because the country is leveraged to mining and basic materials, and we like Emerging Asia whose success is leveraged to consumer consumption, Rotemberg said.
But we are not currently investing in Germany
But we are not currently investing in Germany because we think growth in Germany has come to almost a stand-still, unemployment is rising and the government's revenue is eroding, causing taxes to climb, Rotemberg said. And in Japan, the weak banking system will likely mean some banks will be put into bankruptcy.
"2002 has been an exciting year for our funds,"
"2002 has been an exciting year for our funds," said Kathleen Barr, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the Armada Funds. We have done well expanding the distribution of our funds outside of National City to second-tier wirehouses and regional broker/dealers. We hang our reputation on three core objectives: diversification, asset allocation and risk management. And we are continuing to offer new funds, such as the Armada Short Duration Bond Fund we launched last month, and the Small/Mid Cap Value Fund we launched earlier this year, she said. In 2003, we expect to debut a high yield bond fund.
The information herein was obtained
The information herein was obtained by various sources: National City Investment Management Company does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Investments in securities are not insured or guaranteed by a bank or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency and involve investment risks, including the possible loss of the principal amount invested.
These views represent the opinions of
These views represent the opinions of National City Investment Management Company (IMC) and are not intended to predict or depict performance of any investment. These views are as of December 4, 2002, and should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any mutual fund or any stock in particular, and are subject to change based on subsequent developments. This material is not intended as investment advice, for which a financial advisor should be consulted. The purchase and sale information provided should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell a security. There is no assurance as of the date of this material that the securities mentioned remain in the portfolios managed by IMC.
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