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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Market Winners & Losers: Liz Claiborne, Wachovia
David O'Brien
FOXBusiness
On the last trading day of the year, the holiday spirit prevailed. Not even news of Russia cutting off natural-gas supplies to the Ukraine could hamper the traders’ hopes, as the major indices were up around 1.5%.
As we look to shake off this last year and move into more prosperous 2009, here are today’s winners and losers.
Winners
CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. (CBG)
With Freddie Mac reporting 30-year fixed-rate mortgages at record lows, CBG saw shares up 52 cents, or 13.7%, on the day, closing at $4.32.
Liz Claiborne Inc. (LIZ)
Maybe news that the company’s CEO flies only coach-class showed that its financial future is a little sounder than some had thought. Shares of the retailer were up more than 10%, or 25 cents, on Wednesday, last trading at $2.60.
American Capital Ltd. (ACAS)
The asset management group was up on the whole, and ACAS was no exception. The stock made major gains in the last few hours of trading, ending the day up 30 cents, or 10.2%, at $3.24.
ProLogis (PLD)
A company that has been on a steady climb to end the year finished the last day of trading up more than 10%. The stock which once traded at just over two dollars in November finished the year at $13.89, a gain of $1.28.
Macy’s Inc. (M)
Despite slipping Internet sales and charges of over charging the retailer had a banner last day up 94 cents, or 10%, to $10.35.
Losers
General Motors Corp. (GM)
News that it may have to extend its loan to GMAC into next year didn’t help the already struggling auto maker as it fell 60 cents, or nearly 16% Wednesday, closing at $3.20.
Sprint Nextel Corp. (S)
Continued financial troubles and the deferment of its “financial true-up process” has hurt the company as of late, driving the stock down eight cents, or 4.2%, to $1.83 a share.
Express Scripts Inc. (ESRX)
All gains made Tuesday were erased Wednesday, as the stock sank $2.38, or more than 4%. The stock ended the trading day at $53.98.
Wachovia Corp. (WB)
This year was not the easiest for the banks -- and Wachovia ended the year with a last minute fall, dropping 3.3%. It closed at $5.54 a loss of 19 cents.
Dow Chemical Co. (DOW)
DOW is still feeling the pain from the failed deal with Kuwait. The stock fell 46 cents, or nearly 3%, to $15.09.
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Some mutual funds want you to pay for the privilege of them (or your investment adviser) taking your money to invest. It's called a load, and it works like a cover charge to get into a nightclub. Luckily, there are such things as no-load funds. As the name implies, shares of these funds are sold without a fee paid to a broker or investment advisor.
The entire amount you invest in no-load funds goes to work for your returns. On the other hand, with load funds, right off the bat you're charged commission (not to mention other fees incurred over the life of the investment). Let's say, for example, you invest $25,000 into a load fund that charges a 5% commission. This costs you $1,250 off the top, bringing your actual investment down to only $23,750.
The often-cited horse race analogy argues against investing in load funds. Here's the logic behind it: Would you place a bet on a horse that had to start a race 200 yards behind the others? Well, maybe you would if you got a tip from a sketchy, trench coat-clad man in a dark alley. However, under most circumstances, it's not smart to put your money on that handicapped horse.
But some argue that at times that man in the trench coat (aka your broker) knows more about the horses than you do, and has a better shot at picking a winner. Also, sometimes these fees are unavoidable because some funds are available only through investment advisers.
Cost-benefit analysis can help determine when a load fund is worth it (in other words, when it will score you a load) and when it is better to "do it yourself" and avoid the fees. Load-fund fees range depending on share class and can cover a variety of costs, such as paper work and fund management.
