Managed Funds Good time to invest in Japan?

Discussion in 'Shares & Funds' started by sharejunky, 8th Dec, 2007.

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  1. sharejunky

    sharejunky Well-Known Member

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    Japan seems to be in recovery mode - would Platinum Japan Fund be
    a good one to get into, or are there better funds?
     
    sharejunky, 8th Dec, 2007
    #1
  2. Simon Hampel

    Simon Hampel Founder Staff Member

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    Given how far Platinum Japan has fallen from its highs, and also given that it has had several "recoveries" before falling further, I'd personally be waiting to see a more sustained recovery first before getting back in to that fund.

    ... unless you have a high conviction that the Japanese markets are about to boom and that the AUD isn't going to continue to rise against the Yen.

    [chart=CF;PLA0003AU;from2;mav;20071207]Platinum Japan Fund[/chart]

    Personally, I'm a little reluctant to invest in a single country (other than Australia), since you have both single-market risks AND currency risks to deal with - and no diversification to cope with downturns in that single economy. Unless you are happy to move in-and-out of the fund as it fluctuates.

    Despite some very good years, the Platinum Japan fund hasn't been a very consistent performer. Have a look at: Quarterly Performance: Platinum Japan Fund (PLA0003AU) ... note that the median quarterly return is only 1.9%, which is a lot lower than the Navra AUS funds (for comparison) !
     
    Simon Hampel, 8th Dec, 2007
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  3. samaka

    samaka Well-Known Member

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    What makes you say this? Is there an index your following?
     
    samaka, 8th Dec, 2007
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  4. sharejunky

    sharejunky Well-Known Member

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    Actually I'm just looking to diversify a bit more - currently in Platinum Asia, AXA Wholesale Global Equity, Hunter Hall Value Growth and Advance Asia. Just sold out of the Challenger Wholesale China Fund with a 108% profit after 15 months, but obviously that's not likely to happen again anytime soon :)
    The US market looks like it might be struggling to move up much for a while, China looks like too much of a bubble, Oz stocks appear mostly fully valued - maybe I should just sit on the sidelines for a while? :)
     
    sharejunky, 8th Dec, 2007
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  5. MichaelW

    MichaelW Well-Known Member

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    MichaelW, 10th Dec, 2007
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  6. bdang007

    bdang007 Member

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    yeh I hope you are wrong as well, I just bought into macq china trust. I think as long as they're accumulating steel/iron ore etc etc they will still be booming. From what I've read, they're still as hungry for materials as ever. It will probably will be a bubble and it will burst, but when?
     
    bdang007, 12th Dec, 2007
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  7. voigtstr

    voigtstr Well-Known Member

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    World war III (U.S. vs China) will probably be tough on china shares :)
     
    voigtstr, 12th Dec, 2007
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  8. bdang007

    bdang007 Member

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    haha world war 3? Bush will no longer be in charge, likely candidates is hilary clinton, the african american and the italian... I think it'll be safe for a few more years =]
     
    bdang007, 12th Dec, 2007
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  9. sharejunky

    sharejunky Well-Known Member

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    Haven't seen anything to change my mind yet - the initial plunge from the bull market's highs at the end of October was followed by a classic bear rally on low volume, with the second stage of the bear market decline commencing a few days ago. Stocks across the board are in fullscale retreat which historically often turns into a major rout... Anyone disagree with this assessment?
     
    sharejunky, 18th Dec, 2007
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  10. sharejunky

    sharejunky Well-Known Member

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    Just rediscovered this which I posted three months ago - are you guys still
    clinging onto those China funds?
     
    sharejunky, 19th Mar, 2008
    #10
  11. Simon Hampel

    Simon Hampel Founder Staff Member

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    [chart=CF;HBC0027AU;lasty;mav;20080318]Challenger China Share Fund[/chart]

    [chart=CF;WAR0012AU;lasty;mav;20080318]Challenger Asian Share Fund[/chart]

    [chart=CF;PLA0004AU;lasty;mav;20080318]Platinum Asia Fund[/chart]

    [chart=CF;PLA0003AU;lasty;mav;20080318]Platinum Japan Fund[/chart]
     
    Simon Hampel, 19th Mar, 2008
    #11
  12. sharejunky

    sharejunky Well-Known Member

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    Nice charts Sim :) I guess that would qualify as a 'major rout'?
     
    sharejunky, 19th Mar, 2008
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  13. Simon Hampel

    Simon Hampel Founder Staff Member

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    Challenger China (everyone's favourite fund) ... in the space of 12 months up 85% then back down to almost where it started ... now THAT is volatility :D

    I didn't have any money invested in that fund (couldn't get good enough LVRs), but I did have significant exposure to Platinum Asia - which I was quite disappointed with in the end - sold out at a loss (but I feel a bit better knowing that most of the Asian funds suffered more!)
     
    Simon Hampel, 19th Mar, 2008
    #13
  14. Tropo

    Tropo Well-Known Member

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    What a view ....:D

    But if you read those charts up side down those Funds are very good performers. :p:D
     
    Tropo, 19th Mar, 2008
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  15. BillV

    BillV Well-Known Member

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    ShareJunky
    You must have been one of the few who saw the writing on the wall :)
    What do you do for a living if you don't mind me asking.
    Cheers
     
    BillV, 21st Mar, 2008
    #15