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Leverage cuts both ways

Q

What do you think about muni managed funds like Blackrock’s MYD? It currently yields around 7.5% tax free, and 38% of the money they use is leveraged at these very low current interest rates. Yes, there is a management fee of over 1%, but they still throw off a net monthly income of over 7.5%. P.S. I’m one of your customers!

J.M., Florida

A

James A. Klotz responds:

As we learned the hard way during the financial crisis of 2008, leverage cuts both ways and can reverse itself very quickly following swings in market value of the underlying assets, which can be violent and occur when least expected.

We are always a bit leery of products that profess to outperform the assets they are comprised of.

Nov 22, 2011

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