Metering is ON

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Nuance Communications stock a leader

Dear Mr. Berko: Sometime during the first couple months of 2010, my two brothers and I each bought 400 shares of Nuance Communications at about $22.50 on the advice of our broker whom you recommended to us nearly ten years ago.

 

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On the market for Monsanto

Dear Mr. Berko: Early last year, you recommended Monsanto Chemical. I bought 50 shares in my IRA and 50 shares in my wife’s IRA at $66.

The true value of Thomas Kinkade artwork

Dear Mr. Berko: In 1993, my husband and I purchased two Thomas Kinkade scenic paintings for $28,000.

Low interest rates make for desperate decisions

Dear Mr. Berko: I am 78, my wife is 81, and like many investors today, we want income.

High-yield junk bonds not recommended

Dear Mr. Berko: I know from previous columns that you don’t approve of investments in those high yielding mortgage stocks like American Capital Agency, CYS Investments, Hatteras Capital and others paying 15 percent to shareholders.

U.S. Savings bonds have morphed into electronics

Dear Mr. Berko: I’m 41 years old and I have 17 $1,000 U.S. Savings Bonds given to me over the years by my grandparents (who have passed away) to celebrate various milestones in my life.

It’s OK to be skeptical of the financial media

Dear Mr. Berko: My broker wants me to buy 300 shares of Pitney Bowes at $17.50. Does this make sense, considering that post office mail volume is falling?

‘You’ve been snookered’ on silver coins purchase

Dear Mr. Berko: During the past 25 years, I purchased over $47,000 in collectable silver coins and beautiful non silver coins from the Franklin Mint for my retirement because I thought the scarcity and limited edition minting of these coins would drive up their value over the years.

Baseball cards no longer a hot item

Dear Mr. Berko: An old neighbor began collecting baseball memorabilia in the early 1990s and died last year at 83.

To sell or not to sell

Dear Mr Berko:I bought 100 shares of Sears Holding last year at $69 and it went to $80, and I wanted to sell it but my broker told me he thought it could easily go back to $100 because the economy is improving.

Saving the students from loan debts

Dear Mr. Berko: I am writing for two reasons. Given the right economic conditions, I will retire in 10 years at 67 but may have to work a little beyond that.

Escaping all fates but number one

Dear Mr. Berko: I own a very profitable manufacturing plant here in Phoenix that has 37 employees, which I built from the ground up and you are the reason for my success.

Soybean-frosted market goes best with a slice of grape pie

Dear Mr. Berko: Like you, I think the Dow Jones is way too high and that current prices for many stocks are too high. But I have $26,000 I can afford to put at risk in the market. I don’t want to buy commodities or …

LinkedIn a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious concept

Dear Mr. Berko: I am 67 and will retire in November of this year. Through my employer, I converted almost all of my 401(k) into a guaranteed income annuity that next January will begin to pay me a guaranteed $1,312.26 a month until I pass away.

There is no best way to invest in copper

Dear Mr. Berko: My IRA has performed poorly this year and last year. I own some of the supposedly better mutual funds, and for the past two years, my $88,000 account has only increased in value to $101,000.

With investment, stick with devil you know

Dear Mr. Berko: I’m a teacher in Pennsylvania and need your help in selecting a good international mutual fund with TIAA-CREF.