Im currently deployed to Iraq going into my 2nd month here and I had a few questions about possible investments. What would you guys recommend that I invest in for the most return within a years time frame? Im looking to maximize the extra money I'm receiving every month for being in a combat zone. I currently have a few mutual funds, and a money market account through USAA. I am also maxed out on roth IRA as well. Im a junior officer as of now putting away about 2k a month. I want to be able to have some "fun" money when I return next november without having to worry about dipping into what I currently have saved up. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

1LT Cantu
C 4/9 Cav,2BCT, 1CD
FOB Prosperity
Baghdad, Iraq

 

just my .02

get a good returning MF, like the Janus Overseas fund for ex. (I look for the no-load, low maint. funds mostly) Janus has some other good ones also.

or buy into some beaten down Tech(or others) stocks that have room to move.. that are solid companies and making money

I have a USAA account also, but don't buy into their funds..

good luck in Iraq,

from a USAF ret.

 

what are some good examples of tech stocks that I could research?

 

here's a few to research:

GLW, INTC, AMD, ORCL, VSH, SWKS, ATML, LVLT, CIEN, JDSU, PMCS, RFMD, SNDK, STEC


do your on DD on these.. STEC has been a great performer over the last 6 mo., and it looks like they have a good position in their market.. for at least the next 18 to 24 mo., they have some good products that the military is purchasing and they don't have much competion in that area right now.. their earnings are up and going higher..

of the above, some are more stable then others, some have more growth potential then others. I think they are all good companies, I don't have positions in them all, but in a good number of them.. and if I had more free cash right now, I'd take a position in most of them, myself. You hold a year and avoid short term capital gains tax.

I've watched and or owned the above for many years, seen their highs and their lows.. there is always a risk in the market, look what 911 did to it.. but if you sit back and do nothing, you may be saying "I wished I bought in to xyz 6 mo. ago" ..
it's like the lotto, you can't win unless you play.. I've had my share of bad days, and I've had some great days..

you can trade with USAA, I think it's about $12 a trade.. you can check it out on their web sight.. it's not a bad charge.. I wouldn't use broker assist, more money...

don't forget you can put your stops in to help protect yourself.. (minimize the losses) buy into more then one, makes it a bit safer... invest in different areas..

when you research the above, you can find their competitors, that will lead you to more companies to check into...

hope this helps some

I knew a Richard Cantu once, from Texas

stay safe..!
Craig

 

Thanks for the info, greatly appreciate it.

On another note, what part of texas did you know richard from?? I have an uncle that retired last august after 34/35 years in the Army, also named Richard (living in Germany now). He is from Brownsville,Texas, but being in the military you probably met him elsewhere. Small world if it is him,lol.


thanks again,

juan

 

I wouldn't expect great things from GLW. I had some for a while and it did nothing.

Trying to catch a high flyer tech is going to be hard without being on top of it all the time. You need to read all the news and talk like a fanboy because they can turn on you if you don't pay attention.

Why not look at NYX or MA or GS or another finance/brokerage stock? GOOG is a good bet, most analysts have it pegged in the $550-$650 range for next year.

 

the Richard Cantu I know, is USAF retired.. probably mid 50's.. speaks spanish and french fluently.. used to work for the FAA in OKC.. a good buddy..


as the other poster said.. GLW has been dead for awhile.. but it moved from $2 to $25 in quick time.. it's a solid company and can go higher.. flat panel TVs are moving like crazy this Xmas.. could see a spike.. but who knows.. it was just a company to look at, and to compare to competitors..

anyway.. good luck.. do your own DD

keep the faith
Craig

 

Well my uncle is in his 50's and happened to be the MEPS Station Recruiting Commander for OKC at one point; but his is Army not AF. He also speaks 7 languages due to being SF Ranger,lol.

 

For one year? get into something a little volatile trying to max it out. Stocks is your best option...otherwise Mutual Funds can give you some good, what are your expectations? Energy/Foreign/sector specifics are best for returns as well as for loss

Dude, with all that money you saving, become a member. Be safe over there.

 

Invest in energy. I believe ExxonMobil / BP / ConocoPhilips have had GREAT years. I hate to say this (as you are stationed in Iraq), but with Pres. Bush's most recent statement, it looks like we are going to be in there for a while longer. And with the recent deployment of a US / British battlegroup to the Persian Gulf, coupled with the rise of Hammas in Lebanon also point to a longer engagement, and possibly over into Iran (the current sanctions are not going to do squat...like the Lybian embargo years ago, as companies will just get around them with off-shore based subsidiaries that are not based in UN countries.....Canary Islands / Bahamas are popular countries for thes shell corps.). This is going to keep oil prices high over at least the next year.

And BP (or maybe it was a local African oil company) I believe paid a record for exploratory rights off the Ivory Coast / central Africa ...an area most companies had given up on.

These companies will also be investing in fixed assets, as they are still recovering from the damage caused by the 2005 hurricane season in the Gulf (damaged rigs and refineries). There is also a bottleneck in the refining process, I believe due to the limited facilities. There might be some more expansion refining capacity added, but not in the US.

As far as a 1 year investment, I would not expect anything stellar. Short term investments never provide as large a gain as long term investments. There is no "secret" to investment. Its reading the facts and evaluating the corresponding risk level.

Just my $.02

John