February 16, 2004
I agree that there should be full disclousure as far as possible. That might explain why some funds charge as much as four times more than others. Fund size does not seem to be a factor. I have tried and tried to determine how to go from gross to net using unhidden numbers. But it cant be done. Example--what are the trading costs and what are costs and what else is thrown into that pot. How can some funds prosper on less than .5 and others charge as much as 8 -- with a straight face. It seems that with some fund companies the bigger they get the more they charge.
12B1 charges are a fraud on the face of it. Its original purpose has long ceased be a factor. Now it is just a screen for another expence. So lets get real and dump it.
Under the table services between funds and brokers is just another scam to hide costs from investers.