Replies to post #199795 on Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

In general, I shun ETFs and mutual funds because of their fees—about 1% in the case of LABU.

As a way of making a bearish bet on the biotech sector, shorting LABU may have some merit; however, if I were convinced that biotech stocks were unduly expensive, I would short specific biotech names rather than an ETF.

[JJM760]

RE:Labu/Labd

These are 3X leveraged that are not meant for "investing" because as you hold long term, decay and volatility will eat you alive.

I have been day trading and swing trading them recently and as someone else mentioned, they are not for the faint of heart. They take extreme discipline with stops and profit taking. I think LABD would make a good hedge in the event that the biotech market gets ahead of itself again (and it will someday).

FYI, Ameritrade would not let me short LABU today. Had to go long LABD.

EDIT: Days/few weeks at most for a hold, but I usually sell out at the end of the day. I read somewhere that you avoid the fees if you don't hold them. Not sure.