by Larry Edelson
 

I sincerely hope you're spending some time each day over at my personal blog.

If you're looking for extremely valuable investing insights and ideas from your fellow investors and yours truly, it's definitely a place to visit.

Our topic all week long has been: How do YOU build the optimum growth portfolio for 2010? And so far, we've covered THREE major areas: (1) U.S. stocks, (2) foreign stocks and (3) income investments.

That's why, yesterday, we asked ...

Do FIXED-INCOME INVESTMENTS have a place in your portfolio? For income, safety or a proxy for cash?

And if so, what kinds do you own? U.S. Treasuries? Corporate bonds? Municipals? Short-, medium- or long-term maturities?

What other kinds of income investments do you like?

Your responses are, as before, either intriguing or exciting ...

Carole seems to be a dyed-in-the-wool Treasury investor: "I am currently holding U.S. Treasuries (Mutual Fund) long, medium and short term equally. I plan to move away from the long term and emphasize shorter term on these."

Norman W. is totally OUT of U.S. Treasury bonds: "The FED will have to raise rates," he says. "However, even before that I believe foreign demand for our bonds will dry up.

"International bonds are an option. The U.S. dollar should resume its slide in the second quarter of this year, thus inflating yields on international bonds."

Plus, with interest rates so low, I was not surprised to see that many investors have moved from U.S. Treasuries to higher yielding (and higher risk) investments ...

Jimmy B. swears by annuities: "Much of my funds are in Fixed Indexed Annuities that have no downside other than inflation's effect but if the index goes up the return can be reasonably good."

Tom D. writes "I prefer quality dividend-paying stocks that pay decent and consistent yields. I prefer stocks that are for "basic needs" like energy, utilities and consumer staples. If the stock prices decline, the yields increase."

Coleman G. comments "I found WisdomTree International Dividends Ex-Financials (DOO). It seems to have exactly what the income seeking investor wants: The highest dividend-paying stocks from around the world, including the U.S., except for financials (which means these companies must make a PROFIT and then give some of that profit via DIVIDENDS to shareholders)."

Warren W. reports that he owns "... High-yield corporate bond funds, funds that own convertible securities, foreign and emerging market bond funds ... and a Senior Debt Fund."

Overall, if I'd have to rank our readers response, it looks like a third to one-half are income investors and that 80% or more count on vehicles other than U.S. treasuries for their income portfolios.

So, in terms of building a great portfolio for 2010, our readers seem to be giving Treasury bonds a pretty low rating, probably a one or a two on a scale of one to ten.

Now, it's time for today's question:

Is this the time to load up on gold, silver and other precious metals ... or not? Why?

How much of your portfolio have you invested? Do you plan to buy more in the months ahead?

Which are your favorites? Gold? Silver? Platinum? Palladium?

Your answers will go a long way towards helping me help YOU build a more profitable portfolio for 2010.

Just click this link and leave a comment to share your thoughts. I'll add my own thoughts over the weekend or on Monday.

Best wishes,

Larry