Dear Dave,

My broker has recommended a managed futures fund. I've never heard of these, and I got the feeling she doesn't know much about them, either. She's always been very conservative and reliable before, so we're concerned. Can you explain something about them?

- Krista

Dear Krista,

It sounds a little like she jumped off the cliff and became a roulette dealer. The term "managed futures” is virtually an oxymoron. I think she needs to explain her behavior and the investment after this stunt!

With managed futures you're basically betting on the future price of a commodity. What's the price of gold, or oil, or wheat going to be somewhere down the road? You're guessing as to what the future will bring, and managing a group of those guesses. What a joke!

People in the brokerage business represent dumb things every day. The sad thing is this is someone you thought you could trust.

- Dave