Some intermediate funds extend maturities well past the intermediate part of the yield curve to time the market or boost returns, adding market risk.

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Mr. SCHWEITZER: Well, the Ramona Valley is a intermediate area in the back country of San Diego that is almost exactly 20 miles away from the ocean and 20 miles away from the desert.

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"When you have a company that subsidizes each sale with its own cash and the company has significant competition from eMachines and NetZero, enormous losses and little prospect for near-term or intermediate-term profitability, no one should be surprised that the offering didnt do well, " says Charles.

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Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with long technical names often use catchy or easy-to-remember symbols in order to bolster their marketability as well as indicate their portfolios. (NYSE: MUNI) is the ticker for Pimco Intermediate Muni Bond Strategy ETF which invests in municipal bonds, while (NYSE: CORN) represents Teucrium Corn Fund ETF that tracks the price of corn.

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