Thank you Poe and Chamois. 

I believe Chamois answered a couple of my questions on this forum 2-3 years back. I know he is the big guy here.

The reason why I started this thread is that I am trying to rebuild the fixed income part of my portfolio with the objective of receiving consistant dividants and free up as much capital for the long term growth part of portfolio, which I do not like to liquidate for income use (with exception of paying tax). Some of these investments, other than OEFs, are really not liquid but can generate good growth over long run.

As for the fixed income, I like to preserve the capital(at least most of it), avoid inflation risks (the infaltion is definatly here), also avoid quality risk and poor management, but I don't mine about the usual stock market volatilities.  And as mentioned above, I will require the consistant monthly/quarter income. I would be thankful if you guys can give me any kind of investment ideas, outside of CEFs, suitalbe for my fixed inomce portfolio.

Chamois,

Regarding MLP, are the distributions tax as ordinary income? or qualify dividant? I heard that they are taxed differently. And what type of risks do they usually face? Inflation risks? Any others?

The Eaton Vance funds you mentioned also look interesting. But I kind of think that part of the good performance was due to their allocation in international stocks. It is, however, a good idea, to diversify the income port into the international area also. I will definatly looking into them closely.

Poe,

I love LSBRX and other Loomis Sayles funds. Loomis is really the best in bond fund. I do plan to have these funds as a big part of my fixed income port.

I didn't know Dreman has a couple CEFs and I am suprised that they are doing so poorly. His OEFs are doing good (well, the large cap fund, DRLVX, is also lacking).

Also like to comment that one reason I am looking at CEF is that, as pointed out in the annual reports of Royce CEFs, CEF does not issue reddmable securities therefore the funds do not need to liquidate to meet demands, inevest in good values when appear and less liquid stocks, create a levarage and pay consistant dividant on quarterly basis. But I must agree with you that most CEFs are poorly managed and really don't preserve capital at all.