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The article presents lists of 27 recommended mutual funds from the investment firms Fidelity, Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, and Pimco, including Fidelity Contrafund, Vanguard Equity Income, and T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth.

The article offers stock price forecasting and economic forecasting for emerging markets. Acknowledging that economic development has slowed in large emerging markets such as China, Brazil and India, the author states that stock prices in such markets remain cheap compared to those countries' potential economic growth. Mutual funds specializing in those stocks are recommended include a fund of the company T. Rowe Price, a fund of the company Dreihaus and the Matthews Asia Dividend Fund.

The article explains how investors can utilize exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to boost returns and hedge their bets. ETFs are mutual funds that trade on exchanges as stocks do. According to the author, ETFs are arguably the most successful financial product in recent history with investors around the world holding more than 1.3 trillion in ETFs. The author adds that ETS give investors more control over their taxes.

The article provides information about various mutual funds' performances at one, three, five, ten, and twenty years. The eleven categories of funds include hybrid funds such as Bruce Fund, international diversified large-company funds, global stock funds such as First Eagle Global A, diversified emerging-markets funds such as Oppenheimer Developing Markets A, sector funds such as USAA Precious Metals & Minerals, and alternative funds such as Janus Long/Short C.

The article deals with the move of Newport Beach, California-based Pacific Investment Management Co. (Pimco) to hire new managers to launch new stock funds. It states that the reputation of the firm rests largely on its flagship mutual fund, Pimco Total Return. From 1987 through June 30, 2009, the fund's institutional-class shares returned 8.3 percent annualized, compared with 7.2 percent a year for the Barclays Aggregate Bond index. The role of the members of Pimco's investment committee in the media attention being received by Pimco is cited.

The article examines various investment products that promise secure returns. Annuities often involve lump-sum investments of $100,000 or more. Investors can expect generous annual withdrawals without fear of outliving their savings, but they often pay from 0.6% to 1% of their initial investment amount for guarantees that include minimum withdrawal benefits or minimum income benefits. Stable-value funds are offered primarily through employers' defined-contribution plans. INSET: SIPC TO THE RESCUE.

The article presents some basic facts about mutual funds. It compares the benefits of investing in mutual funds with stock picking. It claims that stock mutual funds can tap double-digit returns. It offers some tips to investors on selecting mutual funds for their investment portfolio and provides advice on selling funds. INSETS: Peace of mind;Beware of fee creep.

The article details the intention of the management team of Newport Beach, California-based Pacific Investment Management Co. to make the investment company a royalty in all regions of the mutual fund (MF) market in the U.S. The company has hired stock managers Charles Lahr and Anne Gudefin as part of a multilayer initiative to evolve into a more complete provider of global investment solutions for its clients. In addition, the company is considering to launch more hedge-fund-like mutual funds in addition to its Total Return and Global Multi-Asset.

The article focuses on the performance of mutual funds that invest in small foreign companies in the U.S. Oakmark International Small Cap I (OAKEX) has posted a ten-year, annualized gain of 10.1 percent. T. Rowe Price International Discovery (PRIDX) has reported a 4.9 percent annualized gain. Other funds that are mentioned are Vanguard International Explorer (VINEX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index (VFSVX).

The article advises investors about several well-managed balanced funds (BF) in the U.S., which offer portfolio stability and security. One is Vanguard Wellington, which has 48 billion dollars in assets and is one of the largest BF in the nation. Another is T. Rowe Price Personal Strategy Balanced which invests in both large- and small-capitalization domestic and foreign stocks. Also mentioned are Oakmark Equity & Income and Mairs & Power Balanced.

The article focuses on the success of American Funds, the largest mutual fund family in the world. It has more than $1.1 trillion in assets under management. All 11 of the firm's stock funds with ten-year histories have above-average total returns in their categories for the past decade. A majority of American's stock funds have landed in the top 25% among their peers over the past three years. Driving that performance is a philosophy of deep research and investing for the long term. INSET: A Guide to American's Biggest Stock Funds.

The article focuses on the momentum strategy being applied by Janet Brown in her selecting mutual funds in her "NoLoadFund*X" newsletter. Brown selects funds based on their short-term performance and ranks them by their resulting scores. The author notes that Fund*X has beaten the U.S. stock market annually since 1997, when Brown acquired the firm that publishes the letter. The article explains the momentum-based approach to fund selection.

The article looks at mutual fund investing and fund management in the U.S. as of 2013, focusing on the performance of particular fund managers including Ken Heebner, Bruce Berkowitz, and Bill Miller, managers of the CGM Focus, Fairholme Fund, and Legg Mason Opportunity mutual funds, respectively. It discusses criteria for assessing fund managers in the context of volatility in fund performance.

The article discusses stable-value mutual funds. Stable-value funds offer higher yields than money-market funds and are less volatile than stocks funds. Assets held by stable-value funds may include corporate bonds or annuities. However, Jeff Elvander of advisory firm 401(k) Advisors says stable-value funds include restrictions governing when and how investors may withdraw money.

The article looks at the reaction of investors to municipal bonds. The withdrawal of investors from U.S. municipal bond mutual funds between November 2010 and May 2011 has forced a drop in municipal bond prices, allowing investors undeterred by economic forecasts to invest cheaply. The author comments on the municipal bond investments of customers with brokerage accounts with TD Ameritrade.

The article discusses the feasibility of investing in small foreign firms, and the U.S.-based investment funds that invested in such firms. Some of the funds mentioned are T. Rowe Price International Discovery, which invested in the small German semiconductor components firm Aixtron, the no-load mutual fund Oakmark International Small Cap I, and the Wasatch International Opportunities fund which invest in small companies. INSET: FOREIGN FUND JEWELS.

The article presents information on balanced funds, mutual funds that usually invest 60 percent in stocks and 40 percent in bonds. The fund is focused on buying low stocks and selling them high. Three balanced funds are Vanguard Wellington, T. Rowe Price Personal Strategy Balanced and Oakmark Equity & Income I.

The article discusses factors to consider before selling one's investments in a mutual fund. An investor should think seriously about the consequences behind overturning his or her asset allocation. Emerging-markets funds have on average lost 60% in 2008 through December 5. Reviewing individual calendar-year returns is a recommended way of assessing a fund's performance.

The article examines the reasons why Grizzly Short fund continues to profit as the U.S. financial market continues to fall. Grizzly Short is one of only two of the 10 best bear funds in the 2008 that do not use leverage to boost returns. The managers at Leuthold Weeden, the fund's sponsor, send stocks through computer models that consider everything from insider purchases to stock-price momentum. Co-manager Matt Paschke says the fund's allocation to financial stocks has been trimmed and is now 15% to 20%, down from 30% to 35% in March 2008. INSET: A BUSTED MERGER COSTS FBR FOCUS DEARLY.

The article reports on the performance of closed-end funds that sell options in the U.S. These funds employ a relatively conservative strategy to churn out exceptional yields that can rise along with market volatility. Because of broad, indiscriminate selling that began last July 2007, many closed-end covered-call funds now trade at 10 percent to 15 percent discounts to net asset value making them good buys. INSET: THE NEW GUY AT PRICE GROWTH MAKES HIS MARK.

The article discusses the Pimco Total Return Exchange-Traded Fund. Between February 2012 and March 7, 2013 the fund has posted a return of 12.2%. Even though the fund will become eligible to use derivatives soon, fund manager Bill Gross says he will not employ them much. He further observes that the low interest rates he expects for the next six to 12 months could result in an annual return for the fund of about 3.5%.

The article discusses the PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility exchange-traded fund (ETF) portfolio, with information on balancing rates of return with risk. Topics include the fund's volatility compared to the Standard & Poor 500 in 2012, other low-volatility ETFs ranked by one-year returns, and data and statistics regarding the fund's assets, yields, and weekly closes.

The article reports on investment vehicles known as bank-loan mutual funds, which buy floating-rate bank loans. It notes as of 2012 the funds offer better returns and less vulnerability to inflation than many other kinds of funds, which has led to a large inflow of individual investment. Analysts are quoted on the higher risk associated with these funds, noting they lost more value during the 2008 financial crisis than did junk-bond funds.

The article discusses investing in silver. Both gold and silver have enjoyed strong price increases during 2010, although silver has been much more volatile due in part to its various industrial uses. Chris Burba of financial-information firm Standard & Poor's thinks silver prices are vulnerable to a pullback. Rather than invest in a silver exchange-traded fund, the author recommends investing in the Pimco Commodity RealReturn Strategy D fund.

The article discusses two mutual funds investors may find useful in diversifying their portfolios. K. C. Nelson is the lead manager of the Driehaus Active Income Fund, which both buys bonds and shorts them. Alan Hart and Guy Benstead run the Forward Long/Short Credit Analysis fund, which focuses on municipal and corporate bonds and preferred stocks. INSET: How a Fund Shorts a Bond.

The article presents investment suggestions and economic analysis for July 2010, focusing on the bond market. It is argued that U.S. government securities have ceased to be a good investment, and municipal bonds are a better option. Changes in the way ratings agencies assess municipal bonds are noted in this context. Mutual funds which invest in foreign bonds are also recommended.

The article discusses the Web site InvestForLess.com. For an annual $250 fee members can purchase load funds through the site commission-free. InvestForLess also makes it easier for investors to buy shares in funds that have high minimum-purchase levels. The site's custodian, Scottrade, furnishes members with their monthly account statements.

The article discusses investing in ethical mutual funds. Such funds typically avoid investing in companies with exposure to alcohol, tobacco, and gaming. By one account ethical funds have underperformed their peers over a recent ten-year period. Another approach to ethical investing would be to mimic Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett and invest in firms regardless of what business they are in, and donate a portion of your profits to charity.

The article focuses on the strong performance of the fund Aegis Value on 2009 which is said to be a result of investments in small, misunderstood companies including Dana Holding and Horsehead Holding.

The author discusses why India may be better positioned than China to sustain rapid growth over the next few years. He says that the reason for this lies in the basic makeup of their respective economies. According to the author, India also has the ability to foster good home-grown businesses. A chart that shows the 20 largest stock mutual funds in 2009, ranked by size, is presented.

The article features FMI Common Stock, a company that invests in small- and medium-size firms. The company has continuously improved, gaining 33.9% from January to October 8, 2009. The investment fund also grew by 80.8% since the stock market hit rock bottom on March 9, 2009, driven by heavy investments in economically sensitive firms, such as industrial control equipment firm Rockwell Automation and Kirby Corp., the top inland tank-barge operator in the U.S.

The article reports that some mutual fund managers in the U.S. are recovering as their funds rebound. Bill Miller is back in the business after his flagship mutual fund, Legg Mason Value Trust (LMVTX), outperformed the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index by posting an 83 percent growth. Harry Lange, manager of Fidelity Magellan (FMAGX), has also recovered with his fund gaining 64 percent. ON the other hand, Mason Hawkins and Staley Cates of Longleaf Partners (LLPFX) are working on loss protection for their investments.

The article offers tips on reducing investment costs. It is recommended to use the Instant X-Ray feature on the web site of Morningstar which calculates fees of mutual funds. It is also suggested to look for an online bargain broker such as Fidelity and WellsTrade. It is advised to negotiate fees charged by advisers.

The article assesses the yields provided by the S&P 500 Capital Appreciation principal-protected fund to investors in the U.S. While the fund promises a yield of at least 150% of an investor's principal in ten years and less fees and expenses, the previous decline in the market shows that such return may or may not happen. A comparison of the principal-protected fund with target-date retirement funds is presented.

The article discusses factors to consider when to hold a fund or when to fold. Various tips are presented which include selling stock funds which are the riskiest, sizing up the performance of one's fund against its peers, and considering the fund's expense ratio. The author also suggests that before selling fund, there should be a plan for the cash.

The article focuses on the investment strategy of mutual fund Caldwell & Orkin Market Opportunity in the U.S. It states that the fund made some smart short sales on financial and retail stocks, and by maintaining a hefty cash position. Manager Michael Orkin uses economic forecasting, market timing and company-by-company research to come up with a list of stocks to buy and a list to sell short. Since its inception in 1991, the fund has gained 10.0 percent annualized, with one-third less volatility.

The article discusses the strategies of different mutual funds. Stephen Lieber, who co-manages Alpine Dynamic Innovators with his son Samuel, believes that innovation in the finance industry is in high demand. Sequenom announced the success of its tests for a product to determine Down syndrome in fetuses. A chart showing the 20 largest stock mutual funds in 2008 is also presented. INSETS: RETURNS FOR 3,000+ FUNDS ONLINE;EXPLANATION OF TERMS.

The article features the different funds that perform well amid the increase in bond yields in 2008. ProFunds provides two mutual funds and two exchange traded funds that gain along with falling Treasury prices. The regular funds refer to the ProFunds Rising Rates Opportunity 10 and ProFunds Rising Rates Opportunity. The exchange-traded funds are ProShares Ultrashort Lehman 7-10 Year Treasury and ProShares Ultrashort Lehman 20+ Year Treasury.

The article presents information on the investments of Bob Auer, co-manager of Auer Growth fund. His strategy is to look at a company only if its profits are expanding at a minimum annual clip of 25% and its stock sells for 12 times earnings or less. Auer favors the metal company Thompson Creek Metals. ATP Oil & Gas meets Auer's criteria for growth.

The article offers a look at the stock market performance of Growth Fund of America. Growth Fund produces remarkably solid results even though assets total nearly $200 billion. The author notes that it is the only fund company that has ever come close to handling an asset base of $180 billion. Growth Fund of America is included in American Funds' 12 stock funds, which are operated by Capital Research and Management Co.

The article focuses on municipal bonds where their interest is generally exempt from federal income taxes. State and local governments and related agencies to finance general operations or public projects issue these bonds. The article also features several municipal mutual funds with low expenses including both open-end funds such as Fidelity Intermediate Municipal Income (FLTMX) and closed-end funds such as Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2 (NXQ).

The article presents information on the 130/30 fund in the U.S. Many of these funds seek to produce a few percentage points per year of extra return over a full market cycle without taking on more risk than a fund's benchmark index. The distinguishing feature of 130/30 funds is their idiosyncratic use of short selling. INSET: HOW A 130/30 FUND WORKS.

The article assesses the decision of Amana Income to use a religious approach in investments. Amana Income, with a one-year return of 17%, beat the average fund in its category by 12 percentage points. That is because it invests according to Islamic principles, which shun debt and interest. So the fund avoids lenders as well as those laden with debt. Manager Nicholas Kaiser is prohibited from owning bonds, so he looks instead to strong dividend growers to generate a steady stream of income.

The article offers suggestions on investing in mutual funds in the U.S. With $500 or less, one can invest in Hodges fund with annual return of 24%, Excelsior Value & Restructuring with annual return of 17%, Homestead Value with annual return of 13% and Homestead International Value with annual return of 17%. A balanced fund can help investors to diversity because it puts two-thirds of its assets in stocks and the rest in bonds and cash. Examples of this type of fund include Pax World Balanced and Oakmark Equity and Income.

The article focuses on the growth of the Spectra Fund. In the hands of Fred Alger Management, a high-octane growth specialist, the fund returned a spectacular 32% annualized from 1991 through 1999. Patrick Kelly, the fund's manager since 2004, searches for dynamic companies that he thinks can surpass Wall Street's expectations. According to Morningstar, almost half of the fund's $214 million in assets are in small and midsize companies.

The article focuses on several bank loan funds, mutual funds that invest in bank loans, in the U.S. In its first four full years, no-load fund Fidelity Floating Rate High Income's annual returns have ranged from 4.2 to 6.5 percent. LMP Corporate Loan Fund, a closed-end fund, had 96 percent of its assets in first-lien loans, mostly made to companies rated BB. Launched in 1988, closed-end fund ING Prime Rate Trust returned an annualized 7.9 percent on assets over the past five years.

This article features couple Bob and Melissa Kenches and how they deal with capital gains distributions taxes. It discusses how the couple makes money from home-sales. It explains how capital gains distributions from mutual funds are taxed in the U.S. It says that the couple did not have an idea on how much taxes they owe to the government in capital-gains distributions generated from their nine mutual funds. It advises couples to pay their taxes before they are due.