FI360

• It's Only Natural

  By Stan Luxenburg  |  October 1, 2007

  After languishing in 2002, natural resources funds began climbing. During the past three years, the average fund in the category returned 28.8 percent annually, according...

• Power Up

  By Stan Luxenburg  |  July 1, 2007

  When Enron filed for bankruptcy in 2001, utilities funds collapsed--losing 21.1 percent for the year. The losses continued in 2002, as investors worried that power...

• Real (Estate) Returns

  By Stan Luxenburg  |  June 1, 2007

  Stan Luxenberg Real estate funds have enjoyed a remarkable run. During the five years ending in February, the funds returned 23.7 percent annually, outdoing every other...

• Cheap Blue Chips

  By Stan Luxenburg  |  April 1, 2007

  Managers of large-cap funds have good reason to feel exasperated. For seven straight years, small-blend funds have outdone large-blend, according to Morningstar. Is that losing...

• Pick and Choose

  By Stan Luxenburg  |  March 1, 2007

  Many growth investors began 2006 full of optimism. After trailing value stocks since 2000, growth shares seemed due for a revival. But growth stocks continued...

• The Muni Junk Pile

  By Stan Luxenburg  |  January 1, 2007

  In the staid world of the bond markets, high-yield municipal funds have been enjoying their version of a roaring bull market. During the three years...

• Hometown Profits

  By Stan Luxenburg  |  December 1, 2006

  Financial funds have been ringing up profits. Beginning in 2000, the category outshined the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index for six consecutive years. During the...

• From the Bargain Bins

  By Stan Luxenburg  |  November 1, 2006

  Small value funds began surging in 2000. For the next six straight years, the group outpaced the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index. The strong showing...

• Coming Back

  By Stan Luxenburg  |  May 1, 2006

  After the market collapse that began in 2000, plenty of investors soured on technology funds. But the mood has begun to change. During the 12...

• OVERSEAS RISE

  By Stan Luxenburg  |  March 1, 2006

  WHILE U.S. MARKETS CAPTURED THE HEADLINES DURING THE 1990s, foreigners are leading in this decade. For the past four years, the Standard & Poor's 500...