Artisan Small Cap Value Fund (ARTVX) Investor Class

The Milwaukee-based Artisan Partners LP provides variety of Artisan Funds. Three of these Artisan funds had managed to beat their peers in 2011 such as Artisan Mid Cap Value, Artisan Small Cap Value, and Artisan Value. The managers (Scott Satterwhite, James Kieffer and George Sertl) who manage these funds have been awarded 2011 domestic stock manager of the year. Details about the Artisan Small Cap Value fund can be found below.

Artisan Small Cap Value Investor (ARTVX)

This Artisan Small Cap Value fund objective is to seek long-term capital growth. This fund invests primarily in undervalued small U.S. companies. This equity fund performance is benchmarked against the Russell 2000 Value Index.

This top rated fund uses the following strategies to select the companies: attractive valuation small companies, companies with sound financial condition, and companies with attractive business economics.

ARTKX Fund Details

Artisan Small Cap Value fund

• Fund Inception Date: 09/29/1997
• Ticker Symbol: ARTKX
• CUSIP: 04314H501
• Beta (3yr): 1.20
• Rank in category (2011): 48%
• Category: Small Blend
• Yield: 0.04%
• Net Assets: $ 2.8 billion
• Sales Load: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.20%
• Capital Gains:  $1.3485 (Dec 2011)
• Number of Years Up: 9 years
• Number of Years Down: 3 years

Updated on 01/25/2012

MFS Lifetime 2010 Fund (MFSAX) Class A

As an American-based global asset manager, MFS Investment Management offers several of investment products such as mutual funds, 529 funds, closed end funds, variable insurance portfolio, etc. One of the well-known products is MFS Lifetime funds. These target strategies funds are divided into 5 maturity dates such as 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040, and 2050. I’ll review the MFS Lifetime 2010 A (MFSAX) fund for this article.

MFS Lifetime 2010 A (MFSAX)

This MFS Lifetime 2010 fund objective is to achieve a high level total return. This balanced fund is designed to provide diversification among different asset classes by investing the majority of assets in other MFS mutual funds. Within the stock fund allocations, MFS seeks to diversify globally (by including domestic and international underlying funds). It may invest in various market capitalizations such as large cap, mid cap, and small cap. It may use different investing styles such as blend, growth, and value style. This MFS fund also invests in various MFS bond funds with variety of interest rate and credit exposure.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 09/29/2005
• Ticker Symbol: MFSAX
• CUSIP: 55275E879
• Beta (3yr): 0.54
• Rank in category (2011): 16%
• Category: Target Date 2000-2010
• Yield: 3.22%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.97%  
• Net Assets: $ 60.7 million
• Number of Years Up: 5 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year
• Annual Turnover Rate: 29%

Updated on 01/26/2012

Vanguard European Stock Index Fund (VEURX) Investor Class

International stock funds don’t do very well during 2011. To achieve better performance, investor needs to choose the right international stock fund. One of the best ways is to pick the international stock index fund. One of this index funds is Vanguard European Stock Index fund.

Note: International stock funds can be categorized into various categories such as Europe stock fund, emerging market stock fund, global stock fund, and more.

Vanguard European Stock Index Investor (VEURX)

The Vanguard European Stock Index fund objective is to track the performance of a benchmark index, MSCI Europe Index.  This MSCI Europe Index benchmark measures the investment return of stocks issued by companies located in the major markets of Europe. This international stock fund uses passive management strategy or indexing investment approach. This index is made up of approximately 467 common stocks of companies located in 16 European countries. These companies are located in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Switzerland.

Fund Details

Vanguard European Stock Index

• Fund Inception Date: 06/18/1990
• Ticker Symbol: VEURX (investor shares)
• CUSIP: 922042205
• Beta (3yr): 1.18
• Rank in category (YTD): 35%
• Category: Europe Stock
• Distribution Rate: 4.25%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.26%  
• Net Assets: $ 6.43 billion
• Number of Years Up: 15 years
• Number of Years Down: 5 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 16%

Updated on 01/22/2012

Manning & Napier Pro Blend Conservative Term S (EXDAX) Fund

Choosing the right balanced mutual fund is essential for investor. One of the well-known balanced funds is Manning & Napier Pro-Blend Conservative Term Series fund. As part of lifestyle funds, this Manning & Napier fund is invested in a conservative mix of stocks, bonds, and cash. Details about the fund’s review can be found below.

Manning & Napier Pro-Blend Conservative Term S (EXDAX)

The Manning & Napier Pro-Blend Conservative Term fund objective is to provide capital preservation and its secondary objective is to provide long-term capital growth. This hybrid fund invests conservatively in stocks or equities, bonds or fixed income, and cash to generate income. This EXDAX fund invests mainly in fixed income securities, including U.S. Treasury securities, mortgage-backed securities, and corporate bonds. The advisor typically focuses on fixed income securities with short- to intermediate-term maturities. It invests primarily in investment grade securities. The fund’s management will increase stock holdings when valuations are low.

Templeton Growth Fund (TEPLX) Class A

Global market demand global investing for long term individual. One of the ways to invest in international equities is through world stock mutual fund. One of the largest world stock funds is Templeton Growth A (TEPLX) fund. More fund review can be found below.

Templeton Growth A (TEPLX)

The investment aim of this Templeton Growth fund is to seek long-term capital growth. This popular fund invests principally in the equity securities of companies located anywhere in the world. This equity fund also invests in emerging markets.

Fund Details

Templeton Growth fund

• Fund Inception Date: 11/29/1954
• Ticker Symbol: TEPLX
• CUSIP: 880 199 104
• Beta (3yr): 0.97
• Rank in category (YTD): 37%
• Category: World Stock
• Yield: 1.68%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.08%  
• Net Assets: $ 14.85 billion
• Number of Years Up: 45 years
• Number of Years Down: 11 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 21.60%

Updated on 12/20/2011

Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund (VIMSX)

US Stock fund can be categorized into three main categories such as Large Cap US Stock fund, Mid Cap US stock fund, and Small Cap US stock fund. These funds invest according to its naming. Large Cap stock fund will invest in large US Companies stocks and so on. Vanguard has been the leader of US stock index fund. One of these US stock index funds is Vanguard Mid Cap Index Fund. This fund invests mainly in companies with mid-capitalization.

Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Investor Shares (VIMSX)

The investment objective of Vanguard Mid Cap Index Fund is to track the performance of the MSCI US Mid Cap 450 Index, a benchmark index. This index measures the investment return of mid-capitalization stocks. The fund employs a passive management or indexing investment approach. This US Stock Index Fund will try to replicate the target index by investing all or most of its assets in the stocks that make up the index based on its index weighting.

Fund Details

Vanguard Mid Cap Index fund

• Fund Inception Date: 05/1/1998
• Ticker Symbol: VIMSX
• CUSIP: 922908843
• Beta (3yr): 1.11
• Rank in category (2011): 34%
• Category: Mid-Cap Blend
• Distribution Rate: 1.18%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.26%  
• Net Assets: $ 25.99 billion
• Number of Years Up: 9 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 16.00%

updated on 1/20/2012

Top Performer Target Date Mutual Funds 2011

Target Date Mutual Funds are popular among retirees and long term investors. These article will look into 10 categories of best target date mutual funds. These mutual funds are typically offered in tax deferred accounts such as regular brokerage account, traditional IRA, ROTH IRA, 401k account, 403b, 529 plan, etc. Some of the best performer target date mutual funds of 2011 are: PIMCO Real Income 2029 A, Vanguard Target Retirement 2005 Inv, Invesco Balanced-Risk Retire 2030 A, etc.

Intro

Target Date Mutual Funds are very smart choice for passive investors. These funds invest in stocks, bonds, and other short term securities (cash or money market fund). The fund’s portfolio is adjusted accordingly based on the target date or fund’s objective. The funds' allocation moves toward stressing cash and fixed income (bond) as the funds approach their maturity dates or target dates. These target date funds are known as lifecycle funds or age-based funds.

Top Performer Target Date Funds 2011

Based on their target date, there are currently 10 classes of these target date mutual funds: retirement income fund, Target 2001-2010 fund, Target 2011-2015 fund, Target 2016-2020 fund, Target 2021-2025 fund, Target 2026-2030 fund, Target 2031-2035 fund, Target 2036-2040 fund, Target 2041-2045 fund, and Target 2050+ fund. These target date funds are essentially similar to balanced funds. Investor can buy this fund and get instant portfolio diversification into different sectors of stocks and bonds.