Top 25 Mutual Funds

The top 25 mutual funds according to Kiplinget.com as of September 30, 2009 are:

FUND NAME SYMBOL

Baron Small Cap BSCFX

CGM Focus CGMFX

Dodge & Cox Stock DODGX

Fairholme Fund FAIRX

FBR Focus FBRVX

Fidelity Contrafund FCNTX

Fidelity Low-Priced Stock FLPSX

FPA Crescent FPACX

Longleaf Partners LLPFX

Pimco CommodityRealRet Strat D PCRDX

Selected American Shares S SLASX

T. Rowe Price Equity Income PRFDX

T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth RPMGX

T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value PRSVX

Vanguard Primecap Core VPCCX

Vanguard Selected Value VASVX

Artio International Equity II A JETAX

Dodge & Cox Intl Stock DODFX

Marisco Global MGLBX

T. Rowe Price Emg Mkts Stock PRMSX

Dodge & Cox Income DODIX

Fidelity Intermediate Municipal Income FLTMX

Harbor Bond Institutional HABDX

Loomis Sayles Bond LSBRX

Vanguard Infl-Protected Secs VIPSX

These mutual funds cover a wide variety of assets. They give a specific mix to bring about a better return, and a buffer against normal market downturns. All have a proven track record. Many have been in existence from three to five years, and have increased in value.

Each one suits the needs of a specific type of investor. How fast to grow his investment? How much is there to invest? Is there interest in a specific asset, a market sector, or investments in international mutual funds?

These mutual funds have reasonable investment minimums and expense ratios. Initial investments range from $1,000.00 to $10,000.00. Most are suitable for IRA investing. Expense ratios are between 0% and 1.5%. They have no maximum loads.

There are six categories: large-company funds, small- and mid-cap funds, overseas/global funds, go-anywhere funds, commodity funds, and bond funds. The one category with the best overall returns is the bond funds. It has had steady growth for ten years. In the last year, several have had between 15% and 20% growth.

While this past year has been tough for the industry, these funds have reasonably weathered the storm. As with any investing, it pays to research a fund to check its current health, and overall track record. Pay attention to market trends. See which mix of assets is performing well. Determine how much risk is reasonable. Remember that the final choice is the investor's.