Mutual Fund Investing
Real Estate Funds Have Surprise Success
Sam Patel
04/11/08 - 10:34 AM EDT
In terms of average returns in each category of stock mutual funds for the first quarter of 2008, precious metals came out on top.
The surprise was real estate funds.
That refers more to REIT and commercial real estate investment than anything to do with residential housing and the subprime issues.
It looks as if, for now at least, commercial real estate has yet to experience anything close to the problems in the residential sector, however a weakening economy will definitely adversely affect this sector into 2008.
On average, the real estate classification of stock funds was down only 0.63%.
Heavy average losses can be seen in all other categories exposed to the U.S. economy -- and indeed, the global economy -- in particular in emerging economies.
| Average of 3 Months (%) | |
| OBJECTIVE | Q1 Average Return per Objective |
| Sector - Precious Metals | 3.61 |
| Sector - Real Estate | -0.63 |
| Sector - Other | -1.50 |
| Sector - Energy/Natural Res | -4.51 |
| Equity Income | -7.72 |
| Growth & Income | -8.07 |
| Global Equity | -9.38 |
| Non-US Equity | -9.52 |
| Growth - Domestic | -10.11 |
| Sector - Utilities | -10.30 |
| Sector - Health/Biotechnology | -10.63 |
| Mid Cap | -10.78 |
| Aggressive Growth | -10.89 |
| Small Cap | -10.93 |
| Emerging Market Equity | -11.10 |
| Sector - Financial Services | -11.77 |
| Sector - Tech/Communications | -16.16 |
| Grand Total | -9.66 |
| NAME | TICKER | TSCR Grade | 1 Month Return | 3 Month Return | OBJECTIVE |
| Direxion Nasdaq 100 Bear 2.5X Inv | DXQSX | U | -8.29 | 38.63 | Growth - Domestic |
| Profunds-Ultra Short Japan Inv | UKPIX | U | 5.97 | 34.01 | Non-US Equity |
| Rydex Dyn-Inv OTC 2x Strategy A | RYVTX | E- | -6.00 | 31.66 | Aggressive Growth |
| Direxion Small Cp Bear 2.5X | DXRSX | E- | -5.26 | 19.98 | Small Cap |
| ProFunds-Ultra Short Mid-Cap Inv | UIPIX | E- | 0.47 | 16.65 | Mid Cap |
| Direxion Developed Mkt Bear 2.0X Fd | DXDSX | U | -2.25 | 15.69 | Sector - Other |
| Profunds-Ultra Sh Emer Mkt Inv | UVPIX | U | 9.06 | 15.10 | Emerging Market Equity |
| PIMCO Commodity Real Ret Str A | PCRAX | B+ | -7.48 | 14.17 | Sector - Energy/Natural Res |
| PIMCO StocksPLUS Tr Sh Strat A | PSSAX | A | -0.43 | 13.24 | Growth & Income |
| Evergreen Precious Metals A | EKWAX | C+ | -9.45 | 8.56 | Sector - Precious Metals |
| PIMCO RealEstate RlRetrn Str A | PETAX | D | 5.87 | 7.40 | Sector - Real Estate |
| Merk Hard Currency Fund Investor | MERKX | U | 1.31 | 7.02 | Sector - Financial Services |
| Highbridge Stat Mkt Neutral A | HSKAX | U | 0.26 | 4.14 | Equity Income |
| Global Opportunities Bd Inst | GOBIX | U | -0.86 | 2.03 | Global Equity |
| Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals | FPHAX | B+ | 10.21 | -0.40 | Sector - Health/Biotechnology |
| Ivy Fund-Science & Tech A | WSTAX | B- | 0.72 | -8.47 | Sector - Tech/Communications |
| Flex-funds Socially Resp Utilit Fd | FLRUX | A+ | -1.86 | -8.90 | Sector - Utilities |