Ima Winner Small-Cap Value Fund: Fidelity Low-Priced Stock

Small-cap value funds' tech-light ways are making them look like the fund world's princes, but let's avoid those that are really frogs at heart.

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To that end, if you're in the market for one of these funds, we suggest you check out the category's heavyweight champ, the $10.2 billion (FLPSX Quote)Fidelity Low-Priced Stock fund, which we're inducting into our Ima Winner Fund Club. And you might want to pass on the sputtering $614 million (PGOAX Quote)Prudential Small Company fund, which has the dubious honor of joining our Ima Loser Fund Club.

Small-cap value funds fish for bargains in the ocean of obscure small-cap companies, rarely earning headlines or heavy inflows. But that's not the case this year. Their price-conscious ways have helped them weather the past 18 months' storm pretty well and draw a river of cash. On average, they're the only diversified fund category to be in the black over the past 12 months; they top all diversified fund types over the past three years with an 11% annualized gain.

In light of their newfound popularity, let's check out our winner, then our sinner.

The Winner

Joel Tillinghast runs a massive fund, but he deserves every dollar.

Past Winners

Large-Cap Value: Dodge & Cox Stock

Large-Cap Growth: Growth Fund of America

Mid-Cap Growth: Bridgeway Aggressive Growth

Mid-Cap Value: Oakmark

Small-Cap Growth: Managers Special Equity

Tech: Dresdner RCM Global Technology

In the rather illiquid small-cap world, it's tough to stay nimble once a fund's assets grow past $1.5 billion. But Tillinghast, who has run the Low-Priced Stock fund since its 1989 inception, manages more than $10 billion without looking winded, next to leaner peers that control about $250 million. Spreading that mountain of money among some 750 stocks, compared to 200 for his average competitor, and sticking with a price-conscious approach, he's managed to post consistently above-average gains with below-average volatility.

The fund has beaten the S&P 500 and at least 70% of small-cap value funds over the past one, three, five and 10 years, according to Chicago fund tracker Morningstar. There have been few bumps along the way too. Since its 0.1% loss in 1990, when its average peer fell more than 13%, the fund hasn't had a down year.

Ima Winner

Source: Morningstar. Returns through Sept. 17.

While the fund does levy a maximum 3% sales charge, the toll is worth it. In addition to its enviable performance, a low-turnover style has helped avoid booking big gains and paying out fat taxable distributions. The fund is more tax-efficient than 92% of its peers over the past 10 years, according to Morningstar. Its 0.8% annual expense ratio is also well below the category's 1.48% average.

There are two concerns: Can another manager adhere to this style if Tillinghast retires? And will the fund close soon since it shuttered in 1998 when its assets were around their current level? After all, high sales have inflated its cash stake to 17% of assets.

Two weeks ago Fidelity expert Jim Lowell said Tillinghast isn't leaving anytime soon, but when the fund might close is anyone's guess.

The Dud

The Prudential Small Company fund is in new hands, but it's still a shaky choice at best.

Past Losers

Large-Cap Value: Seligman Common Stock

Large-Cap Growth: Putnam New Opportunities

Mid-Cap Growth: Putnam OTC & Emerging Growth

Mid-Cap Value: Alliance

Small-Cap Growth: Alliance Quasar

Tech: T. Rowe Price Science & Technology

John Mullman of Jennison Associates, the broker-sold fund's fourth manager since 1990, took over about 14 months ago. He switched the portfolio's focus from stocks that looked profoundly cheap to a broader approach, including some more expensive stocks. So far it hasn't worked well, adding another chapter of woe for this fund's shareholders.

Since cheap small-cap stocks have held up well in a tough market, the fund's 11.8% loss over the past year beats the S&P 500 by more than 16 percentage points. While that might sound pretty good, a closer look shows this fund's deep cracks.

It trails at least 90% of its competitors over the past one, three and five years, according to Morningstar. Its 3.7% loss so far this year trails more than 80% of its peers. If things don't turn around soon, the fund will have trailed at least three-quarters of its competitors in each of the past four years.

Hey, Ima Loser

Source: Morningstar. Returns through Sept. 17.

Making matters worse, the fund's manager and style switches have led to above-average turnover and taxable distributions. Nearly seven in 10 peers were more tax-efficient than this fund over the past 10 years.

Sagging returns and fat tax bills are a lousy combination. Ignore this fund until it manages to string together a few solid years.