Best, Worst Socially Responsible Funds

In this holiday week, when it is better to give than to receive, we are looking at funds that invest in the stocks and bonds of companies that have the holiday spirit of giving back to our world all year.

These funds have a stated objective of investing with an environmentally friendly, religiously responsible or socially responsible focus.

With these funds, investors have the opportunity to make a return on their money without sending their moral compasses spinning out of control. For the five trading days ended Thursday, Dec. 21, the 57 funds we track in this investment category averaged a total return loss of 0.62%.

At the top of the best is (PORTX)Professionally Managed Portfolio 21, which is managed by Tony Tursich of Progressive Investment Management Co. The fund looks for companies with ecologically superior products and renewable energy sources.

Taking shareholder activism to the next level, the fund's Web site, Portfolio21.com, lists companies the fund once held, explaining why each no longer qualifies as a Portfolio 21 company.

Two recent additions to the fund are Deutsche Post, a German transportation logistics company, and Matsushita Electric Industrial(MC), a.k.a. Panasonic. Notable U.S. companies include IBM(IBM), Staples (SPLS), and Hewlett-Packard (HPQ).

Next on the list is the (NALFX)New Alternatives fund, which seeks to invest at least 25% of assets in alternative energy and other sustainable environment companies. Two of its top holdings, Acciona (ACXIF) and Gamesa Corporacion Technologica (GCTAF), generate electricity with wind farms. Other holdings, such as Abengoa(ABGOF), recycle metals, produce ethyl alcohol, and clean wastewater.

10 Top Performers Socially responsible, environmentally friendly, religious focus
Ticker	Fund	Rating	Total Return	Focus
PORTX	PROF MANAGED PORTFOLIO 21	B-	1.78%	Environmentally Friendly
NALFX	NEW ALTERNATIVES FUND	B-	0.65%	Environmentally Friendly
NBSRX	NEUBERGER BERMAN SOC RES-INV	C+	0.54%	Socially Responsible
NCICX	NEW COVENANT INCOME FUND	C-	0.33%	Socially Responsible
CSIBX	CALVERT SOCIAL INVEST BOND-A	C+	0.31%	Socially Responsible
PAXHX	PAX WORLD HIGH YIELD FUND-ID	B-	0.31%	Socially Responsible
WAIMX	CITIZENS INCOME FUND	E+	0.31%	Socially Responsible
AQFIX	LKCM AQUINAS FIXED INCOME FD	D-	0.30%	Socially Responsible
CRAIX	COMMUNITY REINVEST QUAL INVT	D+	0.29%	Socially Responsible
MMPIX	MMA PRAXIS INTERM INCOME-B	D-	0.21%	Socially Responsible
Source: TheStreet.com Ratings

The laggards this week include the (ADJEX)Azzad Ethical Mid Cap Fund, which gave back 2.09%. MDU Resources (MDU), Precision Castparts (PCP), Questar(STR) and SanDisk(SNDK) are four of its largest holdings.

Two highly rated funds had an off week, each falling 1.44%.

First, the (AVEMX)Ave Maria Catholic Values Fund, managed by the Schwartz Investment Counsel, picks companies that follow the core pro-family and pro-life teachings of the Catholic Church. The top holdings include Kinetic Concepts (KCI), Lifetime Brands (LCUT), Pulte Homes (PHM) and Dollar Tree Stores (DLTR).

The second fund, (AMANX)Amana Income Fund, currently rated A+ for risk-adjusted performance through the end of November, uses strict Islamic principles to select companies. Not surprisingly, oil & gas companies make up 9.25% of the fund, with names such as BP(BP) and Exxon Mobil(XOM). Transportation accounts for 7.67% of the fund, with holdings of Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNI) and Canadian Pacific Railway (CP).

10 Worst Performing Socially Responsible, Environmentally Friendly, Religious Focus
Ticker	Fund	Rating	Total Return	Focus
ADJEX	AZZAD ETHICAL MID CAP FUND	D	-2.09%	Socially Responsible
WAEGX	CITIZENS EMERGING GROWTH-STD	D	-2.04%	Socially Responsible
PARNX	THE PARNASSUS FUND	C-	-2.02%	Socially Responsible
CCAFX	CALVERT CAPTL ACCUMULATION-A	E+	-1.74%	Socially Responsible
ASRGX	ALGER GREEN INSTITUTIONAL-I	C	-1.68%	Socially Responsible
AQBLX	LKCM AQUINAS SMALL-CAP FUND	E	-1.51%	Socially Responsible
AQEGX	LKCM AQUINAS GROWTH FUND	E+	-1.45%	Socially Responsible
WGGFX	WINSLOW GREEN GROWTH FUND	E	-1.44%	Environmentally Friendly
AVEMX	AVE MARIA CATH VALUES FUND	B	-1.44%	Religiously Responsible
AMANX	AMANA INCOME FUND	A+	-1.44%	Islamic
Source: TheStreet.com Ratings

In the end, responsible investing is all about providing the financial security to support the loved ones we value so highly. However you choose to pick the funds for your investment portfolio, I wish you success this holiday season.

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