Energy Manager Buys With an Eye on U.S. Growth

Aside from getting into energy stocks like Ultra before the crowd, Croft -- who manages the fund with his father and brother -- was also early with his infrastructure investments. The fund has scored big-time with its investments in Foster Wheeler(FWLT Quote) and Terex(TEX Quote).

Right now Croft is partial to General Cable(BGC Quote) because of its electrical transmission business. "It's well known that the U.S. has an inadequate grid system, and General Cable will benefit when it gets upgraded."

Croft is also looking at companies levered to -- believe it or not -- U.S. growth.

"Right now everybody is touting companies with strong international sales. We were there two years ago. And as contrarians, we believe the smart thing is to look at what everybody else is leaving behind. U.S. companies that sell their goods domestically are getting cheap. The U.S. will slow, but eventually it will pick up again. And we'll be there."