Tar Heel Stock-Picking: National Oilwell Varco, Atwood Oceanics

3. Nokia NOK

What was one of the key drivers behind AIM's position in Nokia (which is up 34% for the fund)?

The student stock-pickers were impressed by Nokia's international presence. According to Shohfi, 40% of the cell phones in India are Nokias and the company's position in the rest of Asia is just as significant. "[Nokia] has done very well versus the NASDAQ and even the EEM [the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund EEM] and has crushed its peer Motorola MOT."

However, with AIM's Nokia position up 34% return, the group is now taking a second look the company's broader sector. "At this point, we are considering alternatives as many 'high fliers' in tech have since sold off and may offer more attractive entry points."

4. America Movil AMX

The Tar Heel investors' interest in mobile phones extended to Latin America.

One of the things that made Mexico-based America Movil stand out for the AIM (up 25% for the group) was its impressive 20% sales growth. "Compare that with Verizon VZ, which grew its [sales] by single digits," says Shohfi. (America Movil is also owned by Ohio State University's Student Investment Management program.)

5. NASDAQ OMX Group NDAQ

Mergers were one of the things that made AIM take a look at investing in the NASDAQ, not just on it.

"NASDAQ has one of the world's best electronic platforms," says, comparing the exchange to competitors like NYSE Euronext NYX, CME Group CME and IntercontinentalExchange ICE.

Shohfi adds, "Through our holding period, it has outperformed all three [of its competing exchanges]."

So far, the value of AIM's NASDAQ holding has increased 22%.

The AIM Class of 2009

On April 30, the AIM funds were handed over to a new class of UNC MBA students and augmented so that the assets under management now total $1.9 million. What will be AIM's best-performing investments over the next 12 months? To find out, stay tuned to TheStreet.com.