The Big Screen: Mid-Cap Growth Funds

Some 90% of the mid-cap funds we sifted didn't make our cut, but those that did followed a range of strategies to above-average gains.

In running the broker-sold (CVGRX Quote)Calamos Growth fund since its 1990 launch, John Calamos has used quantitative models to dig up small- and mid-cap stocks with solid growth prospects and attractive price tags. He has quietly topped his average peer in each of the past six years, and his fund tops all other mid-cap growth offerings over the past five and 10 years.

The team of managers behind the no-load (VALSX Quote)Value Line Special Situations fund uses that firm's proprietary ratings systems and its own research to pick stocks that are underappreciated due to industry or company changes. That's led to a sprawling 300-stock portfolio, but the fund has also beaten its average competitor in each of the past six years. ...