The Club

Yesterday I received my monthly issue of MONEY magazine. This issue has the special feature called "The Ultimate Investment Club" that highlights their picks for the top mutual fund managers. Let's see how their members made money for their shareholders.

My readers know that the only thing that counts in my book is performance and performance means they make money and do NOT lose money so I went back to preview their record since these experts took over. When you see the results of this club you will be glad you did not go on any camping trips with them. Here are six who manage stock mutual funds.

As we go along you must keep in mind that fund managers get paid for the amount of money they have under management and not on how much they make for you.

MONEY magazine has given them titles. I will not mention their names, but will give you the fund along with the stock exchange symbol so you can look it up on the Internet at www.bigcharts.com.

"The Survivor" who manages Seligman Communications Fund (SCICX) since it was founded has seen the share price start at $35 and rise to $54 only to fall back to $15 today. He is surviving with your money, but you are not.

"The Value Master" of Legg Mason Value Trust (LMNVX) sure doesn't know when the value has run out. Under his tutelage the fund has gone from $45 to $78 to $43.

"The Maverick" of CGM Capital Development (LOMCX) has been thrown by his horse. Share price in 1976 started at $10, went to $43 and is now $18. Tough ride for the shareholders.

Now we come to "The Bargain Hunter" who took over management of Oakmark Select (OAKMX) in 2000 when the market was at its peak. It was $22 and went up (!) to $37 and is now trading at $32. He is the only winner in the group. Congratulations.

Another loser is "The Opportunist". This guy should be getting his buy recommendations from cab drivers. He could not do any worse for the Strong Opportunity Fund (SOPVX). It started at $45 and has nothing but a downward journey to its present $29.

For the Brandywine Fund (BRWIX) we have "The Growth Guru". The only thing that grew fat was his wallet off of your money. He took over in 1998 at $45 and it went down to $22 in 1999, then up to $53 and is now $20. Actually he can only be given credit for the advance from $45 to $53.

In all fairness to these losers I did not include any capital gains or dividend payouts which during the few good years they had may have been very good, but probably not good enough to keep you at "even".

There are all kinds of clubs you can join, but obviously this is not one for you. When you see advertising for various mutual funds or how wonderful some fund manager is please look beyond the hype and check out the performance.

Al Thomas' book, "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It!" has helped thousands of people make money and keep their profits with his simple 2-step method. Read the first chapter at http://www.mutualfundmagic.com and discover why he's the man that Wall Street does not want you to know.

1-888-345-7870; al@mutualfundstrategy.com

---

Dont Ask Your Broker

Unfortunately, most of you who are reading my column are... Read More

The Stock Market is a Roller Coaster: Prepare for the Ups and Downs

IT'S REMINISCENT OF THE OLD children's tale about an old... Read More

Hot Stock Investing ... How to Pick Hot Stocks with Momentum Stock Trading

Profitable day traders recognize that momentum trading is among the... Read More

Why Change Funds?

On November 17 I bought 7 different mutual funds and... Read More

Trading Tips No 2: The Big Lie in the Stock Market

It is commonly reported that the stock market averages about... Read More

How to Pick Winning Stocks

There is nothing more exciting than finding an undervalued stock... Read More

Zero Sum Game

Most people think the stock market is a zero sum... Read More

VIX

No, this is not a symbol for some Latin number.... Read More

Why Buy and Hold?

Since I can remember, and that's a long time ago,... Read More

Online Investing & Stock & Share Trading: 4 Reasons Why Most Online Investors & Traders Go Broke

Are you attracted to the idea of being in control... Read More

Different Types of Mutual Funds

This is a guide to the different types of mutual... Read More

How To Pick A Mutual Fund

Mutual funds by definition are a mixed bag of stocks,... Read More

Mutual Fund Honor Roll ? Buy High, Sell Low by Chasing Performance

Buy high and sell low -- It's not a typo.Millions... Read More

The Club

Yesterday I received my monthly issue of MONEY magazine. This... Read More

The Next Bull Market

We are already in it, but you can't see it.... Read More

Starbucks Stock is Up

Starbucks earnings are up again and so is their stock... Read More

Performance Funds

Mutual funds are doing more and more to discourage investors... Read More

What Does it Take to be a Stock Trader?

It takes a total mental commitment to the task. It... Read More

Discover the Retirement Breakthrough the Federal Government Created for You - The Roth IRA!

If you don't know what a Roth IRA is then... Read More

Is Active Trading The Answer?

One of the main reasons many of us get into... Read More

The Exclusive Club of Large Caps

Picture one of those clubs where only the real heavyweights... Read More

Good Stock Market Tip; Good Return!

Forget making a profit; instead focus on the income provided... Read More

The Three Little Pigs Went to the Stock Market

Three little pigs went to the market to stock up... Read More

Again With the Bubbles?

A few years back ? it seems like an eternity... Read More

Stuff

I continually hear from economists, talking heads, other market letter... Read More

Trading as a Business

What can I expect to make my first year of... Read More

The 1% Solution

You probably know the story of Sherlock Holmes and the... Read More

Dispelling Illusions of the Stock Market

How can you dispel an illusion unless you look directly... Read More

Investing in Stocks and The Game of Monopoly

To begin, you might look at playing the stock market... Read More

Market Globalization

Just 30 years ago the stock market was a shadow... Read More

Market Timing?

The recent criminal fiasco in the mutual fund industry is... Read More

On Line Stock Trading: Small Cap & Micro Stocks Go Up and Down - How Can You Profit?

Success in small cap & micro cap stock trading like... Read More

3 Components Needed for Beating the Market

Time to look back2004 is over, now we are in... Read More