Given the run-up we saw in energy names in the first half of the year, it’s not surprising that an energy fund was one of the best performing funds of the first half of the year. This fund is managed by Robert Lauzon of Middlefield, and Henry Groppe of Texas based oil and gas consulting firm Groppe, Long & Littell. The basic premise of the fund is that global oil production has peaked, thereby supporting strong oil prices over the next several years. They look for low cost operators with strong drilling prospects that have a proven management team in place. Recent performance has been strong, but it is significantly more volatile than its peers. If the second half is like the first, it has the potential to outperform. Still, I would prefer the Franklin Bissett Energy Fund (TML 3021) over this one, given its longer track record, strong management team, and lower volatility.