CIBC U.S. Small Companies Fund
Despite a rough start in 2011, the performance has definitely improved since the new management team at the Boston Company Asset Management took over the fund in August 2010. For the three years ending October 31, the fund gained 17.8%, finishing in the top quartile. Volatility has also been higher than both the benchmark and the average of other U.S. small cap funds.
Read MoreRenaissance Global Health Care
am a firm believer in including some healthcare exposure in a portfolio for its defensive characteristics and diversification benefits. This fund used to be my favourite in the sector until the high fees and middle of the road performance dampened my enthusiasm.
Read MoreFidelity Small Cap America
Investors have been rewarded handsomely since Steve MacMillan took over the management duties of this fund in May 2011. Since taking over, the fund has gained 70%, with more than half of that rise coming in 2013. Year to date, the fund is up 41%, which has left the benchmark and competition in the dust.
Read MoreTD Health Sciences
All healthcare funds are not created equally. The TD Health Sciences Fund has been one of my favourites. It invests in companies that are involved in the research, development, production, or distribution of products or services related to health care, medicine, or the life sciences. To qualify for selection, companies must derive at least 50% of their assets, revenues, or operating profits from those activities. The manager tends to focus in the U.S. where nearly 85% of the fund is invested.
Read MoreMawer U.S. Equity Fund
Manager Grayson Witcher took over Mawer’s U.S. offering in 2009 and really struggled to turn the fund around and differentiate this fund from the pack. Looking at his recent performance however, it certainly appears that he is making progress on that front. For the three years ending October 31, the fund gained an annualized 17.4%, matching the S&P 500 Index, but handily outperforming the majority of its peer group.
Read MoreDynamic Precious Metals Fund
Gold and precious metals funds had a big run-up from October 2008 to later 2010, but have sold off sharply since mid 2011. This fund is no exception, dropping more than 55% in the past year.
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