- Choose A Fund
- Global Resources Fund
- Gold and Precious Metals Fund
- World Precious Minerals Fund
- China Region Fund
- Eastern European Fund
- Global Emerging Markets Fund
- Global MegaTrends Fund
- All American Equity Fund
- Holmes Growth Fund
- Tax Free Fund
- Near-Term Tax Free Fund
- US Gov't Savings Fund
- US Treasury Securities Cash Fund
Global Resources Fund
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July 2010
For the month of July, the Global Resources Fund underperformed both the S&P 500 Index and the Morgan Stanley Commodity-Related Index, as concerns over a sovereign debt crisis in Europe and China economic deceleration eased. The fund’s relative overweight in gold and gold equities was a drag on performance for the month. After reaching a record high of $1,255 per ounce in June, gold bullion declined 4.93 percent in July to close at $1,181 per ounce. The Philadelphia Gold & Silver Index (XAU Index) fell 4.45 percent due to profit taking and less safe-haven buying but our conviction in the precious metals asset class remains strong.
Strengths
- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., the operator of the world’s largest merchant fleet, raised its full-year profit forecast as demand for transporting goods between Asia, the U.S. and Europe rebounded.
- China’s crude oil imports reached a monthly record of 22.3 million metric tons in June, equivalent to a daily import volume of 5.4 million barrels per day.
- Consumer demand for gold in Saudi Arabia grew 35 percent from a year ago in the first quarter to 21.1 metric tons, according to the World Gold Council.
Weaknesses
- The price of iron ore delivered to China fell to its lowest level this year as steel production has slowed. The price for iron ore dropped to $118 per metric ton.
- Norway's oil production fell to a preliminary 1.52 million barrels per day on average in June from an actual production of 1.85 million in May, according to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate. Gas production fell to a preliminary 8.5 billion standard cubic meters (Bcm) in June from 9 Bcm in May. Statoil is the largest oil and gas producer on the Norwegian continental shelf.
Opportunities
- According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), China consumed more energy than any other country last year, totaling 2,252 million tons of oil equivalent. However on a per capita basis, the U.S. still uses more energy than China and is less efficient than Europe. China's thermal coal imports for 2010 are expected to reach 105-115 million tons.
- State-run explorer Oil India has set aside $2 billion for overseas acquisitions. Bigger rival Oil & Natural Gas Corporation has spearheaded India's hunt for foreign petroleum assets, often competing with Chinese companies, but smaller players such as Oil India and refiners like Indian Oil Corporation are also scouting for assets, Reuters reported.
- Indian power utility NTPC is looking to buy coal mines outside India to ensure supply. The company’s chairman said it will use part of its $3 billion cash reserve and will take on debt to acquire assets in Australia, Indonesia and Mozambique to import as much as 10 million metric tons per year.
Threats
- According to Bloomberg, Codelco, the world’s biggest copper producer, suggested that copper demand in China is likely to decline in the second half of the year due to government actions to tighten lending and control inflation.
- Government sources said Russia may raise its mineral extraction tax on natural gas 10-15 percent from January 1, 2011, the first increase since 2005.
- China, the world’s largest rare-earths producer, cut export quotas for the minerals by 72 percent for the second half of 2010, raising the possibility of a trade dispute with the U.S. Shipments will be capped at 7,976 metric tons, down from 28,417 tons for the same period a year ago, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
The Morgan Stanley Commodity Related Index (CRX) is an equal-dollar weighted index of 20 stocks involved in commodity related industries such as energy, non-ferrous metals, agriculture, and forest products. The index was developed with a base value of 200 as of March 15, 1996. The S&P 500 Stock Index is a widely recognized capitalization-weighted index of 500 common stock prices in U.S. companies. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange Gold and Silver Index (XAU) is a capitalization-weighted index that includes the leading companies involved in the mining of gold and silver. Holdings in the Global Resources Fund as a percentage of net assets as of 6/30/10: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. 0.00%, Statoil 0.00%, Oil & Natural Gas Corp. 0.00%, Indian Oil Corp. 0.00%, NTPC 0.00%.
Net Asset Value
as of 09/02/2010
- Global Resources Fund
PSPFX $8.72 +0.08 - Gold and Precious Metals Fund
USERX $17.25 +0.18 - World Precious Minerals Fund
UNWPX $19.21 +0.13 - China Region Fund
USCOX $8.50 No Change - Eastern European Fund
EUROX $9.05 +0.03 - Global Emerging Markets Fund
GEMFX $8.15 +0.01 - Global MegaTrends Fund
MEGAX $7.67 +0.03 - All American Equity Fund
GBTFX $19.86 +0.15 - Holmes Growth Fund
ACBGX $15.79 +0.19 - Tax Free Fund
USUTX $12.61 No Change - Near-Term Tax Free Fund
NEARX $2.27 No Change - U.S. Government Securities Savings Fund
UGSXX $1.00 No Change - U.S. Treasury Securities Cash Fund
USTXX $1.00 No Change
