- 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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Third Quarter 2009
The Global Resources Fund extended solid quarterly results from the second into the third quarter, and outperformed its benchmark index, the Morgan Stanley Commodity Related Index, for the third quarter.
Equity markets remain in recovery mode with the S&P 500 Index posting a gain of 15.6 percent during the third quarter. Commodity-related equity indices performed strongly with the Philadelphia Oil Exploration & Production Index gaining 26.6 percent and the S&P Metals & Mining Index gaining 22.9 percent. Base metals commodities posted strong gains: zinc (+27.1 percent), copper (+24.4 percent) and nickel (+16.4 percent). Crude oil traded range-bound and finished up 1 percent at $70.61 per barrel while natural gas futures bounced off a 52-week low of $2.51 per mmbtu in early September to close the quarter up 26 percent at $4.84 mmbtu.
The world economy appears to be rising out of a severe and lengthy recession. Already, some key Asian economies have touched bottom and showed large GDP gains during the second quarter and third quarter data will likely confirm this recovery. Given how swiftly GDP fell, a strong rebound is a reasonable outcome, and this scenario seems to be taking place already in Asia. Key economic factors also favor a robust recovery. World trade has started to regain its form according to recent data releases, which should bode well for the continued recovery of global industrial production.
With a stronger global economy as a backdrop, we have a constructive outlook for base metals and energy equities. Metal inventories are low throughout the supply chain, the 2008-2009 credit crunch will likely continue to delay mine and energy project development which should limit a supply response once demand rebounds, and stimulus spending in the developed world should ramp up through 2010 and drive demand for commodities.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
All opinions expressed and data provided are subject to change without notice. Some of these opinions may not be appropriate to every investor. 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 Philadelphia Oil Exploration & Production Index (EPX) is an equal-dollar-weighted index composed of 22 companies that own, lease, and operate oil and natural gas facilities. The S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index is an equal-weighted index that draws constituents from the GICS sub-industries that contain companies involved in metals and mining activities.
Net Asset Value
as of 11/19/2009
- Global Resources Fund
PSPFX $8.59 -0.15 - Gold and Precious Metals Fund
USERX $16.13 +0.01 - World Precious Minerals Fund
UNWPX $17.99 +0.02 - China Region Fund
USCOX $8.24 -0.12 - Eastern European Fund
EUROX $9.07 -0.17 - Global Emerging Markets Fund
GEMFX $7.96 -0.11 - Global MegaTrends Fund
MEGAX $7.98 -0.07 - All American Equity Fund
GBTFX $19.31 -0.30 - Holmes Growth Fund
ACBGX $15.18 -0.23 - Tax Free Fund
USUTX $12.23 +0.02 - Near-Term Tax Free Fund
NEARX $2.22 No Change - U.S. Government Securities Savings Fund
UGSXX $1.00 No Change - U.S. Treasury Securities Cash Fund
USTXX $1.00 No Change
