| Scorecard |
|---|
|
4 / 5 Stars
|
|
Lipper
5
5
5
3
1
|
|
Zacks Investment Research
3
(Hold)
|
|
Standard & Poor's
5 / 5 Stars
|
|
TheStreet.com
B+
(Buy)
|
#15 in Mid-Cap Growth
U.S. News evaluated 219 Mid-Cap Growth Funds. Our list highlights the top-rated funds for long-term investors based on the ratings of leading fund industry researchers.
Performance
The fund has returned 22.10 percent over the past year, 18.19 percent over the past three years, 5.61 percent over the past five years, and 10.52 percent over the past decade.
| Trailing Returns | Updated 05.31.2013 |
|---|---|
| Year to date | 10.5% |
| 1 Year | 22.1% |
| 3 Years (Annualized) | 18.2% |
| 5 Years (Annualized) | 5.6% |
| 10 Years (Annualized) | 10.5% |
Summary
Value Line Premier Growth's diversified, low-turnover strategy has led to strong long-term performance.
As of June 05, 2013, the fund has assets totaling almost $368.15 million invested in 202 different holdings. Its portfolio consists primarily of shares of large and mid-sized companies.
This fund has been putting together solid numbers in 2011. In particular, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, which as of the end of the second quarter was the fund's top holding, had returned 171 percent year-to-date by that time. Lately, the fund has been a bit overweight to industrials and healthcare companies. In the latter sector, the fund's exposure to Intuitive Surgical has been helpful as of late. The fund has positions in a number of foreign companies, including HDFC Bank, which is based in India, and Lan Airlines, which is based in Chile. Among the fund's foreign holdings, the financial services sector is a popular target. The fund has returned 22.10 percent over the past year and 18.19 percent over the past three years.
The fund's portfolio is broadly diversified. As of the end of the second quarter, management owned shares of well over 200 companies. Notably, no single position accounted for more than 2 percent of the fund's portfolio. Meanwhile, management exhibits a strong buy-and-hold philosophy, as evidenced by the fund's 16 percent turnover ratio. By comparison, a fund that replenished its entire portfolio once a year would have a ratio of 100 percent. The fund rarely stands out in any given year, but its steady performance has led to strong long-term numbers. The fund has returned 5.61 percent over the past five years and 10.52 percent over the past decade.
Investment Strategy
According to the fund's prospectus: "In selecting securities for purchase or sale, the Adviser generally analyzes the issuer of a security using fundamental factors such as growth potential and earnings estimates and quantitative factors such as historical earnings, earnings momentum and price momentum. The Fund may invest in small, mid or large capitalization companies, including foreign companies."
Role in Portfolio
This fund could lend support to a well-balanced portfolio.
Management
Stephen Grant manages the fund.
