AAII Journal - Top Funds Over 5 Years - April 2009 - AAII Journal April 2009 Voume XXXI, No. 3 Inside: Table of Contents Mutual Funds The Top Funds Over 5 Years: Surviving the Claws of a Bear Market ............................................. 5 By John Markese To be rated tops, a mutual fund must beat a benchmark, and the crucial benchmark is peer group performance over five years. Who are the current top performers and how did they outperform their peers? A look at the top funds and how they managed to distinguish themselves. The First Cut: Benjamin Graham Bear Market Stocks ............................................17 By John Bajkowski A starting point for investors. This issue's focus is on stocks with low prices relative to a firm's net current assets, a basic Benjamin Graham approach to finding stocks trading well below their intrinsic value. Portfolio Strategies Due Diligence: 10 Steps to Avoiding Ponzi Schemes and Financial Fraud .......................................................................... 18 By Karen C. Aitfest The uncovering of Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, and the fraud committed by several other financial hucksters, highlights the importance of asking the right questions before selecting an advisor or participating in an investment. Ten questions to ask—and red flag warning signs of the potential for trouble. The Investor Professor The Role of Risk-Free Assets in Your Long-Term Portfolio ....... 20 In today's market environment, the exclusive focus is on risk-free assets for the short term. Two years ago, the same assets were considered "too boring" over the long term. What role should they play in your portfolio? The answer requires both a short-term and a long-term perspective. AAII Stock Screens 1\\    Market Expectations vs. Results: dvTracking Analyst Earnings Revisions ................................................ 24 By Wayne A. Thorp, CFA Changes in earnings expectations, no matter how slight, can have a significant impact on a stock's price. Tracking these expectations and their changes is an important component of stock analysis, and tracking significant revisions can be turned into a rewarding investment strategy. Developing a screen for analyst revisions. Offbeat Offerings: Life Cycle Funds ...........................................................................28 By Cara Scatizzi An investor reference for products that are not your typical offering. This issue's focus is on life cycle funds. AAII Model Portfolios 1r t    Model Stock Portfolio: Beating the Benchmark Is Nice, Buta Loss Isn't .........................................................................................30  By James B. Cloonan There has been little reprieve from the downward forces on the stock market, and while the Model Portfolio has outperformed the benchmarks year-to-date, you can't pay bills with a loss. Departments BrieflyNoted ........................................2    Letters.......................    .............. 4 AAlllnvestor Surveys ...........................3    AAll Local Chapters    ............34 APRIL 2009 Volume XXXI, Number 3     Condition:  Used, good condition     Size:  Standard, magazine     Media:  Soft cover      Other:  American Association of Individual Investors Original recipient address covered by blank white label 38 pages -  8 1/2" x 11" Item Details:  Magazine  View My Other Items For Sale Shipping Shipping: Save 25% on shipping for each additional eligible item you buy from ObscurBooks.com. Location: San Jose, California (Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area), United States. We gladly ship WORLDWIDE. *The estimated delivery time is based on the shipping service selected, and when we receive cleared payment. We ship daily!! Special shipping request? Just let us know. And, feel confident that your shipment will be packaged securely so it arrives safely at your location. Payment Payment Methods: * PayPal * Visa * Master Card * Discover * American Express You can feel confident & secure ordering 24 hours a day protected by PayPal. And, because we are a verified PayPal merchant. Terms of Sale Policies: Return policy: The buyer has 7 days to return the item (the buyer pays shipping fees). The item will be refunded. We want you to be satisfied!! About Us About Us: READ MORE. PAY LESS. Books, Publications, Periodicals, Magazines, Newspapers, Historical / Collectors Items, Merchandise & Gifts. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. WORLDWIDE SHIPPING. Specialties: Unusual, different, interesting, hard-to-find, out-of-print books, publications, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, manuals. Things you may not find anywhere else. Also, a lot of stuff that would be filed under "Other" -- this is where you find it!! email: [email protected] telephone: (408) 597-6869