11.   And because the newsletters all build portfolios of different funds with varying amounts of risk, precise, apples-to-apples comparisons with other portfolios are impossible.

12.   And if you are truly conservative, you might go for a fixed-income portfolio, balancing a few bond funds with money market holdings.

13.   Analysts said investors should look for funds with a good mix geographically, between fixed and mobile phone providers and between incumbent companies and new-comers.

14.   And since hedging is hard, use a fund with a record.

15.   And what about adding the next hot fund with a strong marketing pitch or an incredible performance one year?

16.   Another fund with significant net withdrawals recently is Montgomery Growth, managed by Roger Honour, of Montgomery Asset Management in San Francisco.

17.   Another fund with similar objectives, except for the Sharia exclusions, and managed by the same team, is the Fleming International Equity fund.

18.   And what do others funds with big retail holdings suggest might provide good holiday surprises?

19.   And when it does, those investors holding funds with the greatest discount to the net asset value may well be those who make the most money.

20.   Another quarter went to funds with a four-star rating, Nachmany said.