Looking Sharpe: Funds rated by return per unit risk

(see publication for tables)

All-Caps (Top 10, Bottom 5)

This catch-all category captured first place in Sharpe ratio, volatiity and three-year return, and it had the No. 1 fund on the page over one year, Van Wagoner Emerging Growth.

International Small-Caps (TOP 10 BOTTOM 5)

The top eight funds here in Sharpe ratio also had triple-digit one-year returns, so it’s no wonder this category had the best average return on the page over that span.

Global Equity (TOP 10, BOTTOM 5)

Contrarians’ gardens are barren nowadays, witness RS Investment Trust’s contrarian fund, which had the lowest Sharpe ratio and worst three-year return on the page.

U.S. Small-Caps (TOP 10, BOTTOM 5)

Small-caps had the dullest Sharpe average despite five funds with ratios over 2. Emerging Growth, one of two RS funds in the top three, had the best three-year return on the page.

Mid-Caps (TOP 10, BOTTOM 5)

As one might expect, value funds have missed out on midcaps’ madcap run. New York Life doubled its displeasure, with two MainStay entries in the Bottom 5 here.

Large-Caps (TOP 10, BOTTOM 5)

Janus pulled off hat tricks in both small- and large-caps, placing three funds in the top 10, and Nicholas-Applegate Large-Cap Growth was the sharpest of the Sharpe at 2.50.