Multi-manager funds offer diversity and flexibility that a single-manager fund may often lack. Joe Fallon, who highlights the advantages of the MassMutual Select Mid Cap Growth Fund, explains how the pairing of successful managers boosts the probability of consistency in returns and provides access to strategies that are generally not

Every company faces business cycles, including high-quality companies with a history of above-average returns on capital. Todd Vingers, co-portfolio manager of the Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund with Jay Willadsen, employs a strategy that enables patient investors who can separate temporary issues from negative secular declines to seek strong risk-adjusted

Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, may offer potential benefits to a broader portfolio including stock-like gains, bond-like yields, diversification and inflation protection. However, they may at times trade with elevated volatility. Thomas Youn, portfolio manager of the Guggenheim Risk Managed Real Estate Fund, explains how the fund takes a

Combining stocks and bonds offers investors the potential to capture most of the upside while limiting the downside of volatile stock markets. Mark DeVaul and Gary Cloud, portfolio managers of the Hennessy Equity and Income Fund, focus on investing in quality dividend-paying stocks and investment-grade corporate bonds with the objective

Although the mid-cap universe appears to be more concentrated compared to other segments of the market, sifting through this pool of 700 stocks calls for a well-defined process and clear objectives. Thomas Lettenberger, portfolio manager of the BMO Mid-Cap Value Fund, relies on a data-driven investment process centered on company

Although out-of-favor stocks are generally facing serious business challenges, many of these companies could become profitable opportunities if an investment strategy takes into account how core issues are reflected in metrics, both historical and projected. Laton Spahr and Eric Hewitt, portfolio managers of the Oppenheimer Mid Cap Value Fund, apply

When distinguished fund managers are paired in a single fund, investors have a higher probability of generating returns with the potential to exceed market averages. Nathan Palmer explains how the Wilshire Small Company Growth Fund benefits from a mix of complementary investment approaches aimed at reducing active and total risk

Although the small-cap universe is made up of a large number of companies, few names receive analyst coverage and investor attention on a consistent basis. Moreover, these stocks are easily ignored or avoided if the companies fall off from the growth trajectory or face temporary problems. Timothy McCormack explains how

Small-cap companies have many opportunities to grow revenues and earnings, but not all of them are resourceful enough to harvest this type of growth. Ralph Bassett, portfolio manager of the Aberdeen U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, applies a long-term perspective to building a concentrated portfolio of companies with capable management

With thousands of companies to consider in the small-cap universe, many of the single-manager funds find it increasingly difficult to exploit the full range of opportunities in this segment of the market. Megan Roach explains how a multi-manager investment model built around best-in-class managers and appropriate risk control helps Russell