Investment advisor: Firsthand Capital Management, Inc.
Launch date: October 29, 2007
Expense ratio: 2.0%
Investment objective: This actively managed mutual fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
Fundamental investment strategy: Under normal circumstances, the fund invests its assets in alternative energy and alternative energy technology companies, both U.S. and international. Alternative energy currently includes energy generated through solar, hydrogen, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, tidal, biofuel, and biomass. Alternative energy technologies currently include, but are not limited to, technologies that enable energies to be tapped, stored, or transported, such as fuel cells; services or technologies that conserve or enable more efficient utilization of energy; and technologies that help minimize harmful emissions from existing energy sources, such as helping reduce carbon emissions.
Because there are no market capitalization restrictions on the fund’s investments, the fund may purchase stocks of any capitalization, including, but not limited to, large-cap, mid-cap or small-cap stocks. There is also no percentage limit on the fund’s ability to invest in foreign and emerging markets securities. The fund’s international stock investments may include stocks of companies based in or doing substantial business in both developed markets and emerging markets. The fund may also from time to time, as part of its principal investment strategies, invest a substantial portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.
The analysis of a potential investment focuses on valuing a company and purchasing securities of that company if the investment adviser believes its intrinsic value exceeds its current market price. Conversely, the investment adviser sells securities of a company when its market price exceeds its intrinsic value or when alternative investments present better potential for capital appreciation. When assessing a company’s intrinsic value, the investment adviser considers a number of factors that may influence its earnings potential, including: strength of technology, breadth of product line, barriers to entry (including patents and other intellectual property rights), the competitive environment, product development, marketing acumen, and management strength and vision.
The fund is non-diversified, which means that it invests in fewer companies than a diversified fund. In addition, the fund has a policy of concentrating its investments in alternative energy and clean technology industries. Although some of the fund’s holdings may produce dividends, interest, or other income, current income is not a consideration when selecting the fund’s investments.
Sustainable investing approach: This is a thematic fund. The fund invests its assets in alternative energy and alternative energy technology companies, both U.S. and international. Alternative energy currently includes energy generated through solar, hydrogen, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, tidal, biofuel, and biomass. Alternative energy technologies currently include, but are not limited to, technologies that enable energies to be tapped, stored, or transported, such as fuel cells; services or technologies that conserve or enable more efficient utilization of energy; and technologies that help minimize harmful emissions from existing energy sources, such as helping reduce carbon emissions.
Notes of Explanation: For mutual funds, expense ratio may vary by share class and launch date applies to the launch date of the earliest share class. Sources: Fund prospectus or other offering document, as disclosed.
« Back to Funds Directory