New Domestic, Foreign, and Specialty Fund Recommendations

Feb. 18, 2010 - PRLog -- After starting 2009 on a bullish note, equities have lost their upward momentum. The S&P 500 ($SPX) is down 3.3%. From a sector perspective, Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU) and Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) fared the worst, losing 7.1% and 6.9%, respectively. Consumer Select Sector SPDR (XLP) and Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) fared better, losing 0.1% and 0.6% respectively. (For more information on Select Sector SPDRs click http://www.alphaprofit.com/Money/Select-Sector-SPDRS-1.html.)

Fourth quarter earnings reports for the most part have been positive with 76% of S&P 500 companies beating analysts' EPS estimates. Companies like Apple (AAPL), Boeing (BA) and Intel (INTC) posted exceptionally strong results. Investors have however been preoccupied with developments outside the corporate world.

Commenting on the market environment Dr. Sam Subramanian, Managing Principal of AlphaProfit Investments, LLC and Editor of the AlphaProfit Sector Investors' Newsletter said, "Investor sentiment was weighed by concerns that President Obama's proposals would hurt profitability of financial institutions. China's move to slow its economy by curbing loan growth was another negative."

Meanwhile, data suggest that the U. S. economy continues to recover, http://www.alphaprofit.com/Money/Stock-Market-Predictions... . The Commerce Department estimates U. S. gross domestic product expanded at a 5.7% annual rate in 2009's final quarter, the fastest rate in six years. Auguring well for the next six months, the Conference Board's Leading Economic Index increased 1.1% in December pushing the index's 6-month gain to 5.2%.

Dr. Subramanian said, "Equities can resume their upward march when the current wave of nervousness recedes. While exogenous shocks from nations like Greece and the U. K. pose some risks, any resulting decline in equity prices is unlikely to be as deep as in late 2008 through early 2009 period."

AlphaProfit's NTF Growth model portfolio is being repositioned on February 18. The model portfolio consists of best-of-breed no-load, no-transaction-fee domestic, foreign and specialty mutual funds. The NTF Growth model portfolio is up 50% in the past 12 months, surpassing the S&P 500's 42% gain and the MSCI EAFE ($IEE) index's 43% gain over the same period. Strong gains from selections like Delafield Fund (DEFIX), Matthews China Fund (MCHFX), and Wasatch International Growth Fund (WAIGX) contributed to the portfolio's out-performance.

In conclusion, Dr. Subramanian said, "The recent decline in equity prices provides a good entry point for specific investments in both domestic and foreign markets. While it is inappropriate to throw caution to the wind, investors focusing too much on the negatives run the risk of missing profit opportunities."

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Publishes investment newsletters that include practical portfolios for mutual fund, exchange-traded fund, and stock investors. Published since 2003, the AlphaProfit Sector Investors' Newsletter has received Hulbert Financial's #1 rank numerous times.