GAMCO Growth AAAGABGX

Morningstar Rating

Fund Research and Analysis

by Greg Brown

Gamco Growth has potential, but it's pricey.

This fund has been on a wild ride in recent years. In 2008, this fund suffered a painful 45.9% loss and finished in the large-growth group's basement. And in the first two months of 2009 the fund continued its downward spiral as a result of management's heavy investment in energy and industrial-materials stocks. Read more

Kudos

Management demonstrated strong conviction in 2008's turbulent market and other sell-offs.

Enormous tax-loss carryforward should help the fund's future tax efficiency. Read more

Risks

The fund's higher-octane approach can mean steep losses during downdrafts, such as the 2000-02 bear market and 2008's sell-off.

Expense ratio is well above average. Read more

Strategy

Manager Howard Ward seeks big, well-known companies trading for less than what he thinks they're worth, based on his estimates of their growth during the next five years. He tends to hang on to top holdings for the long haul. Read more

Management

Howard Ward has been on the job here since January 1995. He is backed by two analysts dedicated exclusively to this fund, as well as Gamco's staff of analysts and portfolio managers. He previously managed Scudder Large Company Growth (now DWS Large Company Growth SCQGX). Read more

Inside Scoop

This is a true actively managed fund and gets kudos for management's strong conviction. Read more

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Zip Code

Create Password

Verify Password

(6-15 characters; case sensitive)

What is your occupation or job title?

Select...

Your registration indicates agreement to the terms of use.

Picking Positions in Health Care
Watch more