12 months ago we ran a feature about the top 5 renewable energy mutual funds, who investors with green leanings should look into. These were money manager recommended mutual funds that invest solely in green energy companies.
Since then, practically every mutual fund on the market, green or not, has taken a big hit as the economy spluttered. This spring in particular was a very hard time for many mutual funds, as stock prices fell dramatically. The best five alternative energy mutual funds that we presented in the feature were the Winslow Green Growth Fund, the New Alternatives Fund, PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy, the Guinness Atkenson Alternative Energy Fund, and the Calvert Global Alternative Energy Fund.
Have any of these funds withstood the battering of the last year? If so, which ones and what are the figures?
1. Winslow Green Growth Fund – Last twelve months: +8.81%
The Winslow Green Growth Fund has always been one of very best long term funds for green investors. The fund concentrates on American small cap growth companies. The main goal of this fund is exclude companies which harm the environment, and to include alternative energy companies. They do have some companies in the portfolio, who, whilst not directly helping the environment, do no harm. The fund evaluates potential companies by looking at, for instance, the environmental impact of the company. It is quite strict in terms of what it includes in its portfolio.
Despite the economic meltdown, this fund is one of the very few that is in the red for the year. It truly is the strongest renewable energy mutual fund out there.
2. New Alternatives Fund – Last twelve months: +1.34%
New Alternatives Fund is considered one of the best long term mutual funds. This fund invests in companies of all sizes, from small cap to large cap, from all around the globe. Companies must positively impact the environment to be included in this fund portfolio. Renewable energy companies make up more than twenty five percent of its portfolio, and it is considered a very environmentally friendly mutual fund. With its high percentage of green energy companies, expect the portfolio to grow well in the future.
3. PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy – Last twelve months: -11.35%
PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy includes a portfolio of thirty seven renewable energy companies which develop and use clean energy technology. It is one of the most environmentally friendly mutual funds out of all of the aggressive growth funds, as a result of the fact that it only includes companies that use clean energy technology. This last year, however, hit the fund hard, although not as hard as many other funds.
4. Guinness Atkenson Alternative Energy Fund – Last twelve months: -16.12%
Guinness Atkenson Alternative Energy Fund believes strongly in renewable energy companies. The portfolio holds between 40 and 60 green energy companies at any time. This fund is inherently riskier than most other such funds, as it is not very diversified, and because it includes foreign securities. It has been a very hard 12 months for this fund.
5. Calvert Global Alternative Energy Fund – Last twelve months: -15.07%
Calvert Global Alternative Energy Fund has assets worth more than one hundred and fifty million dollars. The fund contains foreign investments, and maybe more volatile than many other mutual funds. As it is an aggressive growth fund, the rewards could be greater. The fund invests at least 80 percent of its net assets into green energy companies. It is not very diversified, but great for investors who want to invest in green energy technologies without diversity.
These tops 5 funds have all suffered in the last year, and all of them dropped dramatically in April and May. However, since the beginning of June all five of them have begun to climb rapidly, and if the trend continues, in just one more month the overall percentage change for the last 12 months should look much better.
For the original story, and further information on the top 5 renewable energy mutual funds, click here.
For more information, go to:
investorguide.com,
greencentury.com
"Hi! I, Michael Stern, a.k.a. Mr.Bionomic,
chief editor of BionomicFuel.com welcome you at our website, an informational web portal
to the world of green energy, renewable fuel and alternative investment options.
Browse our website to learn everything you wanted to know about
the world of green energy.
Its also interesting to read that on their website they mention the following:
Shares of the companies involved in the alternative energy sector have been more volatile than shares of companies operating in other more established sectors or industries.
A big warning from the ‘horse’s mouth’!
August 19th, 2010 at 8:55 pmI read about some of Calverts investments. One of them is First Solar (FSLR) in Arizona. it makes high tech solar panels that are built from mining waste. The panels are coated with cadmium sulfide and cadmium telluride, both of which come from mining operations. This way they keep their costs really low.
August 19th, 2010 at 8:53 pmGlobal energy demand is continue to grow fast. There is no doubt that climate change is happening now. The trend is clear, and at long last the political will is there to do something about it. Government “green” initiatives worldwide are really pushing alternative energy into the maintstream, and it is now a very fast growing market.
August 19th, 2010 at 8:50 pmThis sector should be the biggest in the world now, not in a generation or so. If only the world had the potilitcal will, that countries such as germany do. If only so many people werent brainwashed by the oil compaines rhetoric.
August 19th, 2010 at 10:29 amI guess i means some good performances considing all the factors that have worked against this sector in recent times – Europea struggling for cash etc.
August 19th, 2010 at 10:28 amFine info, a lot of thanks to the author. This is perplexing to me now, but all around, the efficacy and relevance is overpowering. Very much thanks once again and best of luck!
August 18th, 2010 at 5:04 amGood performances? Well, ONE good performance, and that is all! This sector though IS going to be one of the biggest in the world, within a generation or two.
August 17th, 2010 at 1:06 pmSome good performances here, and great info.
August 17th, 2010 at 1:04 pmActually actually very good website submit which has got me considering. I never looked at this from your point of view.
August 17th, 2010 at 11:58 amGreat stuff here, I will get back to read more!
August 15th, 2010 at 11:38 pmHello, this is Kennedy a second year student in Kenyatta University Kenya. I am persuing a degree in Energy Engineering and would really like you people to mentor me. This has been my field of interest since childhood and will never do enough of it. I am looking for funding partners to help me start an Energy Club in my University.
April 14th, 2010 at 9:33 amThe Issue of BIO ENERGY
In talking about Climate Change, the emphasis with respect to renewable sources of energy has been mainly on Wind and Sun. With regard to vegetable source, the focus is on ethanol from starch (of corn) or molasses, besides algae. As for ethanol, apart from opposition to corn starch (which is a source of food), cost of manufacture and the energy needs for production of ethanol seem to be negative points in considering these sources for alternative fuel. With respect to algae, studies at research centers seem to indicate, the cost of processing of bio fuel, here again, is not economically viable for commercial scale operations
In spite of these findings, it is surprising that there is no encouragement for bio fuel from non- edible seed oil from plants with long life cycles of more than twenty years. It is known that plants like Jatropha curcas and Pongamia glabra are well known for their seed oil which can be processed into bio diesel. Like ethanol, this bio diesel can also be used at 5% and 10% levels for blending with petro diesel in the automobile and aviation sectors. The advantages seem to be more than one; i) being drought resisting plants, and suitable for raising on arid and semi arid lands, their propagation will not interfere with fertile agricultural lands and food crops. As they need minimal nitrogenous fertilizers, they may not emit more nitrogen, like agricultural crops. ii) as plants absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide at greater levels than many other forest trees, their very propagation in extensive areas will reduce the carbon load to a great extent, iii) their use as bio diesel also helps in solving green house gases problems, and iv) Extraction of the seed oil and its processing into bio diesel are most cost effective compared to production of bio energy through corn, sugarcane or algae.
While there seems to be massive plans for cultivation of Jatropha in Africa, some Indian farmers have also raised this plant successfully along with some food crops (as inter crops), for greater economic returns . Hence, if investors could consider this source as holding a great potential for joint venture in the field of bio energy, India and other Eastern countries can contribute adequate land space for this purpose. Also, by bringing arid and semi arid lands, in the rural areas, under productive use, there will be ample scope for helping a social cause through employment opportunities for the rural farming communities. With assistance from rural NGOs, such projects could be more effectively planned and executed for their multiple benefits.
With our experience in this field of activity, we welcome inquiries for providing more detailed information.
B N Ramamurti
December 29th, 2009 at 10:19 amConsulting Agroeconomist
Chennai, INDIA
Dear Sir I am very greatful for your great valuable web site so I hope to get up to date deeply scientific information about the new resources of alternative energy especially solar updrafte and doendraft tower power generating plant theory operation and design . My Job Title consulting power system engineer. And I am ready to link with the best one research center to get doctor of science and you can consider me as an egyptian research in the field of alternative energy.
BEST and HOT REGArds
November 16th, 2009 at 10:36 amConsultant elec power sSystem
Mohamadbouli
we have developed SOLAR LIGHTING SYSTEMS FOR use of HAWKERS and ADVERTISEMENT KISOKS FOR AUTO RICKSHAWS…we have also developed hybrid systems[solar windmill]to be used for schools and relegious places…we require working capital for the same…thanks…
November 16th, 2009 at 6:02 amWe are looking for funding or partnership in developing green villas on the southern coast of Turkey, where the sun shines most of the year and enough wind year around.
November 14th, 2009 at 7:48 pmThanks,
Salih
I have developed a gravitational potential energy harvesting technology for transportation purpose in hilly land. I need fund for practical purpose. Help is kindly requested.
October 31st, 2009 at 2:44 amLok
We are looking for funding partners to help us establish a mega bio-fuel processing station in Nigeria.
October 28th, 2009 at 8:22 amwe will appreciate any information to this regard.
Thank you for the anticipated response
iam looking for a funding partners to learn for phd in renewable energy fields in russia(moscow)moscow technical university. please inform me how to get this fund.
October 24th, 2009 at 9:55 amWe are looking for a funding partners to assist us establish a mega a bio fuel processing plant in Mongolia, Can any provide us with any information about funding facility?
Thanks for the advance support.
October 21st, 2009 at 12:57 amWe are looking for a funding partners to assist us establish a mega a bio fuel processing plant in Ghana West Africa, Can any provide us with any information about funding facility?
Thanks for the advance support.
October 18th, 2009 at 3:10 pmDear Sirs
October 11th, 2009 at 3:28 pmFollowing we hope get more information
Thank you
I’m just curious how your arrived at your top 5 funds. Winslow green lost 61% of its value in 2008, significantly underperforming the Russel 2000 small cap index, and underperforming the majority of small cap funds. It’s Morningstar rating is 1 star (out of 5, 5 being best). What exactly it “top” about this fund?
February 26th, 2009 at 11:04 pmRay, thank you for the heads up. I intend to look into this company and review it with the financial advisor I recently hired. I’d prefer to invest in something like this where it will benefit humankind.
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:03 pmFor those who believe in doing your own due dillegence and don’t understand the logic of being led by what is “popular,” look into Power Air Corporation’s developing technology. I’m sure you will be impresssed…
Just an additional note: Since the company has gone public, large blocks of shares have been shorted down and purchased to a point where there are only 184 shares holders of record (81.6 Million shares outstanding), among those holding the most shares are businesses with ties to the asian petroleum industry.
February 22nd, 2009 at 10:47 pmThanks for the heads up on these mutual funds. It is very disconcerting sitting and looking at all of the options available and really not knowing were to go or what to choose.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:10 am