The average score for SRI funds is trading at the best level we have seen in many years, as it is now averaging at a 3.50. The improvement is attributed to the improving relative strength picture of U.S. large-cap funds. The Ariel Fund Investor Class (ARGFX) is maintaining leadership versus the other choices in this socially responsible genre.

Keep in mind that this fund not only has maintained a positive trend of relative strength with a score of 5.90, but it also ranks in the top 96th percentile on a year to date basis versus all other funds. The Ave Maria Growth (AVEGX) continues to provide a great score of 5.27, making it one of the top relative strength funds in the socially responsible universe with a fund score well above the 5 level.

The next best score comes from the TIAA-CREF Social Choice fund (TISCX), which has moved up to the 4.83 score level and is tied in score with the Neuberger Berman SRI fund.  All of these funds provide the leadership you will need to bring strong performance to your allocation strategy.  

On the International scene, the best score comes from the Domini International Social Equity Fund Class (DOMAX) with a Fund Score of 4.44. While the score is down from last month, it remains the best international option today.  The DFA Emerging Markets Social Core Portfolio (DFESX) is now scoring above the 3 score threshold, making it a more respectable relative strength player than it was during the first half of the year.  The top sector funds with the best relative strength are the Calvert Global Water Fund (CFWAX) and the PowerShares Wilderhill Clean Energy (PBW). These two funds score well above the average sector fund and well above the score of the average equity fund. 

On the fixed-income frontier, the Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX) maintains leadership in relative strength and remains the only Socially Responsible fixed income fund with a score above the 3 score level at a 3.49.  The next best fixed income fund in this universe is the Calvert Ultra-Short Income Fund (CULAX), which is trading with a score of 2.78.

 

Figures in the charts below are as of November 26, 2013.

High Strength, Low Risk
Fund Score > 3, Below average volatility
           
    Name DWA Fund Score DWA rRisk Score  
  Equity Funds And ETFs      
    Ave Maria Rising Dividend Fund (AVEDX) 4.70 0.95  
    Calvert Large Cap Core Portfolio Class A (CMIFX) 4.14 0.90  
    Walden Equity Fund (WSEFX) 3.68 1.00  
    iShares FTSE KLD 400 Social Idx Fd (ETF): NYS - DSI 3.60 0.99  
    Calvert Moderate Allocation Fund Class A (CMAAX) 3.06 0.71  
    DFA International Social Core Equity Portfoli (DSCLX) 3.06 1.00  
    Legg Mason Investment Counsel Social Awarenes (SSIAX) 3.02 0.72  
    Pax World Balanced Individual Investor Class (PAXWX) 3.01 0.88  
       
  Bond Funds      
    Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX) 3.49 0.20  
           

 

High Strength, High Risk
Fund Score > 3, Above average volatility
           
    Name DWA Fund Score DWA rRisk Score  
  Equity Funds and ETFs      
    Ariel Fund Investor Class (ARGFX) 5.90 1.64  
    Ave Maria Growth Fund (AVEGX) 5.27 1.14  
    TIAA-CREF Social Choice Equity Fund Instituti (TISCX) 4.83 1.04  
    Neuberger Berman Socially Responsive Fund Inv (NBSRX) 4.83 1.09  
    Calvert Global Water Fund Class A (CFWAX) 4.66 1.22  
    PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy(ETF): NYS - PBW 4.53 2.48  
    Domini International Social Equity Fund Class (DOMAX) 4.44 1.40  
    Calvert Capital Accumulation Fund Class A (CCAFX) 4.27 1.38  
    Ave Maria Catholic Values Fund (AVEMX) 4.04 1.19  
    Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional (VFTNX) 3.90 1.05  
    DFA U.S. Social Core Equity 2 (DFUEX) 3.83 1.24  
    VALIC Company I Global Social Awareness Fund (VCSOX) 3.77 1.14  
    VALIC Company II Socially Responsible Fund (VCSRX) 3.76 1.03  
    Calvert Social Index Fund Class I (CISIX) 3.73 1.00  
    Domini Social Equity Fund Investor Class (DSEFX) 3.73 1.08  
    Global X Funds: NASDAQ - SOCL
 		 3.47 1.94  
    Calvert Equity Portfolio Class A (CSIEX) 3.47 1.05  
    Calvert Small Cap Fund Class A (CCVAX) 3.45 1.32  
    iShares MSCI USA ESG Select Scl Indx Fnd: NYS - KLD 3.23 1.01  
    DFA CSTG&E International Social Core Equity P (DFCCX) 3.19 1.24  
    Calvert International Equity Fund Class A (CWVGX) 3.14 1.25  
    DFA Emerging Markets Social Core Portfolio (DFESX) 3.01 1.68  
           
         
         
       
       
           

 

Low Strength, Low Risk
Fund Score < 3, Below average volatility
           
    Name DWA Fund Score DWA rRisk Score  
  Equity Funds and ETFs      
    Calvert Balanced Portfolio Class A (CSIFX) 2.90 0.59  
    Appleseed Fund (APPLX) 2.86 0.94  
           
           
  Bond Funds      
    Calvert Ultra-Short Income Fund Class A (CULAX) 2.78 0.05  
    Calvert Short Duration Income Fund Class A (CSDAX) 2.72 0.16  
    Calvert Income Fund Class A (CFICX) 2.31 0.30  
    Domini Social Bond Fund Investor Class (DSBFX) 2.11 0.18  
    Calvert Bond Portfolio Class A (CSIBX) 2.05 0.29  
    Calvert Tax-Free Bond Fund Class A (CTTLX) 1.91 0.43  
    Calvert Long-Term Income Fund Class A (CLDAX) 1.46 0.49  
           
           

 

Low Strength, High Risk
Fund Score < 3, Above average volatility
           
    Name DWA Fund Score DWA rRisk Score  
  Equity Funds and ETFs      
No funds in this category
this month.