Mutual Funds

Average total return, including dividends, in percent for periods ended Thursday, Aug. 29.

Category (No. of funds) Week Year-to-date 12 months Health/biotechnology (9) +3.0% +44.48% +62.07% Science and technology (21) +2.48 +30.99 +36.33 Small company (92) +1.86 +36.02 +36.81 Natural resources (20) +1.75 +8.68 +0.30 Growth (286) +1.52 +26.15 +28.97 Capital appreciation (136) +1.41 +27.31 +28.31 Growth and income (230) +1.29 +21.60 +24.87 Equity income (72) +1.14 +19.15 +22.63 Balanced: stock and bond (62) +1.02 +17.08 +22.03 Global: U.S. and foreign stocks (50) +0.75 +13.13 +7.52 Utilities (23) +0.46 +10.58 +20.99 Fixed income (584) +0.30 +10.62 +13.97 International: foreign stocks only (74) -0.07 +7.18 -0.36 Gold (36) -2.84 -7.26 -17.82 S&P; 500 index, excluding dividends +1.31 +20.06 +24.40 General stock fund average +1.44 +25.64 +28.11

Source: Lipper Analytical Services Inc.