Mutual Funds

Average total return, including dividends, in percent for periods ended Thursday, Sept. 26.

Category (No. of funds) Week Yr. to date 12 months Utilities (23 ) +0.86% +12.31% +23.84% Science & technology (21 ) +0.54 +28.60 +48.02 Small company (97 ) +0.47 +36.62 +50.52 Global: U.S. and foreign stocks (52 ) +0.47 +14.52 +19.71 Gold (36 ) +0.45 -7.68 -17.23 International: foreign stocks only (82 ) +0.44 +10.09 +13.84 Capital appreciation (136 ) +0.32 +27.11 +37.62 Growth (286 ) +0.25 +24.53 +36.31 Balanced: stock and bond (62 ) +0.22 +16.56 +25.73 Fixed income (589 ) +0.18 +12.09 +16.03 Equity income (73 ) +0.15 +18.46 +27.34 Growth and income (230 ) +0.09 +20.10 +30.51 Natural resources (20 ) +0.05 +6.30 -0.30 Health/biotechnology (9 ) -0.09 +49.54 +76.61 General stock fund average +0.24 +24.67 +35.90 S&P; 500 index, excluding dividends -0.28 +17.04 +28.42

Source: Lipper Analytical Services Inc.