Mutual Funds

Average total return, including dividends, in percent for periods ended Thursday, Dec. 12.

Category (No. of funds) Week Yr. to date 12 months Utilities (23) +0.88% +17.38% +18.67% Health/biotechnology (9) +0.64 +57.87 +58.96 Growth and income (242) +0.54 +18.74 +19.20 Balanced: stock and bond (62) +0.54 +18.04 +18.29 Equity income (72) +0.48 +18.06 +18.30 Growth and income (292) +0.43 +24.54 +25.24 Fixed income (620) +0.28 +16.05 +16.23 Capital appreciation (136) +0.28 +27.82 +28.53 Science & Technology) -0.03 +30.35 +31.99 Small company (109) -0.12 +37.73 +40.23 Global: U.S. and foreign stocks (54) -0.42 +11.76 +8.92 International: foreign stocks only (81) -0.86 +6.44 +2.36 Natural resources (21) -2.06 -1.15 +0.19 Gold (36) -3.74 -5.15 +3.47 General stock fund average +0.37 +24.52 +25.33 S&P; 500 index, excluding dividends +1.10 +15.54 +15.85

Source: Lipper Analytical Services Inc.