These are the top funds in five major categories, ranked according to three-year returns. We primarily consider funds with managers in place for at least three years; the only exceptions are managers with at least three years’ experience in a similar capacity. We don’t rank funds with front or back-end loads greater than 3 percent or funds that are closed to new investors, have less than $25 million in assets, have minimums of $10,000 or more, have trust restrictions or are single-state muni-bond funds. All data as of 06/30/09.

Source: Morningstar, Bloomberg

The Louis Rukeyser Honor Roll

Funds that have been on The Rukeyser 100 more than 80 percent of the past three years (at least 29 out of 36 months) make it onto The Louis Rukeyser Honor Roll. Their names are in green and marked with laurels.

On the Move

– Gold has dropped completely out of our Industry Sector category as investors take an optimistic view on a recovery. With recent economic data indicating that we may have reached a turning point, many are sticking more than a tentative toe back into the stock market. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to sell out of your gold holdings–especially those that have dropped off our list. All of those funds are excellent vehicles to gain gold exposure, and there are likely a few more bumps in the road before we reach the next bull market.

– Janus Triton (JATTX) is making its first appearance in the Rukey 100, as its managers have reached our experience threshold. Billed as a small-cap growth fund, almost half of its assets are in mid-cap names. Still, the fund has been well positioned to take advantage of the recent rally in small-cap growth names, generating an enviable track record that leaves it at the top of its category for three-year returns. With a skillful manager backed by Janus’ solid research staff, the fund’s an attractive option option. But don’t let its highflying returns lull you into a sense of complacency–this is a highly volatile sector.

Funds Added This Month

-Parnassus Workplace
-Janus Triton
-Parnassus
-Osterweis
-Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Idx
-T Rowe Price Personal Strat Income
-T Rowe Price Health Sciences
-Fidelity Select Biotechnology
-T Rowe Price Media & Telecom
-Gabelli Utilities AAA
-Fidelity Select Computers
-SSgA Emerging Markets
-TCW Total Return Bond I
-Managers Fremont Bond
-AmCent Infl-Adj Bond
-Artio Global High Income A

Funds Dropped This Month

-Forester Value
-Fidelity OTC
-Roosevelt Multi-Cap
-ETF Market Opportunity
-Aston/River Road Dividend
-FPA Crescent
-GAMCO Gold AAA
-Tocqueville Gold
-US Global Inv Gold & Precious Metals
-AmCent Global Gold Inv
-Rydex Precious Metals
-Matthews Pacific Tiger
-Fidelity Ginnie Mae
-Payden Ginnie Mae
-Osterweis Strategic Income
-WF Adv S/T H/Y Bond