*Each year, the Lipper awards acknowledge those mutual funds that deliver superior returns with low volatility. This year’s winners included a number of funds that have consistently appeared in The Rukeyser 100. Adirondack Small Cap (ASKSX), which has appeared in these pages for the past six months, took top honors in the Small-Cap Value category. TCW Core Fixed Income (TGCFX) won in the Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt category.

+Funds offered by USAA–a financial services outfit dedicated to serving current and former members of the US Armed Forces–have made frequent appearances in The Rukeyser 100 lately. Given the firm’s mandate, it is a common misconception that USAA mutual funds are only available to military personnel. In fact, USAA funds are open to all investors and are available on a number of platforms, including Vanguard and T. Rowe Price.