News & Commentary

Jeff Markunas comments on a big box home improvement retailers’ reluctance to amplify discounts and promotions for the back-to-school season.

Ron Schwartz discusses the fund's performance and high quality focus as well as his outlook for municipal bonds.

Rob Corner discusses his stance on the market for covered bonds and ways to help banks kick-start the stalled mortgage market.

Don Wordell talks about his dividend orientation, valuation approach, and identification of catalysts to pick stocks. Using this process, he identifies two stocks that show promising growth prospects over the next 12-18 months.

When discussing market sentiment, Jeff Markunas argues that the market is looking better in the near term because it will continue to correct itself from the low that was reached during mid-July. He prefers the tech sector because of the attractive valuation and the ability for earnings to come through despite a global economic slowdown.

Don Wordell describes why the generous dividend yield, attractive valuation, and solid fundamentals of one major toy company makes this stock a great one to own.

Chad Deakins expresses his interest in Brazil as an appealing and developing economy. His main concern is whether or not the government will be successful in combating rising inflation.

Fact sheets for Equity, Fixed Income, Asset Allocation and Money Market Funds.

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Alan Gayle discusses growth opportunity in the financial sector for deep value investors who don’t expect accelerated income levels from these firms. Gayle believes economic conditions are too harsh for quick growth but he does believe financial stocks are trading at a bargain price.

Don Wordell describes his expectations of lower fuel costs in the not too distant future as a result of demand destruction. Due to record high fuel prices and difficult economic conditions, there have been fewer trucks on the road, planes in the air, and people driving. Wordell believes this will support an increase in supply and a significant drop in oil prices that will help the U.S. economy to get back on track.

Jeff Markunas anticipates U.S. industrial companies to report higher than expected earnings due to factors that make them more competitive to rivaling companies and lack of exposure to financial services. The Fund holds several U.S. industrial stocks that are expected to have large increases in earnings per share in the near future.

Jeff Markunas discusses reasons for Tyco’s success, including their restructuring programs, lower-cost production base, and marketing towards the increasing demand in emerging markets. All factors have contributed towards the company’s revenue growth which has beaten analyst’s expectations by 9-10%.

Chad Deakins describes how growing energy and food prices continue to drive inflation globally. He discusses the recent turmoil in international and emerging markets, but asserts Certium’s investment success in raw materials, utilities, and energy sectors because of continuing high demand.

This article, which addresses Fidelity’s new 130/30 Fund, explains the fundamentals of the 130/30 strategy and how this type of fund has been gaining popularity among investors. Kevin Means is quoted as saying that 130/30 funds are more than a trend and that “If the world were a perfectly rational place, then by all rights this should put long-only funds out of business.”

Chris Guinther discusses the high growth prospects of an efficient, low-cost oriented printing company. He describes factors that give this firm great potential during the current economic downturn when investors are fearful of the industry.

Alpha Equity Management, Inc., sub-adviser to the RidgeWorth 130/30 Funds, co-authors a white paper entitled “130/30 Funds: The Evolution of Active Equity Investing”

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Chad Deakins is quoted as saying that emerging markets are facing high inflation because gasoline and energy that was once eased by government subsidies are no longer controllable by the government.

This article explains the profitability of small cap stocks with international exposure after the occurrence of a bear market. Chris Guinther describes the earnings potential of a telecommunications firm with significant global market share.

Kevin Means says that “frothiness” in some real estate stocks provides opportunity for the Fund as he seeks to short-sell stocks in industries that he believes are overvalued (e.g. casinos) and reinvest the proceeds in strong-performing industries (e.g. Health Care).

Jeff Markunas discusses how tech stocks are just getting started and that the Fund is continuing to stick with them.

Moody's Investors Service assigned a rating of Aaa to the RidgeWorth Prime Quality Money Market Fund ("the Fund"), a prime money market fund managed by RidgeWorth Investments ("RidgeWorth") and sub-advised by StableRiver Capital Management LLC ("StableRiver").

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Don Wordell speculates that stock in the boat manufacturing firm, Brunswick, will increase during the next few years despite soaring gas prices. He argues that the worst has already occurred for Brunswick and that the stock will gain value when the economy begins to pick back up.

The article describes how Wordell looks for underperforming stocks that pay dividends. He explains, "the information you get from a company with an active dividend policy is sending a tremendous signal about how they feel about the health of their business model."

Kevin Means is quoted as saying that 130/30 funds are a good alternative to long only funds for investors.

Don Wordell discusses how the Funds have been dipping into REIT shares, especially those of downtown office properties.

Don Wordell describes his proprietary valuation screening method of picking stocks with low P/E ratios relative to their historical value. He highlights the potential profitability of several undervalued stocks in the airline and consumer sectors.

Jeff Markunas expresses his confidence in technology. He believes that people are skeptical of the growth prospects of tech since the dot.com bubble, but he anticipates that the developing overseas markets will be responsible for future growth.

Jeff Markunas discusses how he’s not enamored by the Telecom sector in general, but is finding opportunities in the sector appealing relative to other telecom stocks due to catalysts such as a favorable business model and high dividend yield.

Barron’s lists RidgeWorth Funds high on their list of 'The Best Mutual Fund Families'

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Chad Deakins expresses his confidence in multinational companies, despite a time of contraction and low earnings expectations. He and his portfolio management team believe strongly in the ability of companies to produce high earnings.

Don Wordell describes the Fund’s strong performance and the good opportunities that exist in the market. He says that the Fund is focusing on companies that pay high dividends and have undervalued stock.