It is quite possible to invest profitably from trends if they can be defined and are measurable. The Buffalo Mid Cap Fund selects companies in industries that are growing at a faster pace than the economy along with having sustained long-term growth characteristics.

Investing in initial public offerings requires a specialized knowledge of markets and industries coupled with a discerning global view. The fast growing economies of Asia and emerging markets offer opportunities to participate in companies that are benefiting from the economic expansion. Portfolio manager Paul Brigandi and Marketing Director Andy O’Rourke explain how Direxion is now providing retail investors with access to offerings that are expected to grow earnings at a faster pace.

The world of micro caps allows investors to implement a fine blend of growth and value for their investment strategies. Manager Timothy A. Todaro screens this promising segment of the market for companies that are undergoing fundamental changes and have identifiable catalysts for higher valuations in the near future.

International value investing requires a profound understanding of emerging markets as a possible source of extra value in addition to attractive investments in developed economies. Ron Holt, portfolio manager of the Hansberger International Value Fund, and his team stay focused on valuation, sectors and individual company outlook on a global basis to find names that are likely to outperform while trading at a discount to their peers.

In the turbulent seas of investing, companies need to change with the tides of market currents. The Olstein Strategic Opportunities Fund screens the marketplace for out-of-favor players suffering temporary setbacks or in need of a turnaround because of their failure to keep up with changing conditions. Portfolio manager Eric Heyman and his team look to invest in companies that are poised for transformation and have the financial strength to reenergize their business and earnings.

Just like their more obscure counterparts, companies that are dominant in their marketplace may also fall out of favor with investors. Harry Rady, portfolio manager of the Rady Contrarian Long/Short Fund, focuses on investing in companies with sustainable, competitive advantages, suffering from short-term, transitory issues, and evaluating their intrinsic value and long-term investment potential.

As smaller companies tend to be underfollowed and least understood across the market cap spectrum, a consistent strategy based on deep research can make all the difference in this segment of the market. With a strong appetite for investing in neglected leaders, portfolio manager Steve Roth seeks to benefit from out-of-favor stocks that are capable of yielding outsized gains.