In this course
1 Introduction
2 Different Manager Structures
3 Why Managers Matter
4 Where Managers Matter Most--and Least
Quiz
Course Catalog
Course 209: Why Knowing Your Manager Matters

Introduction

Under the watch of head coach Lou Holtz, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame were a college football powerhouse from the late 1980s through the mid-1990s. During his 11-season tenure, Holtz boasted an admirable .765 winning percentage and led the Irish to a national championship in 1988 (and fell just shy of capturing the crown in 1989 and 1993).

But my, how things changed when Holtz departed in 1997. His replacement, Bob Davie, never was able to find a groove as the Irish spun to a virtually unheard-of 25 losses during his five- year stint.

Fund investors can learn something from the reversing fortunes of the Fighting Irish. Like college football teams, mutual funds are only as good as the people behind them: the fund managers. Managers are the people who decide what to buy and what to sell, and when. Because the fund manager is the person who is most responsible for a fund's performance, knowing who's calling the shots and for how long is a key to smart mutual fund picking.

Next: Different Manager Structures >>
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