Japan-focused mutual funds are currently outperforming their international peers in a downtrodden market and they are seemingly on their way to rosier returns over their peer group.

According to preliminary results from Morningstar, Japan funds' 6.7 percent average drop in 2010 trumps that of the world stock category's decline of 8.4 percent and Europe stock funds, which have fallen 13 percent this year the Wall Street Journal reports. In the second quarter, world stock funds dropped 11 percent and Europe funds fell 14 percent. Japan funds, after leading all international-fund categories in the first quarter, declined 13 percent. Fundsters looking for more details on the recent joys and woes of Japan funds may want to check out the whole article.

The WSJ article (today's "Fund Track" column) cites several industry insiders, including: Iain Clark, lead asset allocation strategist in London for Henderson International Opportunities Fund; Neil Hennessy, CEO of Hennessy Advisors; Chuck de Lardemelle, manager of IVA Worldwide Fund; and Harry Milling, fund analyst at Morningstar. Henderson International Opportunities, Hennessy Select SPARX Japan Smaller Companies Fund, IVA Worldwide and the T. Rowe Price Japan Fund all gain ink. 

Edited by: Hung Tran


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