AssetPage„ Announces Best and Worst Asset Classes for May 2006



Of the 32 asset classes tracked by AssetPage, a financial publisher specializing in asset class analytics, the best performing asset class in May was global (un-hedged) bonds. Rounding out the top 5 performing asset classes as measured by total returns for the month were hedge funds, commodities, medium term municipal bonds, and long term municipal bonds. The bottom 5 asset classes for the month were small cap value, mid cap growth, small cap core, small cap growth, and emerging market stocks.

's8220;The month of May saw a breakdown in the upward trend for the stock market as virtually all risky asset classes suffered due to fears of rising inflation. Emerging markets took the heaviest beating in this downturn,'s8221; according to Steven Sheldon, AssetPage's8217;s Director of Research. Despite May's8217;s drubbing, emerging markets continue to be a top performing asset class for 2006 with a 6.2% year-to-date return as represented by EEM (an exchange traded fund that tracks emerging markets). 's8220;It remains to be seen if this was just a brief correction in emerging markets or a real wake-up call for investors that have forgotten that those markets do indeed have downside volatility,'s8221; Sheldon continued.

Bonds did well in May as investors retreated to less risky asset classes. Bond returns have languished in 2006 as interest rates have risen. However, global (un-hedged against U.S. dollar) bonds have benefited from the resumption in the declining dollar.

The AssetPage Asset Class Ranking identifies the top performing investment areas each quarter from among a list of the 32 most widely recognized asset classes. The ranked asset classes include core and alternative asset classes such as U.S. and international equities, bonds, cash, real estate, precious metals, and hedge funds.

About AssetPage LLC

AssetPage LLC is a financial publisher specializing in asset class analytics. AssetPage's8217;s flagship report is the Asset Allocation Toolkit, a subscription-based report that provides extensive coverage of 32 core, alternative and supporting asset classes. The company's8217;s customers include financial advisers, money managers, and individual investors.         

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AssetPage„ Announces Best and Worst Asset Classes for May 2006