Leuthold Launches Cleantech Mutual Fund

July 29, 2009 _ FINalternatives

Minneapolis, Minn.-based asset management firm Leuthold Weeden Capital Management has recently unveiled a mutual fund that will focus on the rapidly growing clean technology sector.

The new offering, the Leuthold Global Clean Technology Fund, will invest in publicly traded clean technology companies, both in the U.S. and abroad, with the aim of holding stocks for a year or longer.

“Most funds out there are looking at recent technologies. We are looking at proven strategies that have the potential for growth,” says Eric Bjorgen, who co-manages the fund alongside Steve Leuthold, chief investment officer of the firm.

Cleantech industry expert David Kurzman, who recently joined the firm to provide analytical support for the fund, says there is a “perfect storm” of events happening now that makes this area of investing extremely attractive.

“First, you have political will, not only in the U.S. with the Obama administration looking to put north of $150 billion over the next decade into renewables and clean technologies, but you also have political will coming from multiple other countries. Second, there are a number of really attractive and talented managers that are coming into the industry…And third, the companies themselves have commercially viable products that are generating profits,” Kurzman says.

According to Bjorgen, the fund will focus on four clean technology groups: alternative energy, resource conservation, clean water, and clean environment.

The team is being rounded out by analyst Jun Zhu, who has been with the firm for over a year and has a strong background in both fundamental and quantitative analysis.

The Leuthold Global Clean Technology Fund offers both a Retail Share Class (LGCTX) and an Institutional Share Class (LGCIX).