"We are adding Artisan Opportunistic Growth (ARTRX), which we consider a 'new opportunity,' for long-term ivvestors, to our Best Buys portfolios," explains Mark Salzinger.

The mutual fund specialist and editor of The No-Load Fund Investor explains, "Launched lst September, the fund fits neatly into one of our key strategies for maximizing risk-adjusted returns: It's a new, small and flexible fund from experienced, highly successful managers.

"This new fund is managed by Andrew Stephens, James Hamel and Shayne John-the same trio of managers who guide Artisan Mid Cap to excellent long-term results.

Has your broker repeatedly sold you on the "safe" investment vehicle, the mutual fund? Investing in a wide variety of prominent companies, with solid, long-term track records, mutual funds have been an easy-to-understand and popular investment choice for decades.

Mutual funds are hugely diversified, holding large stakes in recognizable names such as Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), Citigroup (NYSE: C), Walmart (NYSE: WMT), Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), General Electric (NYSE: GE), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), and Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM).

Despite a 46% gain since adding iShares MSCI Brazil (NYSE: EWZ) to his portfolio, global expert Keith Fitz-Gerald still sees upside potential. Here's the latest from Money Map Reporter.

"History tells us that the best gains come to those who have the courage to buy undervalued companies in the face of extreme pessimism – and that sounds a lot like right now. So while we may not be at the very bottom, we are nonetheless pretty darn close.

Mary Anne and Pamela Aden are among the advisory world's top authorities on metals and resources.

In a recent Q&A session, the editors of The Aden Forecast answer the most common questions that they are asked by readers as to the current state and future outlook for the precious metals markets.

In addition, the sisters answer what they say is the most frequent question they receive: "What is the best way to buy gold." Here, they offer a review of five strategies for investing in gold, including their top picks among stocks, closed-end funds and ETFs.

This post is part of a 12-article feature on the best bets for investing in China. To see all the other recommendations in this special report, click here.

"When reviewing a list of top-performing ETFs over the past few months, it's not hard to discern a pattern; if a fund has China somewhere in the name, odds are good that it has screamed to the top of the charts," says Paul Tracy.

In The ETF Authority, he adds, "It seems the China growth story is now back on track." Here, he looks at the Templeton Dragon Fund (NYSE: TDF), run by Mark Mobius, a "protege of the legendary Sir John Templeton."

This post is part of a 12-article feature on the best bets for investing in China. To see all the other recommendations in this special report, click here.

"The Greater China region covers an area which encompasses Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau and is home to over 4,100 companies," says Nick Lanyi.

In his High Yield International, he suggests, "Research in this part of the world can be difficult for U.S. investors (who don't even speak Mandarin) to separate the good from the bad. That where The China Fund (NYSE: CHN) comes in."

"Investors have fared well in US Treasuries, the top-performing asset class in 2008 with returns approaching 6.8%; but for new money Treasuries seem less compelling given the current paltry yields," says Benjamin Shepard.

In Personal Finance, explains, "To capture higher yields while taking advantage of the security of government debt, we're adding Fidelity Ginnie Mae (FGMNX) to our bond holdings."

"Government debt still makes sense from a safety standpoint, particularly if you're able to realize higher yields. Debt issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) is the way to do that.

"Duff & Phelps Utility & Corporate Bond Trust (NYSE: DUC) owns a nice blend of corporates, utility, and mortgage-backed securities," notes income expert Bryan Perry in his growth & income oriented Cash Machine advisory.

"These types of securities are getting more attention with the notion of an economic recovery occurring late this year, implying a higher demand for power and thus a rebound in the utility sector as a whole.

"If investors can lock in a 7.5% yield through this senior debt holder of major global utilities, then you can rest assured that the monthly dividend, which was raised this month, is secure.

"Resource-rich, politically stable and increasingly prosperous, Chile is an attractive play on commodities and growing wealth in emerging markets," explains Mark Salzinger, editor of The Investor's ETF Report.

Chile is also a favorite investment position of Nicholas Vardy, editor of The Global Bull Market Alert, who notes, "Thanks to its fiscal prudence, its lack of a domestic housing bubble, and its sizeable wealth reserves, Chile has weathered the current global economic meltdown better than most countries."

Here, the two advisors assess the longer-term opportunity in iShares MSCI Chile (NYSE: ECH), an exchange-traded fund.

This post is part of a seven article report -- Food for thought: Best bets in food & beverage stocks.

"We're bullish on Juan Valdez," jests Eric Roseman, who sees an opportunity in an ETN (exchange-traded note) based on coffee prices. Here's the latest from his top-notch The Commodity Trend Alert.

"For individual commodities, supply and demand fundamentals are not ubiquitous and you really have to dig deep to find the best upside speculations. I think our time has arrived to bet on coffee.

"Inflation protected bonds hold an interesting hybridized place among Fidelity's bond fund lineup," says Jim Lowell in his Fidelity Investor. Here's the fund advisor's look at Fidelity Inflation-Protected Bond Fund (FINPX).

"When fear of recession (and fear while in recession) hold the upper hand, they behave more like longer-term Treasuries.

"When fear of inflation rises, and long term Treasuries go into a tailspin, these bonds benefit from their inflation protected top spin. "Right now, after the strongest general market rally since the Great Depression, things feel less gloomy (even though they still look relatively dicey).

"It's time to invest in Hong Kong, which is the gateway to China," says Mark Skousen, who looks to the iShares MSCI Hong Kong ETF (NYSE: EWH).

In his High Income Alert, the leading advisor explains, "While China's stock markets are wild, illiquid and unregulated, the Hong Kong market is among the freest and most transparent in the world."

"iShares Hong Kong, an exchange-traded fund, replicates the performance of the Hong Kong market. And I like the outlook here, as Hong Kong is home to many of the premier companies in the region.

Given President Obama's meeting last weekend with Latin American leaders, a look at Latin America-related mutual funds seemed particularly timely. As such we turn to fund expert Mark Salzinger.

The editor of No-Load Fund Investor explains, "The best way for mutual fund investors to add exposure to Brazilian stocks is through Fidelity Latin America (FLATX) or T. Rowe Price Latin America (PRLAX)." Here's his review of the two mutual funds.

"Both funds have solid records and new managers, but each has substantial experience and is backed by deep research teams.

The Wall Street Journal reports (subscription required) that "Over 41 years ended 2006, alcohol, tobacco and gambling shares returned about 3.5 percentage points a year more than other stocks, according to a new study slated for publication in the Journal of Financial Economics. Ironically, scrupulous investors might have created the outperformance by shunning such stocks, thereby leaving them available to other investors at bargain prices."

So there you have it: It might be possible to do well by doing good but it's easier to get rich investing in companies that do evil.

Vice stocks generally outperform the broader market during difficult economic times: Demand for cigarettes tends not to be affected by recessions and at least right now, the bad economy is driving gun sales .

However the performance of vice stocks doesn't appear to have held up particularly well over the past year. The Vice Fund recently reported (PDF File) that it was down 42.83% for the year ended March 31st, 2009 -- measurably worse than the category average of 38.13%.

If you believe the pundits who say we are close to emerging from a recession, this is the absolutely worst time to buy sin stocks: Their sales and earnings have been relatively flat during the recession and they're unlikely to get much of a boost from a macroeconomic turnaound.

Plus: You just sleep better owning shares in companies that don't kill people.

"Founded in 1958, ASA Ltd. (NYSE: ASA) is a boutique investment management firm that specializes in precious metals stocks," notes Nathan Slaughter.

The editor of The ETF Authority explains, "Among actively-managed funds in this niche, ASA has earned a best-in-class reputation." Here's his review.

"The portfolio only holds about 20 stocks, but shareholders will have a stake in most of the industry's heaviest hitters. The list represents major players from South Africa to Latin America.