Brokers recommend funds from their firms' list of approved choices, which are based on such factors as longevity, performance and fees.

For smaller accounts he recommended no-load or low-load mutual funds, like those in the Fidelity and Vanguard groups.

Notably, it does not seem to matter whether the investment newsletter writer is recommending stocks, bonds, funds or pork-belly futures.

Mr. Sterba says he does not recommend high-yield funds for every client.

The naval group recommended more funds for recruiting minority officers.

Investors complete a questionnaire, and Price then recommends an asset allocation and appropriate funds in its family.

A broker may recommend funds he knows well, but those may not turn out to provide the best tax benefits for each individual.

He recommended no-load funds that charge no annual 12b-1 fees, named after the section of securities law that permits them.

If you want to benefit from the price of gold, he recommends various investment products and funds that are linked to gold instead.

But some investment advisers who recommend mutual funds for individual investors are casting a skeptical eye on the company's plans.