NEW YORK, NY—For the twelfth year, Money Magazine has provided its readers with an extensive and well-researched guide to the country's largest mutual funds. The listings of more than 2,100 funds include returns for four time periods, peer-group rankings and other vital data. The guide also ranks the 50 top-performing stocks funds and 25 top-performing bond funds.

In addition to the annual report card, other highlights from the February issue of Money Magazine include:

• BEST MUTUAL FUNDS FOR 2001 Since less than 1/3 of stock funds made money last year, mutual funds have lost some of their appeal. But Money Magazineidentifies 10 funds that should remain leaders in 2001 and beyond.
• A SPECIAL INVESTIGATION In less than 24 hours, the value of one Heartland bond fund dropped over 40% while another dropped 70%. Two Money Magazinewriters uncover the reasons why, and the implications for all investors.
• FORECAST FROM TOP STRATEGISTS Five market gurus share their latest forecasts for 2001 and their stock and bond recommendations. Among Money Magazine's sources: Elizabeth Mackay of Bear Stearns, Steven DeSanctis of Prudential Securities and Jeffrey Applegate of Lehman Bros.
• TALES OF A SINFUL INVESTOR Freelance writer Ed Leibowitz is the kind of guy who wears t-shirts proclaiming, "Friends don't let friends shop at chain bookstores." He thought his taste for large corporations was reflected in his socially responsible mutual funds. Then he saw exactly what stocks his funds held.

The February 2001 issue of Money Magazinewill be on the newsstands beginning January 16, 2001.

Money Magazine, with a circulation of 1.9 million, is the nation's largest financial management publication. Money is published by Time Inc., and is part of the Personal Finance Media Group, which includes Money Magazine, Money.com, and Mutual Funds magazine.