Not that it was impossible to buy a fund specializing in these areas before.

Since the securities were first offered, a little more than a year ago, only three retail funds specializing in them have been introduced.

If successful, Axial plans to raise $300 million more to create similar funds specializing in sectors like food and timber.

Mutual funds specializing in smaller companies did better than most other fund categories in recent months.

Demand from mutual funds specializing in Treasury securities is also expected to be strong at this week's auctions.

The rallies have produced big gains for mutual funds specializing in Asian stocks.

They are also proving quicker to sell loans at a loss, often to funds specializing in debt of troubled companies.

Janus is also trying to diversify beyond funds specializing in fast-growing companies.

The company was penalized because it had no domestic fund specializing in small-capitalization stocks.

Even money managers at funds specializing in China stocks are expressing worry about a glut of offerings.