Artisan's international fund picks stocks a little differently than most of our other fund families. This fund seeks non-domestic equities of all market capitalizations with a distinct focus on growth companies that possess efficient and effective management. More specifically, the fund looks for companies with sustainable growth opportunities (annual rate ranging 10%-30%), P/E's at a discount to current valuations, and a strong presence in their respective industries.

Who is the person orchestrating the picks? None other than Morningstar's 1998 International Fund Manager of the Year, Mark L. Yockey. Yockey, a managing director at Artisan, has been managing the international fund since its inception in 1995, and has posted an annualized return of over 13%. He also manages Artisan's small-cap international fund, which as its name implies limits itself to smaller companies. Although Yockey has the final say on what this fund invests in, he is not without a supporting cast. The Michigan State University MBA grad is accompanied by a team of six analysts.

Another of Artisan's impressive offerings is its small-cap value fund. Posting solid three-year, five-year and since-inception returns, the fund has developed a reputation as one of the best small-cap funds in the industry today. The fund is co-managed by Scott Satterwhite and James Kieffer. Both hold the CFA designation, and both are former employees of the Wachovia Corporation, where their great stock picking relationship started.

Satterwhite has been at the helm of the small-cap value fund at Artisan since its 1997 inception, and Kieffer acted as his analyst for three years before being promoted to Satterwhite's stock picking peer and co-manager in 2000. The stock picking success of this team stems mainly from the two men's shared ideologies. Four key components making up their small-cap value strategy include: 1) looking for companies with the ability to significantly increase earnings in the future, 2) not shunning under-analyzed companies, 3) seeking companies with hidden assets, and 4) looking for companies with a recent change, whether it is new management, product line, or trend within the industry.

Based on the savvy management team and the unquestionable track record of their top funds, Artisan is a great addition to the Coattail Investor roster of funds.