Seeks to maximize long-term appreciation, minimize exposure to market risk. Ralph Parks Investment Group (RPIG) has launched what it calls the first cyclical equity fund in the U.S. The Ralph Parks Cyclical Equity Fund (RPCEP) is a no-load, diversified, multi-cap, open-end mutual fund that seeks to maximize long-term capital appreciation while minimizing exposure to general equity market risk.

Nimble

The Cyclical Equity fund follows an investment strategy Ralph Parks, chairman of RPIG and manager of the new fund, has been using for the past 14 years. It's meant to confer "portfolio diversification benefits that institutions, pension funds, endowments & foundations, and high-net worth individuals have become accustomed to in similar funds," according to a press release.

"We are committed to our goal of providing consistent performance year after year through our proprietary quantitative stock selection process," says Parks. "The uniqueness of the fund is that its cyclical nature allows added diversification and the ability to short if economic conditions warrant."

Parks adds that the Cyclical Equity fund adapts to market environments, is actively managed and highly diversified.

Gina Griffo, executive v.p. of RPIG, says that registered investment advisors have "really warmed up to our proprietary technical analysis process." Pittsford, N.Y.-based RPIG has been in business since November 2005. -FWR

.