Stock Funds Continue to Score

1. U.S.-stock mutual funds rose 2.9% in August, 8.5% year-to-date. 2. Expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts bolster investor confidence. 3. Growth stocks' high valuations lead investors to value stock positions. 4. Gold funds surged 20.7% in August due to geopolitical tensions. 5. September is typically weak, but analysts don't foresee market declines.