"We like to focus on companies that can grow their earnings in good and bad markets," he said.

Rather than focus on companies, some investors may put money directly into commodities.

"We tend to focus on companies that have good clinical data already," he said.

If the pilot project is successful, the society plans to expand its efforts and focus on other companies.

The firm's $1.8 billion Founders fund, down 18 percent for the year through last week, focuses on smaller companies.

So he is now focusing on companies with market caps of $400 million to $40 billion.

A small asset base is a clear advantage, especially for funds that focus on smaller companies.

It said the review would focus on companies set up since late 1986, but others might be included.

But church staff members said this was the first time it had focused on companies doing business in Israel.

The managers often focus on companies with established consumer brands.