Value stock mutual funds have left growth funds in the dust in the past 15 years of performance, with much of their edge stemming from their ability to withstand the bursting of the dot-com bubble in 2000. Value funds have generated an average annual return of 6.20% since July 1, 1999, according to Morningstar Inc. data. That’s enough to have pumped up a $1,000 investment to $24,887.