| Label |
Element |
Value |
| Risk Return Abstract |
rr_RiskReturnAbstract |
|
|
| Document Type |
dei_DocumentType |
485BPOS
|
|
| Document Period End Date |
dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate |
Dec. 31, 2017
|
|
| Registrant Name |
dei_EntityRegistrantName |
FIRSTHAND FUNDS
|
|
| Central Index Key |
dei_EntityCentralIndexKey |
0000917124
|
|
| Amendment Flag |
dei_AmendmentFlag |
false
|
|
| Document Creation Date |
dei_DocumentCreationDate |
Apr. 30, 2018
|
|
| Document Effective Date |
dei_DocumentEffectiveDate |
Apr. 30, 2018
|
|
| Prospectus Date |
rr_ProspectusDate |
Apr. 30, 2018
|
|
| Firsthand Technology Opportunities Fund |
|
|
|
| Risk Return Abstract |
rr_RiskReturnAbstract |
|
|
| Risk/Return [Heading] |
rr_RiskReturnHeading |
Firsthand Technology Opportunities
Fund (TEFQX)
|
|
| Objective [Heading] |
rr_ObjectiveHeading |
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
|
|
| Objective, Primary [Text Block] |
rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock |
Firsthand Technology Opportunities Fund seeks
long-term growth of capital.
|
|
| Expense [Heading] |
rr_ExpenseHeading |
FEES AND EXPENSES
|
|
| Expense Narrative [Text Block] |
rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock |
The table below describes the fees and expenses
that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of Firsthand Technology Opportunities Fund.
|
|
| Operating Expenses Caption [Text] |
rr_OperatingExpensesCaption |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
| Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination |
rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination |
April 30, 2019
|
|
| Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] |
rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock |
Portfolio Turnover—The Fund pays
transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio
turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.
These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund's performance. During
the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 19% of the average value of its portfolio.
|
|
| Portfolio Turnover, Rate |
rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate |
19.00%
|
|
| Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] |
rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock |
Example—This example is meant
to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example
also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your
actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
|
|
| Strategy [Heading] |
rr_StrategyHeading |
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
|
|
| Strategy Narrative [Text Block] |
rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock |
Under normal circumstances, we invest at least
80% of the Fund's assets in high-technology companies. We consider a high-technology company to be one that employs a relatively
high degree of engineering and/or scientific intensity to deliver its products or services. We invest the Fund's assets primarily
in equity securities of high-technology companies in the industries and markets that we believe hold the most growth potential
within the technology sector. Because there are no market capitalization restrictions on the Fund's investments, the Fund may purchase
stocks of small-, mid-, and large-cap companies. There is also no percentage limit on the Fund's ability to invest in foreign securities.
Due to the Fund's focus on emerging opportunities within the technology sector, its investments tend to include younger companies
with market capitalizations in the small- or mid-cap categories.
Our analysis of a potential investment focuses
on valuing a company and purchasing securities of that company if we believe its intrinsic value exceeds its current market price.
Conversely, we sell securities of a company when its market price exceeds its intrinsic value or when alternative investments present
better potential for capital appreciation. When assessing a company's intrinsic value, we consider a number of factors that may
influence its earnings potential, including: strength of technology, breadth of product line, barriers to entry (including patents
and other intellectual property rights), the competitive environment, product development, marketing acumen, and management strength
and vision.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that
it invests in fewer companies than a diversified fund. Although some of the Fund's holdings may produce dividends, interest, or
other income, current income is not a consideration when selecting the Fund's investments.
|
|
| Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text] |
rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration |
Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the Fund's assets in high-technology companies. We consider a high-technology company to be one that employs a relatively high degree of engineering and/or scientific intensity to deliver its products or services.
|
|
| Risk [Heading] |
rr_RiskHeading |
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS
|
|
| Risk Narrative [Text Block] |
rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock |
The Fund is subject to the following principal
risks.
General Securities Market Risk—Because
the return on and value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate in response to stock market movements, the most significant
risk of investing in the Fund is that you may lose money. Stocks and other equity securities are subject to market risks and fluctuations
in value due to earnings, economic conditions, and other factors beyond our control. We designed the Fund for long-term investors
who can accept the risks of investing in a fund with significant equity holdings in high-technology industries.
Technology Investment Risk—The
Fund concentrates its investments in the technology sector, which is a very volatile segment of the market. The nature of technology
is that it is rapidly changing. Therefore, products or services that may initially look promising may subsequently fail or become
obsolete. In addition, many technology companies are younger, smaller and unseasoned companies that may not have established products,
an experienced management team, or earnings history.
Non-Diversification Risk—A risk
of being non-diversified is that a significant change in the value of one company will have a greater impact on the Fund than it
would if the Fund diversified its investments. You should also be aware that because a non-diversified investment strategy may
expose you to greater-than-average financial and market risk, an investment in the Fund is not a balanced investment program.
Small-Cap Companies Risk—The Fund
may invest a substantial portion of its assets in small-capitalization companies. Although smaller companies may have potential
for rapid growth, they are subject to wider price fluctuations due to factors inherent in their size, such as lack of management
experience and financial resources and limited trade volume and frequency. To make a large sale of securities of smaller companies
that trade in limited volumes, the Fund may need to sell portfolio holdings at a discount or make a series of small sales over
an extended period of time.
Foreign Securities Risk—The Fund
may invest in companies that trade on U.S. exchanges as American Depositary Receipts, on foreign exchanges, or on foreign over-the-counter
markets. Investments in foreign securities involve greater risks compared to domestic investments. Foreign companies may not be
subject to the regulatory requirements of U.S. companies, so there may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers
than about U.S. companies. Foreign companies generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting
standards. Dividends and interest on foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. Such taxes may reduce the
net return to the Fund's shareholders. Foreign securities are often denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar. Accordingly,
the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with fluctuations in currency values, which may decline against the U.S. dollar.
The Fund is permitted to hedge that currency risk but it normally does not intend to do so. Although the Fund generally will invest
only in foreign securities of issuers that are domiciled in nations considered to have stable and friendly governments, issuers
of foreign securities still may be subject to the risk of expropriation, confiscation, taxation, currency blockage, or political
or social instability, any of which could negatively affect the Fund.
Emerging Markets Risk—The Fund
may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in foreign securities of issuers in countries with emerging securities markets.
Investments in such emerging securities markets present greater risks than investing in foreign issuers in general. The risk of
political or social upheaval is greater in emerging securities markets. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have
had and may continue to have negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. Moreover,
many of the emerging securities markets are relatively small, have low trading volumes, suffer periods of relative illiquidity
and are characterized by significant price volatility and high transaction costs.
Cash Strategy Risk—The Fund may,
from time to time, invest a substantial portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. If the stock market were to appreciate
substantially during the time when the Fund is holding a substantial portion of its assets in cash, the Fund may underperform the
market.
|
|
| Risk Lose Money [Text] |
rr_RiskLoseMoney |
Because the return on and value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate in response to stock market movements, the most significant risk of investing in the Fund is that you may lose money.
|
|
| Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] |
rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus |
A risk of being non-diversified is that a significant change in the value of one company will have a greater impact on the Fund than it would if the Fund
diversified its investments.
|
|
| Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] |
rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading |
PERFORMANCE
|
|
| Performance Narrative [Text Block] |
rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock |
The following bar chart and performance table
provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows the changes in the performance of the Fund from
year to year over a period of 10 years. The performance table shows how the average annual total returns of the Fund, over certain
periods of time, compare to those of a broad-based market index (the Standard & Poor's 500 Index) and a technology sector-heavy
index (the NASDAQ Composite Index). Though not explicitly a technology sector index, the NASDAQ Composite Index was selected for
comparison because it is widely recognized as a technology sector benchmark, given the concentration of technology companies in
the index. The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is no guarantee of how it will perform in the future.
|
|
| Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] |
rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns |
The following bar chart and performance table provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows the changes in the performance of the Fund from year to year over a period of 10 years.
|
|
| Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] |
rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture |
The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is no guarantee of how it will
perform in the future.
|
|
| Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] |
rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock |
| |
Best Quarter: |
3rd Quarter, 2013 |
24.05% |
|
| |
Worst Quarter: |
4th Quarter, 2008 |
(20.65%) |
|
|
|
| Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate |
rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate |
After-tax returns are calculated using the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect each year and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
|
|
| Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred |
rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred |
Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ from the results shown above, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account (IRA).
|
|
| Performance Table Closing [Text Block] |
rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock |
After-tax returns are calculated using the
highest individual federal income tax rates in effect each year and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual
after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ from the results shown above, and after-tax returns
shown are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual
retirement account (IRA).
|
|
| Firsthand Technology Opportunities Fund | Firsthand Technology Opportunities Fund Shares |
|
|
|
| Risk Return Abstract |
rr_RiskReturnAbstract |
|
|
| Trading Symbol |
dei_TradingSymbol |
TEFQX
|
|
| Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) |
rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice |
none
|
|
| Management Fee |
rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets |
1.40%
|
|
| Other Expenses |
rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets |
0.46%
|
|
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
rr_ExpensesOverAssets |
1.86%
|
|
| Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement |
rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets |
(0.01%)
|
[1] |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement |
rr_NetExpensesOverAssets |
1.85%
|
[1] |
| One Year |
rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 |
$ 188
|
|
| Three Years |
rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 |
584
|
|
| Five Years |
rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 |
1,005
|
|
| Ten Years |
rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 |
$ 2,179
|
|
| Annual Return 2008 |
rr_AnnualReturn2008 |
(42.40%)
|
|
| Annual Return 2009 |
rr_AnnualReturn2009 |
73.98%
|
|
| Annual Return 2010 |
rr_AnnualReturn2010 |
29.27%
|
|
| Annual Return 2011 |
rr_AnnualReturn2011 |
(10.74%)
|
|
| Annual Return 2012 |
rr_AnnualReturn2012 |
16.67%
|
|
| Annual Return 2013 |
rr_AnnualReturn2013 |
31.80%
|
|
| Annual Return 2014 |
rr_AnnualReturn2014 |
9.29%
|
|
| Annual Return 2015 |
rr_AnnualReturn2015 |
4.28%
|
|
| Annual Return 2016 |
rr_AnnualReturn2016 |
5.99%
|
|
| Annual Return 2017 |
rr_AnnualReturn2017 |
55.45%
|
|
| Highest Quarterly Return, Label |
rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel |
Best Quarter:
|
|
| Highest Quarterly Return, Date |
rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate |
Sep. 30, 2013
|
|
| Highest Quarterly Return |
rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn |
24.05%
|
|
| Lowest Quarterly Return, Label |
rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel |
Worst Quarter:
|
|
| Lowest Quarterly Return, Date |
rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate |
Dec. 31, 2008
|
|
| Lowest Quarterly Return |
rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn |
(20.65%)
|
|
| 1 Year |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 |
55.45%
|
|
| 5 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 |
19.87%
|
|
| 10 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 |
12.81%
|
|
| Firsthand Technology Opportunities Fund | After Taxes on Distributions | Firsthand Technology Opportunities Fund Shares |
|
|
|
| Risk Return Abstract |
rr_RiskReturnAbstract |
|
|
| 1 Year |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 |
55.45%
|
|
| 5 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 |
17.46%
|
|
| 10 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 |
11.67%
|
|
| Firsthand Technology Opportunities Fund | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales | Firsthand Technology Opportunities Fund Shares |
|
|
|
| Risk Return Abstract |
rr_RiskReturnAbstract |
|
|
| 1 Year |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 |
31.39%
|
|
| 5 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 |
15.44%
|
|
| 10 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 |
10.37%
|
|
| Firsthand Technology Opportunities Fund | Standard & Poor’s 500 Index |
|
|
|
| Risk Return Abstract |
rr_RiskReturnAbstract |
|
|
| 1 Year |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 |
21.82%
|
[2] |
| 5 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 |
15.77%
|
[2] |
| 10 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 |
8.48%
|
[2] |
| Firsthand Technology Opportunities Fund | NASDAQ Composite Index |
|
|
|
| Risk Return Abstract |
rr_RiskReturnAbstract |
|
|
| 1 Year |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 |
29.73%
|
[2] |
| 5 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 |
19.50%
|
[2] |
| 10 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 |
11.35%
|
[2] |
| Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund |
|
|
|
| Risk Return Abstract |
rr_RiskReturnAbstract |
|
|
| Risk/Return [Heading] |
rr_RiskReturnHeading |
Firsthand Alternative
Energy Fund (ALTEX)
|
|
| Objective [Heading] |
rr_ObjectiveHeading |
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
|
|
| Objective, Primary [Text Block] |
rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock |
Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund seeks long-term
growth of capital.
|
|
| Expense [Heading] |
rr_ExpenseHeading |
FEES AND EXPENSES
|
|
| Expense Narrative [Text Block] |
rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock |
The table below describes the fees and expenses
that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund.
|
|
| Operating Expenses Caption [Text] |
rr_OperatingExpensesCaption |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each
year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
| Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination |
rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination |
April 30, 2019
|
|
| Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] |
rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock |
Portfolio Turnover—The Fund pays
transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio
turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.
These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund's performance. During
the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 0% of the average value of its portfolio.
|
|
| Portfolio Turnover, Rate |
rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate |
none
|
|
| Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] |
rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock |
Example—This example is meant
to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example
also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your
actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
|
|
| Strategy [Heading] |
rr_StrategyHeading |
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
|
|
| Strategy Narrative [Text Block] |
rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock |
Under normal circumstances, we invest at least
80% of the Fund's assets in alternative energy and alternative energy technology companies, both U.S. and international. Alternative
energy currently includes energy generated through solar, hydrogen, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, tidal, biofuel, and biomass.
Alternative energy technologies currently include, but are not limited to, technologies that enable energies to be tapped, stored,
or transported, such as fuel cells; services or technologies that conserve or enable more efficient utilization of energy; and
technologies that help minimize harmful emissions from existing energy sources, such as helping reduce carbon emissions. Because
there are no market capitalization restrictions on the Fund's investments, the Fund may purchase stocks of any capitalization,
including, but not limited to, large-cap, mid-cap or small-cap stocks. There is also no percentage limit on the Fund's ability
to invest in foreign and emerging markets securities. The Fund's international stock investments may include stocks of companies
based in or doing substantial business in both developed markets and emerging markets. The Fund may also from time to time, as
part of its principal investment strategies, invest a substantial portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.
Our analysis of a potential investment focuses
on valuing a company and purchasing securities of that company if we believe its intrinsic value exceeds its current market price.
Conversely, we sell securities of a company when its market price exceeds its intrinsic value or when alternative investments present
better potential for capital appreciation. When assessing a company's intrinsic value, we consider a number of factors that may
influence its earnings potential, including: strength of technology, breadth of product line, barriers to entry (including patents
and other intellectual property rights), the competitive environment, product development, marketing acumen, and management strength
and vision.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that
it invests in fewer companies than a diversified fund. In addition, the Fund has a policy of concentrating its investments in alternative
energy and clean technology industries. Although some of the Fund's holdings may produce dividends, interest, or other income,
current income is not a consideration when selecting the Fund's investments.
|
|
| Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text] |
rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration |
Under normal circumstances, we invest at
least 80% of the Fund's assets in alternative energy and alternative energy technology companies, both U.S. and international.
|
|
| Risk [Heading] |
rr_RiskHeading |
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS
|
|
| Risk Narrative [Text Block] |
rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock |
The Fund is subject to the following principal
risks.
General Securities Market Risk—Because
the return on and value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate in response to stock market movements, the most significant
risk of investing in the Fund is that you may lose money. Stocks and other equity securities are subject to market risks and fluctuations
in value due to earnings, economic conditions, and other factors beyond our control. We designed the Fund for long-term investors
who can accept the risks of investing in a fund with significant equity holdings in alternative energy and clean technology industries.
Alternative Energy Industries Concentration
Risk—The alternative energy and clean technology industries can be significantly affected by obsolescence of existing
technology, short product cycles, falling prices and profits, competition from new market entrants, and general economic conditions.
Further, these industries can be significantly affected by intense competition and legislation resulting in more strict government
regulations and enforcement policies. They can also be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and the change in
alternative energy needs, energy conservation efforts, the success of exploration projects, tax incentives, subsidies and other
government regulations, as well as world events and economic conditions.
Non-Diversification Risk—A risk
of being non-diversified is that a significant change in the value of one company will have a greater impact on the Fund than it
would if the Fund diversified its investments. You should also be aware that because a non-diversified investment strategy may
expose you to greater-than-average financial and market risk, an investment in the Fund is not a balanced investment program.
Small-Cap Companies Risk—The Fund
may invest a substantial portion of its assets in small-capitalization companies. Although smaller companies may have potential
for rapid growth, they are subject to wider price fluctuations due to factors inherent in their size, such as lack of management
experience and financial resources and limited trade volume and frequency. To make a large sale of securities of smaller companies
that trade in limited volumes, the Fund may need to sell portfolio holdings at a discount or make a series of smaller sales over
an extended period of time.
Foreign Securities Risk—The Fund
may invest in companies that trade on U.S. exchanges as American Depositary Receipts, on foreign exchanges, or on foreign over-the-counter
markets. Investments in foreign securities involve greater risks compared to domestic investments. Foreign companies may not be
subject to the regulatory requirements of U.S. companies, so there may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers
than about U.S. companies. Foreign companies generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting
standards. Dividends and interest on foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. Such taxes may reduce the
net return to the Fund's shareholders. Foreign securities are often denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar. Accordingly,
the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with fluctuations in currency values, which may decline against the U.S. dollar.
The Fund is permitted to hedge that currency risk, but it normally does not intend to do so. Although the Fund generally will invest
only in foreign securities of issuers that are domiciled in nations considered to have stable and friendly governments, issuers
of foreign securities still may be subject to the risk of expropriation, confiscation, taxation, currency blockage, or political
or social instability, any of which could negatively affect the Fund.
Emerging Markets Risk—The Fund
may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in foreign securities of issuers in countries with emerging securities markets.
Investments in such emerging securities markets present greater risks than investing in foreign issuers in general. The risk of
political or social upheaval is greater in emerging securities markets. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have
had and may continue to have negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. Moreover,
many of the emerging securities markets are relatively small, have low trading volumes, suffer periods of relative illiquidity
and are characterized by significant price volatility and high transaction costs.
Cash Strategy Risk—The Fund may,
from time to time, invest a substantial portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. If the stock market were to appreciate
substantially during the time when the Fund is holding a substantial portion of its assets in cash, the Fund may underperform the
market.
|
|
| Risk Lose Money [Text] |
rr_RiskLoseMoney |
Because the return on and value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate in response to stock market movements, the most significant risk of investing in the Fund is that you may lose money.
|
|
| Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] |
rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus |
A risk of being non-diversified is that a significant change in the value
of one company will have a greater impact on the Fund than
it would if the Fund diversified its investments.
|
|
| Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] |
rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading |
PERFORMANCE
|
|
| Performance Narrative [Text Block] |
rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock |
The following bar chart and performance table
provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows the changes in the performance of the Fund from
year to year over a period of 10 years. The performance table shows how the average annual total returns of the Fund, over certain
periods of time, compare to those of a broad-based market index (the Standard & Poor's 500 Index), as well as a technology
sector-heavy index (the NASDAQ Composite Index) and an alternative energy sector-focused index (the WilderHill Clean Energy Index).
Though not explicitly a technology sector index, the NASDAQ Composite Index was selected for comparison because it is widely recognized
as a technology sector benchmark, given the concentration of technology companies in the index. The WilderHill Clean Energy Index
was selected for comparison because it is an index of companies involved in clean energy (e.g., solar, wind, geothermal)
and energy conservation. The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is no guarantee of how it will perform in the future.
|
|
| Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] |
rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns |
The following bar chart and performance table provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows the changes in the performance of the Fund from year to year over a period of 10 years.
|
|
| Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] |
rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture |
The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is no guarantee of how it
will perform in the future.
|
|
| Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] |
rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock |
| |
Best Quarter: |
2nd Quarter, 2013 |
28.64% |
|
| |
Worst Quarter: |
3rd Quarter, 2011 |
(37.36%) |
|
|
|
| Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate |
rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate |
After-tax returns are calculated using the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect each year and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
|
|
| Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred |
rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred |
Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ from the results shown above, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual
retirement account (IRA).
|
|
| Performance Table Closing [Text Block] |
rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock |
After-tax returns are calculated using the
highest individual federal income tax rates in effect each year and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual
after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ from the results shown above, and after-tax returns
shown are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual
retirement account (IRA).
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| Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund | Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund Shares |
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|
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| Risk Return Abstract |
rr_RiskReturnAbstract |
|
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| Trading Symbol |
dei_TradingSymbol |
ALTEX
|
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| Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) |
rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice |
none
|
|
| Management Fee |
rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets |
1.53%
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| Other Expenses |
rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets |
0.62%
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| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
rr_ExpensesOverAssets |
2.15%
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| Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement |
rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets |
(0.17%)
|
[3] |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement |
rr_NetExpensesOverAssets |
1.98%
|
[3] |
| One Year |
rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 |
$ 201
|
|
| Three Years |
rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 |
657
|
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| Five Years |
rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 |
1,139
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|
| Ten Years |
rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 |
$ 2,469
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|
| Annual Return 2008 |
rr_AnnualReturn2008 |
(47.84%)
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| Annual Return 2009 |
rr_AnnualReturn2009 |
41.02%
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| Annual Return 2010 |
rr_AnnualReturn2010 |
(9.24%)
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| Annual Return 2011 |
rr_AnnualReturn2011 |
(39.89%)
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| Annual Return 2012 |
rr_AnnualReturn2012 |
(23.57%)
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| Annual Return 2013 |
rr_AnnualReturn2013 |
93.71%
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| Annual Return 2014 |
rr_AnnualReturn2014 |
(0.15%)
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| Annual Return 2015 |
rr_AnnualReturn2015 |
(9.75%)
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| Annual Return 2016 |
rr_AnnualReturn2016 |
(9.26%)
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| Annual Return 2017 |
rr_AnnualReturn2017 |
27.35%
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| Highest Quarterly Return, Label |
rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel |
Best Quarter:
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| Highest Quarterly Return, Date |
rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate |
Jun. 30, 2013
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| Highest Quarterly Return |
rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn |
28.64%
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| Lowest Quarterly Return, Label |
rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel |
Worst Quarter:
|
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| Lowest Quarterly Return, Date |
rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate |
Sep. 30, 2011
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|
| Lowest Quarterly Return |
rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn |
(37.36%)
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|
| 1 Year |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 |
27.35%
|
|
| 5 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 |
15.06%
|
|
| 10 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 |
(4.69%)
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|
| Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund | After Taxes on Distributions | Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund Shares |
|
|
|
| Risk Return Abstract |
rr_RiskReturnAbstract |
|
|
| 1 Year |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 |
27.27%
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|
| 5 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 |
15.05%
|
|
| 10 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 |
(4.70%)
|
|
| Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales | Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund Shares |
|
|
|
| Risk Return Abstract |
rr_RiskReturnAbstract |
|
|
| 1 Year |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 |
15.54%
|
|
| 5 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 |
12.16%
|
|
| 10 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 |
(3.38%)
|
|
| Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund | Standard & Poor’s 500 Index |
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|
|
| Risk Return Abstract |
rr_RiskReturnAbstract |
|
|
| 1 Year |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 |
21.82%
|
[2] |
| 5 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 |
15.77%
|
[2] |
| 10 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 |
8.48%
|
[2] |
| Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund | NASDAQ Composite Index |
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|
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| Risk Return Abstract |
rr_RiskReturnAbstract |
|
|
| 1 Year |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 |
29.73%
|
[2] |
| 5 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 |
19.50%
|
[2] |
| 10 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 |
11.35%
|
[2] |
| Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund | WilderHill Clean Energy Index |
|
|
|
| Risk Return Abstract |
rr_RiskReturnAbstract |
|
|
| 1 Year |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 |
39.81%
|
[2] |
| 5 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 |
5.15%
|
[2] |
| 10 Years |
rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 |
(15.05%)
|
[2] |
|
|
