Independent auditors' consent The board and shareholders AXP Growth Series, Inc. AXP Growth Fund AXP Research Opportunities Fund The board and shareholders Strategist Growth Fund, Inc. Strategist Growth Fund Strategist Special Growth Fund The board of trustees and unitholders Growth Trust: Growth Portfolio Aggressive Growth Portfolio We consent to the use of our reports included or incorporated herein by reference and to the references to our Firm under the heading "Financial Highlights" in the prospectuses included or incorporated herein by reference, under the heading "INDEPENDENT AUDITORS" in the Statement of Additional Information incorporated herein by reference and under the heading "Experts" of the combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus on Form N-14. /s/ KPMG LLP KPMG LLP Minneapolis, Minnesota April 17, 2000