Best Ranked Balanced Mutual Funds of 2012

End of the year of 2011 is approaching, and the year 2012 will mark another year for picking the mutual fund's winner for the past decade. Some mutual funds may have outperformed its peer or its benchmark and some may be trailing its benchmark. The following article will look into the best performer balanced funds for the past 10 year (2002-2011). The best balanced funds include Bruce fund, First Eagle Global A, Permanent Portfolio, Ivy Asset Strategy, and more.

This balanced fund is also known as hybrid fund. This mutual fund invests in variety type of assets such as equities or stocks, bonds or fixed income, commodities (gold bullion), cash, preferred, convertible, etc. The fund assets may be allocated in US or foreign based depending upon its fund’s objective.

The Top 10 Balanced Mutual Funds for the past decade (2012 version) are:

Best Balanced Fund 2011

1. Bruce (BRUFX)
2. First Eagle Global A (SGENX)
3. Permanent Portfolio (PRPFX)
4. Waddell & Reed Asset Strategy A (UNASX)
5. Loomis Sayles Global Equity and Income Y (LSWWX)
6. Ivy Asset Strategy C (WASCX)
7. FPA Crescent (FPACX)
8. Berwyn Income (BERIX)
9. GMO Global Asset Allocation III (GMWAX)
10. ING T Rowe Price Cap Appreciation Portfolio S (ITCSX)

Updated on 12/18/2011

American Funds American Balanced Fund (ABALX) Class A

American Funds American Balanced A (ABALX) fund is a popular world allocation balanced mutual fund. This hybrid fund has a decent yield.

Balanced fund can be used as the only investment vehicle for investor to invest. Finding the right balanced fund can be difficult. One of the largest and popular hybrid funds is American Funds American Balanced fund. Details review can be found below.

American Funds American Balanced A (ABALX)

The investment objective of this American Funds American Balanced fund is seeking conservation of capital, current income and to provide long-term capital growth or income. This AF fund invests in a broad range of securities such as stocks, bonds. It usually maintains >50% of assets in common stocks and >25% of assets in debt securities, including money market securities. This fund may invest in foreign companies as well.

ABALX Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: 01/03/1933
• Ticker Symbol: ABALX
• CUSIP: 024071102
• Beta (3yr): 1.05
• Rank in category (YTD): 6%
• Category: Moderate Allocation
• Distribution: 1.65%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.59%  
• Net Assets: $ 110.10 billion
• Number of Years Up: 56 years
• Number of Years Down: 21 years
• Average Life: 7.2 years
• Average Duration: 4.7 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 79%

Updated May 2017

Fidelity Spartan 500 Index Fund (FUSEX)

Fidelity Spartan 500 Index Fund (FUSEX) is an investor class of U.S. domestic stock mutual fund. This index fund is classified as large blend fund.

Index mutual fund has become more popular nowadays for investor. For 2011, most of the index fund has outperformed other actively managed mutual funds. One of the well-known index funds is Fidelity Spartan 500 Index fund. This mutual fund is tracking S&P 500 index which consists mainly the large cap US companies. The fund’s review is described below.

Fidelity Spartan 500 Index Investor (MUTF:FUSEX)

Fidelity Spartan 500 Index Fund (FUSEX) is an investor class of U.S. domestic stock mutual fund. This index fund is classified as large blend fund. It has low expense ratio fee.

The Fidelity Spartan 500 Index fund is seeking to provide investment results that correspond to the total return performance of common stocks publicly traded in the U.S. The fund invests most of assets (>80%) in common stocks included in the S&P 500 Index.

FUSEX Fund Details

Fidelity Spartan 500 Index

• Fund Inception Date: 02/17/1988
• Ticker Symbol: FUSEX (Investor Class)
• CUSIP: 315911206
• Beta (3yr): 1.0
• Rank in category (YTD): 18%
• Category: Large Blend
• Yield: 1.81%
• Capital Gains: check fund
• Expense Ratio: 0.09%  
• Net Assets: $ 118.5 billion
• Number of Years Up: 17 years
• Number of Years Down: 5 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 5%

Updated May 2017

American Funds New World Fund (NEWFX) Class A

Since 2008-2009 global economic crisis, Emerging Markets Equities and Bonds have outperformed other asset classes for the past 3 years. One of the most popular diversified emerging markets stock funds is American Funds New World fund. The fund review is described below.

American Funds New World A (NEWFX)

The investment objective of American Funds New World fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The fund invests majority of assets in common stocks of companies with significant exposure to developing countries. It invests >35% of assets in equity and debt securities of issuers in developing economies and/or markets.

Fund Details

American Funds New World 

• Fund Inception Date: 06/17/1999
• Ticker Symbol: NEWFX
• CUSIP: 649280104
• Beta (3yr): 0.86
• Rank in category (YTD): 11%
• Category: Diversified Emerging Markets
• Distribution: 1.56%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.04%  
• Net Assets: $ 18.65 billion
• Number of Years Up: 7 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 20.00%

Updated on 12/16/2011

BlackRock Global Allocation Investor A (MDLOX) Fund

Known for its Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) line up through iShares, BlackRock also offers various popular mutual funds. One of the popular funds is BlackRock Global Allocation Investor fund. This fund is part of balanced fund which invests in stocks and bonds. You can find the fund’s review below.

BlackRock Global Allocation Investor A (MDLOX)

The BlackRock Global Allocation Investor A fund’s objective is to provide high total investment return. This BlackRock balanced fund invests in a portfolio of equity, debt and money market securities. It may invest <35% of its total assets in junk bonds, corporate loans, and distressed securities. The fund may also invest in Real Estate Investment Trusts or REITs. It may invest in any part of the world with any market capitalization.

Fund Details

BlackRock Global Allocation Inv

• Fund Inception Date: 10/21/1994
• Ticker Symbol: MDLOX
• CUSIP: 09251T103
• Beta (3yr): 1.03
• Rank in category (YTD): 44%
• Category: World Allocation
• Distribution: 1.69%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.08%  
• Net Assets: $ 52.37 billion
• Number of Years Up: 14 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 29.0%

Updated on 12/17/2011

American Funds Capital World Growth and Income Fund (CWGIX) Class A

The following fund review is one of the most popular world stock mutual funds. This American Funds Capital World G/I fund invests in companies around the world. More details about the fund’s review can be found below.

American Funds Capital World G/I A (CWGIX)

The American Funds Capital World Growth and Income fund investment fund’s objective is to provide long-term growth of capital while providing current income. This AF fund invests most of assets in common stocks of well-established companies located around the world. These companies also have the potential to pay dividends. It invests, on a global basis, in common stocks that are denominated in U.S. dollars or other currencies. This equity fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States. The fund may also invest in issuers in developing countries.

CWGIX Fund Details

CWGIX fund

• Fund Inception Date: 03/26/1993
• Ticker Symbol: CWGIX
• CUSIP: 140543109
• Beta (3yr): 0.90
• Rank in category (YTD): 56%
• Category: World Stock
• Yield: 2.18%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.79%  
• Net Assets: $ 89.0 billion
• Number of Years Up: 14 years
• Number of Years Down: 3 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 35.0%

Updated May 2017

Vanguard Wellington Fund (VWELX)

Vanguard Wellington Investor (VWELX) fund is a top rated moderate allocation balanced mutual fund. This Vanguard fund focuses its investment in bonds and stocks.

Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor (VWELX)

The investment objective of Vanguard Wellington fund is to provide long-term capital appreciation and reasonable current income. This equity fund invests about 60%-70% of its assets in dividend-paying and, to a lesser extent, non-dividend-paying common stocks of established, mid and large companies. Most of these stocks are known as value stocks.

It invests the rest of assets (30%-40%) of the assets in fixed income securities that the advisor believes will generate a reasonable level of current income. These securities include investment-grade corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury and government agency bonds, and mortgage-backed securities.

Fund Details

Vanguard Wellington Fund

• Fund Inception Date: 07/01/1929
• Ticker Symbol: VWELX (Investor Shares)
• CUSIP: 921935102
• Beta (3yr): 1.00
• Rank in category (YTD): 11%
• Category: Moderate Allocation
• Distribution/ Yield: 2.43%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.25%  
• Net Assets: $ 55.24 billion
• Number of Years Up: 63 years
• Number of Years Down: 18 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 31%

Updated May 2017

Fidelity Puritan Fund (FPURX)

Fidelity funds are among of the most popular mutual funds. They have various old and best rated funds such as Fidelity Magellan, Fidelity Puritan, Fidelity Growth Company, and more. This next fund review is Fidelity Puritan. This fund is balanced fund which invests in stock or equity and bond or fixed income.

Fidelity Puritan (FPURX)

The Fidelity Puritan fund’s objective is to provide income and capital growth consistent with reasonable risk. This hybrid fund invests 60% of assets in stocks or equities and the remainder in bonds and other debt securities, including lower-quality debt securities. It invests >25% of total assets in fixed-income senior securities such as debt securities and preferred stock. The fund also invests in domestic and foreign issuers and invests in Fidelity funds.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: 04/16/1947
• Ticker Symbol: FPURX
• CUSIP: 316345107
• Beta (3yr): 1.05
• Rank in category (YTD): 33%
• Category: Moderate Allocation
• Distribution: 1.83%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.59%
• Net Assets: $18.64 billion
• Number of Years Up: 49 years
• Number of Years Down: 14 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 154.00%

Updated on 12/12/2011

American Funds Fundamental Investors Fund (ANCFX) Class A

American Funds Fundamental Investors A (ANCFX) fund is one of popular U.S. domestic stock mutual funds. This American Funds fund invests in US stocks.

Large Cap US Domestic Stock funds have achieved better result than other Large Cap International stock mutual funds for 2011. One of this popular US Stock funds is American Funds Fundamental Investors fund. This top fund also pays regular dividend. More details about the fund review below.

American Funds Fundamental Investors A (ANCFX)

The investment objective of American Funds Fundamental Investors fund is to seek long-term capital growth and income. This American Funds fund invests mainly in common stocks of companies that appear to offer superior opportunities for capital growth and most of which have a history of paying dividends. It may invest significantly in foreign companies outside the United States.

ANCFX Fund Details

American Funds Fundamental Investors

• Fund Inception Date: August 1, 1978
• Ticker Symbol: ANCFX (Class A)
• CUSIP: 360802102
• Beta (3yr): 0.98
• Rank in category (YTD): 64%
• Category: Large Blend
• Distribution/ Yield: 1.45%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.61%  
• Net Assets: $ 86.8 billion
• Number of Years Up: 27 years
• Number of Years Down: 5 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 32%

Updated May 2017

Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX)

This Fidelity Balanced fund is classified as hybrid mutual fund which invests in equities and fixed incomes. This mutual fund can become the one stop shop for your investment strategy. More details about the fund’s review is below.

Fidelity Balanced (FBALX)

The Fidelity Balanced investment fund is seeking income and capital growth consistent with reasonable risk. This Fidelity fund invests >60% of assets in stocks and other equity securities and the remainder in bonds and other bond securities, including lower-quality debt securities. It invests >25% of total assets in fixed-income senior securities such as preferred stock. The fund invests in domestic and foreign stocks and bonds.

Fund Details

Fidelity Balanced fund

• Fund Inception Date: 11/6/1986
• Ticker Symbol: FBALX
• CUSIP: 316345206
• Beta (3yr): 1.04
• Rank in category (YTD): 19%
• Category: Moderate Allocation
• Distribution: 1.86%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.60%  
• Net Assets: $ 19.81 billion
• Number of Years Up: 20 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 193%

Updated on 12/8/2011

Lightspeed Offers New Commission fee for WebTrader 2012

lightspeed

Lightspeed is one of the discount brokerage which has been rated among the top brokerage by various financial magazine such as Barron, Smart Money, and more. It offers Lightspeed Trader, Lightspeed Gateway, Lightspeed Web Trader, and Lightspeed Forex.

New Commission Fee on 1/15/2012

There will be new commission schedule for Lightspeed WebTrader user on 1/15/2012.

• Lightspeed will eliminate the per-share rate plan. Any customer on per-share rate will be switched to the new per-trade plan.
• Lightspeed will reduce the current per-trade plan from $4.50 per trade to $3.00 per trade.

The new commission will be:

• For equities, $3.00 per trade with 50,000 share maximum order size
• For options, $0.60 per contract ($3.00 minimum commission)

YTD Top Performer Mutual Funds of December 2011

YTD Top Performer Mutual Funds 2011

The year 2011 has been one of the most challenging years for traders and investors to invest in mutual funds. The following article will look into the year to date top performer of each category of Mutual Funds.

The year to date top performers include PIMCO Real Estate Real Return Strategy A, Morgan Stanley Institutional Select Global Infrastructure Portfolio I, PIMCO Extended Duration Institutional, and more.

Note: This list doesn’t include any leveraged funds except on alternative funds category.

The YTD Top Performer Funds of December 2011 include:

• US Stock Funds: 
• PIMCO Real Estate Real Return Strategy A (PETAX)
• FBR Gas Utility Index Investor (GASFX)
• PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Institutional (PSLDX)
• International Stock Funds: 
• Morgan Stanley Institutional Select Global Infrastructure Portfolio I (MTIIX)
• DWS RREEF Global Infrastructure A (TOLLX)
• Morgan Stanley Global Infrastructure B (UTLBX)
• Taxable Bond Funds
• PIMCO Extended Duration Institutional (PEDIX)
• Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Institutional (VEDTX)
• Wasatch-Hoisington US Treasury (WHOSX)
• Municipal Bond Funds: 
• Dupree Taxable Municipal Bond (DUTMX)
• Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategy Long Term A (EALTX)
• Oppenheimer AMT-Free Municipals A (OPTAX)
• Balanced Funds: 
• PIMCO Real Income 2029 A (POIAX)
• Federated Muni and Stock Advantage A (FMUAX)
• FBR Balanced I (AFBAX)
• Alternative Funds: 
• ProFunds UltraShort Emerging Markets Inv (UVPIX)
• ProFunds UltraShort Japan Inv (UKPIX)
• Direxion Mthly Emerging Markets Bear 2X (DXESX)

updated on 12/17/2011

Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Open (LZOEX) Fund

Emerging Markets stock fund has been one of the outperformer asset classes of mutual funds for the past 3 years. One of this popular EM equity funds is Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Open (LZOEX) fund. This Lazard fund invests in undervalued emerging market companies. More details about the fund review is described as follow.

Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Open (LZOEX)

The investment objective of Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Open fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation. This equity fund invests mainly in undervalued equity securities of non-U.S. companies located in emerging market countries.

Fund Details

Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Open

• Fund Inception Date: January 8, 1997
• Ticker Symbol: LZOEX (Open Class)
• CUSIP: 52106N764
• Beta (3yr): 1.05
• Rank in category (YTD): 26%
• Category: Diversified Emerging Markets
• Distribution: 1.02%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.49%  
• Net Assets: $ 15.23 billion
• Number of Years Up: 8 years
• Number of Years Down: 5 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 23.00%

Updated on 12/11/2011

Fidelity Growth Company Fund (FDGRX)

Growth Stocks are among the most popular stocks for short term traders and investors. Selecting an individual growth stock may be challenging though. Easiest way to buy these stocks is through buying growth stock mutual fund. These growth stock funds are investing in variety of diversified growth stocks. One of the popular growth stock funds is Fidelity Growth Company fund.

Fidelity Growth Company (FDGRX)

As actively managed fund, this Fidelity Growth Company fund seeks capital appreciation. This stock fund invests mainly in companies’ common stocks with above-average growth potential. The fund may invest in domestic and foreign companies.

Fidelity Growth Company

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: 01/17/1983
• Ticker Symbol: FDGRX
• CUSIP: 316200104
• Beta (3yr): 1.00
• Rank in category (YTD): 8%
• Category: Large Growth
• Distribution: 0.00%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.89%  
• Net Assets: $ 38.53 billion
• Number of Years Up: 20 years
• Number of Years Down: 7 years
• Average Duration: 20 years
• Average Maturity: 7 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 36%

Updated on 12/9/2011

Homestead Small Company Fund (HSCSX)

This next fund, Homestead Small Company Fund, is part of small value US stock mutual fund. This fund invests in domestic small companies stocks. It is also part of the best fund by Morningstar and S&P. You can find the details review below.

Homestead Small Company Fund (HSCSX)

This Homestead Small Company Fund objective is to provide capital growth over the long term period. This top rated fund invests in undervalued stocks of promising small companies. This Homestead fund may invest >80% of assets in common stocks of companies whose market capitalization is similar to the market capitalization of companies represented in the Russell 2000 Index.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: March 3, 1998
• Ticker Symbol: HSCSX
• CUSIP: 437769508
• Beta (3yr): 1.20
• Rank in category (YTD): 41%
• Category: Small Blend
• Yield: 0.31%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.89%
• Net Assets: $ 1.3 Billion
• Number of Years Up: 10 years
• Number of Years Down: 3 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 2%

Updated on May 2017

This Homestead fund has been managed by Stuart E. Teach since its inception in March 1998. The annual expense ratio of this fund is 1.17%. The fund is classified in the Small Value category. The dividend yield of this fund is 0.16%. This dividend is distributed annually; the latest distributed dividend was $0.03 in December 2010.

American Funds Investment Company of America Fund (AIVSX)

American Funds Investment Company of America A (AIVSX) Fund is a popular domestic stock mutual fund. This stock fund invests in U.S. stock companies.

As one of the top mutual fund family, American Funds is also one of the most popular funds. One of these popular funds is American Funds Investment Company of America A (AIVSX) fund. This Investment Company of America fund invests mainly in US companies stocks. Details about the fund review can be found below.

American Funds Investment Company of America A (Ticker: AIVSX)

The investment objective of American Funds Investment Company of America fund is to provide long-term capital growth and income. This American Funds fund invests mainly in common stocks, most of which have a history of paying dividends. It may invest small part of assets (<15%) in foreign securities. This large blend stock fund focuses its investment in medium to larger capitalization companies, though it may invest in any capitalization size.

AIVSX Fund Details

Investment Company of America

• Fund Inception Date: 01/02/1934
• Ticker Symbol: AIVSX (Class A)
• CUSIP: 461308108
• Beta (3yr): 0.93
• Rank in category (YTD): 62%
• Category: Large Blend
• Distribution: 1.74%
• Capital Gains: check website
• Expense Ratio: 0.59%  
• Net Assets: $ 85.3 billion
• Number of Years Up: 63 years

T Rowe Price US Large Cap Core Fund (TRULX)

This next US domestic stock fund is one of the new funds offered by T Rowe Price. This T. Rowe Price U.S. Large-Cap Core fund has been awarded Top Mutual Fund for newcomer category by S&P. Details about the fund’s review can be found below.

T Rowe Price US Large Cap Core (TRULX)

The T. Rowe Price U.S. Large-Cap Core investment fund objective is to achieve long-term capital growth. This US stock fund typically invests most of the net assets (>80%) in the stocks of large-cap U.S. companies, whose market cap is larger than the median market cap of companies in the Russell 1000 Index. This TRP fund expects to typically invest in approximately 50 to 75 companies.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: June 25, 2009
• Ticker Symbol: TRULX
• CUSIP: 74149R107
• Beta (3yr): N/A
• Rank in category (YTD): 49%
• Category: Large Blend
• Yield: 0.61%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.15%
• Net Assets: $ 43.1 million
• Number of Years Up: 2 years
• Number of Years Down: 0 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 74%

Updated on 5/26/2012

Jeffrey Rottinghaus is the lead fund manager of this T Rowe Price fund. He has been the manager since its inception in June 26, 2009. Since this fund is new, there is no Morningstar rating yet, but it is recognized as the top S&P mutual fund of 2011. This fund’s dividend yield is 1.07% and is distributed annually. Last year (2010), the dividend was $0.13. The annual expense ratio of this top fund is 1.15% comparable to the average in the Large Blend category (1.14%).

Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund (NEFZX) Class A

The following article is about Loomis Sayles Strategic Income A fund. This Loomis Sayles bond fund is part of taxable multisector fund. It can invest in varieties of bonds or fixed income like government bonds or treasuries, corporate bonds, convertible, foreign debts, and more. Details about this mutual fund can be found below.

Loomis Sayles Strategic Income A (MUTF: NEFZX)

The Loomis Sayles Strategic Income fund seeks high current income and its secondary objective is capital growth. This bond fund invests all of its assets in income producing securities with a focus on U.S. corporate bonds, convertible securities, foreign debt instruments, including those in emerging markets and related foreign currency transactions and U.S. government securities. It may invest >35% of assets in preferred stocks and dividend-paying common stocks. This Loomis Sayles fund may also invest in Rule 144A securities, structured notes, zero-coupon bonds, pay-in-kind bonds, mortgage-related securities, stripped securities, swaps, futures, and other derivatives.

Vanguard Limited Term Tax Exempt Fund (VMLTX)

Municipal bond funds are among the top performer mutual fund for year 2011. One of the largest muni bond funds is Vanguard Ltd-Term Tx-Ex. This Vanguard fund invests primarily in investment grade municipal bonds. Details about the fund review can be found below.

Vanguard Limited Term Tax Exempt (Ticker: VMLTX)

This Vanguard Limited Term Tax Exempt fund is seeking current income exempt from federal income tax, with limited price volatility. This Vanguard fund invests >75% of assets in municipal bonds in the top three credit-rating categories. It may invest minority of assets (<20%) in bonds rated Baa or BBB. The fund invests <5% of assets in securities with lower credit ratings or unrated.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: August 31, 1987
• Ticker Symbol: VMLTX
• CUSIP: 922907704
• Beta (3yr): 0.33
• Rank in category (YTD): 52%
• Category: Muni Short
• Distribution Rate: 2.23%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.20%
• Net Assets: $ 14.58 billion
• Number of Years Up: 23 years
• Number of Years Down: 0 years
• Average Duration: 2.8 years
• Average Maturity: 2.4 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 14.0%

Updated on 12/4/2011

DWS GNMA Fund (GGGGX)

DWS GNMA fund will become one of the popular bond funds for investor to invest. This fund invests mainly in mortgage backed bond issued and guaranteed by US Government. This top rated S&P mutual fund is being reviewed below.

DWS GNMA A Fund (Ticker: GGGGX)

The DWS GNMA Fund objective is to seek to produce a high level of income. This best bond fund invests majority of net assets (>80%) in Ginnie Maes, the mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA). This DWS fund may also hold <10% of total net assets in cash or money market securities, short-term bond funds, which investments may not be issued or guaranteed by the US government and its agencies.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: February 1, 2009
• Ticker Symbol: GGGGX
• CUSIP: 23337P308
• Beta (3yr): 0.64
• Rank in category (YTD): 47%
• Category: Intermediate Government
• Yield: 4.48%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.78%
• Sales Load: 2.75%
• Net Assets: $ 2.30 billion
• Number of Years Up: 3 years
• Number of Years Down: 0 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 211%

Updated on 5/26/2012

DWS GNMA fund

This DWS fund is classified in the Intermediate Government bond fund category. This best fund is currently managed by John Ryan. He has been managing this fund since July 2010. The inception date of this GGGGX fund is February 2, 1999.

The fund’s total net assets are $2.26 billion. The dividend yield is 4.27%. The last dividend was distributed on September 23, 2011 ($0.06). The annual expense ratio of this taxable bond fund is 0.76%.

YTD Top Performer Closed End Funds December 2011 | CEF

The following article will look into the YTD top performer CEFs of 2011. The top performer funds include DNP Select Income Fund (DNP), Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT), Invesco Insured Municipal Bond (IMC), and more.

The Year-To-Date Top Performer Closed End Funds December 2011 are:

YTD Top Performer CEFs 2011

1. DNP Select Income Fund (DNP)
2. Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT)
3. Invesco Insured Muni Bond (IMC)
4. BlackRock Build America Bond (BBN)
5. Flaherty Preferred Income Fund (PFD)
6. Aberdeen Global Income (FCO)
7. BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality II (MUE)
8. Nuveen CA Performance Plus Muni (NCP)
9. BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trust (BAF)
10. BlackRock MuniYield Investment Quality Fund (MFT)

updated on 12/4/2011

Update of Sequoia and T. Rowe Price Retirement Income Fund

The following is the updated information for Sequoia Fund and T. Rowe Price Retirement Income Fund. These funds have been selected as the Top S&P Mutual Funds of 2011. Details for these funds can be found below.

Sequoia fund (SEQUX)

Sequoia fund

Sequoia fund has been selected as the Top S&P Mutual Funds of 2011. This fund invests mainly in undervalued US Companies. It may also invest in foreign securities. This large blend US stock mutual fund has been rated the best fund by Morningstar with 5 star rating. More details about the fund's review can be found on my previous article, Sequoia Fund (SEQUX).

The performance of this SEQUX fund based on the load adjusted return is as below:

• 1-year: 6.73%
• 3-year: 3.53%
• 5-year: 2.55%
• 10-year: 5.17%

This fund has recorded 34 years of positive return and only 6 years of negative return so far. Morningstar gave this fund 5-star rating. The best achievement of 1-year total return was in 1997 with 43.20% and the worst was in 2008 with -27.03%.

The top 5 holdings of this fund as of June 30, 2011 are Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc, Berkshire Hathaway Inc, TJX Companies, Fastenal Company and Idexx Laboratories.

T. Rowe Price Retirement Income Fund (TRRIX)

T. Rowe Price Retirement Income Fund invests in 40% stock funds and 60% bond funds. This balanced fund is managed by Jerome A. Clark. These mutual fund is part of fund of funds.Morningstar has rated this fund 3-star rating. S&P also has awarded this fund with the top mutual fund award of 2011. This TRRIX fund has performed in 7 years of positive return. The 1-year total return was negative so far only in 2008 (-18.39%). The best 1-year total return was achieved in year 2009 (22.07%). Based on the load adjusted return, this fund has returned 0.52% over the past year and 3.19% over the past 3-year.

The top 10 holdings are Emerging Markets Bond Fund, Emerging Markets Bond Fund, Equity Index 500 Fund, High Yield Fund, Inflation Focused Bond Fund, International Bond Fund, International Growth & Income Fund, International Stock Fund, New Income Fund and Overseas Stock Fund.

Disclosure: No Position

Update on Vanguard Selected Value Fund

I have updated the previous article about Vanguard Selected Value Fund. This top rated mid cap value stock fund is rated one of the best fund by Morningstar and S&P Capital IQ. I have also updated the top 10 stock holdings and the fund's performance for the past one year.

The top 10 stock holdings of this Vanguard Selected Value fund as of October 2011 are Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, Constellation Energy Group Inc, Yamana Gold Inc, Discover Financial Services, Coventry Health Care Inc, Goodrich Corp, International Game Technology, Wills Group Holdings PLC, CenterPoint Energy Inc and Capital One Financial Corp.

Please check the article here.

• Vanguard Selected Value fund (VASVX)

Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares VBIAX

Balanced mutual fund is one of the most popular mutual funds for long term investor. This hybrid fund invests its assets in bond and stock. One of the top rated balanced funds is Vanguard Balanced Index Fund. More details about the fund review is described below.

Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX)

The investment objective of this Vanguard Balanced Index Fund is to track the performance of a broad, market-weighted bond index and a benchmark index that measures the investment return of the overall U.S. stock market. With about 60% of assets, it seeks to track the investment performance of the MSCI US Broad Market Index. The fund also seeks to track the investment performance of the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index with 40% of assets.

Fund Details

Vanguard Balanced Index fund

• Fund Inception Date: November 13, 2000
• Ticker Symbol: VBIAX (Admiral Shares)
• CUSIP: 921931200
• Beta (3yr): 0.95
• Rank in category (YTD): 8 %
• Category: Moderate Allocation
• Distribution: 2.39%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.12%  
• Net Assets: $ 11.12 billion
• Number of Years Up: 7 years
• Number of Years Down: 3 years
• Average Duration: 7.3 years
• Average Maturity: 5.1 years

Updated on 12/5/2011

Harding Loevner International Equity Portfolio Inv HLMNX

This next mutual fund is also the Top S&P Mutual Fund for 2011. The Harding Loevner International Equity Portfolio is an international stock fund which invests in foreign companies in term of common stocks, preferred, warrants, convertibles, derivative, etc. You can find the fund’s review below.

Harding Loevner International Equity Portfolio, Investor (HLMNX)

The investment objective of Harding Loevner International Equity Portfolio fund is to provide long-term capital appreciation. This top foreign large growth fund invests in companies based in developed markets outside the U.S., and in established companies in emerging or frontier markets.

It generally invests majority of net assets in common stocks, preferred stock, rights and warrants issued by companies that are based outside the United States, securities convertible into such securities (including Depositary Receipts), and investment companies that invest in the types of securities in which the fund would normally invest. The fund may also invest in derivatives. This fund typically holds 35-75 investments across at least 15 countries.

Fund Details

Harding Loevner International Equity Portfolio

• Fund Inception Date: 09/30/2005
• Ticker Symbol: HLMNX
• CUSIP: 412295503
• Beta (3yr): 0.96
• Rank in category (YTD): 30%
• Category: Foreign Large Growth
• Distribution: 0.17%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.25%  
• Net Assets: $ 1.16 billion
• Number of Years Up: 4 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year

Updated on 11/27/2011

Dreyfus Appreciation Fund (DGAGX)

The following fund is another top rated Morningstar and top S&P mutual fund. This Dreyfus Appreciation Fund is part of large blend US Domestic Stock fund. More details about this fund review can be found below.

Dreyfus Appreciation Fund (DGAGX)

This Dreyfus Appreciation fund seeks long-term growth consistent with the capital preservation. It also tries to provide current income as secondary objective. This US Stock fund invests >80% of net assets in common stock. It focuses on blue chip companies with total market capitalizations of >$5 billion at the time of purchase, including multi-national companies.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: January 18, 1984
• Ticker Symbol: DGAGX
• CUSIP: 261970-10-7
• Beta (3yr): 0.85
• Rank in category (YTD): 88%
• Category: Large Blend
• Yield: 1.69%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.97%
• Net Assets: $ 4.8 billion
• Number of Years Up: 23 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 2.59%

Updated on 5/26/2012

This domestic stock fund employs a "buy-and-hold" investment strategy, which is an investment strategy characterized by a low portfolio turnover rate, which helps reduce the fund's trading costs and minimizes tax liability by limiting the distribution of capital gains.

This DGAGX fund has been managed by Fayez Sarofim since its inception in January 18, 1984. This fund is in the Large Blend category. It has dividend yield of 1.16%.  The total net assets of this Dreyfus fund are $3.6 billion. The annual expense ratio of this fund is lower (0.99%) compared to the average in the Large Blend category (1.14%).