Ivy High Income A (WHIAX) Fund

High Yield bond mutual funds offer higher income to investors. These high yield funds also come with higher risk since they invest in lower credit rating debts (mainly corporate bonds). One of the top high yield bond funds is Ivy High Income fund. Review of this best bond fund can be found below.

Ivy High Income A (MUTF: WHIAX)

The investment aim of this Ivy High Income fund is to provide total return through a combination of high current income and capital appreciation. This bond mutual fund invests mainly in a diversified portfolio of high-yield, high-risk, fixed-income securities, including loan participations and other loan instruments, of U.S. and foreign issuers. The fund invests primarily in lower quality debt securities (i.e. rated BBB or below by S&P).

Fund Details

Ivy High Income Fund

• Fund Inception Date: July 3, 2000
• Ticker Symbol: WHIAX
• CUSIP: 466000668
• Beta (3yr): -0.02
• Rank in category (YTD): 54%
• Category: High Yield Bond
• Distribution: 7.93%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.08%  
• Net Assets: $ 3.64 billion
• Number of Years Up: 10 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year
• Average Duration: 3.64 years
• Average Maturity: 5.15 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 89%

Updated on 2/21/2012

Top 12 High Yield Municipal Bond Mutual Funds 2012

The best high yield muni bond funds of 2012 are: Ivy Municipal High Income A, Delaware National High-Yield Municipal Bond A, etc. These muni bond funds provide high tax free yield for investor.

Intro

There are two types of national municipal bond mutual funds: investment grade muni bond mutual funds and high yield muni bond mutual funds. These high yield municipal bond funds are very similar to regular high yield bond mutual funds. The only difference is the yield from municipal bond funds are exempted from federal income tax. Typically high yield munis also has higher yield than investment grade munis.

Top High Muni Bond Mutual Funds

According to the Moody’s study, the high yield munis has lower default rate than regular high yield corporate. High yield munis have 4.3% default rates on an annual basis and high yield corporate bonds have 32.7% per year default rates. This study was done based on 1970-2005 data.

Best High Yield Municipal Funds

These high yield municipal bond mutual funds are rated based on its performance for the past 5 years. Most of these high yield municipal funds are also rated among the best in their class. Please check details about its expense ratio, sales load, initial investment requirement, performance, risk, top holdings, turnover rate, etc.

Top 12 Best High Yield Muni Bond Mutual Funds of 2012 are:

1. Ivy Municipal High Income A (IYIAX)
2. Delaware National High-Yield Municipal Bond A (CXHYX)
3. Franklin High Yield Tax-Free Income A (FRHIX)
4. DWS Strategic High Yield Tax Free A (NOTAX)
5. Waddell & Reed Municipal High-Income A (UMUHX)
6. Legg Mason WA Muni High Income A (STXAX)
7. MFS Municipal High-Income A (MMHYX)
8. Putnam Tax-Free High Yield A (PTHAX)
9. Prudential Municipal High-Income A (PRHAX)
10. T. Rowe Price Tax-Free High-Yield (PRFHX)
11. Oppenheimer Limited Term Municipal A (OPITX)

Updated on 2/25/2012

Delaware Corporate Bond A (DGCAX) Fund

There are various taxable bond mutual funds such as corporate bond funds, U.S. Government bond funds, convertible bond funds, and hybrid taxable bond funds. One of the top corporate bond funds is Delaware Corporate Bond fund. Details are described below.

Delaware Corporate Bond A (Ticker: DGCAX)

The investment objective of this Delaware Corporate Bond fund is to provide total return. This fixed income fund generally invests >80% of assets in investment grade credit ratings corporate bonds. The average portfolio duration of the fund is comparable to the current average duration of the Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate Investment Grade Index. The fund may also invest <20% of its net assets in high yield corporate bonds and <35% of total assets in foreign bonds.

DGCAX Fund Profile

Delaware Corporate Bond fund

• Fund Inception Date: 09/15/1998
• Ticker Symbol: DGCAX (Class A)
• CUSIP: 245908785
• Beta (3yr): 1.00
• Rank in category (YTD): 20%
• Category: Intermediate-Term Bond
• Yield: 4.89%
• Net Assets: $ 952 million
• Sales Load: 4.50%
• Expense Ratio: 0.95%
• Capital Gains:  N/A
• Number of Years Up: 11 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Average Maturity: 6.77 years
• Average Duration: 11.95 years

Updated 2/5/2012

Oppenheimer Global A (OPPAX) Fund

To participate in global economy expansion, investors need to invest in world stock mutual funds. These global stock funds are investing in various part of world such as developed countries (USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, etc), emerging markets or developing countries (Brazil, India, Indonesia, Russia, China, etc), and frontier markets (Nigeria, Serbia, Tunisia, etc). One of the popular world stock funds is Oppenheimer Global fund.

Oppenheimer Global A (OPPAX)

The Oppenheimer Global fund uses its assets to buy common stock of U.S. and foreign companies. It can invest without limit in foreign securities and can invest in any country, including countries with developing or emerging markets. The fund currently concentrates its investments in developed markets such as the United States, Western European countries and Japan. It may invest in any capitalization range, but mainly invests in mid- and large-cap companies.

Top 12 Small Cap Stock Mutual Funds 2012

Small cap stock mutual funds have been outperformed other US stock mutual funds for the past 3 years. Some of the best small cap stock mutual funds are: Oceanstone Fund, Intrepid Small Cap, Brown Capital Management Small Company Inv, etc.

Best Small Cap Mutual Funds 2012

Intro

Small cap stock mutual funds could be the correct choice for higher risk tolerance investors. During the bull market, these small cap mutual funds can generate higher return which leads to better performance for their overall portfolio. Smaller companies also can reinvest their profits from their sales back into their business. This reassures shareholders of great performance and higher profit potential from such companies. To achieve a well-diversified portfolio, small cap stock mutual funds are an excellent choice for investment.

Note: Small Cap stock funds are part of domestic stock mutual fund. There are three type of small cap funds such as small growth funds, small value funds, and small blend funds.

Best Small Cap Mutual Funds

These funds are rated based on its past 5-year performance. Most of these small cap mutual funds are also rated among the best in their class. Please check details about its performance, expense ratio, sales load, top sectors, initial investment requirement, risk, top holdings, etc.

Top 12 Best Performing Small Cap Stock Mutual Funds 2012 are:

1. Oceanstone Fund (OSFDX)
2. Intrepid Small Cap (ICMAX)
3. Brown Capital Management Small Company Investor (BCSIX)
4. SouthernSun Small Cap Investor (SSSFX)
5. Janus Triton A (JGMAX)
6. Fidelity Small Cap Discovery (FSCRX)
7. Needham Aggressive Growth (NEAGX)
8. Lord Abbett Developing Growth A (LAGWX)
9. Transamerica Systematic Small/Medium Cap Value A (IIVAX)
10. Dreyfus Opportunistic Small Cap (DSCVX)
11. T. Rowe Price New Horizons (PRNHX)

Updated on 2/20/2012

Top 12 Best Diversified National Municipal Bond Mutual Funds 2012

Buying muni bond mutual fund can provide instant diversification for investor assets. Typically, these municipal bond mutual funds are less risky too. The following top ranked national municipal bond mutual funds of 2012 are: Legg Mason WA Managed Municipals A, First Investors Tax-Exempt II A, Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free A, etc.

Best Muni Bond Mutual Funds 2012

Intro

In general, investors like tax free income. We can find tax free benefits through Roth IRAs. After many of us max out our Roth contribution and employer 401k or traditional IRA accounts, we can start choosing municipal bonds to invest to get the same benefit. One of the best feature of this muni bond is the income from the bond is exempted from federal income tax.

One would ask how I can invest in municipal bonds. You can choose to buy individual municipal bonds, muni bond mutual funds, municipal bond closed end funds, or muni bond ETF. This article will focus on best muni bond mutual funds of 2012.

Best Municipal Bond Funds

These best performing funds are rated based on its 5 years performance. I have included a short review of these funds for your interest. The data include fund performance, fund manager, dividend yield, top holding, top sector, fund ranking, etc.

The Top 12 Best National Municipal Bond Mutual Funds of 2012 are:

1. Legg Mason Western Asset Managed Municipals A (SHMMX)
2. First Investors Tax-Exempt II A (EIITX)
3. Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free A (LISAX)
4. State Farm Tax Advantaged Bond A (TANAX)
5. Waddell & Reed Municipal Bond A (UNMBX)
6. Virtus Tax-Exempt Bond A (HXBZX)
7. RidgeWorth Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond A (SISIX)
8. Nuveen All-American Municipal Bond A (FLAAX)
9. RidgeWorth High Grade Municipal Bond A (SFLTX)
10. BlackRock Intermediate Municipal Investor A (MEMTX)
11. Wells Fargo Advantage Municipal Bond Investor (SXFIX)
12. Invesco Tax-Free Intermediate A (ATFAX)

Updated on 2/20/2012

MFS Bond A (MFBFX) Fund

Bond Mutual Funds have achieved better result than stock mutual funds for the past decade. Finding the right bond funds to invest is important for investor. MFS Bond fund is considered as one of the top bond mutual funds.

MFS Bond A (MUTF: MFBFX)

The investment aim of this MFS Bond fund is to seek total return with an emphasis on current income. The secondary objective is capital appreciation. This bond mutual fund invests majority of net assets (>80%) in corporate debt instruments. It may also invest in other types of debt instruments, lower quality debt instruments, foreign securities, and emerging market securities.

Fund Details

• Inception Date: 05/08/1974
• Ticker Symbol: MFBFX
• CUSIP: 55272P208
• Beta (3yr): 0.87
• Rank in category (YTD): 10%
• Category: Intermediate-Term Bond
• Distribution: 5.25%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.85%  
• Net Assets: $ 1.97 billion
• Number of Years Up: 33 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Average Duration: 5.50 years
• Average Maturity: 8.60 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 58.00%

Updated on 2/18/2012

First Eagle Gold A (SGGDX) Fund

For the past 3 years, precious metals have managed to achieve outstanding performance. Many analysts have predicted year 2012 will be another good year for investors. As part of basic materials sector, precious metals include gold, silver, platinum, palladium, etc. To invest in these precious metals, investor can choose mutual funds. One of the top equity precious metals funds is First Eagle Gold fund.

First Eagle Gold A (MUTF: SGGDX)

First Eagle Gold A

The investment objective of First Eagle Gold fund is to provide long-term growth of capital by investing in gold investment for a portion of their overall portfolio. This equity fund typically invests majority of total assets (>80%) in gold or stocks directly related to gold or companies mainly engaged in the gold industry. It may invest <20% of assets in equity and, to a limited extent, debt securities unrelated to gold or the gold industry. This fund is considered as a non-diversified mutual fund.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 08/31/1993
• Ticker Symbol: SGGDX
• CUSIP: 32008F408
• Beta (3yr): 0.83
• Rank in category (2011): 2%
• Category: Equity Precious Metals
• Yield: 1.31%
• Capital Gains:  $0.8960 (2011)
• Number of Years Up: 11 years
• Number of Years Down: 7 years
• Total Net Assets: $3.11 Billion

Updated on 1/24/2012

Best Performer Growth Stock Mutual Funds 2012

Using mutual fund, you may be able to reduce the risk of investing in growth stock. Some research also has shown a focused growth stock funds may outperform other classes of funds such as value stock funds or blend stock fund. The top performer list includes Reynolds Blue Chip Growth, Brown Capital Management Small Company, Wells Fargo Advantage Growth, etc.

Top Growth Funds of 2012

These growth stock funds usually focus on capital appreciation. There is usually very little or no dividend that is distributed by these growth funds. Investing in mutual funds also can provide less risk hence the portfolio is diversified with variety of growth stocks.

Top Growth Funds

The following top performer funds list has been compiled by sorting through its performance for the past 5 years. Most of these growth equity funds are also rated among the best in their category. I have provided each of these top performing fund review such as initial investment requirement, fund manager, its performance, sales load, expense ratio,  risk, top sectors, rating, top holdings, etc. The top performer funds include three categories: large growth, mid-cap growth, and small growth. Most of the assets are invested in US companies stocks.

Based on five year performance, the 10 Top Performer Growth Stock Mutual Funds of 2012 are:

1. Reynolds Blue Chip Growth (RBCGX)
2. Brown Capital Management Small Company Inv (BCSIX)
3. Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Inv (SGROX)
4. Brown Capital Management Mid-Cap Inv (BCMSX)
5. Marsico Flexible Capital (MFCFX)
6. Integrity Williston Basin/Mid-North America Stock A (ICPAX)
7. Monetta Young Investor (MYIFX)
8. Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap A (EAASX)
9. Rydex S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth A (RYMGX)
10. Janus Triton D (JANIX)

Updated on 2/16/2012

Prudential High-Yield A (PBHAX) Fund

One of the great features of high yield bond fund is it provides high yield of income to investors. This high yield can be great incentive for investors who seek consistent income stream. One of this top rated high yield bond funds is Prudential High-Yield fund. This fixed income fund has a yield of 7.61%. This dividend yield is paid monthly. More review about this fund can be found below.

Prudential High Yield A (PBHAX)

This Prudential High Yield fund invests mainly in a diversified portfolio of high-yield fixed-income securities rated Ba or lower by Moody’s or BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s. The fund management may also invest in bond with comparable quality (i.e. junk bonds).

Fund Profile

Prudential High Yield

• Fund Inception Date: 01/22/1990
• Ticker Symbol: PBHAX (Class A)
• CUSIP: 74440Y108
• Beta (3yr): -0.20
• Rank in category (2011): 19%
• Category: High Yield Bond
• Distribution: 7.58%
• Net Assets: $ 2 Billion
• Sales Load: 4.5%
• Expense Ratio: 0.88%
• Capital Gains:  N/A
• Number of Years Up: 15 years
• Number of Years Down: 6 years
• Average Maturity: 4.3 years
• Average Duration: 3.3 years

Updated on 2/9/2011

Burnham Fund (BURHX)

The following is the review of Burnham fund. This stock fund is recognized as the top rated U.S. stock fund by Morningstar and Lipper Rating. It invests in large companies’ stocks or blue chip companies. More details can be found below.

Burnham A (Ticker: BURHX)

This Burnham fund invests in a diverse portfolio primarily consisting of common stocks. It invests in large-capitalization stocks (Market cap >$11 billion). These companies are known as blue chip companies and are usually well-established companies. Under typical market conditions, the fund intends to remain fully invested with only minimal investments in cash or short- term debt instruments.

Fund Profile

Burnham A fund profile

• Fund Inception Date: 06/16/1975
• Ticker Symbol: BURHX (Class A)
• CUSIP: 122315203
• Beta (3yr): 0.82
• Rank in category (2011): 5%
• Category: Large Blend
• Yield: 0.0%
• Net Assets: $ 101 Million
• Sales Load: 5.00%
• Expense Ratio: 1.51%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 29 years
• Number of Years Down: 7 years

Updated on 2/11/2012

Top 10 Best High Yield Bond Mutual Funds 2012

High Yield bond mutual funds offer an attractive valuation for investors. It also provides higher income. This fund typically has a higher risk profile than investment grade bond fund. Some of the best high yield bond mutual funds are: PIA High Yield Investor, Ivy High Income, Neuberger Berman High Income Bond Inv, etc.

Top High Yield Bond funds

Intro

High yield bonds can provide investors a reasonable amount of risk in search of high income levels. This type of bonds mostly represents corporate bonds with low ratings (i.e. non-investment grade or junk rating). Mutual funds are the best option to invest in these instruments. By investing in a well-diversified portfolio of mutual fund, investors may successfully lower the associated risk.

Best Performers

The following list has been compiled by sorting through its performance for the past 5 years. Most of these High Yield Bond funds are also rated among the best in their class. Please check details about its performance, expense ratio, sales load, initial investment requirement, risk, top holdings, etc.

Based on 5 years performance, Top 10 Best High Yield Bond Mutual Funds of 2012 are:

1. PIA High Yield Investor (PHYSX)
2. Ivy High Income A (WHIAX)
3. Neuberger Berman High Inc Bond Inv (NHINX)
4. PACE High Yield A (PHIAX)
5. TIAA-CREF High-Yield Retail (TIYRX)
6. Allianz AGIC High Yield Bond A (AYBAX)
7. Metropolitan West High Yield Bond M (MWHYX)
8. Touchstone High Yield Y (THYYX)
9. Fidelity Capital & Income (FAGIX)
10. Fifth Third High Yield Bond A (FTYAX)

Updated on 2/8/2012

Aberdeen International Equity A (GIGAX) Fund

Year 2011 has not been a good year to many international stock funds. Most funds have a negative return. Using a contrarian view, year 2012 may provide good opportunity for value investor to invest in these funds. As the top rated fund, Aberdeen International Equity fund managed to rank in the top 2% among its peers in 2011. Details about this fund review can be found below.

Aberdeen International Equity A (Symbol: GIGAX)

Aberdeen International Equity fund

The Aberdeen International Equity A fund’s objective is to achieve long term capital appreciation. This Aberdeen fund invests in stocks issued by companies that are located in, or that derive a substantial portion of their earnings or revenues from, a number of countries around the world other than the United States. This GIGAX fund may also invest in developing market countries. This best stock fund may invest in common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into common stock or securities.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 08/30/2000
• Ticker Symbol: GIGAX
• CUSIP: 003019445
• Beta (3yr): 1.04
• Rank in category (2011): 2%
• Category: Foreign Large Blend
• Distribution Rate: 2.22%
• Net Assets: $463 million
• Sales Load: 5.75%
• Expense Ratio: 1.57%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 7 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years

Updated on 02/04/2012

Vanguard Target Retirement 2010 Fund (VTENX)

Vanguard Group offers wide range of low cost mutual funds. It also provides life cycle funds or target date funds or age-based funds. These target date funds are similar to regular balanced funds. Depending upon its category, it will allocate its assets in bonds, stocks and cash. One of the Vanguard life cycle funds is Vanguard Target Retirement 2010 fund.

Vanguard Target Retirement 2010 Inv (VTENX)

The investment objective of Vanguard Target Retirement 2010 fund is seeking to provide growth of capital and current income. The fund primarily invests in other Vanguard mutual funds according to an asset allocation strategy designed for investors planning to retire within a few years of 2010. It distributes about 50% of assets to stocks and 50% of assets to bonds & money market instruments. The fund’s asset allocation will become more conservative over time. Over time, the bonds and other fixed income portion in its asset will increase and the stocks portion will decrease.

Fund Profile

Vanguard Target Retirement 2010

• Fund Inception Date: 06/07/2006
• Ticker Symbol: VTENX
• CUSIP: 92202E706
• Beta (3yr): 0.95
• Rank in category (2011): 8%
• Category: Target Date 2000-2010
• Yield: 2.65%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.17%  
• Net Assets: $ 5.13 billion
• Number of Years Up: 4 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year
• Average Duration: 5.87 years
• Average Maturity: 7.81 years

Updated on 02/03/2012

Allianz AGIC Convertible A (ANZAX) Fund

As the top rated convertible bond mutual fund, Allianz AGIC Convertible A fund offers an alternative investment choice for investors. This convertible bond fund provide a choice for investor a fixed income investment with coupon payments (yield) and chance to benefit from an increase in the company’s stock. Details review about this best fund is described below.

Allianz AGIC Convertible A (ANZAX)

Allianz AGIC Convertible A (ANZAX) fund seeks maximum total return which consist of capital appreciation and current income. The fund invests most of its net assets (>80%) in convertible securities. The investment may include corporate bonds, debts, notes or preferred stocks, and their hybrids. It may invest in securities of any size market capitalization or credit quality. It may rarely invest a significant amount of its assets in securities of smaller companies. The fund also invests <20% of net assets in nonconvertible debt securities.

ANZAX Fund Profile

Allianz AGIC Convertible

• Fund Inception Date: 04/12/2010
• Ticker Symbol: ANZAX
• CUSIP: 01900C680
• Beta (3yr): 1.06
• Rank in category (2011): 6%
• Category: Convertibles
• Yield: 2.70%
• Expense ratio: 0.96%
• Sales Load: 5.50%
• Total Assets: $656.6 million
• Capital Gains: $1.573 (2011)
• Number of Years Up: 12 years (Class I)
• Number of Years Down: 6 years (Class I)

Updated on 2/1/2012

Top 12 Best Precious Metals Mutual Funds 2012

Investing in Precious metals can be used as a hedge against economic crisis or turmoil. One of the easiest way to invest in this precious metals category is by choosing mutual funds, exchange traded funds (ETFs), and closed end funds (CEFs). I’ll focus on precious metals mutual funds. The best performing funds include Tocqueville Gold, Van Eck International Investors Gold A, First Eagle Gold A, etc.

Reasons to Invest

There are several reasons to invest in precious metals funds such as:

Top Precious Metals Mutual Funds

• The precious metals funds can provide portfolio diversification against other asset classes such as stock funds or bond funds. There is very little correlation against stocks or bonds. It may outperform other asset classes.
• The funds can provide a hedging tool against uncertain time such as economic crisis, inflation, etc.
• Investors can select well known management to manage their investment through various precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. It is less costly than investing in precious metals directly.

Best Funds

The following top performer funds list has been compiled by sorting through its performance for the past 5 years. Most of these precious metals equity funds are also rated among the best fund in their category. I have provided each of these top performing fund review such as its performance, sales load, expense ratio fee, initial investment requirement, risk, top sectors, rating, top holdings or top stocks, turnover rate, etc.

The Top 12 Best Precious Metals Mutual Funds of 2012 are:

1. Tocqueville Gold (TGLDX)
2. Van Eck Intl Investors Gold A (INIVX)
3. First Eagle Gold A (SGGDX)
4. USAA Precious Metals and Minerals (USAGX)
5. Franklin Gold and Precious Metals A (FKRCX)
6. Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals A (OPGSX)
7. OCM Gold Investor (OCMGX)
8. Wells Fargo Advantage Precious Metals B (EKWBX)
9. GAMCO Gold AAA (GOLDX)
10. Invesco Gold & Precious Metals Investor (FGLDX)
11. Fidelity Select Gold (FSAGX)
12. American Century Global Gold Inv (BGEIX)

Updated on 2/4/2012

T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund (PRWCX)

As an asset management company, T Rowe Price Group offers variety of top mutual funds. According to latest count, there are over 90 no load mutual funds and over 45 top rated mutual funds. These funds are rated 4 & 5 star by Morningstar. One of these best rated funds is T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation (PRWCX) fund. More fund’s review can be found below.

T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation (Symbol: PRWCX)

The T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation fund aims to provide long-term capital appreciation. This balanced fund typically invests in stock and bonds. It invests primarily in the common stocks of established U.S. companies with above-average potential for capital growth. It invests at > ½ of assets in common stocks and the remaining assets in other securities such as convertible securities, corporate and government bonds, foreign securities, futures, and options.

Fund Details

T Rowe Price Capital Appreciation

• Fund Inception Date: 06/30/1986
• Ticker Symbol: PRWCX
• CUSIP: 77954M105
• Beta (3yr): 1.10
• Rank in category (2011): 12 %
• Category: Moderate Allocation
• Yield: 1.60%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.70%  
• Net Assets: $ 11 billion
• Number of Years Up: 23 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Average Effective Duration: 3.74 years
• Average Maturity:  N/A

Updated on 02/05/2012

Best Performing Real Estate Mutual Funds of 2012

The best real estate mutual funds of 2012 are PIMCO Real Estate Real Return Strategy, CGM Realty, Fidelity Real Estate Income, etc. These mutual funds also provide higher regular dividend income.

Intro

Direct investment in the real estate sector may be difficult for most regular investors. There are several of requirements and skills to manage real estate such as loan, maintenance, law, tenant relationship, marketing, etc. Using mutual funds, investors can instantly get a cost effective method of investing in this industry. You can also check my previous Top Performer Real Estate Funds of June 2011 article.

Top Real Estate Funds 2012

Although a real estate market has not been great for the past 3 to 4 years, the long term performance has been great for investors. There are 3 main reasons why investors should consider REIT funds:

• Real estate mutual funds can provide protection against inflationary pressures due to government policy, economic condition, and currency risk. 
• Recent research has presented that they perform better compared to precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and rare coins. 
• Using mutual funds, investors can diversify their assets portfolio by reducing investment risks and enhance its returns.

Note: REIT= Real Estate Investment Trust

Top Performers

The following list has been compiled by sorting through its performance for the past 5 years. Most of these REIT funds are also rated among the best in their class. Please check details about its performance, expense ratio, sales load, initial investment requirement, risk, top holdings, etc.

The 12 Best Performing Real Estate Mutual Funds of 2012 are:

1. PIMCO Real Estate Real Return Strategy A (PETAX)
2. CGM Realty (CGMRX)
3. REMS Real Estate Value Opportunity Institutional (HLRRX)
4. Fidelity Real Estate Income (FRIFX)
5. Forward Select Income A (KIFAX)
6. Neuberger Berman Real Estate Trust (NBRFX)
7. Stratton Real Estate (STMDX)
8. Managers Real Estate Securities (MRESX)
9. Nuveen Real Estate Securities I (FARCX)
10. REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Institutional (RREIX)
11. ING Real Estate Institutional (CRARX)
12. Eaton Vance Real Estate I (EIREX)

updated on 2/4/2012

Davis NY Venture A (NYVTX) Fund

As part of Davis Funds, this Davis New York Venture A fund is popular among investors. It is one of the largest US stock funds with $25.49 billion total assets. It receives Gold analyst rating from Morningstar. More fund’s review can be found below.

Davis NY Venture A (Symbol: NYVTX)

The investment objective of Davis NY Venture fund is to provide long-term growth of capital. This US equity fund uses the Davis Investment Discipline to invest the most of the fund’s assets in equity securities issued by large companies with market capitalizations of at least $10 billion. The fund may invest in common stocks, preferred stocks, and convertible bonds. It may invest minority of its assets in foreign securities.

Fund Profile

Davis NY Venture A

• Fund Inception Date: February 17, 1969 
• Ticker Symbol: NYVTX
• CUSIP: 239080-104
• Beta (3yr): 1.08
• Rank in category (2011): 82%
• Category: Large Blend
• Distribution Rate: 1.15%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.89%  
• Net Assets: $ 25.49 billion
• Number of Years Up: 32 years
• Number of Years Down: 9 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 8%

Updated on 2/1/2012

Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund (DODBX)

Dodge & Cox funds are popular among the long term investor. This article will provide the Dodge & Cox Balanced fund review.

Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund (DODBX)

The objective of Dodge & Cox Balanced fund is to seek regular income, conservation of principal, and an opportunity for long-term principal growth and income. This hybrid fund invests in a diversified portfolio of common stocks, preferred stocks, and fixed income securities. For stocks, the management invests in undervalued and have a favorable outlook for long-term growth companies. This balanced fund will focus on the underlying financial condition and prospects of each companies.

Fund Details

Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund

• Fund Inception Date: 06/26/1931
• Ticker Symbol: DODBX
• CUSIP: 256219106
• Beta (3yr): 1.37
• Rank in category (2011): 69%
• Category: Moderate Allocation
• Yield: 2.40%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.53%  
• Net Assets: $ 12.39 billion
• Number of Years Up: 41 years
• Number of Years Down: 10 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 12.0%

Updated on 1/20/2012

Fidelity New Markets Income Fund (FNMIX)

Fidelity New Markets Income fund (FNMIX) is one of the best performing funds of 2011. This Fidelity fund invest in emerging markets bonds.

Fidelity New Markets Income (Ticker: FNMIX)

This Fidelity New Markets Income fund seeks to provide high current income as its primary objective. It also has a secondary objective such as capital appreciation. This fixed income fund invests majority of assets (>80%) in debt securities of issuers in emerging markets. This best bond fund may invest in other types of securities. It is considered as non-diversified fund.

FNMIX Fund Details

Fidelity New Markets Income fund

• Fund Inception Date: 05/04/1993
• Ticker Symbol: FNMIX
• CUSIP: 315910836
• Beta (3yr): 0.86
• Rank in category (2011): 1%
• Category: Emerging Markets Bond
• Yield: 5.33%
• Expense Ratio Fee: 0.83%
• Capital Gains: check fund
• Sales Load: none
• Number of Years Up: 14 years
• Number of Years Down: 3 years
• Total Net Assets: $4.13 Billion
• Effective Duration: N/A
• Average Maturity: 13.30 Years
• Minimum to Invest: $2,500

Updated on May 2017