USAA Precious Metals and Minerals Mutual Fund (USAGX)

USAA Precious Metals and Minerals Fund is a precious metals equity mutual fund. It invests in companies involved in gold, precious metals and minerals.

USAA Precious Metals and Minerals (Ticker: USAGX)

The investment aim of this USAA Precious Metals and Minerals fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation and to protect against inflation. This equity fund invests majority of assets in the equity securities of domestic and foreign companies mainly engaged in the exploration, mining, or processing of gold and other precious metals and minerals. The other precious metals or minerals can be platinum, silver, and diamonds.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: August 14, 1984
• Ticker Symbol: USAGX
• CUSIP: 903287100
• Beta (3yr): 0.82
• Rank in category (YTD): 55%
• Category: Equity Precious Metals
• Distribution: 0.25%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.15%
• Net Assets: $ 1.91 billion
• Number of Years Up: 15 years
• Number of Years Down: 11 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 24.00%

Updated on 8/29/2012

Best Large Growth Domestic Stock Exchange Traded Funds 2012

This article will provide the 10 best large growth domestic stock exchange traded funds of 2012. The top ETFs include PowerShares QQQ, Vanguard Growth ETF, iShares S&P 500 Growth Index, etc.

Top Large Cap Stock ETFs

Top Large Growth ETFs

As part of U.S. domestic stock fund, large growth equity fund invests mainly in equities of U.S. companies with high potential growth. There are about 16 ETFs in this large growth category. The fund sponsors are Invesco PowerShares, Vanguard, iShares, State Street, Guggenheim, Fidelity, First Trust, etc. The expense ratios are in the range of 0.10% and 0.70%.

These top large growth stock ETFs are chosen based on its expense ratio fee, portfolio turnover rate, management, performance, etc. You can find the fund review and comparison below.

The 10 best large growth domestic stock exchange traded funds of 2012 are:

1. PowerShares QQQ (QQQ)
2. Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG)
3. iShares S&P 500 Growth Index (IVW)
4. SPDR S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG)
5. Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Growth Index ETF (MGK)
6. iShares Morningstar Large Growth Index (JKE)

Franklin Templeton Emerging Market Debt Opportunities Fund FEMDX

Franklin Templeton Emerging Market Debt Opportunities Fund (FEMDX) is an international taxable bond mutual fund. This emerging market bond fund objective is to achieve total return.

Franklin Templeton Emerg Mkt Debt Opp (Ticker: FEMDX)

The investment objective of Franklin Templeton Emerging Market Debt Opportunities fund is to provide high total return. This mutual fund invests >80% of net assets in debt securities of emerging market countries and developing countries recognized by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and the United Nations. It may invest in below investment grade bonds and defaulted debt securities.

Fund Profile

FT Emerg Mkt Debt Opp

• Fund Inception Date: May 24, 2006
• Ticker Symbol: FEMDX
• CUSIP: 353533813
• Beta (3yr): 0.41
• Rank in category (YTD): 61%
• Category: Emerging Markets Bond
• Distribution Rate: 5.75%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.00%
• Net Assets: $ 445.27 million
• Number of Years Up: 4 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year
• Average Duration: 2.86 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 29%

updated on 8/23/2012

10 Best Long Government Bond Mutual Funds 2012

The following post provides the best long term government bond mutual funds. The top funds are Wasatch-Hoisington US Treasury, American Century Zero Coupon 2025, Vanguard Long-Term Treasury, etc.

Best Long Government Bond Bond Funds

Government bond mutual funds are one of the popular taxable bond mutual funds. These fixed income funds invests in U.S. treasuries and other U.S. government bonds. There are three types of government bond mutual funds such as short government, intermediate term government, and long government.

The long term government bond funds invest in long duration government bonds with maturity of 15 to 30 years. These top bond funds are sorted based on its expense ratio, turnover rate, performance, management, etc.

The 10 best long government bond mutual funds 2012 are:

Mutual Funds

1. Wasatch-Hoisington US Treasury (WHOSX)
2. American Century Zero Coupon 2025 Inv (BTTRX)
3. Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Inv (VUSTX)
4. American Century Zero Coupon 2020 Inv (BTTTX)
5. Fidelity Spartan Long Term Treasury Bond Index Inv (FLBIX)
6. PIMCO Extended Duration I (PEDIX)
7. Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Institutional (VEDTX)
8. T. Rowe Price US Treasury Long-Term (PRULX)
9. PIMCO Long-Term US Government A (PFGAX)
10. Dreyfus US Treasury Long-Term (DRGBX)

updated on 8/23/2012

T. Rowe Price New Income Fund (PRCIX)

T. Rowe Price New Income fund (PRCIX) is a popular taxable bond mutual fund. This fixed income fund invests in income producing bonds such as government bonds, corporate bonds, etc.

T. Rowe Price New Income Fund

The investment objective of T. Rowe Price New Income fund is to provide the highest income level with the capital preservation. This fund utilizes its assets to purchase income-producing securities. These securities may include U.S. government and agency obligations, mortgage- and asset-backed securities, corporate bonds, foreign securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, Treasury inflation protected securities. It may invest, on occasion, in equities.

Fund Profile

T. Rowe Price New Income

• Fund Inception Date: August 31, 1973
• Ticker Symbol: PRCIX
• CUSIP: 779570100
• Beta (3yr): 0.88
• Rank in category (YTD): 71%
• Category: Intermediate-Term Bond
• Yield: 3.30%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.59%
• Net Assets: $ 17.97 billion
• Number of Years Up: 36 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Average Maturity: 7.44 years
• Average Duration: 4.77 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 110.70%

Updated on 8/22/2012

10 Best Small Cap Stock ETFs 2012

This post will provide the 10 best small cap stock exchange traded funds of 2012. The top funds are SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF, Vanguard Small Cap Growth ETF, iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth, etc.

Best Small Cap Stock ETFs

These top small cap stock exchange traded funds are selected based on its expense ratio fee, portfolio turnover rate, management, performance, etc. There are about 30 ETFs in this small cap category. The expense ratios are ranging from 0.10% to 0.70%. The ETFs issuers are Invesco PowerShares, iShares, RBS, State Street, Vanguard, First Trust, Russell, Rydex, WisdomTree, etc.

Best Small Cap Stock ETFs 2012

The 10 best small cap stock exchange traded funds of 2012 are:

1. Vanguard Small Cap Growth ETF (VBK)
2. iShares Morningstar Small Value Index (JKL)
3. SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG)
4. Vanguard Small Cap ETF (VB)
5. iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth (IJT)

Dreyfus International Stock Fund (DISAX)

Dreyfus International Stock A (DISAX) fund is part of international stock mutual fund. This foreign large growth fund focuses its assets in non-U.S. companies in developed markets.

Dreyfus International Stock Fund

The Dreyfus International Stock fund objective is to seek long-term total return. This equity fund invests majority of net assets (>80%) in stocks of foreign companies located in the developed markets. It usually invests in >3 countries around the world.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: December 26, 2006
• Ticker Symbol: DISAX
• CUSIP: 86271F-78-4
• Beta (3yr): 0.78
• Rank in category (YTD): 69%
• Category: Foreign Large Growth
• Distribution: 0.85%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.27%
• Net Assets: $ 1.61 billion
• Number of Years Up: 3 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 5.07%

Updated on 8/17/2012

10 Best Large Growth Mutual Funds 2012

Some of the best large growth stock mutual funds of 2012 are Shelton Nasdaq-100 Index, Monetta Young Investor, Fidelity Growth Company, etc. You can compare the top funds in this post.

Best Large Growth Mutual Funds 2012

One of the domestic stock mutual fund sectors is large growth stock fund. This large growth fund invests in equity securities of U.S. companies with high growth potential. The top funds are selected based on its performance, management, fees, top holdings, turnover rate, etc. You can find the fund comparison in details as well.

The 10 best large growth mutual funds of 2012 are:

Large Growth

1. Shelton Nasdaq-100 Index Direct (NASDX)
2. Monetta Young Investor (MYIFX)
3. USAA NASDAQ-100 Index (USNQX)
4. Touchstone Sands Capital Select Growth Z (PTSGX)
5. Vanguard Growth Index Inv (VIGRX)
6. Marsico Flexible Capital (MFCFX)
7. Reynolds Blue Chip Growth (RBCGX)
8. Fidelity Growth Company (FDGRX)
9. Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Inv (SGROX)
10. Delaware Select Growth A (DVEAX)

updated on 8/15/2012

Neuberger Berman High Income Bond Fund (NHINX) Investor Class

Neuberger Berman High Income Bond fund (NHINX) is a high yield bond mutual fund. It provides high yield income for investors. The fund review can be found in this article.

Neuberger Berman High Income Bond Investor (Ticker: NHINX)

The investment aim of Neuberger Berman High Income Bond fund is to seek high total return consistent with capital preservation. The fund typically invests >80% of its net assets in High-Yield Bonds. It normally expects to have a weighted average maturity between 5 and 10 years. Ann Benjamin has been managing this fund since October 2005. She is assisted by Thomas O’Reilly and Russ Covode.

Fund Profile

Neuberger Berman High Income Bond

• Fund Inception Date: January 30, 1992
• Ticker Symbol: NHINX
• CUSIP: 64128K850
• Beta (3yr): -0.05
• Rank in category (YTD): 65%
• Category: High Yield Bond
• Yield: 6.46%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.86%
• Net Assets: $ 2.83 billion
• Number of Years Up: 18 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year
• Average maturity: 6.6 years
• Average Duration: 4.0 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 88.00%

updated on 8/14/2012

Best U.S. Mortgage Bond Closed End Funds 2012

Some of the best U.S. mortgage bond closed end funds are PCM fund, First Trust Mortgage Income, BlackRock Income Trust, etc. You can find the top funds review below.

Mortgage Bond CEFs

Top Mortgage Bond CEFs

One of the taxable bond closed end fund sectors is mortgage bond CEF. This bond CEF invests mainly in mortgage backed securities, commercial loan, other asset backed securities, etc. It also provides high income for investors.

Note: Some of these funds market price trade either above (premium) or below (discount) their NAVs. It may also use leverage to enhance its performance. Please do your research before investing in these bond closed end funds.

The best U.S. mortgage bond closed end funds of 2012 are:

1. PCM Fund (PCM)
2. First Trust Mortgage Income (FMY)
3. BlackRock Income Trust (BKT)
4. American Strategic Income (ASP)
5. American Income Fund (MRF)
6. American Select Portfolio (SLA)
7. Helios Total Return (HTR)
8. American Strategic Income II (BSP)

updated on 8/13/2012

Columbia Emerging Markets Bond Fund (REBAX)

Columbia Emerging Markets Bond Fund is part of fixed income mutual fund. This taxable bond fund focuses its investment in emerging markets debt. More fund review can be found below.

Columbia Emerging Markets Bond A (REBAX)

The investment aim of Columbia Emerging Markets Bond fund is to provide investors with high total return from current income and capital appreciation. This mutual fund typically utilizes majority of net assets in emerging markets countries bonds. It may invests in debt of companies which earn 50% or more of their total revenues produced in emerging markets countries or from sales made in emerging markets countries.

Fund Profile

REBAX fund

• Fund Inception Date: Feb 16, 2006
• Ticker Symbol: REBAX (Class A)
• CUSIP: 19763P184
• Beta (3yr): 0.72
• Rank in category (YTD): 46%
• Category: Emerging Markets Bond
• Yield: 5.81%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.28%
• Net Assets: $ 548.90 million
• Number of Years Up: 4 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year

Best Foreign Large Growth Stock Mutual Funds 2012

Some of the best foreign large growth stock mutual funds 2012 are Thornburg International Growth, Calamos International Growth, Scout International, etc. These top funds are being reviewed as well.

Top International Stock Funds

One of the international stock mutual fund sectors is foreign large growth stock mutual fund. These foreign large growth funds focus its investment on high growth stocks, mainly outside of the U.S. It may invest in Japan, Great Britain, France, Germany, Netherland, Switzerland, etc. It may also invest in emerging markets countries such as China, Brazil, India, etc.

Best Foreign Large Growth Stock Mutual Funds of 2012 are:

Best Foreign Large Growth Funds

1. Calamos International Growth A (CIGRX)
2. Scout International (UMBWX)
3. Harding Loevner International Equity (HLMNX)
4. USAA International (USIFX)
5. Thornburg International Growth A (TIGAX)
6. MFS International Growth A (MGRAX)
7. Turner International Growth Inv (TICFX)
8. Virtus Foreign Opportunities A (JVIAX)
9. Fidelity International Growth (FIGFX)
10. First Investors International A (FIINX)

updated on 8/9/2012

American Funds Income Fund of America Fund (AMECX) Class A

American Funds Income Fund of America Fund (AMECX) Class A is a popular balanced mutual fund. This American Funds fund focuses its investment in stocks and bonds which produce income.

American Funds Income Fund of America A (Ticker: AMECX)

The investment objective of American Funds Income Fund of America is to provide current income and capital growth. This balanced fund uses its assets to purchase income-producing securities. It invests at majority of its assets in common stocks (>60%). It may invest in foreign stocks and higher yielding nonconvertible debt securities.

AMECX Fund Profile

Income Fund of America

• Fund Inception Date: December 31, 2970
• Ticker Symbol: AMECX
• CUSIP: 453320103
• Beta (3yr): 0.96
• Rank in category (YTD): 93%
• Category: Moderate Allocation
• Yield: 4.00%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.58%
• Net Assets: $ 71.91 billion
• Number of Years Up: 34 years
• Number of Years Down: 7 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 38.00%

Updated May 2017

Worst Performer Closed End Funds 2012 for Past 5 Years

Some of worst performer closed end funds for the past 5 years are RENN Global Entrepreneurs, Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Strategy, Helios Strategic Income, etc. You can find the fund review below.

Worst Performer CEFs

These worst performers are selected based on its market price performance for the past 5 years (up to August 5th, 2012). They may also have high expense ratio and worst management. These closed end funds (CEFs) can be categorized into domestic stock funds, high yield bond funds, international stock funds, world stock funds, etc.

The 10 worst performer closed end funds of 2012 for the past 5 years are:

Closed End Funds

1. RENN Global Entrepreneurs (RCG)
2. Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Strategy (GGE)
3. Helios Strategic Income (HSA)
4. Helios Multi-Sector High Income (HMH)
5. Equus Total Return (EQS)
6. Helios High Income (HIH)
7. Helios Advantage Income (HAV)
8. New Ireland Fund (IRL)
9. Templeton Russia & East European (TRF)
10. Alpine Total Dynamic Dividend (AOD)

Updated on 8/8/2012

Best Target Date 2000-2010 Mutual Funds 2012

Some of the best target date 2000-2010 balanced mutual funds of 2012 are Vanguard Target Retirement 2010, T. Rowe Price Retirement 2005, Fidelity Freedom 2010, etc. You can find the fund review.

Target Date Mutual Funds

Top Target Date Mutual Funds

One of the popular balanced mutual fund sectors is target date mutual fund. It is also known as lifecycle fund or asset allocation fund. It invests in stocks, bonds, and money market. Typically it invests in other funds from the fund family.

These funds can be categorized into various classes such as retirement income, target date 2000-2010, target date 2011-2015, target date 2016-2020, target date 2050+, etc. The asset allocation is adjusted based on the target date of the fund objective.

The following top funds are sorted based on its long term performance, expense ratio, annual holdings turnover rate, management, etc. More fund details can be found below such as sales load, expense fee, top holdings, top sectors, worst performance, etc.

Best Target Date 2000-2010 Mutual Funds of 2012 are:

1. Vanguard Target Retirement 2010 Inv (VTENX)
2. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2005 (TRRFX)
3. Fidelity Freedom 2010 (FFFCX)
4. American Funds Target Date Retirement 2010 A (AAATX)
5. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 (TRRAX)
6. GuideStone Funds MyDestination 2005 GS4 (GMIZX)
7. MFS Lifetime 2010 A (MFSAX)
8. Fidelity Freedom 2005 (FFFVX)
9. Wells Fargo Advantage DJ Target 2010 Inv (WFCTX)
10. Fidelity Freedom 2000 (FFFBX)

updated on 8/6/2012

YTD Top Performer Large Cap Stock Exchange Traded Funds 2012

YTD top performer large cap stock exchange traded funds up to July 22 2012 are PowerShares QQQ, iShares Morningstar Large Growth Index, First Trust US IPO Index, etc.

Best Performing ETFs

These best performing exchange traded funds are sorted based on its year-to-date performance. You can find large growth ETFs, large blend ETFs, and large value ETFs in this list. These stock ETFs are investing in U.S. companies with large capitalization.

YTD Top Performer Large Cap Stock Exchange Traded Funds up to July 22 2012 are:

Top Performer ETFs

1. PowerShares QQQ (QQQ)
2. iShares Morningstar Large Growth Index (JKE)
3. First Trust US IPO Index (FPX)
4. PowerShares Fundamental Pure Large Growth (PXLG)
5. Fidelity Nasdaq Composite Index Tracking (ONEQ)
6. Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Growth Index ETF (MGK)
7. Guggenheim Russell Top 50 (XLG)
8. PowerShares Dynamic Large Cap Growth (PWB)
9. iShares Russell Top 200 Growth Index (IWY)
10. First Trust NASDAQ-100 ex-Tech Sec Index (QQXT)

updated on 8/3/2012

Van Eck International Investors Gold Fund (INIVX) Class A

Van Eck International Investors Gold Fund is another popular precious metals stock mutual fund. This Van Eck fund is part of sector equity mutual fund which focuses its investment in gold related companies. More review can be found as follows.

Van Eck International Investors Gold A (Ticker: INIVX)

The investment aim of Van Eck International Investors Gold fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation and its secondary consideration is to provide current income. This equity fund mainly invests >80% of assets in securities of companies engaged in gold-related activities, and in gold coins & bullion. It may invest small part of assets (<12.5%) in gold and silver coins, gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion. The fund invests in open-end funds, closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: February 10, 1956
• Ticker Symbol: INIVX
• CUSIP: 921075503
• Beta (3yr): 72.25
• Rank in category (YTD): 71%
• Category: Equity Precious Metals
• Yield: 1.68%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.20%
• Net Assets: $ 1.37 billion

Best No Load World Stock Mutual Funds 2012

The 10 Best No Load World Stock Mutual Funds of 2012 are Dreyfus Worldwide Growth I, Wasatch World Innovators, Marsico Global, etc. You can find these top funds review in this article.

Top 10 Stock Funds

Best World Stock Funds

These top 10 world stock mutual funds are sorted based on its performance, quality, holdings, fees, etc. All of these funds are no load mutual funds. The world stock mutual funds invest mainly in equities of domestic and foreign companies. They may invest in other funds, common stocks, preferred stocks, etc. Additional investment risks information can be found in the fund prospectus.

The 10 Best No Load World Stock Mutual Funds of 2012 are:

1. Wasatch World Innovators (WAGTX)
2. Marsico Global (MGLBX)
3. Wintergreen Investor (WGRNX)
4. Tweedy, Browne Value (TWEBX)
5. Old Westbury Global Small & Mid Cap (OWSMX)
6. USAA World Growth (USAWX)
7. Oakmark Global Select I (OAKWX)
8. Managed Account Global SmallCap (MGCSX)
9. Janus Global Research D (JANGX)
10. Harding Loevner Global Equity Advisor (HLMGX)

Updated on 8/1/2012

Note: These best funds may be suitable for 2013 investment strategy as well.