Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Fund (VISVX) Investor Shares

Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Fund (VISVX) is a US stock mutual fund. It focuses its assets mainly in undervalued small U.S. companies.

Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Fund (Ticker: VISVX)

The Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Fund objective is to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of small-capitalization value stocks. The mutual fund is tracking its benchmark, the MSCI US Small Cap Value Index. This index is a broadly diversified index of value stocks of smaller U.S. companies.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 05/20/1998
• Ticker Symbol: VISVX
• CUSIP: 922908793
• Beta (3yr): 1.22
• Rank in category (YTD): 23%
• Category: Small Value
• Distribution: 1.85%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.24%
• Net Assets: $ 7.24 billion
• Number of Years Up: 9 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 30%

Updated on 11/29/2012

Thornburg International Value Fund (TGVAX)

Thornburg International Value Fund (TGVAX) is a foreign large growth mutual fund. It invests in non-U.S. companies.

Thornburg International Value A (TGVAX)

The investment aim of Thornburg International Value fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation and current income. The mutual fund utilizes its assets to invest in foreign stocks or depository receipts of foreign securities. It invests in promising companies, and may invest in stocks that reflect unfavorable market perceptions of the company or industry fundamentals. The stock mutual fund typically invests in publicly traded large and middle capitalization companies, but it may invest in any company size.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: May 28, 1998
• Ticker Symbol: TGVAX
• CUSIP: 885-215-657
• Beta (3yr): 0.89
• Rank in category (YTD): 80%
• Category: Foreign Large Growth
• Yield: 1.16%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.25%
• Net Assets: $ 26.48 billion
• Number of Years Up: 8 years
• Number of Years Down: 5 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 20.78%

Updated on 11/28/2012

Perkins Mid Cap Value Fund (JDPAX)

Perkins Mid Cap Value fund (JDPAX) is a domestic stock mutual fund. This popular equity fund invests in middle sized companies. The fund review can be found in this article.

Perkins Mid Cap Value A (Ticker: JDPAX)

The investment objective of Perkins Mid Cap Value fund is to provide capital growth. The mutual fund mainly invests in the common stocks of undervalued mid-sized companies. It invests its net assets in equity securities of companies whose market capitalization falls, at the time of purchase, within the 12-month average of the capitalization range of the Russell Midcap Value Index. It may also invest in foreign equity and debt securities, including investments in emerging markets.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: July 5, 2009
• Ticker Symbol: JDPAX
• CUSIP: 47103C266
• Beta (3yr): 0.92
• Rank in category (YTD): 90%
• Category: Mid-Cap Value
• Distribution: 0.54%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.02%
• Net Assets: $ 12.52 billion
• Number of Years Up: 1 year
• Number of Years Down: 1 year
• Annual Turnover Rate: 54%

Updated on 11/25/2012

T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund (PREIX)

T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund (PREIX) is a large blend mutual fund. This fund is tracking the performance of Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index.

T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 (Ticker: PREIX)

The T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 fund objective is seeking to match the performance of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index. It utilizes its assets to purchase all of the stocks in the S&P 500 Index. It attempts to maintain holdings of each stock in proportion to its weight in the index. Under normal conditions, the mutual fund will invest >80% of its net assets in stocks that are held in its benchmark index.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: March 29, 1990
• Ticker Symbol: PREIX
• CUSIP: 779552108
• Beta (3yr): 1.00
• Rank in category (YTD): 27%
• Category: Large Blend
• Distribution: 1.76%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.30%
• Net Assets: $ 14.66 billion
• Number of Years Up: 17 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 5.50%

Updated on 11/24/2012

Putnam Convertible Securities Fund (PCONX)

Putnam Convertible Securities Fund (ticker: PCONX) is a balanced mutual fund. The mutual fund invests in convertible securities: bonds, preferred stocks, etc.

Putnam Convertible Securities A (PCONX)

The investment aim of Putnam Convertible Securities fund is to provide current income and capital appreciation. It also has a secondary objective which is capital conservation. This mutual fund invests majority of assets in convertible securities of U.S. companies. Convertible securities mix the investment characteristics of bonds and common stocks.

Convertible securities may include bonds, preferred stocks and other instruments that can be converted into or exchanged for common stock. Many convertible securities are below-investment-grade. The convertible bonds typically have average maturities about three years or longer.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: June 28, 1972
• Ticker Symbol: PCONX
• CUSIP: 746476100
• Beta (3yr): 1.13
• Rank in category (YTD): 7%
• Category: Convertibles
• Distribution: 2.87%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.12%
• Net Assets: $ 611.75 million
• Number of Years Up: 29 years
• Number of Years Down: 10 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 79%

Updated on 11/22/2012

Fidelity Freedom 2030 Fund (FFFEX)

Fidelity Freedom 2030 Fund (Ticker: FFFEX) is a target date 2026-2030 mutual fund. This balanced fund invests in stocks and bonds. It is suitable for people seek to retire around year 2030.

Fidelity Freedom 2030 Fund (Ticker: FFFEX)

The investment aim of Fidelity Freedom 2030 Fund is to provide high total return until its target retirement date. The mutual fund invests in a mix of Fidelity domestic equity funds, international equity funds, bond funds, and short-term funds. It is using a moderate asset allocation strategy designed for investors expecting to retire around the year 2030. This balanced fund utilizes an asset allocation strategy that converts gradually conservative until it reaches about 15% in domestic equity funds, 5% in international equity funds, 40% in bond funds, and 40% in short-term funds.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: October 17, 1996
• Ticker Symbol: FFFEX
• CUSIP: 31617R704
• Beta (3yr): 1.34
• Rank in category (YTD): 19%
• Category: Target Date 2026-2030
• Distribution: 1.85 %
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.00%
• Net Assets: $ 10.94 billion
• Number of Years Up: 10 years
• Number of Years Down: 5 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 26%

Updated on 11/20/2012

Best Consumer Defensive Mutual Funds 2013

The 4 best consumer defensive mutual funds 2013 are Fidelity Select Consumer Staples fund, Vanguard Consumer Staples Index fund, etc.

Top Consumer Defensive Mutual Funds

The consumer defensive mutual fund is part of domestic stock mutual fund. This sector stock fund utilizes its assets to purchase stocks of companies that are engaged in manufacturing, sales or distribution of customer staples. The consumer staples company products are food, beverages, tobacco, and household items. It may invest in U.S. companies or non-U.S. companies. This stock fund is considered as non-cyclical stock fund.

These top consumer defensive mutual funds are selected based on its expense ratio fee, turnover rate, management, fund performance, etc. You can find the fund review and fund performance or return below.

The 4 best consumer defensive mutual funds 2013 are:

1. Fidelity Select Consumer Staples (FDFAX)
2. Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Adm (VCSAX)
3. Rydex Consumer Products Investor (RYCIX)
4. ICON Consumer Staples A (ICRAX)

Updated on 11/18/2012

Vanguard Convertible Securities Fund (VCVSX)

Vanguard Convertible Securities Fund (Ticker: VCVSX) is another popular low cost balanced fund. It invests in U.S. and non-U.S. convertibles.

Vanguard Convertible Securities Investor (VCVSX)

The Vanguard Convertible Securities fund aim is to achieve current income and long-term capital appreciation. It utilizes its assets to purchase U.S. and foreign convertible securities. These convertibles are hybrid securities that have characteristics of bonds and common stocks. It may include corporate bonds and preferred stocks that are convertible into common stock, and debt securities with warrants or common stock attached.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: June 16, 1986
• Ticker Symbol: VCVSX
• CUSIP: 922023106
• Beta (3yr): 1.16
• Rank in category (YTD): 3%
• Category: Convertibles
• Distribution: 3.84%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.59%
• Net Assets: $ 1.66 billion
• Number of Years Up: 18 years
• Number of Years Down: 7 years
• Average Duration: 4.3 years
• Average Maturity: 4.9 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 90.00%

Updated on 11/16/2012

Best Performing Moderate Allocation Mutual Funds November 2012

The 10 best performing moderate allocation mutual funds 2012 are Putnam Capital Spectrum fund, Fairholme Allocation, Dodge & Cox Balanced, etc.

Top Performer Moderate Allocation Balanced Funds

Moderate allocation mutual fund is suitable for investors who have balanced investment approach. This moderate allocation fund invests in stocks (equities), bonds (fixed incomes), money market or cash. It may have slightly higher stock portion (60%-80%) than bond portion (20%-40%). It may provide regular dividend or income through capital gain and yield.

Best Mutual Funds for 2013

From this best performing funds list, you may find each individual fund review. You can find the fund performance, expense ratio, management, fund’s NAV or share price, and yield or dividend from the table below. The list is sorted based on its year to date performance in 2012 (up to October 1, 2012).

The 10 best performing moderate allocation mutual funds 2012 are:

1. Putnam Capital Spectrum A (PVSAX)
2. Fairholme Allocation (FAAFX)
3. Dodge & Cox Balanced (DODBX)
4. Mairs & Power Balanced Investor (MAPOX)
5. Villere Balanced Investor (VILLX)
6. Camelot Premium Return A (CPRFX)
7. AllianceBern Balanced Shares A (CABNX)
8. JHancock Balanced A (SVBAX)
9. Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Income A (HWIAX)
10. Disciplined Growth Investors (DGIFX)

Updated on 11/14/2012

Waddell & Reed International Grade Fund (UNCGX)

Waddell & Reed International Grade Fund (UNCGX) is one of the best foreign large growth mutual funds. It invests in companies’ stocks of developed countries.

Waddell & Reed International Grade A (UNCGX)

The investment aim of Waddell & Reed International Grade fund is to provide capital growth. The mutual fund invests mainly in common stocks of foreign companies that are competitively well-positioned, gaining market share, have the potential for sustained and attractive long-term growth characteristics. It typically invests in issuers of developed countries, especially companies located in Continental Europe, the United Kingdom and Japan. It may also invest in emerging markets.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: June 2, 1970
• Ticker Symbol: UNCGX
• CUSIP: 930057799
• Beta (3yr): 0.94
• Rank in category (YTD): 34%
• Category: Foreign Large Growth
• Distribution: 1.56%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.50%
• Net Assets: $ 487.75 million
• Number of Years Up: 30 years
• Number of Years Down: 11 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 30%

Updated on 11/12/2012

Best Japan Stock Mutual Funds 2013

The 9 best Japan mutual funds 2013 are DFA Japanese Small Company fund, Matthews Japan Investor, Henderson Japan Focus fund, etc.

Top Japan Stock Mutual Funds 2013

Japan stock mutual fund invests mainly in Japanese companies. As one of the largest market in the world, the Japanese stock fund has varied portfolios' holdings. Some stock mutual funds concentrate on Japan's larger companies, while others concentrate on the small capitalization companies. These portfolios invest >70% of total assets in equities and invest at least 75% of stock assets in Japan.

These top Japanese stock mutual funds are selected based on its expense ratio fee, turnover rate, management, fund performance, shares price or net asset value (NAV), etc. You can find the fund review and fund performance or return below.

The 9 best Japan stock mutual funds 2013 are:

1. DFA Japanese Small Company I (DFJSX)
2. Hennessy Select SPARX Japan Fund Original (SPXJX)
3. Matthews Japan Investor (MJFOX)
4. Henderson Japan Focus A (HFJAX)
5. Nomura Partners The Japan A (NPJAX)
6. Fidelity Japan Smaller Companies (FJSCX)
7. Fidelity Japan Fund (FJPNX)
8. T. Rowe Price Japan Fund (PRJPX)
9. Commonwealth Japan Fund (CNJFX)

Updated on 11/10/2012

American Funds American Mutual Fund (AMRMX)

American Funds American Mutual Fund (Ticker: AMRMX) is a large value mutual fund. It invests in stock of U.S. companies which provide sustainable dividend.

American Funds American Mutual Fund (AMRMX)

The American Funds American Mutual Fund objective is to seek current income, capital growth and principal conservation. It utilizes its assets to purchase common stocks of United States and Canada companies with growth and sustainable dividends. It may invest in bonds and other debt securities. The fund’s NAV is $28.38‎.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: February 21, 1950
• Ticker Symbol: AMRMX
• CUSIP: 027681
• Beta (3yr): 0.78
• Rank in category (YTD): 67%
• Category: Large Value
• Distribution: 2.36%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.62%
• Net Assets: $ 22.00 billion
• Number of Years Up: 51 years
• Number of Years Down: 10 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 23%

Updated on 11/06/2012

Best Performing Retirement Income Mutual Funds October 2012

The best performing retirement income mutual funds October 2012 are Fidelity Income Replacement 2042, Vanguard Managed Payout Growth Focus fund, etc.

Top Performer Retirement Income Mutual Funds

Retirement income mutual funds can provide great income for retiree or near retirement investors. Typically, they are actively managed by fund manager(s) to be able to pay regular income. The funds offer more flexibility than annuities, however they are less guarantees. The funds may consist of bonds, stocks, short term investment, and cash or money market. It typically has higher bond or cash portion than stock portion.

You can buy these funds from various fund companies. Each fund companies may provide different fund objective. Some of the family funds are Fidelity, Vanguard, John Hancock, Charles Schwab, etc.
From this best performing funds list, you may find each individual fund review. You can find the fund performance, expense ratio, and yield or dividend from the table below. The list is sorted based on its year to date performance in 2012 (up to October 1, 2012).

The 12 best performing retirement income mutual funds 2012 are:

1. Fidelity Income Replacement 2042
2. Fidelity Income Replacement 2040
3. Vanguard Managed Payout Growth Focus Inv
4. Fidelity Income Replacement 2038
5. Fidelity Income Replacement 2036
6. Fidelity Income Replacement 2034
7. Fidelity Income Replacement 2032
8. Fidelity Income Replacement 2030
9. Fidelity Income Replacement 2028
10. Fidelity Income Replacement 2026
11. Vanguard Managed Payout Gr & Dis Inv
12. ING Global Target Payment A

Updated on 11/4/2012

Strategic Advisers International Fund (FILFX)

Strategic Advisers International Fund (FILFX) is a foreign large blend mutual fund. This international stock focuses on non-U.S. companies.

Strategic Advisers International Fund (MUTF: FILFX)

The investment aim of Strategic Advisers International Fund is to seek capital growth. It invests mainly in non-U.S. common stocks. It may invest in emerging markets equities. Wilfred Chilangwa, Jr is the fund manager since its inception in March 23, 2006. It has total net assets of $11.60 billion. The annual expense ratio is 0.14%. This fee is relative lower than the average in Foreign Large Blend category (1.29%).

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: March 23, 2006
• Ticker Symbol: FILFX
• CUSIP: 31635R868
• Beta (3yr): 0.95
• Rank in category (YTD): 24%
• Category: Foreign Large Blend
• Distribution: 1.55%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.14%
• Net Assets: $ 11.60 billion
• Number of Years Up: 3 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Average Duration:  years
• Average Maturity:  years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 18.00%

Updated on 11/02/2012