Franklin US Government Securities Fund (FKUSX)

Franklin US Government Securities Fund is a taxable bond mutual fund. It invests mainly in U.S. government securities, especially GNMA debts.

Franklin US Government Securities Fund (FKUSX)

The investment objective of Franklin US Government Securities Fund is to provide income to investors. The fund utilizes its assets to purchase U.S. government securities. It invests primarily in Government National Mortgage Association obligations, known as Ginnie Maes. The mortgage loans may have either fixed or adjustable interest rates. The current shares price is $6.75.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: May 29, 1970
• Ticker Symbol: FKUSX
• CUSIP: 353 496 607
• Beta (3yr): 0.60
• Rank in category (YTD): 32%
• Category: Intermediate Government
• Distribution: 3.59%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.73%
• Net Assets: $ 10.9 billion
• Number of Years Up: 39 years
• Number of Years Down: 3 years
• Average Duration:  3.13 years
• Average Maturity:  4.39 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 40%

Updated on 3/30/2013

Top Performing Target Date 2011-2015 Mutual Funds March 2013

The top performing target date 2011-2015 mutual funds March 2013 are T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015, Americans Funds Target Date Retirement 2015 Fund, etc.

Top Performer Funds

Best Performing Target Date 2011-2015 Mutual Funds 2013

Target date 2011 2015 mutual funds invest mainly in diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and cash or money market fund. The portfolio is adjusted based on the retirement or another goal. It will adjust risk and return based on its target date, 2011-2015. People who retire around this target date should choose this balanced fund. Over time, the fund manager(s) will add more conservative assets such as cash or bonds.

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 1 year total return up to March 1, 2013.

The top performing target date 2011-2015 mutual funds March 2013 are:

1. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 (TRRGX)
2. JHancock2 Retire Living through 2015 A (JLBAX)
3. American Funds Target Date Ret 2015 A (AABTX)
4. MassMutual RetireSMART 2015 A (MMJAX)
5. Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Investor (VTXVX)
6. JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2015 A (JSFAX)
7. Harbor Target Retirement 2015 Investor (HARIX)
8. Schwab Target 2015 (SWGRX)
9. Nationwide Destination 2015 A (NWEAX)
10. American Century LIVESTRONG 2015 Investor (ARFIX)
11. BlackRock LifePath Active 2015 Investor A (BAPBX)
12. Vantagepoint Milestone 2015 Investor M (VPRPX)

Updated on 3/1/2013

PIMCO Long-Term US Government Fund (PFGAX)

PIMCO Long-Term US Government Fund focuses its investment in U.S. government bonds. It currently has a yield of 2.25%. You can find the fund review in this post.

PIMCO Long-Term US Government Fund (PFGAX)

The investment aim of PIMCO Long-Term US Government Fund is to seek maximum total return, consistent with capital preservation and prudent investment management. The mutual fund utilizes its assets to invest in a diversified portfolio of bonds or debts issued by U.S. government, its agencies or government-sponsored enterprises. It may use options, futures contracts or swap agreements or mortgage- or asset-backed securities.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: January 19, 1997
• Ticker Symbol: PFGAX
• CUSIP: 693391187
• Beta (3yr): 3.81
• Rank in category (YTD): 39%
• Category: Long Government
• Distribution Rate: 2.25%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.82%
• Net Assets: $ 1.8 billion
• Number of Years Up: 13 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Effective Duration: 16.46 years
• Effective Maturity: 22.78 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 426%

updated on 3/23/2013

Best JPMorgan Mutual Funds for 2013

Find the 22 best JPMorgan mutual funds for 2013. The top funds are JPMorgan Small Cap Equity Fund, JPMorgan Mid Cap Value Fund, JPMorgan Large Cap Growth, etc.

Best JPMorgan Mutual Funds

Top JPMorgan Mutual Funds

JPMorgan is one of the top world financial management companies with $1.3 trillion worth of assets under management. The company is the top 5 largest mutual fund firm in the U.S. It has over than 110 mutual funds under its JPMorgan fund family. JP Morgan also offers retirement account, managed wealth management, institutional products, private banking, treasury & securities services, etc.

As part of JPMorgan Chase & Co, it offers wide selections of investment choices, especially mutual funds. These best JPMorgan mutual funds for 2013 are selected based on its performance history. These JP Morgan funds do have a sales load. The funds are ranked with 3 star rating or higher by Morningstar. You may find the fund review below and other fund information. I also have selected my favorite funds below.

The 22 best JPMorgan mutual funds for 2013 are:

1. JPMorgan Small Cap Equity Fund
2. JPMorgan Mid Cap Value Fund
3. JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund
4. JPMorgan Income Builder Fund
5. JPMorgan Equity Income Fund
6. JPMorgan Value Advantage Fund
7. JPMorgan Growth Advantage Fund
8. JPMorgan Tax Aware High Income Fund
9. JPMorgan Latin America Fund
10. JPMorgan Core Bond Fund

Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Fund (FSDAX)

Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Fund (FSDAX) is an industrial sector mutual fund. This domestic stock fund focuses its assets in defense or aerospace companies.

Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Fund (FSDAX)

The investment objective of Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Fund is to seek capital appreciation. The mutual fund utilizes its assets to purchase common stocks of companies engaged in the research, manufacture, or sale of products or services related to the defense or aerospace industries. It may invest in domestic and foreign companies.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: May 8, 1984
• Ticker Symbol: FSDAX
• CUSIP: 316390806
• Beta (3yr): 0.94
• Rank in category (YTD): 68%
• Category: Industrials
• Distribution: 0.63%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.86%
• Net Assets: $ 603.20 million
• Number of Years Up: 22 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 0.86%

Updated on 3/23/2013

Best Wells Fargo Mutual Funds for 2013

Best Wells Fargo Mutual Funds for 2013; Top stock, bond, balanced mutual fund by Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. The 25 best mutual funds for 2013 are Wells Fargo Advantage Growth fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Municipal Bond, Wells Fargo Advantage Emerging Markets Equity, etc.

TopWells Fargo Mutual Fund 2013

Wells Fargo is one of the 4 largest financial banks in the U.S.A. It is the second largest bank in term deposit and debit cards. It provides services such as banking, loans & credit, insurance, and investing. It manages more than $1.2 trillion in assets around the world.

Wells Fargo offers mutual funds through its Wells Fargo Advantage funds. It provides services such as individual/joint accounts, personal trust, retirement account, Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, Rollover IRA, and IRA transfer. There are 40 no load funds in Wells Fargo Advantage funds.

These best Wells Fargo mutual funds for 2013 are selected based on its performance history and future performance. Some of these Wells Fargo funds don’t have a sales load and transaction fee. Some funds do have a sales load. The funds are ranked with 4 star rating or higher by Morningstar. You may find the fund review below and other fund information.

Best Wells Fargo Funds 2013

The 25 best Wells Fargo mutual funds for 2013 are:

1. Wells Fargo Advantage Growth fund
2. Wells Fargo Advantage Short Term Municipal Bond fund
3. Wells Fargo Advantage Municipal Bond fund
4. Wells Fargo Advantage Intermediate Tax/AMT-Free fund
5. Wells Fargo Advantage Emerging Markets Equity fund
6. Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock fund
7. Wells Fargo Advantage Index Asset Allocation fund
8. Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth fund
9. Wells Fargo Advantage Strategic Municipal Bond fund
10. Wells Fargo Advantage Precious Metals fund

Vanguard Health Care Fund (VGHCX)

Vanguard Health Care Fund (VGHCX) is one of the popular sector stock mutual funds. Invest in top Vanguard sector stock fund in your financial account. This investment fund focuses its assets in companies which operate in health care industry.

Vanguard Health Care Fund (Ticker: VGHCX)

The investment objective of Vanguard Health Care fund is to provide long-term capital appreciation. The mutual fund invests majority of its assets (>80%) in the stocks of companies mainly engaged in the development, production, or distribution of products and services related to the health care industry. These companies may include pharmaceutical firms, medical supply companies, and businesses that operate hospitals and other health care facilities. It may invest in companies engaged in medical, diagnostic, biochemical, and other research and development activities. The fund may invest in domestic and foreign stocks.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: May 22, 1984
• Ticker Symbol: VGHCX
• CUSIP: 921908307
• Beta (3yr): 0.52
• Category: Health
• Distribution/ Yield: 0.88%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.37%
• Net Assets: $ 46.4 billion
• Number of Years Up: 22 years
• Number of Years Down: 5 years

Best Columbia Mutual Funds for 2013

Best Columbia mutual funds for 2013; top stock, bond, balanced fund by Columbia Management Investment Advisers. The best mutual funds for 2013 are Columbia Dividend Opportunity Fund, Columbia Income Builder Fund, Columbia Tax-Exempt, etc.

Best Columbia Mutual Funds 2013

Top 22 Columbia Mutual Funds for 2013

As part of Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Management Group is among the nation’s largest asset management. Established in 1894, it is currently managing more than $300 billion in assets for individual and institutional investors. It ranks as the top 10 largest asset managers in the U.S. Columbia Management offers products such as mutual funds, closed end funds, exchange traded funds (ETFs), 529 plans, variable products, and offshore funds.

These best Columbia mutual funds for 2013 are selected based on its performance history. These Columbia funds do have a sales load. The funds are ranked with 3 star rating or higher by Morningstar. You may find the fund review below and other fund information. I also have selected my favorite funds below.

The 22 best Columbia mutual funds for 2013 are:

1. Columbia Dividend Opportunity Fund
2. Columbia Seligman Communications & Information Fund
3. Columbia Dividend Income Fund
4. Columbia Income Builder Fund
5. Columbia US Government Mortgage Fund
6. Columbia Small Cap Index Fund
7. Columbia Contrarian Core Fund
8. Columbia Limited Duration Credit Fund
9. Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund
10. Columbia Corporate Income Fund

DFA One-Year Fixed-Income Fund (DFIHX)

DFA One-Year Fixed-Income Fund (DFIHX) is a popular taxable bond mutual fund. It invests mainly in short duration bonds.

DFA One-Year Fixed-Income Fund (DFIHX)

The investment objective of DFA One-Year Fixed-Income Fund is to seek a stable real return in excess of the rate of inflation with a minimum of risk. The mutual fund utilizes its assets to purchase a diversified of high quality fixed income securities that typically mature in one year or less. It invests in U.S. government obligations, dollar-denominated obligations of foreign issuers issued in the U.S., foreign government, and bank obligations.

The fund mainly invests in certificates of deposit (CD), commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, notes and bonds. It may concentrate its investments in obligations of U.S. and foreign banks and bank holding companies.

Fund Details

DFIHX fund

• Fund Inception Date: July 24, 1983
• Ticker Symbol: DFIHX
• CUSIP: 233-203-603
• Beta (3yr): 0.07
• Rank in category (YTD): 34%
• Category: Ultrashort Bond
• Distribution: 0.51%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.17%
• Net Assets: $ 7.9 billion
• Number of Years Up: 29 years
• Number of Years Down: 0 years
• Average Duration: 0.86 years
• Average Maturity: 0.87 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 77.00%

Updated on 3/9/2013

Top Performing Intermediate Term Bond Mutual Funds March 2013

The top performing intermediate term bond mutual funds march 2013 are Principal Preferred Securities fund, GMO Domestic Bond III, PIMCO Investment Grade Corporate Bond, etc.

Top Performers

Top Performing Intermediate Term Bond Mutual Funds March 2013

Intermediate term bond mutual fund is part of taxable bond mutual fund. It invests mainly in investment grade government or corporate bonds with durations of 3 to 6 years. The average maturity of bonds in its holdings may vary from 4 to 10 years. This bond fund is less sensitive to interest rates than long duration fund. The yield is higher than short duration bond fund.

This top performer bond mutual fund list is sorted based on its 1 year total return performance up to March 9th, 2013. You can find the fund review, expense ratio, yield, ranking, share price, management, top holdings, credit rating, etc.

The top performing intermediate term bond mutual funds march 2013 are:

1. Principal Preferred Securities A (PPSAX)
2. GMO Domestic Bond III (GMDBX)
3. PIMCO Investment Grade Corporate Bond A (PBDAX)
4. Guggenheim Total Return Bond A (GIBAX)
5. TCW Total Return Bond N (TGMNX)
6. Delaware Corporate Bond A (DGCAX)
7. Nuveen Strategic Income A (FCDDX)
8. Leader Total Return Investor (LCTRX)
9. PIMCO Fundamental Advantage Total Return Strategy A (PTFAX)
10. Putnam Income A (PINCX)

10 Great 401k Mutual Funds for 2013 & 2014

The 10 great 401k mutual funds for 2013 & 2014 are PIMCO Total Return Fund, Vanguard 500 Index fund, DoubleLine Total Return Bond fund, Vanguard Wellington, etc.

401k Plan

Finding the right mutual funds for your 401k account is important. Many funds charge high fees, underperform the bond or stock market, no growth, and little yield for appreciation. The mutual funds offered to investors in 401(k) plans or accounts can be worse than regular brokerage account or traditional IRA or Roth IRA.

Best Mutual Funds for 401(k)

Due to its limitation funds offering, 401(k) plans are different from one company to another. Some companies offer flexibility to add additional funds with ease, but some may have limited option to choose from. One of the best choices is to invest the portion of your income that is being match by your company. Some companies may offer 1 to 1 match, and others may offer 2 to 1 match (up to 10% of your income).

Best Mutual Funds

Another best option is choosing a low cost index fund. This fund has low expense fee and there is no sales load. The following are some of the best mutual funds for your 401(k) account. You can find the fund review in details below. I have included the shares price, yield, expense fee, return, top holdings, etc.

Note: There are two type of 401k accounts: Roth 401k and traditional 401k.

The 10 great 401k mutual funds for 2013 & 2014 are:

1. Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSMX)
2. PIMCO Total Return Fund (PTTAX)
3. Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFINX)
4. DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund (DLTNX)

Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX)

Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX) is a passively managed domestic stock mutual fund. This mutual fund focuses its assets in equities of small size companies with high growth potential.

Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX)

The Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund objective is to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of small-capitalization growth stocks. The fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the MSCI US Small Cap Growth Index. This index is a broadly diversified index of growth stocks of smaller U.S. companies.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: May 20, 1998
• Ticker Symbol: VISGX
• CUSIP: 922908827
• Beta (3yr): 1.29
• Rank in category (YTD): 22%
• Category: Small Growth
• Distribution: 0.34%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.24%
• Net Assets: $ 9.42 billion
• Number of Years Up: 9 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 40%

Updated on 3/11/2013

Best Oppenheimer Mutual Funds for 2013

Best Oppenheimer mutual funds 2013, Top bond and stock fund by OppenheimerFunds. The 20 best mutual funds for 2013 are Oppenheimer Developing Markets, Oppenheimer Limited Term NY Municipal, Oppenheimer Global, Oppenheimer International Bond, etc.

Top Oppenheimer Mutual Funds 2013

OppenheimerFunds Inc is part of MassMutual Financial Group. It manages more than $225 billion in assets, including mutual funds having more than 6 million shareholder accounts. John V. Murphy is the Chairman, President and CEO of this OppenheimerFunds Inc. It offers a wide selection of products and services to individual and institutional investors. Some of the products include mutual funds, managed accounts, investment management for corporations, hedge fund products, and retirement plans.

These best Oppenheimer mutual funds for 2013 are selected based on its performance history and transaction fee. These Oppenheimer funds do have a sales load. The funds are ranked with 3 star rating or higher by Morningstar. You may find the fund review below and other fund information. I also have selected my favorite funds below.

The 20 best Oppenheimer mutual funds for 2013 are:

1. Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund
2. Oppenheimer Limited Term NY Municipal Fund
3. Oppenheimer Limited Term CA Muni Fund
4. Oppenheimer Global Fund
5. Rochester Municipals Fund
6. Oppenheimer International Bond Fund
7. Oppenheimer Senior Floating Rate Fund
8. Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund
9. Oppenheimer International Growth Fund
10. Oppenheimer International Diversified Fund

PIMCO Emerging Markets Bond Fund (PAEMX)

PIMCO Emerging Markets Bond Fund (PAEMX) is a taxable bond mutual fund. The mutual fund invests in emerging market debts issued by developing countries.

PIMCO Emerging Markets Bond Fund (MUTF:PAEMX)

The PIMCO Emerging Markets Bond Fund objective is to seek maximum total return, consistent with capital preservation and prudent investment management. The fund utilizes its assets to purchase Fixed Income Instruments that are economically tied to emerging market countries. It may use forwards or derivatives such as options, futures contracts or swap agreements to invest. It may invest in both investment-grade securities and junk bonds. The fund is non-diversified.

Fund Details

PIMCO EM Bond Fund

• Fund Inception Date: 07/31/1997
• Ticker Symbol: PAEMX
• CUSIP: 693391575
• Beta (3yr): 0.51
• Rank in category (YTD): 65%
• Category: Emerging Markets Bond
• Distribution: 3.88%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.25%
• Net Assets: $ 8.02 billion
• Number of Years Up: 12 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Average duration: 6.30 years
• Average maturity: 10.82 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 12%

Updated on 3/5/2013

Top Performing Foreign Large Growth Mutual Funds March 2013

The top performing foreign large growth mutual funds March 2013 are GMO International Growth Equity III, Laudus International MarketMasters, Oppenheimer International Growth, etc.

Top Performing Funds 2013

Best Performing Foreign Large Growth Mutual Funds 2013

Foreign large growth mutual fund is part of international stock fund. Its portfolio focuses on high growth stocks of non U.S. companies. Most of these companies are located in developed countries or markets. The markets include Britain, France, Japan, German, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, etc. Most of the companies are large cap companies. The growth style is considered based on fast growth in term of earnings, sales, book value and cash flow. It also has high valuation like high price ratio and little to no dividend.

This top performer bond mutual fund list is sorted based on its 1 year total return performance up to February 26th. You can find the fund review, expense ratio, yield, ranking, share price, management, top holdings, credit rating, etc.

The top performing foreign large growth mutual funds March 2013 are:

1. GMO International Growth Equity Fund (GMIGX)
2. Laudus International MarketMasters Fund (SWOIX)
3. Oppenheimer International Growth Fund (OIGAX)
4. Fidelity International Capital Appreciation Fund (FIVFX)
5. JHancock3 International Growth Fund (GOIGX)
6. MassMutual Premier International Equity Fund (MMIAX)
7. Virtus Foreign Opportunities Fund (JVIAX)
8. Nuveen Santa Barbara International Grade Fund (NBQAX)

8 Best ETFs for 2013

Best ETFs for 2013; top exchange traded funds: best bond, stock ETF funds. The 8 best ETFs for 2013 are PIMCO Total Return Exchange-Traded Fund, Vanguard MSCI EAFE ETF, Schwab Large-Cap Core, iShares S&P National Municipal Bond Fund, etc.

Top ETFs for 2013

Best Exchange Traded Funds 2013

Exchange traded funds, ETFs, are becoming popular investment vehicle for individual and institutional investors. There are more than 1,000 ETFs in the marketplace. For regular investors, it may be difficult to pick the right one or the best choice for future. ETFs are traded like stock; they provide investors a great opportunity to diversify.

These best ETFs for 2013 are selected based several things such as future performance, low cost, and growth opportunity. The funds are ranked with among the best in its category. You may find the fund review below and other fund information. If you are interested in top mutual funds, you can check my previous article, Best Mutual Funds for 2013.

The followings are my ways to choose good ETFs for investment are:

• Choose the low expense ratio fund for higher long term returns
• Buy exchange traded fund that invests in broad market (i.e. diversified)
• Buy active funds if they are managed by great manager(s)
• Don’t invest in single sectors or single country fund

The 8 best ETFs for 2013 are:

1. PIMCO Total Return Exchange-Traded Fund (BOND)
2. Schwab Large-Cap Core (SCHX)
3. iShares S&P National Municipal Bond Fund (MUB)
4. Vanguard MSCI EAFE ETF (VEA)
5. Market Vectors Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (EMLC)

Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Fund (FDFAX)

Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Fund (FDFAX) is a popular sector stock mutual fund. It invests in equities of consumer staples companies.

Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Fund (FDFAX)

The Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Fund objective is to achieve capital appreciation. The mutual fund utilizes its assets to purchase stocks of companies engaged in the manufacture, sale, or distribution of consumer staples. It invests in common stocks of domestic and foreign issuers. The fund manager uses fundamental analysis of factors to choose its investment.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: 07/28/1985
• Ticker Symbol: FDFAX
• CUSIP: 316390848
• Beta (3yr): 0.60
• Rank in category (YTD): 16%
• Category: Consumer Defensive
• Distribution: 1.47%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.82%
• Net Assets: $ 2.01 billion
• Number of Years Up: 22 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 35%

Updated on 3/3/2013

Best Invesco Mutual Funds for 2013

Best Invesco mutual funds for 2013; top balanced, bond, stock fund by Invesco. The 25 best mutual funds for 2013 are Invesco Balanced-Risk Allocation Fund, Invesco European Small Company, Invesco High Yield Municipal, Invesco Corporate Bond, etc.

Best Invesco Mutual Funds 2013

As one of the popular fund family, Invesco has over $580 billion of assets under management. Invesco is also one of the world’s largest and most diversified investment management firms. It has disciplined investment process, based on insight gathered through on the ground research in over 13 countries.

Invesco offers investment opportunity in equity, fixed income and cash management based strategies. It also provides investment in closed end funds and exchange traded funds. It also offers alternative holdings such as real estate, precious metals, commodities and natural resources.

These best mutual funds are sorted based on its performance and quality. I have provided a review of my favorite funds. You can find various funds to invest in as well.  Please check the fund prospectus for investment risk, fund details, etc.

The 25 best Invesco mutual funds for 2013 are:

1. Invesco Balanced-Risk Allocation Fund
2. Invesco European Small Company Fund
3. Invesco Balanced-Risk Retire 2030 Fund
4. Invesco High Yield Municipal Fund
5. Invesco Diversified Dividend Fund
6. Invesco International Growth Fund
7. Invesco Developing Markets Fund
8. Invesco SmallCapValue Fund
9. Invesco Corporate Bond Fund
10. Invesco Equally-Weighted S&P 500 Fund