Amazon and Apple Stocks Outperform

Nothing is working in week 5, 2015. Only Amazon stock and Apple stocks are outperforming other sectors. Top performing industry stocks in week 5 of 2015 are basic materials wholesale, electronic equipment, residential construction, gold, etc.

This post will look into the top performing stocks, industry, and sector. The S&P 500 index has a weekly return of -2.75%. NASDAQ Composite has a weekly return of -2.58%. Dow Jones Industrials Average has a weekly return of -2.87%. The small cap (Russell 2000) has a return of -1.96%.

Best weekly performance of industry stocks of week 5, 2015 (January 26, 2015 – February 1, 2015) are:

1. Catalog & Mail Order Houses 9.54%
2. Basic Materials Wholesale 5.32%
3. Building Materials Wholesale 5.04%
4. Electronic Equipment 4.50%
5. Multimedia & Graphics Software 3.28%
6. Residential Construction 3.21%
7. Gold 2.68%
8. Computer Based Systems 2.63%
9. Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing 2.00%
10. Paper & Paper Products 1.74%

Best Vanguard ETFs for 2015

Finding best ETFs for 2015 is essential. The following will look into best Vanguard exchange traded funds. There are several of sector fund, U.S. stock fund, bond fund, international stock fund, etc.

Popular Vanguard ETFs

We review rankings from Morningstar, Lipper, Zacks, TheStreet.com, U.S. News, and Standard & Poor’s. You can learn from our methodology from variety of our previous articles. You can also find the 1 year average returns of these best exchange traded funds from this list.

Best Vanguard ETFs for 2015 are:

• Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR)
• Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC)
• Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE)
• Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF)
• Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG)
• Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM)
• Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (BIV)
• Vanguard Large-Cap ETF (VV)
• Vanguard Long-Term Government Bond ETF (VGLT)
• Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW)
• Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (MGC)
• Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK)

AllianceBernstein Income Fund (ACG)

AllianceBernstein Income Fund (ACG) is an actively managed closed end fund. The fund’s objective is to provide high current income and capital appreciation. This fixed income fund utilizes its assets to purchase high yielding government and corporate fixed income securities.

ACG Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 08/28/1987
• Ticker Symbol: ACG
• CUSIP: 01881E101
• Rank in category (YTD): 26%
• Category: Taxable Income - Government
• Yield: 5.57%
• Effective Leverage: 32.30%
• Capital Gains: -
• Premium/ Discount: -10.35%
• Base Expense Ratio: 0.57%
• Net Assets: $ 2.90 billion
• Annual Turnover Rate: 107.0%

AllianceBernstein Income Fund managed by Paul J. DeNoon, Gershon Distenfeld, Doug Peebles, and Kewjin Yuoh. This popular closed end fund has a high yield of 5.57%. This taxable bond fund has total annual expense ratio fee of 0.62% (including interest expense of 0.06%).

Best Allianz Mutual Funds 2015

Allianz Global Investors is part of Allianz. Allianz Global Investors is a diversified active investment manager, managing EUR 345 billion in assets for individuals, families and institutions worldwide. It offers mutual funds, managed accounts, closed end funds, institutional strategies, offshore funds, and premier Multi-Series VIT.

We review rankings from Morningstar, Lipper, Zacks, TheStreet.com, U.S. News, and Standard & Poor’s. You can learn from our methodology from variety of our previous articles.

Popular Allianz Global Investors Funds

You can find these popular Allianz Global Investors funds for different sectors such as U.S. stock fund, international stock fund, municipal bond fund, balanced fund, target date fund, taxable bond fund. Depend on your risk tolerance; you may pick and choose from this best mutual funds list.

Best Allianz mutual funds 2015 are:

• AllianzGI Ultra Micro Cap Fund (GUCAX)
• AllianzGI Global Water Fund (AWTAX)
• AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund (PCVAX)
• AllianzGI Focused Growth Fund (PGWAX)
• AllianzGI Global Growth Allocation Fund (ASGAX)
• AllianzGI Global Natural Resources Fund (ARMAX)
• AllianzGI Convertible Fund (ANZAX)
• AllianzGI Income & Growth Fund (AZNAX)

Will Oil Stocks Outperform Airlines Stocks in 2015?

Will oil stocks outperform airlines stocks in 2015? No one knows this answer. However based on probability, oil stocks should outperform airlines stocks in 2015 due to their value. Top performing stocks in week 4 of 2015 are Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing, Major Airlines, etc.

This post will look into the top performing stocks, industry, and sector. The S&P 500 index has a weekly return of 1.62%. NASDAQ Composite has a weekly return of 2.66%. Dow Jones Industrials Average has a weekly return of 0.94%. The small cap (Russell 2000) has a return of 1.05%.

Oil vs. Airline Stocks

Best weekly performance of industry stocks of week 4, 2015 (January 19, 2015 – January 25, 2015) are:

1. Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing 11.45%
2. Major Airlines 11.32%
3. Regional Airlines 10.10%
4. Diversified Communication Services 9.96%
5. Publishing – Books 9.43%
6. Specialty Eateries 8.88%
7. Photographic Equipment & Supplies 7.99%
8. Catalog & Mail Order Houses 7.73%
9. Synthetics 7.44%
10. Internet Information Providers 6.74%

Top Performing Bank Loan Mutual Funds 2015

Bank loan mutual funds invest mainly in floating rate bank loan taken on by corporations or companies. Bank loan funds typically have little interest rate risk due to its shorter duration. These funds may provide high yield income for investors.

Floating Rate Funds

The top performing list is sorted based on the 3 month performance up until Jan 22, 2015. Investors can find the review and other fund information such as expense ratio, fund manager, yield, turnover rate, sales load, top holdings, top sectors, etc.

Top performing bank loan mutual funds 2015 are:

1. Highland Floating Rate Opportunities Fund (HFRAX)
2. DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund (DLFRX)
3. First Trust Short Duration High Income Fund (FDHAX)
4. Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund (SPFRX)
5. Transamerica Floating Rate Fund (TFLAX)
6. PIMCO Senior Floating Rate Fund (PSRPX)

Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK)

Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is an international stock exchange traded fund. This index ETF uses its assets to purchase stocks of companies located in major markets of Europe. This fund will invest in companies located in Austria France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and more.

This equity fund is tracking the return of the FTSE Developed Europe Index since 2013, before it is tracking MSCI Europe Index. This equity fund has high potential for growth, but also high risk.

VGK Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 03/04/2005
• Ticker Symbol: VGK
• CUSIP: 922042874
• Rank in category (YTD): 37%
• Category: Europe Stock
• Yield: 3.16%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 0.10%
• Total Assets: $ 14.0 billion
• Annual Turnover Rate: 28%

Updated May 2017

The fund manager is Gerard C. O'Reilly since 2008. It has a low expense fee of 0.10%. The current dividend yield is 4.28%. The share price is valued at $53.68. This popular ETF has large assets of $18 billion.

Best Performing Short Term Government Bond ETFs 2015

Short term government bond ETFs are investing in high quality U.S. treasury bonds with short duration such as 1-3 years. These taxable exchange traded funds are less volatile than long duration bond funds. The yield from this fund is also smaller than other bond funds due to its shorter duration.

Popular Bond ETFs

These top short government ETFs in 2014 are sorted based on its 1 year return. You can find the fund details and review below. Some of these ETFs can be bought for free from variety of brokerages such as Fidelity, Schwab, TD Ameritrade, and Vanguard.

Best performing short term government bond ETFs 2015 are:

1. SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF (SST)
2. Vanguard Short-Term Government Bond ETF (VGSH)
3. iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF (SHY)
4. Schwab Short-Term US Treasury ETF (SCHO)
5. PIMCO 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury ETF (TUZ)

Top American Funds Mutual Funds 2015

American funds are part of Capital Group. It is a private firm with offices throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. American funds provide actively managed stock and bond mutual funds. As one of the largest investment companies in the world, the firm offer varieties of products such as mutual funds, retirement account, 529 plan, etc.

We review rankings from Morningstar, Lipper, Zacks, TheStreet.com, U.S. News, and Standard & Poor’s. You can learn from our methodology from variety of our previous articles.

Popular American Funds

You can find these popular American Funds for different sectors such as U.S. stock fund, international stock fund, municipal bond fund, balanced fund, target date fund, taxable bond fund. Depend on your risk tolerance; you may pick and choose from this best mutual funds list.

Top American Funds mutual funds 2015 are:

• American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAETX)
• American Funds American Balanced Fund (ABALX)
• American Funds Europacific Growth Fund (AEPGX)
• American Funds Global Balanced Fund (GBLAX)
• American Funds International Growth and Income Fund (IGAAX)
• American Funds New Economy Fund (ANEFX)
• American Funds New Perspective Fund (ANWPX)
• American Funds New World Fund (NEWFX)

Best Performing US Equity Closed End Funds

Find the best performing US equity closed end funds in 2015. This list is sorted based on its 1 year total return up to January 18, 2015.

US Stock Funds

The US equity funds are investing in U.S. companies’ stocks. These funds are typically less volatile than international stock funds. You can find the fund review below.

Best performing US general equity closed end funds in 2015 are:

1. Denali Fund (DNY)
2. Boulder Total Return Fund (BTF)
3. Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (JCE)
4. Boulder Growth & Income Fund (BIF)
5. Adams Express (ADX)
6. Guggenheim EW Enhanced Equity Fund (GEQ)
7. Tri-Continental Corporation (TY)
8. Source Capital Inc (SOR)

Top Precious Metals, REIT, Utilities Stocks

The gold & silver stocks are still out performing in week 3 of 2015. Other top performing sector stocks of weeks 3, 2015 are healthcare REIT, utilities, etc.

This post will look into the top performing stocks, industry, and sector. The S&P 500 index has a weekly return of -1.22%. NASDAQ Composite has a weekly return of -1.48%. Dow Jones Industrials Average has a weekly return of -1.25%. The small cap (Russell 2000) has a return of -0.75%.

Best weekly performance of industry stocks of week 3, 2015 (January 12, 2015 – January 18, 2015) are:

1. Gold 8.12%
2. Long Distance Carriers 8.07%
3. Silver 5.53%
4. Publishing - Books 4.14%
5. REIT - Healthcare Facilities 3.99%
6. Beverages - Brewers 3.44%
7. Basic Materials Wholesale 3.35%
8. Processing Systems & Products 3.26%
9. Consumer Services 3.18%
10. Diagnostic Substances 2.96%

JPMorgan Strategic Income Opportunities Fund (JSOAX)

JPMorgan Strategic Income Opportunities Fund (JSOAX) is an actively managed bond mutual fund. This popular mutual fund seeks to provide high total return. It has an absolute return orientation and doesn’t manage relative to an index.

This top JPMorgan fund invests in various debts instruments. It may invest in U.S. market, international market such as developed and emerging markets, and non-investment grade bonds (junk bonds).

JSOAX Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 10/10/2008
• Ticker Symbol: JSOAX
• CUSIP: 4812A4385
• Beta (3yr): 0.10
• Rank in category (YTD): 78%
• Category: Non-Traditional bond
• Distribution Yield: 1.27%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 0.90%
• Net Assets: $ 24.4 billion
• Number of Years Up: 4 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 years

Top iShares ETFs for 2015

Finding best ETFs for 2015 is essential. The following will look into best iShares exchange traded funds. There are several of sector fund, U.S. stock fund, bond fund, international stock fund, etc.

Popular Mutual Funds Family

We review rankings from Morningstar, Lipper, Zacks, TheStreet.com, U.S. News, and Standard & Poor’s. You can learn from our methodology from variety of our previous articles. You can also find the 1 year average returns of these best mutual funds from this list.

Top iShares ETFs for 2015 are:

• iShares Aggressive Allocation ETF (AOA) 9.88
• iShares Cali AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (CMF) 9.31
• iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) 17.25
• iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) 12.79
• iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) 6.42
• iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF (ITOT) 16.52
• iShares Core US Growth ETF (IUSG) 16.93
• iShares Core US Value ETF (IUSV) 15.11
• iShares Dow Jones US ETF (IYY) 16.35
• iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF (EMIF) 5.09
• iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (FLOT) 0.5
• iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) -1.93
• iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF (WOOD) 4.43
• iShares Gold Trust ETF (IAU) -3.73

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ)

Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ) is a popular growth & income U.S. equity closed end fund. This fund objective is to provide current income and capital appreciation. It utilizes its assets to purchase common and preferred equity securities.

CSQ Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 03/26/2004
• Ticker Symbol: CSQ
• CUSIP: 128125101
• Rank in category (YTD): 25%
• Category: U.S Stock - Growth & Income
• Distribution Rate: 8.56%
• Effective Leverage: 26.84%
• Capital Gains: -
• Base Expense Ratio: 1.44%
• Net Assets: $ 2.62 billion
• Annual Turnover Rate: 279%

More: Calamos Growth & Income Fund

This closed end fund is incepted since 2004. It has a high dividend yield of 8.56%. This yield is paid monthly. The fund managers are Nick P Calamos and John P Calamos. This top closed end fund is sponsored by Calamos Advisors LLC. The current share price is $11.55.

Top Stocks in Week 2 of 2015: Gold & Silver

The gold & silver stocks are out performing in week 2 of 2015. Other top performing sector stocks of weeks 2, 2015 are drug delivery, sporting good stores, etc.

This post will look into the top performing stocks, industry, and sector. The S&P 500 index has a weekly return of -0.61%. NASDAQ Composite has a weekly return of -0.48%. Dow Jones Industrials Average has a weekly return of -0.49%. The small cap (Russell 2000) has a return of -1.09%.

Best weekly performance of industry stocks of week 2, 2015 (January 5, 2015 – January 11, 2015) are:

1. Basic Materials Wholesale 17.24%
2. Gold 9.02%
3. Drug Delivery 6.99%
4. Sporting Goods Stores 6.15%
5. Silver 6.07%
6. Aluminum 5.06%
7. Residential Construction 4.38%
8. REIT - Retail 4.33%
9. REIT - Industrial 4.33%
10. Drugs Wholesale 4.08%

Best Fidelity Mutual Funds 2015

Fidelity is one of the largest financial and brokerage companies in the world. It offers online trading brokerage, IRAs, retirement planning or 401k, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, credit cards, cash management, etc.

We review rankings from Morningstar, Lipper, Zacks, TheStreet.com, U.S. News, and Standard & Poor’s. You can learn from our methodology from variety of our previous articles.

Popular Fidelity Funds

You can find these popular Fidelity funds for different sectors such as U.S. stock fund, international stock fund, municipal bond fund, balanced fund, target date fund, taxable bond fund. Depend on your risk tolerance; you may pick and choose from this best Fidelity funds list.

Best Fidelity Mutual Funds for 2015 are:

• Fidelity Advisor New Insights A Fund (FNIAX)
• Fidelity Asset Manager 40% Fund (FFANX)
• Fidelity Asset Manager 85% Fund (FAMRX)
• Fidelity Blue Chip Growth Fund (FBGRX)
• Fidelity Capital & Income Fund (FAGIX)
• Fidelity Capital Appreciation Fund (FDCAX)
• Fidelity Connecticut Municipal Income Fund (FICNX)
• Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX)
• Fidelity EMEA Fund (FEMEX)
• Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund (FFNOX)
• Fidelity Freedom 2030 Fund (FFFEX)
• Fidelity GNMA Fund (FGMNX)

SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD)

SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) is an exchange traded fund investing in gold. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) offer investors an innovative, relatively cost efficient and secure way to access the gold market.

This commodity ETF is originally listed on the New York Stock Exchange in November of 2004. It is traded on NYSE Arca since December 13, 2007. SPDR Gold Shares is the largest physically backed gold exchange traded fund (ETF) in the world.

GLD Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 11/18/2004
• Ticker Symbol: GLD
• CUSIP: 78463V107
• Rank in category (YTD): 23%
• Category: Commodities Precious Metals
• Yield: 0.00%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 0.40%
• Total Assets: $ 34.49 billion
• Annual Turnover Rate: 0%

updated May 2017

SPDR Gold Shares Information

This precious metals ETF has no yield. The current expense ratio fee is 0.40% per year. The trust holds gold, and is expected to issue baskets in exchange for deposits of gold, and to distribute gold in connection with redemption of baskets.

Best Performing Short Term Bond Mutual Funds 2014

Find best performing short term bond mutual funds 2014. Short term bond fund invests mainly in investment grade U.S. government and U.S. corporate bonds with shorter duration, 1-3 years.
This short term bond mutual funds may provide a small yield for investors. While the yield is small, the risk associated with these funds is low as well. Most of the investment is invested in U.S. Treasuries or agency debts, and possibly in corporate debts.

Top Short Term Bond Funds

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 return in 2014 (up to December 29, 2014).

Best performing short term bond mutual funds 2014 are:

1. BlackRock US Mortgage Portfolio Fund (BMPAX)
2. Eaton Vance Short Duration Strategic Income Fund (ETSIX)
3. Frost Total Return Bond Fund (FATRX)
4. Thornburg Limited Term Income Fund (THIFX)
5. New Covenant Income Fund (NCICX)
6. Azzad Wise Capital Fund (WISEX)
7. William Blair Income N Fund (WBRRX)
8. Semper Short Duration Fund (SEMRX)

Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund (VTTVX)

Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 fund (VTTVX) is a popular target date mutual fund. This Vanguard fund invests in stocks and bonds. It will adjust its assets over time. This balanced fund provides broad diversification while incrementally decreasing exposure to equities and increasing exposure to bonds as each fund’s target retirement date approaches.

This Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 fund continues to adjust for approximately seven years after that date until their allocations match that of the Target Retirement Income Fund.

VTTVX Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 10/27/2003
• Ticker Symbol: VTTVX
• CUSIP: 92202E409
• Beta (3yr): 1.10
• Rank in category (YTD): 4%
• Category: Target Date 2021-2025
• Distribution Yield: 1.71%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 0.17%
• Net Assets: $ 32.1 billion
• Number of Years Up: 8 year
• Number of Years Down: 2 year