SPDR Financial Select Sector Fund (XLF)

SPDR Financial Select Sector Fund (XLF) is a financial sector exchange traded fund. It invests in financial companies.

This SPDR fund objective is to track the performance of publicly traded equity securities of companies in the Financial Select Sector Index. The index includes companies from the following industries: diversified financial services; insurance; commercial banks; capital markets; REITs; consumer finance; thrifts & mortgage finance; and real estate management & development.

XLF Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: 12/16/1998
• Ticker Symbol: XLF
• CUSIP: 81369Y605
• Rank in category (2015): 81%
• Category: Financial
• Yield: 1.64%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 0.14%
• Total Assets: $ 22.30 billion
• Annual Turnover Rate: 4.59%

updated on May 2017

This SPDR Financial Select Sector Fund has a low expense fee of 0.15%. The current yield is 1.66%. The portfolio turnover rate is 4.59%. This ETF is popular among investors.

Top 10 Equity Precious Metals Mutual Funds in 2015

Find best equity precious metals mutual funds in 2015. The top funds are U.S. Global Investors Gold and Precious Metals Fund, First Eagle Gold Fund.

Gold & Silver Funds

Precious metals sector has been performing poorly for the past 4 years. In 2015, this sector has been lagging other sectors. Whether it is a bear market again, investors need to observe this sector more closely. As one of the precious metals, gold is among the top investment for most investors. The other precious metals include silver, palladium, and platinum.

The following top performing gold mutual funds are sorted based on its year to date performance in 2015. You can buy these funds for your investment brokerage account or retirement account (traditional IRA or Roth IRA). You may also invest in 401k plan if this gold fund is available for investing.

Top 10 equity precious metals mutual funds in 2015 are:

1. U.S. Global Investors Gold and Precious Metals Fund (USERX)
2. U.S. Global Investors World Precious Minerals Fund (UNWPX)
3. First Eagle Gold Fund Class A (SGGDX)
4. Fidelity Select Gold Portfolio Fund (FSAGX)
5. Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Class A (FKRCX)
6. Vanguard Precious Metals And Mining Fund (VGPMX)
7. Gabelli Gold Fund Class AAA (GOLDX)
8. Gabelli Gold Fund Class A (GLDAX)

Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (OIH)

Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (OIH) is a popular exchange traded fund. This fund invests in stocks of energy related companies. The Oil Services Index is comprised of common stocks and depositary receipts of U.S. exchange-listed companies in the oil services sector. Such companies may include small- and medium-capitalization companies and foreign companies that are listed on a U.S. exchange.

This equity fund is tracking Market Vectors US Listed Oil Services 25 Index. This fund may be not diversified. The total net assets are $1.44 billion. The current dividend yield is 2.19%. The annual expense fee is 0.35%.

OIH Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 12/22/2011
• Ticker Symbol: OIH
• CUSIP: 678002106
• Rank in category (YTD): 32%
• Category: Equity Energy
• Yield: 2.19%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 0.35%
• Total Assets: $ 1.09 billion

IQ Global Oil Small Cap ETF (IOIL)

IQ Global Oil Small Cap ETF (IOIL) is an equity energy exchange traded fund. This ETF invests in stocks of oil sector companies. It uses its assets to purchase global small cap companies engaged in the oil sector, including in the areas of exploration and production, refining and marketing, and equipment, services and drilling. This equity fund is tracking the IQ Global Oil Small Cap Index.

This index fund has $5.24 million of assets. Its dividend yield is 1.66%. The annual expense ratio fee is 0.76%. The current share price is $16.20.

IOIL Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 05/05/2011
• Ticker Symbol: IOIL
• CUSIP: 45409B842
• Rank in category (YTD): 6%
• Category: Equity Energy
• Yield: 1.66%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 0.76%
• Total Assets: $ 5.24 million

Top 12 Real Estate Mutual Funds 2015

Find top real estate mutual funds in 2015. Best funds are Baron Real Estate Fund, PIMCO RealEstateRealReturn Strategy Fund, etc.

Best Performing REIT Mutual Funds

Real estate mutual fund invests in businesses which involve real estate. It may invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs). This stock mutual fund may invest in companies which operate apartment complex, office buildings, shopping malls, hotels and even self-storage facilities. This mutual fund has higher yield than regular mutual fund.

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 5 year total returns up to May 17, 2015.

Top 12 real estate mutual funds 2015 are:

1. Baron Real Estate Fund (BREFX)
2. PIMCO Real Estate Real Return Strategy Fund (PETAX)
3. Phocas Real Estate Fund (PHREX)
4. American Century Real Estate Fund (REACX)
5. Lazard US Realty Equity Portfolio Open Shares (LREOX)
6. AMG Managers Real Estate Securities Fund (MRESX)
7. Cohen & Steers Real Estate Securities Fund (CSEIX)
8. American Century Real Estate Fund (AREEX)

Top Performing Financial Mutual Funds 2015

Find top financial mutual funds in 2015. Best funds are Fidelity Select Brokerage & Investment Management Portfolio, T. Rowe Price Financial Services Fund, etc.

Top Bank Funds

Financial mutual funds objective is to seek capital appreciation. The funds use its assets to purchase equity securities of U.S. or non-U.S. financial-services companies. The financial companies include banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies, and consumer credit providers.

From this best performing funds list, you may find each individual fund review. The fund is sorted based on its past 3 year performance (up to June 2015). Whether it is for your brokerage account or retirement account or 401k plan, you need to find the right fund for your long term plan. You can find the fund performance, expense ratio, and yield or dividend from the table below.

Top performing financial mutual funds 2015 are:

1. Fidelity Select Brokerage & Investment Management Portfolio (FSLBX)
2. T. Rowe Price Financial Services Fund (PRISX)
3. Emerald Banking and Finance Fund (FFBFX)
4. John Hancock Financial Industries Fund (FIDAX)
5. Royce Financial Services Fund (RYFSX)
6. Fidelity Select Insurance Portfolio (FSPCX)
7. Hennessy Large Cap Financial Fund (HLFNX)
8. John Hancock Regional Bank Fund (FRBAX)
9. Schwab Financial Services Fund (SWFFX)
10. Diamond Hill Financial Long Short Fund (BANCX)

PowerShares Dynamic Energy Exploration & Production ETF (PXE)

PowerShares Dynamic Energy Exploration & Production ETF (PXE) is an equity energy exchange traded fund. This energy sector fund invests in energy related companies.

These companies are engaged principally in exploration, extraction and production of crude oil and natural gas from land-based or offshore wells. These companies include petroleum refineries that process the crude oil into finished products, such as gasoline and automotive lubricants, and companies involved in gathering and processing natural gas, and manufacturing natural gas liquid.

It is tracking the Dynamic Energy Exploration & Production Intellidex Index. It has an expense fee of 0.64%. The current yield is 1.65%. With assets of $111 million, the 52 week price range is $24.47 - $40.08.

PXE Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 10/26/2005
• Ticker Symbol: PXE
• CUSIP: 73935X658
• Rank in category (YTD): 1%
• Category: Equity Energy
• Yield: 1.65%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 0.64%
• Total Assets: $ 111.53 million

USAA Science & Technology Fund (USSCX)

USAA Science & Technology Fund (USSCX) is a sector stock mutual fund. This USAA fund invests in US and foreign stocks. The companies are expected to benefit from the development and use of scientific and technological advances and improvements.

This investment fund objective is to provide long term capital growth. The current yield is 1.28%. With assets of 857 million, it has an expense fee of 1.24%. The portfolio turnover rate is 91%. The current share price is $22.73.

USSCX Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 08/01/1997
• Ticker Symbol: USSCX
• CUSIP: 903288876
• Beta (3yr): 0.86
• Rank in category (YTD): 4%
• Category: Technology
• Yield: 1.28%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 1.24%
• Net Assets: $ 857 million
• Number of Years Up: 12 years
• Number of Years Down: 5 years

Best Technology Mutual Funds 2015

Find top technology stock mutual funds in 2015. Best funds are T. Rowe Price Global Technology Fund, Fidelity Select Electronics Portfolio, USAA Science & Technology Fund, etc.

Popular Tech Funds

Technology mutual funds utilize its assets to purchase high-tech businesses in the U.S. or outside of the U.S. The funds may invest on computer, semiconductor, software, networking, and Internet stocks. Some funds may buy medical-device and biotechnology stocks. Most of these mutual funds concentrate on a single technology industry.

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 3 year total returns up to May 25, 2015.

Best technology mutual funds 2015 are:

1. T. Rowe Price Global Technology Fund (PRGTX)
2. Fidelity Select Electronics Portfolio (FSELX)
3. USAA Science & Technology Fund (USSCX)
4. Fidelity Select IT Services Portfolio (FBSOX)
5. Waddell & Reed Advisor Science and Technology Fund (UNSCX)
6. Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund (CTCAX)
7. Ivy Science And Technology Fund (WSTAX)
8. Rydex Electronics Fund (RYSIX)

Fidelity Select Electronics Portfolio Fund (FSELX)

Fidelity Select Electronics Portfolio Fund (FSELX) is a popular sector equity mutual fund. This stock fund invests mainly in electronic components companies. Most of the companies are design, manufacture, or sale of electronic components (semiconductors, connectors, printed circuit boards and other components); equipment vendors to electronic component manufacturers; electronic component distributors; and electronic instruments and electronic systems vendors.

This mutual fund objective is to provide long term capital appreciation. The fund manager is Stephen Barwikowski since 2009. This fund has a little yield of 0.50%. The annual expense fee is 0.77%. With assets of $2.2 billion, this mutual fund has no sales load. It has a high portfolio turnover rate of 132%. This fund uses an investment style of large blend.

FSELX Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 07/29/1985
• Ticker Symbol: FSELX
• CUSIP: 316390863
• Beta (3yr): 0.89
• Rank in category (YTD): 66%
• Category: Technology
• Yield: 0.50%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 0.77%
• Net Assets: $ 2.2 billion
• Number of Years Up: 20 years
• Number of Years Down: 9 years

T. Rowe Price Global Technology Fund (PRGTX)

T. Rowe Price Global Technology Fund (PRGTX) is a popular sector stock mutual fund. This equity fund invests mainly in global technology companies. Most of the companies are expected to generate a majority of their revenues from the development, advancement, and use of technology.

This mutual fund objective is to provide long term capital growth. The fund manager is Joshua K. Spencer. There is no yield currently. Its expense fee is 0.91% per year. It has $1.97 billion of assets. This mutual fund has no sales load. It has a high portfolio turnover rate of 229%.

PRGTX Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 09/29/2000
• Ticker Symbol: PRGTX
• CUSIP: 741494108
• Beta (3yr): 0.99
• Rank in category (YTD): 1%
• Category: Technology
• Yield: 0.00%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 0.91%
• Net Assets: $ 1.97 billion
• Number of Years Up: 10 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years

11 Top Performing Equity Energy ETFs 2015

Find top performing equity energy ETFs 2015. Best exchange traded funds are PowerShares Dynamic Energy Exploration & Production ETF, IQ Global Oil Small Cap ETF, etc.

Oil & Gas Exploration ETFs

Equity Energy ETFs uses its assets to purchase equity securities of U.S. or non-U.S. companies who conduct business mainly in energy-related industries. Some companies may operate in alternative energy, coal, exploration, oil and gas services, pipelines, natural gas services and refineries.

These top equity energy funds are selected based on its YTD performance in 2015. Unlike mutual fund, these exchange traded funds don’t have a sales load or a transaction fee. You can find the fund review and other fund information below such as the yield, expense ratio, fund manager, top holdings, top sectors, etc.

11 Top performing equity energy ETFs 2015 are:

1. PowerShares Dynamic Energy Exploration & Production ETF (PXE)
2. IQ Global Oil Small Cap ETF (IOIL)
3. PowerShares DWA Energy Momentum ETF (PXI)
4. SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP)
5. iShares US Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO)
6. First Trust Energy AlphaDEX ETF (FXN)
7. Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (OIH)
8. iShares US Oil Equipment & Services ETF (IEZ)

Best Performing Health & Biotechnology ETFs 2015

Health & biotechnology sector ETFs utilizes its assets to purchase stocks of companies involved in providing healthcare services and technological development. Typically, this sector is seen as more defensive rather than cyclical.

Top Biotech ETFs

These top performer ETFs are sorted based on its 1 year return performance up to March 1, 2015. You can find the fund review from this article. Other fund information can be found below such as expense ratio, Morningstar rating, fund’s NAV, managers, fund’s holdings, yield, etc.

Best performing health & biotechnology ETFs 2015 are:

1. First Trust NYSE Arca Biotech ETF (FBT)
2. SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI)
3. iShares US Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF)
4. SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH)
5. PowerShares Dynamic Pharmaceuticals ETF (PJP)
6. SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF (XHS)

Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS)

Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) is a popular gold closed end fund with $1.6 billion of assets. It invests in physical gold bullion. The fund objective is to provide an exchange traded alternative for investors interested in gold commodities.

PHYS Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 02/26/2010
• Ticker Symbol: PHYS
• CUSIP: 85207H104 
• Rank in category (YTD): 50%
• Category: US Equity-Commodities
• Distribution Rate: 0%
• Effective Leverage: -
• Capital Gains: -
• Base Expense Ratio: 0.35%
• Net Assets: $ 1.62 billion

Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund (UTF)

Cohen & Steers Infrastructure (UTF) is a popular stock closed end fund with $3.1 billion of assets. It invests in stocks of Infrastructure companies. The fund objective is to provide high total return with an emphasis of income.

UTF Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 03/30/2004
• Ticker Symbol: UTF
• CUSIP: 19248A109
• Rank in category (YTD): 42%
• Category: Utilities
• Distribution Rate: 6.23%
• Effective Leverage: 26.38%
• Capital Gains: -
• Base Expense Ratio: 1.41%
• Net Assets: $ 3.13 billion
• Annual Turnover Rate: 58%

With a high dividend yield of 6.23%, this equity fund is managed by Robert Becker and William F. Scapell. Its net asset value (NAV) price is $26.61 per share.

Vanguard REIT ETF (VNQ)

Vanguard REIT ETF (VNQ) is a popular index exchange traded fund. This ETF objective is to provide a high level of income and moderate long-term capital appreciation by tracking the performance of a benchmark index, the MSCI U.S. REIT Index. This top ETF invests mainly in publicly traded equity REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts).

VNQ Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 09/23/2004
• Ticker Symbol: VNQ
• CUSIP: 922908553
• Rank in category (YTD): 36%
• Category: Real Estate
• Yield: 4.41%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 0.12%
• Total Assets: $ 33.81 billion
• Annual Turnover Rate: 11%

This exchange traded fund has total assets of $25.97 billion. The current dividend yield is 3.19%. With low expense fee of 0.10%, the current share price is $78.93. This large blend fund price has 52 week range between $63.96 and $80.18.

More: Best Real Estate ETFs 2014

ClearBridge Energy MLP Fund (CEM)

ClearBridge Energy MLP (CEM) is another popular closed end fund. This CEF invests mainly in companies of Master Limited Partnerships issued in the energy sector. This equity fund objective is to provide high level of total return. It also has a high yield for income.

CEM Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: 06/25/2010
• Ticker Symbol: CEM
• CUSIP: 184692101
• Rank in category (YTD): 77%
• Category: US Equity-MLP
• Distribution: 5.90%
• Effective Leverage: 20.29%
• Capital Gains: -
• Base Expense Ratio: 1.42%
• Net Assets: $ 2.75 billion
• Annual Turnover Rate: 21%
• Exchange: NYSE

This MLP closed end fund is managed Michael Clarfeld , Chris Eades , Richard Freeman, and Peter Vanderlee. It has a high dividend yield of 5.90%. The total expense fee is 2.20% per year. This leveraged fund was introduced to investors in June 2010.

Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Fund (TYG)

Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Fund (TYG) is an actively managed closed end fund. This CEF utilizes its assets to purchase equity securities of publicly-traded Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) and their affiliates in the energy infrastructure sector.

As of June 2014, Tortoise Energy Capital Corp. (TYY) and Tortoise North American Energy Corp. (TYN) were merged into TYG. TYY and TYN stockholders became stockholders of TYG, and TYY and TYN ceased their separate existence.

TYG Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: 02/27/2004
• Ticker Symbol: TYG
• CUSIP: 89147L100
• Rank in category (YTD): 100%
• Category: US Equity-MLP
• Yield: 5.12%
• Effective Leverage: 29.29%
• Capital Gains: -
• Base Expense Ratio: 1.74%
• Net Assets: $ 4.50 billion
• Annual Turnover Rate: 13%

This MLP fund is managed by Kevin H. Birzer, Zachary A. Hamel, Kenneth P. Malvey, Terry Matlack, and David J. Schulte. It has a high dividend yield of 5.12%.

Best Utilities ETFs 2014

Utilities ETFs are investing mainly in stocks of utilities companies. These exchange traded funds provide high yield income for investors. The utilities companies include gas utilities, electric utilities, and water utilities. This sector ETFs may be more volatile than other diversified ETFs.

Top ETFs

These top utilities funds are selected based on its year-to-date return in 2014. You can find the expense ratio fee, turnover rate, management, fund performance information below. Also, you will see the fund review and fund performance or return below.

Best utilities ETFs 2014 are:

1. Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF (RYU)
2. SPDR Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU)
3. Deutsche X-trackers Regulated Utilities (UTLT)
4. iShares US Utilities ETF (IDU)
5. Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU)
6. Fidelity MSCI Utilities ETF (FUTY)
7. First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX ETF (FXU)
8. PowerShares DWA Utilities Momentum ETF (PUI)

DNP Select Income Fund (DNP)

DNP Select Income fund (DNP) is a popular stock closed end fund. This fund objective is to provide current income and long term growth of income with capital appreciation. This equity fund utilizes its assets to purchase equity and fixed income securities of companies in the public utilities industry.

DNP Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 01/21/1987
• Ticker Symbol: DNP
• CUSIP: 23325P104
• Rank in category (YTD): 71%
• Category: Utilities
• Distribution Rate: 7.72%
• Effective Leverage: 27.18%
• Capital Gains: -
• Base Expense Ratio: 1.10%
• Net Assets: $ 3.64 billion
• Annual Turnover Rate: 42%

This closed end fund is incepted since 1987. It has a high dividend yield of 7.72%. The fund manager is Nathan Partain. This top closed end fund is sponsored by Duff & Phelps.