August 9, 2011

YTD Top Performer Closed End Funds CEF August 2011

Closed end funds, or CEFs in short, can be one of the attractive fund for investor to invest. The following is the top performers are sorted based on its year-to-date performance of the fund market price. These top performing funds can be any of the following categories: bond funds (fixed income funds), stock funds (equity funds), commodity funds, multi sector funds, and alternative funds. Check the funds details below for the fund category.

Note: some of these fund may be traded either premium or discount from their net asset value (NAV).

The Top Performer Closed End Funds August 2011 (up to august 5th, 2011) are:
YTD Top Performer Closed End Funds CEF August 2011
Top Performer CEFs
  1. Cornerstone Total Return Fund
  2. Cornerstone Strategic Value
  3. PIMCO Corporate Opportunity
  4. Central Gold-Trust
  5. Pacholder High Yield
  6. PIMCO Corporate Income
  7. BlackRock PA Strategic Municipal
  8. Aberdeen Global Income Fund
  9. First Trust Strategic High Income
  10. Central Fund of Canada

August 8, 2011

Top Performer Foreign Large Blend Stock Mutual Funds 2011

Introduction

Mutual funds can be divided into two main classes: bond funds and stock funds. The stock funds can be classified into variety of categories such as US domestic equity fund, International stock fund, and emerging market stock fund. One of the divisions in international stock fund or global stock fund is foreign large blend funds. These funds are suitable for investment portfolio diversification. This article will focus on this category.

Foreign large-blend funds invest in a variation of large international stocks. Most of these mutual funds divide their assets in more than 10 developed markets, including Japan, Britain (United Kingdom), France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Netherland. They also may invest the rest in emerging markets such as Hong Kong, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Korea, Indonesia and Thailand. These funds typically will have only a little assets invested in U.S. stocks (less than 20%).

Top Performers

The following top performers are sorted based on their Year to Date performance (up till July 27th, 2011). The 10 Top Performer Foreign Large Blend Stock funds July 2011 are:
Top Performer Foreign Large Blend Stock Mutual Funds 2011
Top Performer Foreign Large Blend Funds
  1. Artisan International Inv (ARTIX)
  2. Virtus International Equity A (VIEAX)
  3. American Century Intl Core Equity Inv (ACIMX)
  4. GMO International Growth Equity III (GMIGX)
  5. Vantagepoint International (VPINX)
  6. Lazard International Equity Open (LZIOX)
  7. JHancock3 International Growth A (GOIGX)
  8. Lazard International Equity Sel Open (LZESX)
  9. MainStay 130/30 International Inv (MYINX)
  10. Cambiar International Equity Inv (CAMIX)
Updated on July 27th, 2011

August 7, 2011

Rydex Series Trust Consumer Products Fund (RYPDX)

One of the best defensive sector equity funds is Rydex Series Trust Consumer Products Fund. As part of Consumer Staples sector equity mutual fund, this Rydex series fund invest in industry which produce or manufacture food / beverages, prescription drugs, tobacco, and other household products. The fund's review is described below.

Rydex Series Trust Consumer Products Fund (RYPDX)

The Rydex Series Trust Consumer Products Fund objective is to achieve capital appreciation. The fund invests majority of its net assets (>80%) in equity securities of Consumer Products Companies that are traded in the United States and derivatives. Consumer Products Companies include companies that manufacture, wholesale or retail food, staple retail products and non-durable goods such as beverages, household, tobacco, and personal care products. It invests to a significant extent in the small to mid-sized capitalizations Consumer Products Companies stocks. The fund is non-diversified.

RYPDX Fund Details
Rydex Series Trust Consumer Products Fund (RYPDX)
Rydex Series Trust Consumer Products Fund
  • Fund Inception Date: September 1, 2004
  • Ticker Symbol: RYPDX (Class A)
  • CUSIP: 78355E346
  • Beta (3yr): 0.66
  • Rank in category (YTD): 4
  • Category: Consumer Staples
  • Distribution: 17.54%
  • Capital Gains: N/A
  • Number of Years Up: 4 years
  • Number of Years Down: 2 years
  • Total Net Assets: $101.75 million
  • Annual Turnover Rate: 400%
updated on August 7th, 2011

August 6, 2011

Fidelity Select Industrials Fund (FCYIX)

With global economic growth expansion, industrials sector equity can become one of the outperform sector mutual fund. One of the best industrial sector is Fidelity Select Industrials. For the fund's review, please check the following article.

Fidelity Select Industrials (MUTF: FCYIX)

The Fidelity Select Industrials investment is seeking capital appreciation. This Fidelity fund invests mainly in common stocks. It usually invests >80% of assets in securities of companies principally engaged in the research, development, manufacture, distribution, supply, or sale of industrial products, services, or equipment. The fund invests in domestic and foreign issuers. It is considered as non-diversified mutual fund.

FCYIX Fund Details
Fidelity Select Industrials Fund (FCYIX)
Fidelity Select Industrials fund
  • Fund Inception Date: March 3, 1997
  • Ticker Symbol: FCYIX
  • CUSIP: 316390517
  • Beta (3yr): 1.38
  • Rank in category (YTD): 41
  • Category: Industrials
  • Distribution: 0.45%
  • Capital Gains: N/A
  • Number of Years Up: 11 years
  • Number of Years Down: 2 years
  • Total Net Assets: $562.56 million
updated on August 6th, 2011



August 4, 2011

Top Performer Retirement Income Mutual Funds July 2011

Target Date Mutual Funds are popular among long term investors. One of the target date mutual funds classes is Retirement Income fund. This article will look into the top performer retirement income mutual funds. Some of the best performing funds are: Vanguard Managed Payout Growth Focus fund, PIMCO Real Income 2029 fund, Legg Mason Target Retirement fund, etc. Top Retirement Income Funds

Intro

Retirement income mutual funds are popular among retiree and near retirement age investor. These funds can provide regular income for investors. The funds’ portfolios usually consist of a mix of stocks, bonds and cash for those investors already in or entering retirement. These funds tend to have a conservative asset allocation strategy. These fund portfolios objective is to provide investors with steady income throughout retirement. The following are the Top Performer Retirement Income Funds. The top performer funds are sorted based on its Year to Date performance.

The 15 best retirement income mutual funds 2013 are:
    Top Performer Retirement Income Mutual Funds July 2011
  1. Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX)
  2. T. Rowe Price Retirement Income Fund (TRRIX)
  3. Harbor Target Retirement Income Fund (HARAX)
  4. USAA Target Retirement Income Fund (URINX)
  5. TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Retirement Income Fund (TLRIX)
  6. American Beacon Retirement Income and Appreciation Fund (AANPX)
  7. TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index Retirement Income Fund (TRILX)
  8. Russell LifePoints In Retirement Fund (RZLRX)
  9. Legg Mason Target Retirement Fund (LMPAX)
  10. MFS Lifetime Retirement Income Fund (MLLAX)
  11. American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios LIVESTRONG Income Portfolio (ARTAX)
  12. JPMorgan SmartRetirement Income Fund (JSRAX)
  13. Vantagepoint Milestone Retirement Income Fund (VPRRX)
  14. Manning & Napier Target Income Series Fund (MTDCX)
  15. BlackRock LifePath Retirement Portfolio (LPRAX)
Last update: 5/5/2013

The 10 Top Performer Retirement Income Mutual Funds July 2011 are:
  1. Vanguard Managed Payout Growth Focus Inv
  2. PIMCO Real Income 2029 A
  3. Vanguard Managed Payout Growth & Distribution Inv
  4. Vanguard Managed Payout Distribution Focus Inv
  5. Legg Mason Target Retirement A
  6. PIMCO Real Income 2019 A
  7. American Century LIVESTRONG Income Inv
  8. Fidelity Income Replacement 2042
  9. TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Retire Income Retail
  10. Schwab Monthly Income Mod Payout
NewTop Performer Target Date Mutual Funds of 2011.

Vanguard Managed Payout Gr Focus Inv (VPGFX)

Vanguard Managed Payout Growth Focus fundThe Vanguard Managed Payout Growth Focus fund objective is to provide monthly distributions of cash while providing inflation protection and capital appreciation over the long term. This Vanguard fund invests in Vanguard mutual funds and other investments according to an asset allocation strategy designed to provide shareholders with regular cash flow from their investments in the fund.

This mutual fund may allocate assets across a broadly diversified selection of opportunities--such as stocks (including stocks issued by REITs), bonds, cash, inflation-linked investments, and selected other investments--in proportions that reflect the advisor's evaluation of their expected returns and risks as an integrated whole.

This retirement income fund is managed by Michael H. Buek since its inception on May 2008. Since this fund is new, it has gotten 1-star rating from Morningstar for its 2 years positive performance since inception. Currently this VPGFX fund is on the 1st rank in the category. The performance of this top performer fund is 25.90% in year 2009 and 14.43% in year 2010. The YTD return is 7.69%. This fund shares a yield of 3.06%. This Vanguard fund is a no load fund.

This fund is available for purchase from a limited brokerages list only.

The asset allocation of this fund as of June 2011 is Stocks (84.56%), Bonds (5.04%) and Others (10.40%). The top 10 portfolio composition is 45.3% in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX), 19.6% in Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX), 9.9% in Vanguard Market Neutral Fund Investor Shares (VMNFX), 9.8% in Vanguard REIT Index Fund (VGSIX), 5.0% in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFICX) and 10.4% in Others.

PIMCO Real Income 2029 A (MUTF: POIAX)

PIMCO Real Income 2029 FundThe PIMCO Real Income 2029 fund seeks to provide consistent real (inflation-adjusted) distributions through its maturity date in 2029. This PIMCO fund invests majority of net assets (>90%) in inflation-indexed bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury. It may invest in other securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, futures contracts on U.S. Treasury securities, and money market instruments. Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed-income securities that are structured to provide protection against inflation.

The fund invests in short-, intermediate- and long-term securities in a laddered investment strategy to facilitate regular distributions through its maturity date in 2029.

Since this fund is new, it hasn’t gotten any rank from Morningstar yet. But this fund has 7.62% YTD return. This fund has returned 10.78% over the past one year. The performance of this fund in 2010 was 6.99%. The new fund's manager is Rahul M. Seksaria. He is the Senior Vice President of PIMCO and has managed this fund since May 2011. The annual expense ratio of this POIAX fund is 0.79%.

Should you are interested to invest in this fund, it can be purchased from a limited selection of 17 brokerages only. The minimum initial investment for brokerage account is $1,000 with $50 minimum subsequent investment. This fund has 0.25% of 12b1 fee and 3.75% of front-end sales load. The last dividend distributed was in June 2011 (0.05%). This fund is available in any other classes, such as Class C (PORCX), Class D (PORDX), Class Institutional (PRIIX) and Class P (PRQCX). As of June 2011, the sector breakdown of this fund is 90% in Government – Treasury and 10% in Money Market and Net Cash Equivalents. This fund has the average maturity of 10.06 years and average duration of 6.55%.

Legg Mason Target Retirement A (LMPAX)

Legg Mason Target Retirement FundThe Legg Mason Target Retirement fund is seeking to achieve the highest total return over time consistent with its asset mix. The fund invests in a combination of underlying funds representing a variety of asset classes (equity, fixed income and real estate) and investment styles. This Legg Mason fund typically allocates the assets as follows 30% in equity funds, 65% in fixed-income funds, and 5% in real estate related funds.

Steven D. Bleiberg has managed this Legg Mason fund since its inception in August 2008. This retirement income fund shares a dividend yield of 3.10%. The annual expense ratio is 0.45%. The last dividend was distributed in June 2011 (0.03%). As this fund is still new, it hasn’t gotten any Morningstar rating yet. But this fund has a 5.99% YTD return and has returned 14.39% over the past year. Rated number five in this list, the LMPAX fund has 0.25% 12b1 fee and 5.75% front-end sales load fee. The minimum amount needed to invest in the brokerage account of this fund is $1,000 and $250 for IRA account.

This top performer fund is currently available for purchase from 28 brokerages like JP Morgan, Scottrade Load, etc. Investor may choose from the other classes of this Legg Mason fund such as Class C (LMRCX), Class FI (LMRPX), Class I (LMIMX), Class IS (LMRSX), Class R1 (LMRFX) or Class R (LMERX).

As of June 2011, the top holdings of this LMPAX fund represent 88.4% of total portfolio. They are WA Core Bond Portfolio (38.6%), LM BW Global Opportunities Bond Fund (13.6%), WA High Yield Portfolio (6.7%), iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (5.4%), Vanguard REIT Index Fund (5.1%), LM Strategic Real Return Fund (5.0%), LM BFM International Equity Trust (4.2%), LM GC International All Cap Opportunity Fund (4.1%), Royce Value Fund (3.2%) and iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund (2.4%).

American Century LIVESTRONG Income Investor (ARTOX)

American Century LIVESTRONG Income InvestorThe American Century LIVESTRONG Income fund seeks current income. The fund’s secondary objective is to achieve capital appreciation. As fund of funds, this American Century fund invests in other American Century mutual funds that represent a variety of asset classes and investment styles. The target asset mix for LIVESTRONG Income Portfolio is expected to remain fixed over time with a 45% allocation to equities (stocks), 45% allocation to fixed income securities (bonds), and 10% allocation to cash.

This American Century fund has 4-stars rating from Morningstar for its 5 years achieving positive performance since 2004. This best rated fund has 5.30% YTD return. It distributes a dividend yield of 2.21%. This ARTOX fund has expense ratio of 0.21% every year. This figure is lower compared to the average in the Retirement Income category (0.60%). The fund managers of this fund are Enrique Chang, Scott Wittman, Richard Weiss, Irina Torelli and Scott Wilson.

If you are interested to invest in this fund, the minimum amount needed to open a brokerage account is $2,500 with $50 minimum subsequent investment. This fund is not available in IRA account yet. This is a no load fund, meaning there is no 12b1 fee and no sales load fee. The annual holdings turnover rate of this fund is relatively low as well (4.0%). The other classes of this fund are Institutional Class (ATTIX), Class A (ARTAX), Class C (ATTCX) and Class R (ARSRX). Please check with your brokerage account about how to buy this mutual fund.

This Livestrong Income fund is a ‘fund of funds’ as it seeks to achieve its goal by investing in other American Century Investments mutual funds. The portfolio of this fund as of December 2010 is 45.0% in Stocks Funds, 45% in Bonds Funds and 10% in Money Market Funds.

Fidelity Income Replacement 2042 (FIXRX)

Fidelity Income Replacement 2042The Fidelity Income Replacement 2042 fund is seeking total return through a combination of current income and capital growth. The fund typically invests in a combination of underlying Fidelity equity, fixed-income, and short-term funds using an asset allocation strategy designed to achieve a level of total return consistent with a payment strategy to be administered through the fund's horizon date, December 31, 2042.

This Fidelity fund is considered as fund of funds. Since its inception in 2007, this fund has performed in 2 years with positive return and one year in negative return. The performances are as follow:
  • Year 2008: -30.02%
  • Year 2009: 28.91%
  • Year 2010: 13.75%
Andrew Dierdorf has managed this fund since June 2009. The yield of this fund is $1.82%. The fund is a no load fund, therefore it applies no management fee and no front end sales load fee as well. To invest in this fund, investor may need $25,000 for the minimum initial investment in brokerage account. This fund can be purchased from 23 brokerages.

The CUSIP of this fund is 31617L863. The asset allocation of this fund as of June 2011 are 64.22% in Equity Funds, 32.25% in Bond Funds and 3.53% in MM/Short-Term Fds & Net Other Assets. The top sectors of this fund as of May 2011 are Financial Services (16.15%), Technology (14.25%), Consumer Cyclical (12.26%), Industrials (12.22%) and Energy (11.36%).

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Retire Income Retail (TLRRX)

Schwab Monthly Income Mod Payout fundTIAA-CREF Lifecycle Retire Income RetailThe TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Retire Income fund objective is to seek high total return over time mainly through income, with a secondary emphasis on capital appreciation. The fund invests primarily in underlying funds according to a fixed, more conservative asset allocation strategy designed for investors who are already in or entering retirement.

Currently, This TIAA CREF fund invests in a diversified portfolio consisting of about 40% stocks or equities and 60% bonds or fixed incomes.

This retirement income fund has been managed by Pablo L. Mitchell since its inception in November 2007. The fund’s net asset is $113.73 million. It has 0.16% annual expense ratio and 5.0% annual turnover rate. This fund has YTD return of 5.19%. Morningstar has rated this fund with 4-star rating.

To invest in this top performer and best fund, investor will need a minimum of $2,500 for brokerage account and $2,000 for IRA account. There is a 0.13% of management fee, but no front-end sales load fee. Currently this fund is only available for purchase from a limited of 4 brokerages only. They are Vanguard, Pershing Fund Center, Pershing FundVest NTF and MSSB Mass Mutual.

As of March 2011, the target allocation of TLRRX fund is 60.0% in equities and 40.0% in non-equities. And the top 10 holdings of this fund are TIAA-CREF Bond Fund (38.9%), TIAA-CREF Inflation-Linked Bond Fund (10.0%), TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Fund (9.9%), TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Fund (5.6%), TIAA-CREF Enhanced Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (5.5%), TIAA-CREF Enhanced Large-Cap Value Index Fund (5.5%), TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Value Fund (5.5%), TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund (4.7%), IAA-CREF International Equity Fund (4.0%) and TIAA-CREF Enhanced International Equity Index Fund (4.0%).

Schwab Monthly Income Mod Payout (SWJRX)

The Schwab Monthly Income Mod Payout fund objective is to provide current income; capital appreciation is a secondary consideration. The fund invests predominantly in a combination of Schwab funds and Laudus funds (the underlying funds) in accordance with its target asset allocation. It may invest <100% of assets directly in cash, money market, repurchase agreements and other short-term obligations.

This SWJRX fund has total net asset of $22.45 million. It shares 2.59% dividend yield. The last dividend distributed in July 2011 was 0.02%. This fund is managed by Daniel Kern since October 2008. The expense ratio of this fund is 0.0%. This Schwab fund is also a no load fund, means no management fee and no front-end sales load or deferred sales load. The minimum initial investment needed to open a regular brokerage account is $100.

For these past two years after its inception, the annual total return of this Schwab fund was 10.35% in year 2010 and 15.76% in year 2009. Currently it has 5.14% YTD return. This SWJRX fund has gotten 5-stars rating from Morningstar.

As of January 2011, the top sectors of this best fund are Financials (33.84%), Information Technology (13.53%), Consumer Discretionary (11.45%), Industrials (9.81%) and Energy (8.14%). The asset breakdown is 45.8% in domestic bonds, 26.24% in domestic stocks, 12.51% in foreign stocks, 8.13% in cash, 7.04% in foreign bonds, 0.21% in preferred and 0.07% in miscellaneous.

Disclosure: No Position

Note: Some of these funds may be new and don’t have long term performance history.

Top Performers Performance

NoNameTickerRatingYieldExpense RatioLoadNet Assets (mil)Min to Invest
1Vanguard Managed Payout Gr Focus InvVPGFX13.13%0.24%0.00%$70 $25,000
2PIMCO Real Income 2029 APOIAXN/A5.34%0.79%3.75%$8 $1,000
3Vanguard Managed Payout Gr & Dis InvVPGDX24.32%0.24%0.00%$308 $25,000
4Vanguard Managed Payout Dis Focus InvVPDFX26.37%0.25%0.00%$443 $25,000
5Legg Mason Target Retirement ALMPAXN/A3.10%1.15%5.75%$3 $1,000
6PIMCO Real Income 2019 APCIAXN/A11.16%0.79%3.75%$20 $1,000
7American Century LIVESTRONG Inc InvARTOX42.21%0.76%0.00%$303 $2,500
8Fidelity Income Replacement 2042FIXRX31.82%0.68%0.00%$6 $25,000
9TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Retire Inc RetailTLRRX40.04%0.63%0.00%$16 $2,500
10Schwab Monthly Income Mod PayoutSWJRX42.59%0.75%0.00%$22 $100
11Fidelity Income Replacement 2036FIRUX31.75%0.65%0.00%$3 $25,000
12BlackRock LifePath Retirement Investor ALPRAX32.08%1.10%5.25%$668 $1,000
Best Retirement Income Fund articles:

August 3, 2011

Vanguard Energy Fund (VGENX)

Energy sector fund has outperformed other sector equity fund for the past 3 years. The following Vanguard Energy fund is among the best rated energy sector stock fund. Details about the fund can be found below.

Vanguard Energy Fund (MUTF: VGENX)

The Vanguard Energy Fund seeks long-term appreciation of capital. This Vanguard fund invests >80% of its assets in the energy industry companies with engagement as production and transmission of energy or energy fuels; the making of component products for such activities; energy research; and energy conservation. It may invest <100% of its assets in foreign stocks.

VGENX Fund Details
Vanguard Energy Fund (VGENX) details
Vanguard Energy Fund details
  • Fund Inception Date: May 23, 1984
  • Ticker Symbol: VGENX
  • CUSIP: 921908109
  • Beta (3yr): 1.15
  • Rank in category (YTD): 19
  • Category: Equity Energy
  • Distribution: 1.36%                        
  • Capital Gains: N/A
  • Number of Years Up: 20 years     
  • Number of Years Down: 6 years
  • Total Net Assets: $14.14 billion
Updated July 31th, 2011

August 2, 2011

Matthews Asia Dividend Investor Fund (MAPIX)

Emerging Markets equity sector has been one of the best performing equity funds for the past 3 years. The Asia Pacific sector is among the best sector of this emerging markets fund. One of this best rated Asia Pacific equity funds is Matthews Asia Dividend fund. Details about this fund can be found below.

Matthews Asia Dividend Investor (MUTF: MAPIX)
  
The Matthews Asia Dividend Investor fund objective is to seek total return with an emphasis on providing current income. The fund typically invests majority of total net assets (>80%) in income-paying publicly traded common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks, and other equity-related instruments of companies located in the Asia Pacific region. This Matthews fund expects to invest in attractive dividend yields companies with possibility to increase their dividends.

Matthews Asia Dividend Investor Fund (MAPIX)
MAPIX fund

MAPIX Fund Details
  • Fund Inception Date: October 2006
  • Ticker Symbol: MAPIX (Investor Class)
  • CUSIP: 577 125 107                                       
  • Beta (3yr): 0.74                
  • Rank in category (YTD): 5
  • Category: Diversified Pacific / Asia                          
  • Yield: 3.19%                      
  • Capital Gains: N/A
  • Number of Years Up: 3 years       
  • Number of Years Down: 1 year
  • Total Net Assets: $2.44 billion
updated on July 26th, 2011

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