FBR Gas Utility Index Investor Fund (GASFX)

Utilities sector equity fund can be one of the defensive sector stock fund to invest during the economic crisis or bear market. These utilities sector funds provide regular dividend and additional growth of capital. One of this top rated utilities sector funds is described below.

FBR Gas Utility Index Investor (MUTF: GASFX)

FBR Gas Utility Index fund

The FBR Gas Utility Index fund objective is to provide income and capital appreciation. This FBR fund intends to provide investment results that replicate the performance of the American Gas Association Stock Index. This index maintained by the American Gas Association, a national trade association of natural gas companies. It invests under regular circumstances >85% of net assets in the common stock of companies that have natural gas distribution and transmission operations.

GASFX Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: May 10, 1989
• Ticker Symbol: GASFX
• CUSIP: 30246J604
• Beta (3yr): 0.76
• Rank in category (YTD): 1
• Category: Utilities
• Distribution: 2.45%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 15 years
• Number of Years Down: 6 years
• Total Net Assets: $322.95 million

updated on 8/4/2011

Vanguard GNMA Fund (VFIIX)

Government bond mutual funds are popular among income seeker investors. As part of fixed income fund, government bond fund can reduce risks associated with market volatility. One of the top rated intermediate government bond mutual funds is Vanguard GNMA fund. More about this Vanguard fund review can be found below.

Vanguard GNMA Investor (MUTF: VFIIX)

As one of the actively managed fund, this Vanguard GNMA fund is seeking to provide a moderate level of current income. This Vanguard fund typically invests majority of its assets (>80%) in GNMA pass-through certificates, which are fixed income securities representing part ownership in a pool of mortgage loans supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. It may invest in other types of securities such as U.S. Treasury or other U.S. government agency securities. The fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity depends on homeowner prepayments of the underlying mortgages which normally fall within an intermediate-term range (3 to 10 years).

Note: GNMA is also known as Government National Mortgage Association or Ginnie Mae.

VFIIX Fund Details

Vanguard GNMA fund details

• Fund Inception Date: June 27, 1980
• Ticker Symbol: VFIIX
• CUSIP: 922031307
• Beta (3yr): 0.66
• Rank in category (YTD): 20
• Category: Intermediate Government
• Distribution rate: 3.22%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 29 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year
• Total Net Assets: $35.65 billion
• Average Maturity: 5.3 years
• Average Duration: 3.6 years
• Average Coupon: 4.9%

Updated on 8/15/2011

REMS Real Estate Value Opportunity Institutional (HLRRX) Fund

The easiest way to invest in real estate is investing in real estate mutual funds. As part of portfolio diversification, real estate fund can provide additional dividend income to investor. One of the top real estate mutual funds is REMS Real Estate Value Opportunity. The fund review is below.

REMS Real Estate Value Opportunity Institutional (MUTF: HLRRX)

The REMS Real Estate Value Opportunity fund objective is to seek long-term capital growth and current income. The fund typically invests > 80% of net assets, including leverage, in real estate industry companies. This REMS fund does not invest in real estate directly. The portfolio of securities will normally be diversified as to geographic region, property type and tenant. The fund may hold as few as twenty long positions and the Adviser may also take short positions in REITs, real estate operating companies and other real estate securities. It is considered as non-diversified fund.

HLRRX Fund Details

REMS Real Estate Value Opportunity

• Fund Inception Date: December 16, 2002
• Ticker Symbol: HLRRX (Institutional Class)
• CUSIP: 432787307
• Beta (3yr): 1.53
• Rank in category (YTD): 90
• Category: Real Estate
• Distribution: 2.09%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 6 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Total Net Assets: $192.21 million

updated on August 14th, 2011

Fidelity Select Multimedia Portfolio Fund (FBMPX)

Fidelity Select Multimedia Portfolio (MUTF: FBMPX)

The Fidelity Select Multimedia Portfolio fund objective is to provide capital appreciation. The fund usually invests most of assets (>80%) in securities of companies principally engaged in the development, production, sale, and distribution of goods or services used in the broadcast and media industries. This Fidelity stock fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers. The fund uses fundamental analysis of factors such as each issuer's financial condition and industry position, as well as market and economic conditions to select investments. It is considered as non-diversified mutual fund.

FBMPX Fund Details

Fidelity Select Multimedia Portfolio

• Fund Inception Date: June 30, 1986
• Ticker Symbol: FBMPX
• CUSIP: 316390681
• Beta (3yr): 1.25
• Rank in category (YTD): 1
• Category: Communications
• Distribution: 0.25%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 18 years
• Number of Years Down: 6 years
• Total Net Assets: $219.94 million

Updated on August 13th, 2011

Fidelity Real Estate Income Fund (FRIFX)

One of the highest paying dividend sector mutual funds is Real Estate sector funds. This Real Estate fund is also known as REIT mutual fund. Fidelity Real Estate Income is one of the best sector equity fund. You can use this fund to diversify your asset allocation. Details about the fund's review is below.

Fidelity Real Estate Income Fund (MUTF: FRIFX)

The Fidelity Real Estate Income fund objective is to provide higher than average income. This Fidelity fund generally invests its assets primarily in REIT preferred and common stocks; real estate entities debt obligations or bonds; and commercial and other mortgage-backed securities, with an emphasis on lower-quality debt securities. It invests >80% of assets in securities of companies principally engaged in the real estate industry and other real estate related investments. The fund may invest in foreign issuers and domestic issuers.

FRIFX Fund Details

Fidelity Real Estate Income Fund

• Fund Inception Date: February 4, 2003
• Ticker Symbol: FRIFX
• CUSIP: 316389865
• Beta (3yr): 0.59
• Rank in category (YTD): 95
• Category: Real Estate
• Distribution: 4.72%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 5 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Total Net Assets: $1.77 billion

Updated on August 12, 2011

Baird Core Plus Bond Investor (BCOSX) Fund

Bond fund or fixed income fund is essential for short- and long-term investor. Bond fund provides a regular income for investor to withstand volatile market. One of the best bond funds is Baird Core Plus Bond. You can use this bond fund to diversify your portfolio. The fund's review is described below.

Baird Core Plus Bond Investor (MUTF: BCOSX)

The Baird Core Plus Bond fund objective is to seek an annual rate of total return greater than the annual rate of total return of the Barclays Capital U.S. Universal Bond Index. The fund typically invests >80% of assets in the following types of U.S. dollar-denominated debt securities such as: U.S. government, U.S. government agencies, asset-backed & mortgage-backed obligations of U.S. issuers, and corporate debt of U.S. & foreign issuers. It invests mainly in investment-grade debt securities, but can invest <20% of net assets in non-investment grade securities. Average quality for the fund is generally at least the third highest category of S&P or Moody's.

BCOSX Fund Details

Baird Core Plus Bond Investor

• Fund Inception Date: September 29, 2000
• Ticker Symbol: BCOSX
• CUSIP: 057071888 
• Beta (3yr): 0.96
• Rank in category (YTD): 17
• Category: Intermediate-Term Bond
• Distribution: 4.62%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 9 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year
• Net Assets: $578.01 million
• Average Duration: 5.14 years
• Average Maturity: 7.29 years

Updated on August 12th, 2011

Fidelity Select Natural Resources Fund (FNARX)

Fidelity Investment provides variety of sector equity mutual fund. One of the best sector funds is Fidelity Select Natural Resources. The following article will provide fund's review of this Fidelity sector fund including yield, rank in category, fund's manager, etc.

Fidelity Select Natural Resources (MUTF: FNARX)

The Fidelity Select Natural Resources fund objective is to seek capital appreciation. The fund generally invests >80% of assets in securities of companies principally engaged in owning or developing natural resources, or supplying goods and services to such companies, and in precious metals. Natural resources include precious metals, ferrous and nonferrous metals, strategic metals, hydrocarbons, chemicals, paper and forest products, real estate, food, textile and tobacco products, and other basic commodities. It may invest in securities of foreign issuers. The fund is a non-diversified fund.

FNARX Fund Details

Fidelity Select Natural Resources

• Fund Inception Date: March 3, 1997
• Ticker Symbol: FNARX
• CUSIP: 316390491
• Beta (3yr): 1.32
• Rank in category (YTD): 1
• Category: Natural Resources
• Distribution: 0.33%                        
• Capital Gains: N/A  
• Number of Years Up: 9 years       
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Total Net Assets: $1.82 billion

updated on 8/11/2011