Delaware Pooled Global Fixed-Income Fund (DPGIX)

As part of taxable bond fund, world bond is another popular option for investor to buy fixed income mutual fund. One of the best rated world bond funds is Delaware Pooled Global Fixed Income fund. The following is the fund's review.

Delaware Pooled Global Fixed-Income (MUTF: DPGIX)

The Delaware Pooled Global Fixed-Income fund objective is to provide current income consistent with preservation of capital. This Delaware Investments fund invests >80% of net assets in fixed-income securities. As a global fund, this DPGIX fund invests in bonds located throughout the world. The fund invests >40% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers. It invests in a broad range of fixed income securities, including debt obligations of foreign and U.S. companies that are generally rated A or better by rating agencies (S&P or Moody'), and foreign and U.S. government securities. This taxable bond fund is non-diversified.

DPGIX Fund Details

Delaware Pooled Global Fixed-Income

• Fund Inception Date: November 30, 1992
• Ticker Symbol: DPGIX
• CUSIP: 246248603
• Beta (3yr): 1.42
• Rank in category (YTD): 35
• Category: World Bond
• Distribution Rate: 4.23%
• Net Assets: $ 94.46 million
• Sales Load: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.60%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 15 years
• Number of Years Down: 3 years

updated on August 22th, 2011

Fidelity Select Chemicals Portfolio Fund (FSCHX)

One of the best sector equity funds is Fidelity Select Chemical Portfolio. This fund primarily invests in chemical companies. Details about the fund's review can be found below.

Fidelity Select Chemicals Portfolio (MUTF: FSCHX)

The Fidelity Select Chemicals Portfolio fund seeks capital appreciation. This Fidelity fund invests mainly in chemical process industries common stocks. This chemical process industries companies mostly engage in the research, development, manufacture, or marketing of products or service. This fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers. It is non-diversified.

FSCHX Fund Details

Fidelity Select Chemical Portfolio fund

• Fund Inception Date: July 29, 1985
• Ticker Symbol: FSCHX
• CUSIP: 316390889
• Beta (3yr): 1.29
• Rank in category (YTD): 1
• Category: Miscellaneous Sectors
• Distribution: 0.50%                        
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 21 years     
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Total Net Assets: $802.11 million

Updated on August 9^th, 2011

Firsthand Technology Opportunities Fund (TEFQX)

Firsthand Technology Opportunities (MUTF: TEFQX)

The Firsthand Technology Opportunities fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The fund generally invests >80% of assets in growth high-technology companies in the industries and markets. It may purchase stocks of small-, mid-, and large-cap companies. This Firsthand fund's investment portfolio includes new companies with market capitalization in the small- or mid-cap categories. It is a non-diversified mutual fund.

TEFQX Fund Details

Firsthand Technology Opportunities

• Fund Inception Date: September 30, 1999
• Ticker Symbol: TEFQX
• CUSIP: 337941504 Beta (3yr): 1.02
• Rank in category (YTD): 41
• Category: Technology
• Distribution: 0.0%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 7 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Total Net Assets: $59.1 million

Updated August 5th, 2011

TCW Core Fixed-Income N (TGFNX) Fund

One of the best rated taxable bond mutual funds is TCW Core Fixed-Income N. This fixed income fund has a consistent long term performance. More details about the fund review can be found below.

TCW Core Fixed-Income N (MUF: TGFNX)

The TCW Core Fixed Income fund seeks to maximize current income and achieve above average total return consistent with prudent investment management over a full market cycle. This TCW fund invests most of net assets (>80%) in debt securities or bonds. These debt securities include but are not limited to securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored corporations; corporate obligations (including convertible securities); mortgage-backed securities; asset backed securities; foreign securities (corporate and government); and other securities bearing fixed or variable interest rates of any maturity. It may also invest in junk bonds or high yield bonds.

TGFNX Fund Details

TCW Core Fixed-Income fund

• Fund Inception Date: March 1, 1999
• Ticker Symbol: TGFNX
• CUSIP: 87234N724
• Beta (3yr): 0.86
• Rank in category (YTD): 29
• Category: Intermediate-Term Bond
• Distribution Rate: 4.23%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Sales Load: 0% (No load)
• Number of Years Up: 11 years
• Number of Years Down: 0 years
• Total Net Assets: $350.27 million
• Effective Duration: 4.3 years
• Average Maturity: 6.4 years

Updated on 8/9/2011

Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals Fund (FPHAX)

Investing in sector equity fund is not for everyone. However, if you find a good and best rated sector equity fund, you can invest with ease. One of the best health sector equity funds is Fidelity Select Pharmacueticals. Details about this Fidelity fund is below.

Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals (MUTF: FPHAX)

The Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals fund is seeking capital appreciation. This Fidelity investments fund usually invests majority of assets (>80%) in securities of companies principally engaged in the research, development, manufacture, sale, or distribution of pharmaceuticals and drugs of all types. It may invest in securities of foreign issuers. The fund is non-diversified mutual fund.

FPHAX Fund Details

Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals fund

• Fund Inception Date: June 18, 2001
• Ticker Symbol: FPHAX
• CUSIP: 316390442
• Beta (3yr): 0.68
• Rank in category (YTD): 18%
• Category: Health
• Distribution: 1.02%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 7 years          
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Total Net Assets: $583.25 million

Updated on August 18^th, 2011

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