Matthews Asia Pacific Investor Fund (MPACX)

Investing in Asia Pacific countries can be done through mutual fund. Mutual Fund is ideal for instant asset diversification. One of the best rated diversified Pacific/ Asia International stock funds is Matthew Asia Pacific Investor fund. Details about the fund's review is as follow.

Matthews Asia Pacific Investor (MUTF: MPACX)

The Matthews Asia Pacific Investor investment seeks long-term capital appreciation. The fund typically invests majority of net assets (>80%) in the common and preferred stocks of Asia pacific region companies. This Matthews fund may also invest in the convertible securities with any duration or quality of Asia Pacific companies.

MPACX Fund Details

Matthews Asia Pacific Investor

• Fund Inception Date: October 31, 2002
• Ticker Symbol: MPACX (Investor Class)
• CUSIP: 577130867
• Beta (3yr): 0.90
• Rank in category (YTD): 5
• Category: Diversified Pacific/ Asia
• Distribution Rate: 0.85%
• Net Assets: $ 351.32 million
• Sales Load: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.19%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 6 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year

Updated on 9/8/2011

Top 10 Best Rated International Stock Mutual Funds Sep 2011

Investment in International Stock mutual funds is essential. The following Top 10 Best International stock mutual funds of 2011 include Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap, Invesco Asia Pacific Growth A, DFA Emerging Markets Small Cap I, Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia A, T Rowe Price New Asia, etc. More best rated articles on MEPB Financial.

Introduction

Investing in international stock or global stock funds is not for everyone; however the investment may yield higher return for investors. There are various international stock funds. These funds can be classified as foreign large value, foreign large blend, foreign large growth, foreign small/mid value, foreign small/mid cap growth, Japan stock, Europe stock, diversified emerging markets, Latin America stock, global real estate, World stock, China region, diversified Pacific/Asia, etc.

There are several reasons to invest in international stock funds such as:

• These funds can enhance your asset portfolio return.
• The funds can provide instant asset diversification. These international stock funds are also experience different economic cycles than US stock funds. This means there is less correlation between US market and international market.
• It provide world of opportunity for investor hence the past 40 years the world has expanded exponentially. Many of largest and best run companies are based on international region such as HSBC, Nestle, Siemen, BP, etc.

Note: International stock funds may be riskier and more volatile than US domestic stock funds. Please check the fund’s prospectus for investment risks and details.

The fund’s selection criteria are:

• The fund has performed consistently for the past 3 years and long term.
• The fund is acknowledged by Morningstar as one of the best funds with 4 stars or 5 stars rating
• It has one of the top fund’s managers in this category

Top International Stock Funds 

Top 10 best international stock funds of September 2011 are:

1. Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap (WAEMX)
2. Invesco Asia Pacific Growth A (ASIAX)
3. DFA Emerging Markets Small Cap I (DEMSX)
4. Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia A (FEAAX)
5. T. Rowe Price New Asia (PRASX)
6. Matthews Pacific Tiger Investor (MAPTX)
7. Wasatch International Opportunities (WAIOX)
8. GMO Taiwan III (GMOTX)
9. Matthews Asia Dividend Investor (MAPIX)
10. Aberdeen Emerging Markets Instl Fd Instl (ABEMX)

Weitz Short-Intermediate Income Fund (WEFIX)

The following article will review one of the top taxable bond mutual funds. Weitz Short Intermediate Income fund has outperformed its peers. Over the long term period, this fund had only 1 down year (up until 2010).

Weitz Short-Intermediate Income (MUTF: WEFIX)

The Weitz Short Intermediate Income fund objective is to provide high current income consistent with the capital preservation. This Weitz fund generally invests majority of assets (>80%) in fixed-income securities or bonds. These bonds include U.S. government and agency securities bonds, corporate debt securities, and mortgage-backed securities. It may invest some of total assets (<15%) in non-investment grade securities (junk bonds) or non-rated bonds.

WEFIX Fund Details

Weitz Short-Intermediate Income fund

• Fund Inception Date: December 23, 1988
• Ticker Symbol: WEFIX (Institutional Class)
• CUSIP: 94904P302
• Beta (3yr): 0.50
• Rank in category (YTD): 28
• Category: Short-Term Bond
• Distribution Rate: 2.41%
• Net Assets: $ 1.31 billion
• Sales Load: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.64%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 21 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year
• Average Maturity: 3.2 years
• Average Duration: 2.1 years
• Average Coupon: 4.0%

Updated on 9/5/2011

Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX)

This article will provide fund review of Vanguard Target Retirement Income. This low cost Vanguard fund is among the best retirement income mutual funds. I'll provide the details such as dividend yield, top 10 holdings, total assets, and more. Details about this fund can be found below.

Vanguard Target Retirement Income (MUTF: VTINX)

The Vanguard Target Retirement Income fund is seeking current income and some capital appreciation. This Vanguard fund invests in other Vanguard mutual funds according to an asset allocation strategy designed for investors currently in retirement.

Its expected asset allocation among the underlying funds is as follows: Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund (45%); Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (21%); Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (20%); Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund (9%); and Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund (5%). More details about the fund asset allocations can be found in the fund’s prospectus. Majority of assets are invested in fixed income funds or bond funds, and the rests are invested in stock funds or equity funds.

VTINX Fund Details

 Vanguard Target Retirement Income

• Fund Inception Date: October 27, 2003
• Ticker Symbol: VTINX
• CUSIP: 92202E102
• Beta (3yr): 0.58
• Rank in category (YTD): 26
• Category: Retirement Income
• Dividend Yield: 2.32%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Expense Ratio: 0.0%
• Net Assets: $4.64 billion
• Number of Years Up: 6 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year
• Annual Turnover Rate: 12.0%

Updated on 9/5/2011

Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund (FEAAX)

Emerging Markets (EM) have become the center piece for investors. Finding the right Emerging Markets Stock Fund is essential. One of the best rated Emerging Markets funds is Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund. I'l'l provide the fund's review in details.

Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund (MUTF: FEAAX)

The Fidelity Advisor Emerging Asia Fund objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. This Fidelity equity fund typically invests >80% of assets in securities of Asian emerging market issuers and companies with emerging markets connection. It invests mainly in common stocks. The fund’s manager will analyze each issuer's financial condition and industry position, as well as market and economic conditions to select investments.

FEAAX Fund Details

FEAAX fund details

• Fund Inception Date: March 25, 1994
• Ticker Symbol: FEAAX
• CUSIP: 315920413
• Beta (3yr): 0.97
• Rank in category (YTD): 30
• Category: Pacific/ Asia ex-Japan Stock
• Distribution Rate: 0.58%
• Net Assets: $ 471.23 million
• Sales Load: 5.75%
• Expense Ratio: 1.40%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 9 years
• Number of Years Down: 7 years

Updated on 9/3/2011

Calvert Long Term Income A (CLDAX) Fund

The following fund has beat any odd with no down years up till 2010. Calvert Long Term Income fund is rated as one of the best taxable bond fund. It is also managed by Gregory Habeeb. The fund's review and details are listed below.

Calvert Long Term Income A (MUTF: CLDAX)

The Calvert Long Term Income investment fund seeks to maximize income, to the extent consistent with preservation of capital. It invests through investments in longer-dated securities. The fund usually invests > 65% of net assets in U.S. dollar-denominated investment grade debt securities. The debt obligations consist of U.S. corporations and US government bonds. This Calvert fund may invest in securities that represent interest in pools of mortgage loans or other assets assembled for sale to investors by various U.S. governmental agencies, and private issuers.

CLDAX Fund Details

Calvert Long Term Income fund

• Fund Inception Date: December 31, 2004
• Ticker Symbol: CLDAX (Class A)
• CUSIP: 131582710
• Beta (3yr): 1.19
• Rank in category (YTD): 83
• Category: Long-Term Bond
• Distribution rate: 3.24%
• Net Assets: $ 150.52 million
• Sales Load: 3.75%
• Expense Ratio: 1.25%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 6 years
• Number of Years Down: 0 years
• Average Maturity: 12.86 years
• Effective Duration: 5.24 years

Updated on 9/1/2011

Prudential Financial Services Fund (PFSAX)

If you a value investor, you should consider financial sector stocks or equities. These financials sector provide good value with reasonable dividend yield. One of this top rated sector fund is described below.

Prudential Financial Services (MUTF: PFSAX)

The Prudential Financial Services fund objective is to provide long-term capital appreciation. This Prudential Investments fund invests most of investable assets (>80%) in equity and equity-related securities of companies within a specific group of financials industries. It will invest in companies which operate in the financial services sector.

The fund invests in securities of issuers among a number of different countries throughout the world, one of which may be the United States. It is considered as non-diversified sector equity fund.

Prudential Financial Services

PFSAX Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: June 30, 1999
• Ticker Symbol: PFSAX
• CUSIP: 74441P106
• Beta (3yr): 1.18
• Rank in category (YTD): 12
• Category: Financial
• Distribution: 0.11%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Expense Ratio: 1.44%  
• Net Assets: $234.47 million
• Number of Years Up: 7 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 68.0%

Updated on August 14th, 2011