Sextant International Fund (SSIFX)

The following article will review one of the Best International Equity Mutual Funds. Sextant International has performed consistently for the past decade. This Saturna fund invests mainly in International companies.

Sextant International (MUTF: SSIFX)

The Sextant International fund objective is to provide long-term capital growth. This investment fund invests >65% of assets in companies with their headquarters and major assets and earnings outside the U.S. It diversifies its investments across industries, companies, and countries. This Sextant International fund typically invests in larger established companies, but it may invest in any size of companies (mid cap, small cap, and micro-cap).

SSFIX Fund Details

Sextant International fund details

• Fund Inception Date: September 28, 1995
• Ticker Symbol: SSIFX
• CUSIP: 804096501
• Beta (3yr): 0.54
• Rank in category (YTD): 82
• Category: Foreign Large Blend
• Yield: 0.37%
• Net Assets: $ 184.24 million
• Sales Load: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.03%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 11 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years

Updated on 9/9/2011

JHFunds2 Capital Appreciation 1 (JICPX) Fund

Rated as one of the best US Stock mutual funds, JHFunds 2 Capital Appreciation 1 fund has outperformed its peers. This John Hancock fund can be used as one of the tools for asset diversification. Details about the fund review is below.

JHFunds2 Capital Appreciation 1 (MUTF: JICPX)

As the top large growth fund, this JHFunds2 Capital Appreciation fund is seeking long-term growth of capital. The fund invests most of total assets (>65%) in above average growth prospect companies' equity with more than $1 billion in market capitalization. It may minority of total asset (<20%) in foreign equity securities. The fund may invest in U.S. government bond issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or by its agency. It may invest in mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. governmental entities. This John Hancock II fund may invest in investment grade fixed incomes or bonds.

JICPX Fund Details

JHFunds2 Capital App 1 fund

• Fund Inception Date: October 14, 2005
• Ticker Symbol: JICPX
• CUSIP: 47803V879
• Beta (3yr): 0.90
• Rank in category (YTD): 7
• Category: Large Growth
• Yield: 0.08%
• Net Assets: $ 2.06 billion
• Sales Load: 0.0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.79%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 4 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year

Updated on 9/9/2011

Frost Kempner Treasury and Income Institutional FIKTX Fund

The following article is about Frost Kempner Treasury and Income I fund. This fund is rated as one of the best inflation protected bond mutual fund. Details about the fund reviews can be found below.

Frost Kempner Treasury and Income Institutional (FIKTX)

The Frost Kempner Treasury and Income fund objective is to provide current income consistent with the capital preservation. The fund typically invests majority of net assets (>80%) in full faith and credit U.S. Treasury obligations. This Frost fund's investments include Treasury bonds, Treasury notes, Treasury Inflated Protection Securities, and short-term U.S. government money market funds.

FIKTX Fund Details

Frost Kempner Treasury and Income

• Fund Inception Date: April 25, 2008
• Ticker Symbol: FIKTX
• CUSIP: 00766Y778
• Beta (3yr): 1.06
• Rank in category (YTD): 86
• Category: Inflation-Protected Bond
• Distribution Rate: 2.77%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 2 years
• Number of Years Down: 0 years
• Total Net Assets: $30.11 million 
• Effective duration: 10.07 years
• Average Maturity: 11.92 years

Updated on 9/10/2011

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