American Century Zero Coupon 2015 Inv (BTFTX) Fund

Bond mutual funds can be attractive to short term investors. One of this bond funds is government bond fund. This type of fund typically is very safe and has investment grade credit rating. These bond funds typically invest majority of assets in US Treasuries. These funds can be short term, intermediate term, and long term bonds. One of these government bond funds are described below.

Note: Long term bond fund which has longer duration years may be susceptible to interest rate hikes.

American Century Zero Coupon 2015 Inv (MUTF: BTFTX)

The American Century Zero Coupon fund’s objective is to seek the highest return consistent with investment in U.S. Treasury securities. This American Century fund invests >80% of assets in zero-coupon U.S. Treasury securities. This bond fund may invest <20% of assets in AAA-rated zero-coupon U.S. government agency securities. Zero-coupon securities make no periodic interest or principal payments. The fund is managed to mature in the year 2015 and will be liquidated near the end of its target maturity year.

American Century Zero Coupon 2015

BTFTX Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: September 2, 1986
• Ticker Symbol: BTFTX
• CUSIP: 024935405
• Beta (3yr): 1.55
• Rank in category (YTD): 94
• Category: Long Government
• Yield: 3.35%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 18 years
• Number of Years Down: 6 years
• Net Assets: $364.49 million

Updated on 9/25/2011

Royce European Smaller Companies Service RISCX Fund

As part of international companies, European companies are another important part of global economy. One of the ways to invest in these companies is using mutual funds. For investor, they should allocate about 10% - 35% of their investment asset in these funds. One of this best international stock is described below. The fund review include Royce European Smaller Companies Service fund yield, category, sales load, investment fund performance, etc.

Royce European Smaller Companies Service (RISCX)

RISCX fund

The Royce European Smaller Companies Service fund objective is to provide long-term growth of capital. This Royce fund generally invests >80% of net assets in the equity securities of companies with market capitalizations of <$5 billion. This European stock fund invests <35% of the net assets in the securities of companies domiciled in "developing countries."

RISCX Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: December 29, 2006
• Ticker Symbol: RISCX
• CUSIP: 780905311
• Beta (3yr): 1.07
• Rank in category (YTD): 69
• Category: Europe Stock
• Distribution Rate: 0.95%
• Net Assets: $ 23.92 million
• Sales Load: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.69%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 3 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year

Updated on 9/23/2011

Auxier Focus Fund (AUXFX) Investor Class

Domestic stock mutual fund is typically the main investment fund for every investor. Rule of thumb is to have about 20%-50% of total assets in this domestic stock fund. This fund can be used as asset portfolio diversification. One of this best fund review is Auxier Focus fund.

Auxier Focus Investor Class (MUTF: AUXFX)

The Auxier Focus Investor Class fund’s objective is to provide long-term capital appreciation. This Auxier fund invests mostly in the common stock of medium to large U.S. companies. The invested companies usually have >$1 billion market capitalization. It may invest <25% of net assets in lower-rated securities or unrated. This large value stock fund also may invest <25% of net assets in fixed-income securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, or by the Canadian government and their governmental agencies. It may invest <20% of net assets in foreign securities such as American Depositary Receipts (ADR).

AUXFX Fund Details

Auxier Focus fund

• Fund Inception Date: July 9, 1999
• Ticker Symbol: AUXFX
• CUSIP: 349903179
• Beta (3yr): 0.69
• Rank in category (YTD): 3
• Category: Large Value
• Yield: 1.78%
• Net Assets: $ 167.14 million
• Sales Load: 0.0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.30%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 9 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years

Updated on 9/18/2011

T. Rowe Price Tax-Free High Yield Fund (PRFHX)

Muni bond funds are very popular for investor in taxable brokerage account. The yield of this bond fund is not subjected to the federal tax rate. This opportunity can provide additional incentive for investor as well as opportunity to diversify their investment asset portfolio. One of this best municipal bond fund is described below. More on best mutual fund, please check my MEPB Financial website.

T. Rowe Price Tax-Free High-Yield (MUTF: PRFHX)

The T. Rowe Price Tax-Free High-Yield fund’s objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from federal income tax. This TRP fund invests mostly in long-term municipal securities and its weighted average maturity is expected to normally >10 years. This bond fund invests majority portion of its assets in below investment-grade (or junk / high yield) municipal bonds. This T Rowe Price bond fund may buy bonds in default as long as they are <10% of total assets. The fund may also consist <20% of the fund’s income could be derived from securities subject to the alternative minimum tax (or AMT). The fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in sectors with special risks, such as hospitals, electric utility, or private activity bonds.

PRFHX Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: March 1, 1985
• Ticker Symbol: PRFHX
• CUSIP: 741486104
• Beta (3yr): 1.37
• Rank in category (YTD): 47
• Category: High Yield Muni
• Distribution: 5.13%
• Net Assets: $ 1.73 billion
• Sales Load: 0.0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.68%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 21 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Average Maturity: 19.55 years
• Average Duration: 7.64 years

Updated on 9/18/2011

Best Municipal Bond Mutual Funds September 2011

This next article is about Top 10 Best Municipal Bond Mutual Funds for the past 3 years. The funds include Wells Fargo Advantage Core Builder, Ivy Municipal High Income I, Nuveen Tax-Free I, Virtus Tax-Exempt Bond I, etc. I also include the individual mutual fund review.

On my previous article, I have provided the Top Performing Muni Bond Mutual Funds. As discussed before, municipal bond funds provide dividend yield exempt from the federal tax rate. These muni bond funds can provide instant diversification to variety of municipal bonds in one fund. In this list, you will find such as national muni bond fund, single state muni bond fund, California muni bond fund, etc. Some of these funds may be categorized as long term muni bond, intermediate term muni bond, or short term muni bond.

Note: More top mutual funds on my MEPB Financial website

Selection criteria

The best Muni Bond fund’s selection criteria are:

• Consistent performance for the past 3 years and over the long term period.
• The fund is recognized 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 Rated Funds

Best municipal bond mutual funds for 2013 & 2014 are:

1. Bernstein Diversified Municipal fund (SNDPX)
2. USAA Tax Exempt Intermediate-Term fund (USATX)
3. Wells Fargo Advantage Short Term Municipal Bond fund (STSMX)
4. Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt fund (VWAHX)
5. T. Rowe Price Summit Municipal Income fund (PRINX)
6. Wells Fargo Advantage Municipal Bond fund (SXFIX)
7. Wells Fargo Advantage Intermediate Tax/AMT-Free fund (SIMBX)
8. SEI Tax-Exempt Tax-Advantaged Income fund (SEATX)
9. GuideMark Tax-Exempt Fixed Income fund (GMTEX)
10. BNY Mellon Municipal Opportunities fund (MOTIX)
11. American Funds Tax-Exempt Bond fund (AFTEX)
12. Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt fund (VWITX)

updated on 3/31/2013

Virtus International Real Estate Securities A PXRAX Fund

Real Estate investment is important part of asset diversification. One of the easiest way to invest in Real Estate is investing in REIT Mutual Fund. I provide Virtus International Real Estate Securities fund review. This global real estate fund has performed consistently for the past 3 years. It is among the top international real estate fund. If you are interested in other top fund, please check my MEPB Financial website.

Virtus International Real Estate Securities A (MUTF: PXRAX)

The Virtus International Real Estate Securities fund investment objective is to achieve long-term capital appreciation; income is a secondary consideration. This Virtus fund invests >80% of assets in equity securities issued by non-U.S companies of any capitalization that are engaged in the real estate industry, including common stock, preferred stock and other equity securities. These real estate companies include real estate investment trusts (REITs), and similar REIT-like entities. It invests <20% of assets in U.S. REIT securities. This fund is considered a non-diversified fund.

PXRAX Fund Details

Virtus International Real Estate Secs

• Fund Inception Date: October 1, 2007
• Ticker Symbol: PXRAX (Class A)
• CUSIP: 92828R750
• Beta (3yr): 1.04
• Rank in category (YTD): 5
• Category: Global Real Estate
• Dividend Yield: 10.68%
• Net Assets: $ 39.72 million
• Sales Load: 5.75%
• Expense Ratio: 1.50%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 2 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year

Updated on 9/7/2011

Ivy Municipal High Income A (IYIAX) Fund

Bond funds or fixed income funds are another less volatile investment vehicle for investor to diversify its investment portfolio. There are two main fixed income mutual funds: taxable bond funds and non taxable bond funds (Municipal Bond funds). This article will provide one of the top municipal bond mutual funds. This muni bond fund can provide regular dividend or income for investor. It is also an efficient way for high income investor to diversify its portfolio.

Ivy Municipal High Income A (MUTF: IYIAX)

The Ivy Municipal High Income fund’s objective is to seek a high level of current income that is exempt from federal income tax. This Muni bond fund invests most of net assets (>80%) in a diversified portfolio of tax-exempt municipal bonds. It invests in bonds rated in the lower tier of investment grade or lower, including bonds rated below investment grade, or junk bonds. The fund typically invests in municipal bonds with remaining maturities of 10 to 30 years. It also invests in investment grade municipal bonds at times when yield spreads are narrow and the higher yields do not justify the increased risk.

IYIAX Fund Details

Ivy Municipal High Income fund details

• Fund Inception Date: May 18, 2009
• Ticker Symbol: IYIAX (Class A)
• CUSIP: 466001849
• Beta (3yr): 1.24
• Rank in category (YTD): 45
• Category: High Yield Muni
• Distribution Rate: 4.69%
• Net Assets: $ 498.32 million
• Sales Load: 4.25%
• Expense Ratio: 0.94%
• Capital Gains: N/A
• Number of Years Up: 1 year
• Number of Years Down: 0 years
• Average Maturity: 22.08 years
• Average Duration: 10.17 years

Updated on 9/16/2011