MFS International New Discovery A (MIDAX) Fund

MFS International New Discovery is one of the best small/mid cap international stock mutual funds. Similar to small US Stock fund, this foreign small/mid growth stock fund is volatile than any typical foreign large cap fund. Details about the fund review can be found below.

MFS International New Discovery A (MIDAX)

MFS International New Discovery A

The MFS International New Discovery fund objective is to provide capital appreciation. The fund generally invests in foreign equity securities, including emerging-market equity securities. It generally focuses on companies with small- to medium-capitalizations although it may invest in companies of any size. The fund also invests in derivatives. It may also enter into short sales for the fund.

The lead fund's manager of this MFS fund is David Antonelli. He has managed this fund since its inception in October 1997. Investor can invest in this fund by opening a brokerage account with $1,000 minimum initial investment and $250 for IRA account. The 12b1 of this fund is 0.25% and the front-end sales load fee is 5.75%. The expense ratio of this CCAFX fund is 1.44% per year. This fund is in the Foreign Small/ Mid Growth category.

Wells Fargo Advantage Small Cap Value Investor Fund (SSMVX)

During the growth period, US small cap stock funds can outperformed their peer, US large cap stock fund. These equity funds have higher return over the long term. One of this best US Small Cap stock fund is Wells Fargo Advantage Small Cap Value Investor fund. The fund reviews can be found below.

Wells Fargo Advantage Small Cap Value Investor (SSMVX)

Wells Fargo Advantage Small Cap Value

The Wells Fargo Advantage Small Cap Value fund investment seeks long-term capital appreciation. The fund invests >80% of net assets in equity securities of small-capitalization companies, which are defined as companies with market capitalizations within the range of the Russell 2500 Index. It can invest up to 30% of total assets in equity securities of foreign issuers through ADRs and similar investments. Furthermore, the fund can use futures, options, repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements or swap agreements, as well as other derivatives, to manage risk or to enhance return.

This Wells Fargo fund’s manager is I. Charles Rinaldi. He has been managing this Wells Fargo Advantage mutual fund since its inception in December 1997. The expense ratio of this small blend stock fund is 1.35% annualy. This fund has no 12b1 fee and no front-end sales load fee. This fund has net assets of $4.11 billion.

Top 8 Canadian Equity Mutual Funds 2011

Mutual Funds or Investment funds can be used to provide asset diversification. To diversify your portfolio, you will need to invest in best rated fund. As we know, the Canadian Equity funds have outperformed its peer, the US Equity funds.

Best Mutual Fund

The following article is about Top 10 Best Rated Canadian Equity Mutual Funds of 2011. These best rated funds include Bissett Canadian Equity Class A, RBC O'Shaughnessy All Canadian Equity, Manulife Canadian Investment Class, and more.

Top Canadian Equity Mutual Funds

Top 8 Canadian Equity Mutual Funds 2011 are:

1. Bissett Canadian Equity Class A
2. RBC O'Shaughnessy All Canadian Equity
3. Manulife Canadian Investment Class
4. Mawer Canadian Equity
5. LON Ethics (G) 100/100
6. Manulife Sr R A Canadian Investment
7. Exemplar Canadian Focus Port A
8. GWL Canadian Equity (BT) 100/100

Updated on 10/5/2011

Top Performer Closed End Funds of Week 42, 2011

The following is the top performer CEFs for week 42 of 2011. The top performing funds include Engex Inc (EGX), PIMCO Gl StksPLUS & Inc (PGP), Kayne Anderson Enrgy TR (KYE), etc.

This week only observed with single digit gain for most closed end funds. We have a diverse selection of classes for this week such as core fund, option strategy fund, high yield bond fund, emerging markets stock fund, energy sector equity fund, etc.

The 10 Top Performer Closed End Funds CEFs 2011 (Week 42) are:

Top Performer CEF

1. Engex Inc (EGX)
2. PIMCO Global StocksPLUS & Income (PGP)
3. Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return (KYE)
4. New America High Income (HYB)
5. Aberdeen Israel Fund (ISL)
6. Fiduciary/Claymore MLP Opportunity Fund (FMO)
7. Helios High Income (HIH)
8. Neuberger Real Estate Securities Income (NRO)
9. Cohen & Steers Dividend Majors (DVM)
10. John Hancock Tax-Advantage Dividend Income (HTD)

Note: Week 42 = October 17, 2011 till October 23, 2011

FBR Balanced Fund (AFSAX)

As part of Best Moderate Allocation Balanced Fund, FBR Balanced Fund has consistently outperformed many of its peer funds. This article will provide the fund’s review and details such as fund’s objective, yield, top holdings, net assets, and more. Details about the fund can be found below.

FBR Balanced Fund (MUTF: AFSAX)

The FBR Balanced Fund’s objective is to provide long-term capital growth and current income. This moderate allocation mutual fund invests in a blend of domestic common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible bonds, high quality domestic corporate, agency, and government bonds. It may also invest in mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and Yankee bonds. The fund may invest < 10% of assets in high yield bonds or junk bonds.

Fund Details

FBR Balanced Fund details

• Fund Inception Date: September 24, 2001
• Ticker Symbol: AFSAX (Investor Class)
• CUSIP: 30246J653 
• Beta (3yr): 0.86
• Rank in category (YTD): 1%
• Category: Moderate Allocation
• Distribution: 1.73%
• Net Assets: $ 211 million
• Sales Load: 0.0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.24%
• Capital Gains:  N/A
• Number of Years Up: 7 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years

Updated on 06/2/2012

Royce Opportunity Investment Fund (RYPNX)

According to the latest Forbes Magazine, Royce Opportunity Investment fund is one of the best mutual funds of 2011. The following is the details about the fund review including fund's manager, fund's objective, top 10 holdings, and more. This Royce fund is part of small value US stock fund.

Royce Opportunity Investment (RYPNX)

Royce Opportunity Investment

The Royce Opportunity fund objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. The fund invests mainly in the equity securities of small- and micro-cap companies, those with market capitalizations <$2.5 billion. Although the fund typically focuses on the securities of companies with market capitalizations up to $2.5 billion, it may, in certain market environments, invest an equal or greater percentage of its assets in securities of larger-cap companies and may invest <10% of its assets in foreign stocks.

This investment fund is categorized in Small Value equity fund. Boniface Zaino has managed this Royce fund since April 1998. The fund has $2.15 billion net assets. The annual expense ratio is 1.17%. This fund has no 12b1 fee and no sales load fee. The fund has had 11 years in positive performance since its inception 14 years ago. This fund has returned 20.68% over the past year and 9.08% over the past ten years.

Scout Mid Cap Fund (UMBMX)

Domestic stock mutual funds can be categorized into three main categories: large cap domestic stock fund, mid cap domestic funds, and small cap domestic funds. One of this best mid cap domestic stock funds is Scout Mid Cap. I have provided this investment fund review and details below.

Scout Mid Cap (MUTF: UMBMX)

The Scout Mid Cap fund is seeking long-term capital growth. This Scout fund typically invests >80% of net assets in mid-cap equity securities. According to the fund’s prospectus, this fund will invest in mid cap companies with market capitalizations between $1.5 billion and $17 billion. The fund invests primarily in securities of U.S. companies, but may invest some of the portfolio in foreign companies (<20% of assets), American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") or Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs").