Federated Bond Fund (FDBAX)

To reach a full asset diversification, investors need to invest in bond or fixed income sector. Diversified bond mutual fund can provide less risk and low cost option for investment. One of the best diversified bond mutual funds is Federated Bond fund.

Federated Bond A (FDBAX)

The Federated Bond mutual fund objective is to provide as high a level of current income with consistent capital preservation. This bond mutual fund invests mainly in a diversified portfolio of investment-grade fixed-income securities. It may invest minority of its assets (<35%) in junk bonds or high yield bonds. This fixed income mutual fund may also invest in government securities.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 06/28/1995
• Ticker Symbol: FDBAX
• CUSIP: 31420F103
• Beta (3yr): 0.88
• Rank in category (YTD): 15%
• Category: Intermediate-Term Bond
• Yield: 5.38%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.98%  
• Net Assets: $ 1.38 billion
• Number of Years Up: 14 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Average Duration: 5.4 years
• Average Maturity: 8.5 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 13.00%

Updated on 2/23/2012

Top 10 International Large Cap Stock Mutual Funds 2012

Investing in international stock mutual funds is essential. From this article, investors may find some of the best international large cap stock mutual funds of 2012 such as: Calamos International Growth A, Sextant International, Turner International Growth Investor, Harding Loevner International Equity, etc.

Intro

For the past decade, global economy has been the focus for many investors. Investing in this globalization is important for investor portfolio. There are several ways to participate in global growth: investing in international stock mutual funds, buying some foreign individual stocks, purchasing foreign bond (government or corporate bond), etc. Some of the international equity markets, especially those of the emerging market economies are providing great opportunities for investors to diversify their investment portfolio.

By employing good management and international diversification, retail investors and institutional investors can achieve their investment objective. There are several reasons why international mutual funds provide a great opportunity to cash in on the rapid growth in the global equity space such as: higher growth due to young population, higher consumption in future because of higher income, improving infrastructure and transportation, etc. I’ll focus especially the foreign large cap stock mutual funds for this article. You can also find my previous article about Top Emerging Market Stocks Mutual Funds of 2012.

Note: From historical data, international stock mutual funds are more volatile than US stock mutual funds.

Kinetics Global No Load Fund (WWWEX)

Investing in international stocks is essential for investors who want to achieve portfolio diversification and higher return. Using international stock mutual funds, investor can achieve their goal faster than individual stock picking. One of the top rated international stock funds is Kinetics Global fund.

Kinetics Global No Load (WWWEX)

The Kinetics Global No Load fund’s objective is to provide long-term capital growth. This foreign large blend stock fund invests >65% of assets in common stocks, convertible securities, warrants and other  securities of foreign and U.S. companies around the world. It invests >40% of its net assets in companies located outside of the U.S. The fund may invest up to 20% of total assets in convertible and high yield bond.

Fund Details

Kinetics Global Fund

• Inception Date: 12/31/1999
• Ticker Symbol: WWWEX
• CUSIP: 494613805
• Beta (3yr): 0.97
• Rank in category (YTD): 4%
• Category: Foreign Large Blend
• Distribution: 0.71%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.39%  
• Net Assets: $ 4.73 million
• Number of Years Up: 8 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 year
• Annual Turnover Rate: 122.00%

Updated on 3/3/2012

DFA Emerging Markets Value I Portfolio (DFEVX) Fund

Many economists and stock analysts have predicted the rise of emerging markets countries to support the world economy. Finding the right stock in this sector will be difficult; using mutual fund may be the better way to diversify your assets. One of best emerging markets stock funds is DFA Emerging Markets Value I fund.

DFA Emerging Markets Value I Portfolio (DFEVX)

The investment objective of this DFA Emerging Markets Value fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation. This equity fund invests most of its assets in emerging market equity securities that are deemed by the Advisor to be value stocks. It may also invests in frontier markets (emerging market countries in an earlier stage of development) and other markets approved by management.

Fund Details

DFA Emerging Markets Value I

• Fund Inception Date: April 1, 1998
• Ticker Symbol: DFEVX
• CUSIP: 233-203-587
• Beta (3yr): 1.24
• Rank in category (YTD): 12%
• Category: Diversified Emerging Markets
• Distribution: 2.35%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.61%
• Net Assets: $ 13.17 billion
• Number of Years Up: 8 years
• Number of Years Down: 5 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 15.00%

Updated on 3/09/2012

Top 6 Best Diversified Emerging Markets Stock Mutual Funds 2012

Investors should invest in emerging markets sector especially investing in mutual fund. There are emerging markets stock and bond. The best emerging markets stock mutual funds include Oppenheimer Developing Markets A, Virtus Emerging Markets Opportunities A, etc.

Best Div. Emerging Markets Fund

Emerging Markets Stock Funds

Although investing in mutual fund is common, you can also choose other investment vehicles such as individual stock or bonds, exchange traded funds (ETFs), and Closed End Funds (CEFs). Emerging markets countries are Brazil, India, China, Russia, South Africa, Indonesia, etc. As noted early, this article will focus on the best emerging markets stock mutual funds.

According to many top fund managers, the developing countries or emerging market countries offer the best growth prospects among major stock categories over many years. For the past 3 years (2009 - 2011), the emerging market stock mutual funds have a strong performance so far. Investor shouldn't expect further gains over the next year or so. Having a diversified portfolio may help investor to reduce risk and achieve better return.

Federated High-Income Bond Fund (FHIIX) Class A

One of the popular asset classes is high yield bond mutual fund. Federated High-Income Bond is part of this high yield bond fund. This fund provides high income for investors.

Federated High-Income Bond A (FHIIX)

The Federated High Income Bond fund seeks to provide high current income. This bond mutual fund invests mainly in a diversified portfolio of high-yield corporate bonds or junk bonds, including debt securities issued by U.S. or foreign businesses. It may also invest in emerging market bonds, and derivative contracts.

Fund Details

Federated High Income Bond Fund

• Fund Inception Date: 11/30/1977
• Ticker Symbol: FHIIX
• CUSIP: 314195108
• Beta (3yr): 0.10
• Rank in category (YTD): 46%
• Category: High Yield Bond
• Yield: 7.49%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.23%  
• Net Assets: $ 1.09 billion
• Number of Years Up: 28 years
• Number of Years Down: 6 years
• Average Duration: 3.14 years
• Average Maturity: 4.09 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 41%

Updated on 3/2/2012

Invesco Van Kampen Equity and Income A (ACEIX) Fund

Investing in balanced mutual fund is one of the easiest for investor to achieve instant portfolio diversification. This balanced fund invests in variety of assets such as equities or stocks, fixed income or bonds, preferred, convertible, and money markets or cash. One of the top moderate allocation balanced funds is Invesco Van Kampen Equity and Income fund. More review can be found below.

Invesco Van Kampen Equity and Income A (ACEIX)

The investment objective of Invesco Van Kampen Equity and Income fund is to achieve the highest possible income. The second objective is to provide long-term capital growth. The fund invests mostly in income-producing equity instruments and investment-grade quality debt securities. The income producing equity may include common stocks, preferred stocks, and convertible. This moderate allocation fund may invest <25% of total assets in securities of foreign issuers and may invest <15% of total assets in real estate investment trusts (REITs).