Calamos Convertible A (CCVIX) Fund

If you are unsure whether to invest in bond or stock mutual fund, you should consider convertible bond mutual fund. Convertible bond is a type of bond that the investor can convert into shares of company’s common stock at agreed-upon price. It also provides regular income stream. Using mutual fund, investor can easily diversify its choice in these convertible securities. One of the top rated convertible mutual funds is Calamos Convertible fund.

Calamos Convertible A (MUTF: CCVIX)

The Calamos Convertible fund’s objective is to provide current income. Its secondary objective is to provide growth. This mutual fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of convertible securities issued by both U.S. and foreign companies. It may invest in any market capitalization companies. The average maturity of the convertible securities purchased will usually range from 2 to 10 years.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: June 21, 1985
• Ticker Symbol: CCVIX
• CUSIP: 128119401
• Beta (3yr): 0.99
• Rank in category (YTD): 79%
• Category: Convertibles
• Yield: 1.17%

Top 10 Best Inflation Protected Bond Mutual Funds 2012

Inflation protected bond are another important fixed income tool for investor to diversify their investment portfolio. Using mutual fund, investor can instantly provide asset diversification and reduce risk. Some of the best inflation protected bond funds are: DFA Inflation-Protected Securities I, American Independence US Inflation-Indexed A, PIMCO Real Return A, etc.

Top Inflation Protected Bond Funds

Intro

Inflation protected bond fund is a mutual fund which mainly invests in US or foreign securities inflation protected securities. In the U.S., this inflation protected obligation securities is known as TIPS (Treasury Inflation Protected Securities). This TIPS bond is introduced by US government in 1997.

Many investment advisers are endorsing TIPS, both for their safety and because of widespread concern about the inflationary implications of record government deficits. These inflation protected bond funds can be used as a tool to provide real return of your investment asset. They are typically also less volatile than stock funds.

First Eagle US Value Fund (FEVAX) Class A

First Eagle US Value fund is one top rated US stock mutual funds. As of January 2012, this large blend stock mutual fund has Gold bullion as its top holding. More fund review can be found as follow.

First Eagle US Value A (FEVAX)

The First Eagle US Value fund seeks long-term capital growth. This US fund mainly invests majority of assets (>80%) in domestic equity and debt securities. It may invest small part of its asset in non-U.S. issuers. This large blend fund may invest in any size company, including large, medium and smaller companies. It may invest in fixed-income securities, short-term debt instruments, gold and other precious metals.

Fund Details

First Eagle US Value A fund

• Inception Date: 09/04/2001
• Ticker Symbol: FEVAX
• CUSIP: 32008F887
• Beta (3yr): 0.66
• Rank in category (YTD): 89%
• Category: Large Blend
• Distribution: 0.81%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.18%  
• Net Assets: $ 2.37 billion
• Number of Years Up: 8 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 19.54%

Updated on 4/16/2012

Top 10 Best Government Bond Mutual Funds 2012

Bond mutual funds can be attractive for income seeking investors. There are various bond mutual funds. One of the safest bond funds is government bond mutual funds. Some of the best government bond mutual funds are: Wasatch-Hoisington US Treasury, PIMCO Long-Term US Government A, T. Rowe Price US Treasury Long-Term, etc. More fund review can be found below.

Intro

There are two major types of bond mutual funds. They are government bond funds and corporate bond funds. These bond funds can be either U.S. bond funds or foreign bond funds. Government bond mutual funds are considered to be the safest class of investments in this fixed income fund category. These funds mostly hold a portfolio of securities issued by the US Treasury and other government agencies. These government bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the US government.

Compare to corporate bond funds, these government bond funds have low yields hence the associated risk is also much smaller. In addition, many of these fixed incomes are exempt from state and local taxes. Using mutual funds, investor can get a well-diversified portfolio and significantly reduce the risk associated with their investment.

Best Government Bond Mutual Funds

The following best performing mutual funds are sorted based on its long term performance. You can also find other fund review information such as: fund management, yield, expense ratio, investment objective, top sector, performance, etc.

ING Value Choice Fund (PAVAX) Class A

There are three types of large cap US stock mutual funds: large blend, large value, and large growth. Large Blend funds returns are often similar to those of the S&P 500 Index. One of the top large blend stock mutual funds is ING Value Choice fund. You can find the review below.

ING Value Choice A (PAVAX)

The investment aim of ING Value Choice fund is to achieve long-term capital appreciation. This U.S. stock fund invests mainly in undervalued equity securities of companies with varying market capitalizations of any size. It may invest include common and preferred stocks, depositary receipts, and convertible securities.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: 02/01/2005
• Ticker Symbol: PAVAX
• CUSIP: 44980Q708
• Beta (3yr): 0.85
• Rank in category (YTD): 8%
• Category: Large Blend
• Yield: 0.76%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.39%
• Net Assets: $ 832.83 million
• Number of Years Up: 4 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 66%

Updated on 4/10/2012

Top 6 Best Health Sector Stock Mutual Funds 2012

One of the defensive sector mutual funds is health sector. Investing in these health mutual funds provides a chance for investor to protect their portfolio during good or bad market conditions. Some of the best health mutual funds are: T. Rowe Price Health Sciences, Prudential Jennison Health Sciences A, Fidelity Select Biotechnology, etc.

Health Sector Funds

Investors often rest on on the healthcare sector to defend their valuable investments during a bad market environment. Healthcare and related services continue in demand during difficult market conditions and are a safe haven in difficult times. Several pharmaceutical industries also distribute regular dividends, which help in combating losses from falling stock values.

Choosing health mutual funds are the right selection for investors looking to enter this sector. There is other investment funds can be used as well such as exchange traded funds (ETFs), and closed end funds (CEFs).

Best Health Mutual Funds

Selecting the best health mutual funds is done by looking into the fund long term performance. You will also find other fund review such as fund’s manager, sales load, expense ratio, dividend yield, top holding, Morningstar rating, etc.

Top 6 Best Currency Mutual Funds 2012

Investing in local (USD) or foreign currencies can be done not only through forex account. Investors can also choose various investment funds such as mutual funds and exchange traded funds to invest in this sector. Some of the best currency mutual funds are: Merk Hard Currency Investor, Franklin Templeton Hard Currency A, PIMCO Emerging Markets Currency A, etc.

Intro

As we know, the currency market is the largest and the most liquid market in the world. If you have always wanted to invest in the Forex, or the currency market, forex account is not the only place for investment. There are various alternatives available through investment funds.

Foreign currency mutual funds are appropriate for any investors who wish to venture on a currency and who would like to hedge a currency. If you know about mutual funds, you may be surprise to learn that there are various foreign currency mutual funds. Investors are also taking on the added risk on the currency’s exchange rate by investing in currency mutual funds.

Currency mutual funds objective is to track the value of a currency against another currency, minus the management fees or expense ratio fees. Most currency mutual funds track a currency against the US Dollar (US$ or USD). If you are an American and decide to invest in the emerging markets, you could invest in an emerging markets local currency mutual fund. You may also invest in other currency mutual funds.