ING Global Real Estate Fund (IGLAX)

ING Global Real Estate fund (Ticker: IGLAX) is an international stock mutual fund. It focuses its investment in real estate companies around the world.

ING Global Real Estate A (MUTF: IGLAX)

The investment objective of ING Global Real Estate fund is to provide high total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income. The mutual fund utilizes its net assets to purchase a portfolio of equity securities of companies that are principally engaged in the real estate industry. It may invest in companies located in countries with emerging securities markets. The fund may invest in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 11/4/2001
• Ticker Symbol: IGLAX
• CUSIP: 44980R326
• Beta (3yr): 0.98
• Rank in category (YTD): %
• Category: Global Real Estate
• Distribution: 2.02%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.31%
• Net Assets: $ 4.48 billion
• Number of Years Up: 7 years
• Number of Years Down: 3 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 37.99%

Updated on 12/29/2012

PIMCO Unconstrained Bond Fund (PUBAX)

PIMCO Unconstrained Bond Fund (Ticker: PUBAX) is part of taxable bond fund. It invests in nontraditional bonds and provides regular income for investors.

PIMCO Unconstrained Bond A (Ticker: PUBAX)

The PIMCO Unconstrained Bond fund aim is to achieve maximum long-term return, consistent with capital preservation and prudent investment management. The mutual fund invests majority of its assets (>80%) in a diversified portfolio of both investment-grade securities and high yield securities (“Junk bonds”). The fund’s NAV is $11.68 (as of 12/2/2012).

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: 06/29/2008
• Ticker Symbol: PUBAX
• CUSIP: 72201M479
• Beta (3yr): 0.31
• Rank in category (YTD): 29%
• Category: Nontraditional Bond
• Yield: 1.94%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.30%
• Net Assets: $ 15.08 billion
• Number of Years Up: 3 years
• Number of Years Down: 0 years
• Effective duration: 0.24 years
• Effective maturity: -0.37 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 1,001%

Updated on 12/28/2012

Top Performer Small Blend Mutual Funds December 2012

The 10 top performer small blend mutual funds December 2012 are Hennessy Cornerstone Growth fund, Mairs & Power Small Cap, PIMCO Small Cap StocksPLUS TR, etc.

Best Performer Mutual Funds

Small blend mutual fund invests mainly in U.S. companies with small market capitalization. It invests in a mix of value and growth stocks where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. This equity fund provides higher risk and higher reward opportunity for investors. It is higher risk than typically large cap mutual funds.

These top performers are sorted based on its year to date performance in 2012 (up to December 13, 2012). You can find the fund review from this article. Other fund information can be found below such as expense ratio, Morningstar rating, fund’s NAV, managers, fund’s holdings, yield, etc.

The 12 top performer small blend mutual funds December 2012 are:

1. Hennessy Cornerstone Growth Investor (HFCGX)
2. Mairs & Power Small Cap (MSCFX)
3. PIMCO Small Cap StocksPLUS TR A (PCKAX)
4. Cortina Small Cap Value (CRSVX)
5. Vulcan Value Partners Small Cap (VVPSX)
6. Bogle Small Cap Growth Investor (BOGLX)
7. RBC Enterprise A (TETAX)
8. Keeley Small Cap Value A (KSCVX)
9. Touchstone Small Cap Core A (TSFAX)
10. Brown Advisory Small-Cap Fundamental Val Investor (BIAUX)
11. Fidelity Small Cap Discovery (FSCRX)
12. Olstein Strategic Opportunities A (OFSAX)

Updated on 12/27/2012

Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund (VPACX)

Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund (Ticker: VPACX) is a popular international stock mutual fund. The mutual fund focuses its investment in stocks of companies located in Pacific/Asia region.

Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund (MUTF: VPACX)

The Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund objective is to track the performance of the MSCI Pacific Index, a benchmark index.  The index comprises of stocks issued by companies located in the major markets of the Pacific region. The MSCI Pacific Index consists of approximately 470 common stocks of companies located in Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and New Zealand.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: 06/17/1990
• Ticker Symbol: VPACX
• CUSIP: 922042106
• Beta (3yr): 0.77
• Rank in category (YTD): 83%
• Category: Diversified Pacific/ Asia
• Distribution: 4.42%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.26%
• Net Assets: $ 3.91 billion
• Number of Years Up: 13 years
• Number of Years Down: 8 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 4.00%

Updated on 12/26/2012

Best Performing World Allocation Mutual Funds 2012

The best performing world allocation mutual funds December 2012 are Strategic Latin America fund, PIMCO All Asset All Authority, Templeton Global Balanced, etc.

Top Performer World Allocation Funds

World allocation mutual fund is considered as a balanced mutual fund. This fund invests in 3 major categories: stocks, bonds, and cash. The mutual fund may invest in companies and government around the world. It focuses on the U.S., Canada, Japan, Europe, and other developed countries. It may invest about 10% in emerging markets.

These best performing mutual funds are sorted based on its year-to-date performance up to December 16, 2012. You may find other fund review information: expense ratio, fund’s NAV, management, objective, yield, top holdings, etc.

The 8 best performing world allocation mutual funds December 2012 are:

1. Strategic Latin America A (SLATX)
2. VALIC Company I Global Strategy (VGLSX)
3. PIMCO All Asset All Authority A (PAUAX)
4. Templeton Global Balanced A (TAGBX)
5. Nuveen Real Asset Income A (NRIAX)
6. Ivy Asset Strategy A (WASAX)
7. Waddell & Reed Asset Strategy A (UNASX)
8. Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies A (GXSAX)

Updated on 12/24/2012

Fidelity Japan Fund (FJPNX)

Fidelity Japan Fund (Ticker: FJPNX) is an international stock mutual fund. This fund invests in equities of Japanese companies. More review can be found inside.

Fidelity Japan Fund (MUTF: FJPNX)

The investment aim of Fidelity Japan Fund is to provide long-term capital appreciation. The fund utilizes its assets to purchase securities of Japanese issuers and other investments that are tied economically to Japan. It invests mainly in common stocks. The fund may use fundamental analysis of factors such as financial condition and industry position, as well as market and economic conditions to select investments.

Fund Details

• Fund Inception Date: 09/14/1992
• Ticker Symbol: FJPNX
• CUSIP: 315910885
• Beta (3yr): 0.60
• Rank in category (YTD): 37%
• Category: Japan Stock
• Distribution: 1.68%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.80%
• Net Assets: $ 400.29 million
• Number of Years Up: 9 years
• Number of Years Down: 10 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 134.00%

Updated on 12/22/2012

Top Performer Municipal Bond ETFs December 2012

The 10 top performer municipal bond ETFs December 2012 are Market Vectors High-Yield Muni ETF, SPDR Nuveen S&P High Yield Municipal Bond, etc.

Best Performing Muni Bond ETFs

Exchange Traded Funds or ETFs have gaining popularity among investors. Unlike mutual fund, they provide opportunity to invest and trade like stocks. You can buy ETFs from your brokerage. One of the popular ETF categories is municipal bond ETF.

The municipal bond ETF invests mainly in municipal bond either investment grade muni or high yield municipal. This fund provide tax free yield for investors. Typically it also has lower risk than other bond or stock ETF.

These top performer muni bond ETFs are sorted based on its YTD return. You may find other information such as expense ratio fee, portfolio turnover rate, management or index approach, performance, etc. You can find the fund review and comparison below.

The 10 top performer municipal bond ETFs up to December 2012 are:

1. Market Vectors High-Yield Muni ETF (HYD)
2. SPDR Nuveen S&P High Yield Municipal Bond (HYMB)
3. Market Vectors CEF Municipal Income ETF (XMPT)
4. Market Vectors Long Municipal Index ETF (MLN)
5. PowerShares Insured National Muni Bond (PZA)
6. SPDR Nuveen Barclays Capital CA Muni Bond (CXA)
7. PowerShares Insured California Muni Bond (PWZ)
8. PowerShares Insured New York Muni Bond (PZT)
9. iShares S&P CA AMT-Free Municipal Bond (CMF)
10. SPDR Nuveen Barclays Capital NY Muni Bond (INY)

Updated on 12/21/2012