Cohen & Steers Preferred Securities & Income Fund (CPXAX)

Cohen & Steers Preferred Securities & Income Fund (CPXAX) is a long term bond mutual fund. This taxable bond fund invests in bonds and preferred stocks of U.S. and foreign companies.

Cohen & Steers Preferred Securities & Income Fund (CPXAX)

The investment objective of Cohen & Steers Preferred Securities & Income Fund is to seek total return. The mutual fund utilizes its assets to purchase a portfolio of preferred and debt securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies. It also will invest >25% of its net assets in the financials sector including bank, diversified financials, real estate and real estate investment trusts (REITs), and insurance industries. The fund may invest without limit in securities of non-U.S. companies, which may be non-U.S. dollar denominated, including up to 15% of the fund's net assets in securities issued by companies domiciled in emerging market countries. It is non-diversified.

Fund Details

fund details

• Fund Inception Date: May 2, 2010
• Ticker Symbol: CPXAX
• CUSIP: 19248X109
• Beta (3yr): N/A
• Rank in category (YTD): 15%
• Category: Long-Term Bond
• Yield: 5.98%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.10%
• Net Assets: $ 1.9 billion
• Number of Years Up: 2 years
• Number of Years Down: 0 years
• Average Duration: 7.4 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 39%

Updated on 4/11/2013

Fidelity GNMA Fund (FGMNX)

Fidelity GNMA Fund (FGMNX) is an intermediate government mutual fund offered by Fidelity Investments. It focuses in bonds of Ginnie Maes.

Fidelity GNMA Fund (FGMNX)

The investment aim of Fidelity GNMA Fund is to seek a high level of current income consistent with prudent investment risk. Its secondary objective is capital gains. The fund normally invests >80% of assets in Ginnie Maes and its repurchase agreements. It invests in other U.S. government bond or securities. The fund invests in U.S. government securities issued by entities that are chartered or sponsored by Congress but whose securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. It seeks to have similar overall interest rate risk to the Barclays GNMA Index.

Fund Details

Fidelity fund

• Fund Inception Date: November 7, 1985
• Ticker Symbol: FGMNX
• CUSIP: 31617K105
• Beta (3yr): 0.71
• Rank in category (YTD): 24%
• Category: Intermediate Government
• Dividend Yield: 2.20%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.45%
• Net Assets: $ 10.3 billion
• Number of Years Up: 26 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year
• Average Duration: 4.8 years
• Average Maturity: 3.2 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 263%

Updated on 4/9/2013

Best Performing Conservative Allocation Mutual Funds April 2013

Find the best performing conservative allocation mutual funds 2013. Check the top balanced fund rated by Morningstar and US News. You may find the best fund review.

Conservative Allocation Funds

Conservative allocation mutual fund invests primarily in a combination of equities, bonds, and money market. It typically invests about 60-70% of assets in bonds or money markets. The rests are invested in stocks. As part of balanced fund category, it provides regular income and capital growth opportunity for investors. You can invest either through your brokerage or retirement account (Roth IRA or traditional IRA).

These best performing conservative allocation mutual funds are sorted based on its 1 year performance up to April 1st, 2013. The issuers of these balanced funds include Franklin Templeton, Pioneer, API, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo Advantage, etc.

The best performing conservative allocation mutual funds April 2013 are:

1. API Efficient Frontier Income fund (APIUX)
2. Pioneer Multi Asset Income fund (PMAIX)
3. Franklin Income fund (FKINX)
4. JPMorgan Income Builder fund (JNBAX)
5. Goldman Sachs Income Builder fund (GSBFX)
6. Wells Fargo Advantage Divers Income Builder fund (EKSAX)
7. Hartford Balanced Income fund (HBLAX)
8. Principal Global Diversified Income fund (PGBAX)
9. Thrivent Diversified Income Plus fund (AAHYX)
10. Nuveen NWQ Flexible Income fund (NWQAX)
11. IMS Strategic Income fund (IMSIX)
12. Natixis Diversified Income fund (IIDPX)
13. Toews Hedged Growth Allocation fund (THGWX)
14. MFS Diversified Income fund (DIFAX)
15. BlackRock Multi-Asset Income fund (BAICX)
16. PSI Strategic Growth fund (FXSAX)

Updated on 4/8/2013

PIMCO High Yield Fund (PHDAX)

PIMCO High Yield Fund (PHDAX) is another popular taxable bond mutual fund. It provides high yield interest income for investors by investing in lower quality bonds.

PIMCO High Yield Fund (PHDAX)

The PIMCO High Yield Fund objective is to seek maximum total return, consistent with capital preservation and prudent investment management. The mutual fund utilizes its assets to purchase a diversified portfolio of high yield securities (“junk bonds”) rated below investment grade. It may use forwards or derivatives such as options, futures contracts or swap agreements. The fund may invest, without limitation, in derivative instruments.

Fund Profile

PIMCO High Yield Fund

• Fund Inception Date: January 12, 1997
• Ticker Symbol: PHDAX (Class A)
• CUSIP: 693390379
• Beta (3yr): -0.22
• Rank in category (YTD): 75%
• Category: High Yield Bond
• Distribution: 5.98%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.90%
• Net Assets: $ 19.2 billion
• Number of Years Up: 12 years
• Number of Years Down: 3 years
• Average Duration: 3.43 years
• Average Maturity: 4.58 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 50%

Updated on 4/6/2013

Best Municipal Bond Mutual Funds for 2013 and 2014 Investing

Find best municipal bond mutual funds for 2013 & 2014 investing. Check the top rated muni bond mutual fund for financial review in brokerage or retirement account. This best municipal bond mutual fund provides tax free income.

Popular Municipal Bond Mutual Funds

Municipal bond mutual fund is part of fixed income mutual fund. This muni bond fund utilizes its assets to purchase high quality municipal bonds offered by states in U.S. The interest from this fund is tax free from federal income tax rate. It may be exempted from state or local tax as well. The total returns from this fund may be higher than other taxable bond fund, depending on your tax bracket.

These best municipal bond mutual funds for 2013 are selected based on its performance history and potential future performance. Some of these best muni bond funds don’t have a sales load and transaction fee. Some funds do have a sales load. The funds are ranked with 4 star rating or higher by Morningstar. You may find the fund review below and other fund information.

Best Muni Bond Mutual 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
9. GuideMark Tax-Exempt Fixed Income fund
10. BNY Mellon Municipal Opportunities fund
11. American Funds Tax-Exempt Bond fund
12. Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt fund

Updated on 4/5/2013

PIMCO Real Return Fund (PRTNX)

PIMCO Real Return Fund (PRTNX) is another inflation protected bond mutual fund. It is managed by Mihir Korah. It provides yield of 2.27%.

PIMCO Real Return Fund (MUTF: PRTNX)

The investment aim of PIMCO Real Return Fund is to seek maximum real return, with capital preservation and prudent investment management. The mutual fund invests >80% of its net assets in inflation-indexed bonds of varying maturities issued by the U.S. and non-U.S. governments, and corporations. It may use forwards or derivatives such as options, futures contracts or swap agreements. It invests primarily in investment grade securities, but may invest up to 10% of its total assets in high yield securities (i.e. junk bonds) rated B or higher. The fund is non-diversified.

Fund Details

PIMCO Fund holdings

• Fund Inception Date: Jan 28, 1997
• Ticker Symbol: PRTNX
• CUSIP: 693391120
• Beta (3yr): 1.20
• Rank in category (YTD): 35%
• Category: Inflation-Protected Bond
• Distribution Rate: 2.27%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.85%
• Net Assets: $ 25.3 billion
• Number of Years Up: 13 years
• Number of Years Down: 2 years
• Average Duration: 6.25 years
• Average Maturity: 9.45 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 129.00%

Updated on 4/3/2013

Best Legg Mason Mutual Funds for 2013

Best Legg Mason mutual funds for 2013; top stock and bond fund by Legg Mason Investment. The 12 best mutual funds for 2013 are Legg Mason Investment Counsel Financial Services fund, Western Asset Managed Municipals, ClearBridge Appreciation, etc.

Legg Mason Funds

Top Mutual Funds

With over $650 billion under management, Legg Mason is another popular asset management firm. It uses multi-affiliate business model to provide diverse financials services to investors around the world. It offers products such as mutual funds, money market, SMA, closed end funds, variable investment, 529, and retirement.

Legg Mason Inc offers mutual funds through its principal affiliates. Some of principal affiliates are Legg Mason Capital Management, Western Asset Management, Batterymarch Financial Management Inc, Brandywine Global, Global Currents Investment Management, the Permal Group, Royce & Associates, and ClearBridge Investments.

Legg Mason Capital Management also has a famous fund manager, Bill Miller. Miller became famous for beating the S&P 500 for 15 straight years through 2005. But his Legg Mason Capital Management Value Trust fund began faltering in 2006. He left the fund last April 2011.

These best mutual funds are sorted based on its performance and quality. I have provided a review of my favorite funds. You can find various funds to invest in as well.  Please check the fund prospectus for investment risk, fund details, etc.

The 12 best Legg Mason mutual funds for 2013 are:

1. Legg Mason Investment Counsel Financial Services Fund
2. Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund
3. ClearBridge Appreciation Fund
4. Western Asset Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund
5. Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund
6. ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund
7. Western Asset Mortgage Backed Securities Fund
8. Legg Mason BW Global Opportunities Bond Fund
9. Western Asset Core Plus Bond Fund
10. ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund