Vanguard International Value Fund (VTRIX)

Find Vanguard International Value Fund (VTRIX) review by MEPB Financial. It is an international stock mutual fund.

Vanguard International Value Fund

The investment aim of this fund is to achieve long-term capital appreciation. This Vanguard International Value fund utilizes its assets to purchase a portfolio of undervalued common stocks of companies located outside the United States. These undervalued stocks, called value stocks, often are out of favor in periods when investors are drawn to companies with strong prospects for growth.

This Vanguard fund invests in large-, mid-, and small-capitalization companies. It is expected to diversify its assets across developed and emerging markets in Europe, the Far East, and Latin America. The fund uses multiple investment advisors.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: May 15, 1983
• Ticker Symbol: VTRIX
• CUSIP: 921939203
• Beta (3yr): 1.03
• Rank in category (YTD): 62%
• Category: Foreign Large Value
• Distribution: 2.49%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.40%
• Net Assets: $ 7.2 billion
• Number of Years Up: 20 years
• Number of Years Down: 9 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 53%

updated on July 28, 2013

Best Nuveen Investments Mutual Funds 2014

Discover best Nuveen mutual funds. These top mutual funds by Nuveen Investments provide good opportunities for investors.

Top Mutual Funds by Nuveen Investments

Nuveen Investments provides financial products such as mutual funds, closed end funds, separately managed accounts, commodity exchange traded products (ETPs), and defined portfolio. Known for its top closed end funds, it also provides high rank stock and bond mutual funds. It offers different style of mutual funds. You can find municipal bond fund, taxable fixed income fund, global and international fund, value fund, asset allocations, index fund and more.

In 2013, they have 15 mutual funds rated as best fund by Lipper fund awards. Some of the top funds are Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond fund, Nuveen All-American Municipal Bond fund.

Best Funds

These best mutual funds are sorted based on its performance, fees and quality for future return. You can find various funds to invest in such as bond mutual fund, and stock mutual fund.  Please check the fund prospectus for investment risk, fund details, etc.

The best Nuveen mutual funds are:

1. Nuveen Real Estate Securities (FREAX)
2. Nuveen Limited Term Municipal Bond (FLTDX)
3. Nuveen All-American Municipal Bond (FLAAX)
4. Nuveen Santa Barbara Dividend Growth (NSBAX)
5. Nuveen Dividend Value (FFEIX)
6. Nuveen Strategic Income (FCDDX)
7. Nuveen Ohio Municipal Bond (FOHTX)
8. Nuveen Tradewinds Value Opportunities (NVOAX)
9. Nuveen Global Infrastructure (FGIAX)
10. Nuveen Missouri Municipal Bond (FMOTX)
11. Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond (NHMAX)
12. Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Bond (NMBAX)

Updated on July 26, 2013

Van Eck Global Hard Assets Fund (GHAAX)

Van Eck Global Hard Assets Fund (GHAAX) is a sector stock mutual fund. Van Eck Global Hard Assets Fund invests mainly in natural resources companies.

Van Eck Global Fund

The investment aim of Van Eck Global Hard Assets Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation; income is secondary. This mutual fund uses its assets to purchase securities of “hard asset” companies and instruments that derive their value from “hard assets”. Hard assets include precious metals (including gold), base and industrial metals, energy, natural resources and other commodities. This Van Eck Global fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities issued by other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds. The fund is non-diversified.

Van Eck Global Hard Assets Fund Profile

GHAAX fund

• Fund Inception Date: 11/1/1994
• Ticker Symbol: GHAAX
• CUSIP: 921075750
• Beta (3yr): 1.34
• Rank in category (YTD): 68%
• Category: Natural Resources
• Distribution: 0.56%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.38%
• Net Assets: $ 4.0 billion
• Number of Years Up: 14 years
• Number of Years Down: 4 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 27%

Updated on July 25, 2013

Best Municipal Bond ETFs 2014

Find best municipal bond exchange traded funds (ETFs) 2014. These top muni bond funds are great for investors hence they provide tax free income from federal income tax.

Top Muni Bond ETFs

ETFs or exchange traded funds are traded like stock. They also provide choice for investment. Investing in individual municipal bond is difficult for small investors. Using ETFs, investor can pick and choose certain sector of municipal bond funds.

Municipal bond ETFs invest mainly in investment grade fixed income securities issued by states, cities, town, and public utilities in USA. The high yield municipal bond funds invest in lower quality municipal debts. Income provided by the funds is exempted from federal income tax. If you are in high tax bracket, investing in municipal bond ETFs can provide higher total return through capital appreciation and tax free income.

Best Municipal Debt ETFs

These best ETFs for 2013 are selected based several things such as future performance, low cost, and growth opportunity. The funds are ranked with among the best in municipal bond ETFs. You may find the fund review below and other fund information.

The 10 best municipal bond ETFs 2014 are:

1. iShares S&P National Municipal Bond Fund (MUB)
2. PIMCO Intermediate Municipal Bond Exchange-Traded Fund (MUNI)
3. iShares S&P Short Term National Municipal Bond Fund (SUB)
4. SPDR Nuveen S&P High Yield Municipal Bond ETF (HYMB)
5. Market Vectors Short Municipal Index ETF (SMB)
6. SPDR Nuveen Barclays Short Term Municipal Bond ETF (SHM)

T. Rowe Price Japan Fund (PRJPX)

T. Rowe Price Japan Fund (PRJPX) invests mainly in stocks of Japanese companies. This equity fund is part of international stock mutual fund.

T. Rowe Price Fund

This T Rowe Price Japan Fund investment objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital through investment in the common stocks of companies located, or with primary operations, in Japan. This equity fund utilizes its assets to purchase a wide range of Japanese companies and industries. It seeks to identify company that can achieve as well as sustain above-average and long-term earnings growth.

T. Rowe Price Japan Fund Profile

PRJPX fund

• Fund Inception Date: 12/30/1991
• Ticker Symbol: PRJPX
• CUSIP: 77956H708
• Beta (3yr): 0.57
• Rank in category (YTD): 32%
• Category: Japan Stock
• Distribution: 0.71%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.14%
• Net Assets: $ 259.3 million
• Number of Years Up: 10 years
• Number of Years Down: 11 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 55.10%

Updated on July 5, 2013

Best Target Date 2016-2020 Mutual Funds

Discover best target date 2016-2020 mutual funds for your investment. You can invest these top mutual funds in your retirement account, 401(k) account or regular brokerage account.

Top Retirement Mutual Funds

The target date 2016-2020 mutual fund utilizes its assets to purchase a portfolio of bonds, stocks, and short term cash. It is suitable for investors who have the years 2016-2020 date for retirement or other goal. The mutual fund will adjust its risk and return based on this target date. Over time, the fund will become more conservative as the target date approaches.

You may find the individual fund review from this best mutual funds list. Check the fund performance, expense ratio, and yield or dividend from the table below. The list is sorted based on fees, yield, fund returns, and potential for growth.

Best target date 2016-2020 mutual funds are:

1. Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund (VTWNX)
2. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund (TRRBX)
3. TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund (TLWIX)
4. Schwab Target 2020 Fund (SWCRX)
5. American Funds Target Date Retirement 2020 Fund (AACTX)
6. TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Retirement Fund (TCLTX)
7. Vantagepoint Milestone 2020 Fund (VPROX)
8. JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2020 Fund (JTTAX)
9. American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios One ChoiceSM 2020 Portfolio (ARBMX)
10. MFS Lifetime 2020 Fund (MFLAX)

Updated on July 19, 2013

Vanguard Explorer Fund (VEXPX)

Vanguard Explorer Fund (VEXPX) is a domestic stock fund. This Vanguard fund invests in equities of companies with small capitalization.

Vanguard Fund

The investment objective of Vanguard Explorer Fund is to achieve long-term capital appreciation. The mutual fund invests mainly in the stocks of small companies. These companies tend to be unseasoned but are considered by the fund’s advisors to have superior growth potential. Most of these companies often provide little or no dividend income. The fund uses multiple investment advisors.

Vanguard Explorer Fund Profile

Vanguard fund

• Fund Inception Date: December 11, 1967
• Ticker Symbol: VEXPX
• CUSIP: 921926101
• Beta (3yr): 1.25
• Rank in category (YTD): 16%
• Category: Small Growth
• Distribution: 0.28%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.49%
• Net Assets: $ 10.4 billion
• Number of Years Up:  34years
• Number of Years Down: 11 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 59%

Updated on July 17, 2013