Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund (NAESX)

Vanguard index mutual funds are very popular among investors. It offers low cost option for investment purposes. One of the top Vanguard index mutual funds are Vanguard Small Cap Index fund. More review can be found below.

Vanguard Small Cap Index Investor (NAESX)

The Vanguard Small Cap Index fund objective is to track the performance of the MSCI US Small Cap 1750 Index that measures the investment return of small-capitalization stocks. The fund utilizes its asset to purchase a broadly diversified index of stocks of smaller U.S. companies.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 10/03/1960
• Ticker Symbol: NAESX
• CUSIP: 922908702
• Beta (3yr): 1.28
• Rank in category (YTD): 42%
• Category: Small Blend
• Distribution: 1.19%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 0.26%  
• Net Assets: $ 22.94 billion
• Number of Years Up: 27 years
• Number of Years Down: 11 years
• Annual Turnover Rate: 12%

Updated on 3/17/2012

Best World Bond Mutual Funds 2012

In global economy, investors need to invest with global perspective as well. For fixed income, investing in US bond only may not be enough. Investing in global bond mutual funds is seen as better diversification. Some of the best world bond mutual funds are: Dreyfus International Bond, PIMCO Foreign Bond, Templeton Global Bond, etc.

Intro

A world bond mutual fund or global bond mutual fund is a fixed income mutual fund which put its assets in foreign debt markets. Typically, its asset consists of >40% of foreign bonds. Some of the countries include United States, Canada, United Kingdom, German, France, Brazil, China, Japan, etc. It may include either government bond or corporate bond.

Investing in world bond funds is one of the best ways to balance losses incurred from US markets. With fluctuation in interest rate from country to country, investor can avoid high volatility of bond market from single country. This international bond mutual fund has showed little correlation with domestic equities and only moderate correlation with investment grade domestic debt. This fund also helps in diversifying currency exposure and protecting assets against a long-term secular decline in the U.S. dollar currency. Choosing mutual funds offer a safe route to invest in the international bond market hence they have widely diversified holdings.

Top 8 Best European Stock Mutual Funds 2012

Investing European market is essential for investor portfolio diversification. Using Europe stock mutual funds, investors can achieve their investment goal over the long run. Some of the best Europe stock mutual funds are: Henderson European Focus A, Eastern European Equity A, Royce European Smaller Companies Service, etc.

Top Europe Stock Mutual Funds

Intro

European Union has 27 member states and 23 official languages. This union represents about 20% of global GDP. Major European markets include Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Netherland, Switzerland, etc. The Eurozone also has an official currency which is known as Euro. This Euro currency is used by 17 of the 27 member states of European Union.

For investment, investors can choose either investing in individual country bond or stocks from this European region. Using mutual funds, you can expect to achieve instant diversification and reduce your investment risk. You can invest in either Europe bond mutual funds or Europe stock mutual funds. This article will focus on European equity mutual funds.

Hancock Horizon Diversified International A HHDAX Fund

Diversified international stock mutual funds should be part of every investor portfolio. Based on historical data, international stock fund can provide asset diversification and higher return for investors. One of the top international stock funds is Hancock Horizon Diversified International mutual fund. You can find the review below.

Hancock Horizon Diversified International A (HHDAX)

The Hancock Horizon Diversified International mutual fund objective is to provide long-term capital appreciation. This equity mutual fund utilizes its assets to buy equity securities of foreign companies. It may also purchase ADRs, EDRs and GDRs. This HHDAX fund may invest in other investment companies including mutual funds, close-end funds and ETFs.

Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 09/30/2008
• Ticker Symbol: HHDAX
• CUSIP: 41012R779
• Beta (3yr): 1.07
• Rank in category (YTD): 85%
• Category: Foreign Large Blend
• Distribution: 0.50%
• Capital Gains: 0%
• Expense Ratio: 1.75%  
• Net Assets: $ 182.71 million
• Number of Years Up: 2 years
• Number of Years Down: 1 year
• Annual Turnover Rate: 3.00%

Updated on 3/14/2012

Best Convertible Bond Securities Mutual Funds 2012

For conservative investors, convertible securities mutual funds can provide an attractive investment choice. These mutual funds provide income and opportunity for capital appreciation. Some of the best convertible bond mutual funds are: Allianz AGIC Convertible A, Vanguard Convertible Securities Inv, Invesco Convertible Securities A, etc.

Best Convertible Bond Mutual Funds

Intro

Investing in convertible securities can be very attractive due to its hybrids in nature. Generally, these convertible bonds are interest-paying bonds (but sometimes preferred stock) that can be swapped for shares of the issuing company's stock at a predated price. The bond-like yield aspect of a convertible protects against stock declines, while the ability to convert into stock offers shelter against falling bond prices.

Investor can start investing in these convertible securities through mutual funds, etf, cef, individual convertible. Convertible mutual funds have a long term track record and can be used as diversification tools for investors. Convertible securities tend to have credit ratings that are below investment-grade.

Top 10 Best Emerging Markets Bond Mutual Funds 2012

Investing in emerging markets bond mutual funds has been attractive for investors. This article will look into the best emerging markets bond mutual funds. The best emerging markets debt mutual funds include: TCW Emerging Markets Income N, PIMCO Emerging Local Bond A, Fidelity New Markets Income, and more.

Intro

Based on past 10 years historical data, investment in debt of developing countries has managed to provide high annualized returns of 12%. This EM bond is also less volatile than the U.S. stock. Considering other mutual funds category, this emerging markets bond funds also can be fairly inexpensive to own.

Investing in debt of emerging markets countries means investor will invest in government bonds from such places as Russia, China, India, Turkey, Indonesia and Mexico. As part of investment diversification, emerging markets debt mutual funds have had a great run over the past decade, as many developing nations have improved their fiscal situations and instituted the rule of law in economic matters. Some of these mutual funds also invest in corporate bond located in these emerging markets countries.

Best Ranked Commodities Broad Basket Mutual Funds 2012

Global economy is always linked through various commodities. This article will look into best commodities broad basket mutual funds. The funds include PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy A, DWS Enhanced Commodity Strategy A, Goldman Sachs Commodity Strategy A, and more.

Commodities Broad Basket

Investing in commodities has received a lot of attention from investor and media (newspaper, internet, and TV). The price of gold, silver, oil, diamond, corn, soy, sugar, cotton, livestock, coffee, cocoa, and hogs are in the news every day. To invest in the commodities markets, it may take a very sophisticated endeavor. One of the easiest ways is using commodity mutual funds. These commodity mutual funds provide an opportunity for almost any investor to get a piece of the action.

There are several types of commodity mutual funds such as: true commodity funds, commodities funds that hold futures, natural resource funds, and combination funds. Other ways to invest in commodity is using exchange traded funds (ETFs), and exchange traded notes (ETNs).

Top Commodities Funds

Most of these commodities broad basket mutual funds are also rated among the best mutual funds by various financial websites such as Morningstar, US News, Smart Money, etc. Please check details about its sales load, initial investment requirement, performance, risk, top holdings, turnover rate, yield, expense ratio, etc.

The 7 Best Ranked Commodities Broad Basket Mutual Funds of 2012 are:

1. PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy A (PCRAX)
2. DWS Enhanced Commodity Strategy A (SKNRX)
3. Goldman Sachs Commodity Strategy A (GSCAX)
4. Credit Suisse Commodity Return Strategy A (CRSAX)
5. Oppenheimer Commodity Strategy Total Return A (QRAAX)
6. Invesco Commodities Strategy A (COAAX)
7. Rydex Commodities Strategy A (RYMEX)

Updated on 3/18/2012