Top 5 Best Performing Utilities Mutual Funds Year to Date - Best Performing Funds Year To Date
31 Oktober 2012 - 6:05PM
Zacks
Even during difficult economic conditions, the demand for
essential services such as utilities remains more or less constant.
This is why utilities funds are an excellent choice for investors
who are seeking a steady income flow through consistent yields from
dividends. In fact, investments in this sector are usually
considered to be a conservative investment option. Moreover, in the
past utilities funds have ventured into emerging markets and
provided appreciably higher returns at relatively lower levels of
risk.
Below we will share with you the 5 best performing utilities
mutual funds year to date. To view the Zacks Rank and past
performance of all utilities funds, investors can click here to see
the complete list of funds.
Mutual Fund
|
Zacks Rank
|
Total Return YTD
|
MFS Utilities Fund A
|
#2 Buy
|
11.4%
|
American Century Utilities
|
#1 Strong Buy
|
9.5%
|
FBR Gas Utility Index
|
#4 Sell
|
8.2%
|
Franklin Utilities A
|
#1 Strong Buy
|
7.6%
|
Fidelity Select Utilities
|
#4 Sell
|
7.3%
|
MFS Utilities A (MMUFX) invests the majority of its
assets is securities issued by companies from the utilities sector.
It focuses on purchasing equity securities but may also purchase
debt instruments. The bulk of the debt securities held are rated
investment grade. This utilities mutual fund has a three year
annualized return of 12.49%.
The utilities mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of
$1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.04% compared to a category average
of 1.27%.
American Century Utilities (BULIX) seeks current income
and capital appreciation. The fund a large share of its assets in
securities listed on at least one index made up entirely of
electricity, natural gas, cable television, water or sanitation
services companies. The utilities mutual fund has a three year
annualized return of 13.05%.
Lynette Pang is the fund manager and has managed this utilities
mutual fund since 2010.
FBR Gas Utility Index Investor (GASFX) invests nearly 85%
of its assets in companies from the natural gas distribution and
transmission domain. The fund seeks to provide returns identical to
that of the American Gas Association Stock Index. This utilities
mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 18.33%.
The utilities mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of
$2,000 and an expense ratio of 0.71% compared to a category average
of 1.27%.
Franklin Utilities A (FKUTX) seeks capital growth and
current income. The fund concentrates on purchasing securities of
public utilities companies. These are those companies that provide
electricity, gas, water and communication services. More than 25%
of its assets are invested in the utilities sector. The utilities
mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 14.03%.
As of September 2012, this utilities mutual fund held 57 issues,
with 4.88% of its total assets invested in Duke Energy
Corporation.
Fidelity Select Utilities (FSUTX) invests the majority of
its assets in utility companies or those deriving a large share of
their revenues from operations in this sector. The fund focuses on
acquiring common stocks. It is non-diversified and may invest in
both domestic and foreign issuers. The utilities mutual fund has a
three year annualized return of 12.46%.
Douglas Simmons is the fund manager has managed this utilities
mutual fund since 2006.
To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all utilities
mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of
funds.
About Zacks Mutual Fund Rank
By applying the Zacks Rank to mutual funds, investors can find
funds that not only outpaced the market in the past but are also
expected to outperform going forward. Learn more about the Zacks
Mutual Fund Rank at http://www.zacks.com/funds
(BULIX): ETF Research Reports
(FKUTX): ETF Research Reports
(FSUTX): ETF Research Reports
(GASFX): ETF Research Reports
(MMUFX): ETF Research Reports
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