Top 5 Best Performing Utilities Mutual Funds Year to Date - Best Performing Funds Year To Date
19 Dicembre 2012 - 6:20PM
Zacks
During difficult economic conditions, the demand for essential
services such as utilities remains more or less constant. Since
this category of funds protects investments during a downturn, they
are viewed as a defensive choice, and have gained strength in
current market conditions. They are also an excellent choice for
investors seeking a steady income flow from consistent dividends
yields. Investments in this sector are usually considered to be a
conservative investment option. However, many utilities funds are
now venturing into emerging markets and provide 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
|
Calvert Global Water Fund A
|
#3 Hold
|
18.53%
|
Allianz RCM Global Water A
|
#5 Strong Sell
|
15.12%
|
MFS Utilities Fund A
|
#1 Strong Buy
|
12.35%
|
Kinetics Water Infrastructure
|
#4 Sell
|
9.89%
|
Franklin Utilities A
|
#1 Strong Buy
|
9.06%
|
Calvert Global Water A (CFWAX)
invests the majority of its assets is equity securities issued by
domestic and foreign firms from the water sector. The fund holds a
broad portfolio of companies which have taken initiatives to
address issues regarding corporate social responsibility and
sustainability. This utilities mutual fund has a three year
annualized return of 9.37%.
The utilities mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of
$2,000 and an expense ratio of 1.85% compared to a category average
of 1.47%.
Allianz RCM Global Water A (AWTAX) seeks capital growth
over the long term. A large share of the fund’s assets is utilised
to purchase companies which are included in at least one of these
indexes: The S&P Global Water Index, the Palisades Water or
Global Water Indices and the Janney Water Index. The utilities
mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 9.74%.
Andreas Fruschki is the fund manager and has managed this
utilities mutual fund since 2008.
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 14.17%.
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 1.35%.
Kinetics Water Infrastructure A (KWIAX) seeks long term
capital appreciation. The fund invests the majority of its assets
is securities issued by domestic and foreign companies whose
primary operations involve water infrastructure and related
activities. The fund may invest all of its assets in fixed income
securities. The utilities mutual fund has a three year annualized
return of 2.06%.
As of September 2012, this utilities mutual fund held 26 issues,
with 30.60% of its total assets invested in Mueller Wtr Prods
7.375%.
Franklin Utilities A (FKUTX) invests 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 15.48%.
John Kohli is the fund manager has managed this utilities mutual
fund since 1998.
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
(AWTAX): ETF Research Reports
(CFWAX): ETF Research Reports
(FKUTX): ETF Research Reports
(KWIAX): ETF Research Reports
(MMUFX): ETF Research Reports
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