Mutual Fund Highlights on Zacks Best of Fund Blog

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Mar 31, 2011, 01:38 ET

CHICAGO, March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com recaps the list of mutual funds featured in the Best of Fund commentary on Zacks.com. Nearly every day the Zacks Investment Research analysts discuss the top mutual funds. Mutual fund families recently featured in the Zacks.com Best of Funds commentary include: Energy Mutual Funds, Small Cap Mutual Funds, and Diversified Bond Mutual Funds.

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Below we will share with you the top rated mutual funds from each mutual fund family. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect these mutual funds to outperform their peers in the future.

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Energy Mutual Funds

Rydex Energy Services (RYVIX) invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of domestic energy services companies. The fund may also utilize derivatives to fulfill its investment objectives. The energy mutual fund returned 44.66% over the last one year period and has a five year annualized return of 7.99%.

The energy mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 1.38% compared to a category average of 1.89%.

U.S. Global Investors Global Resources (PSPFX) seeks capital appreciation and protection of capital against inflation and currency fluctuations. The majority of its assets are invested in securities of companies from the natural resources sector. The energy mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 7.98%.

As of December 2010, this energy mutual fund held 111 issues, with 7.64% of its total assets invested in Triparty Credit Suisse First Boston.

BlackRock Energy & Resources (SSGRX) invests a large share of its assets in energy and natural resources firms worldwide. It also invests in companies in related sectors as well as in utilities. This energy mutual fund returned 36.48% over the last one year and has a ten year annualized return of 20.25%.

The fund manager is Daniel J. Rice, III and he has managed this energy mutual fund since 2005.

Vanguard Energy (VGENX) seeks long term capital appreciation. The majority of its assets are used to purchase common stocks of companies whose primary activities are energy related, including energy conservation and pollution control. The fund may invest all of its assets in foreign equity securities. This energy mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 15.77%.

The energy mutual fund has an expense ratio of 0.38% compared to a category average of 1.89%.

Ivy Global Natural Resources A (IGNAX) invests heavily in equity securities of companies, whose primary operations are related to natural resources, including suppliers and service providers. The fund seeks international diversification by investing in foreign firms or in domestic companies with large foreign operations. This energy mutual fund returned 31.53% over the last one year period.

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Small Cap Mutual Funds

Federated MDT Small Cap Growth A (QASGX) invests a large share of its assets in domestic small cap companies. It focuses on acquiring common stock and invests in firms which are identical to those which are part of the Russell 2000 growth index. This small-cap mutual fund returned 42.48% over the last one year period.

As of December 2010, this small-cap mutual fund held 159 issues, with 1.98% of its total assets invested in Sothebys A.

Fidelity Series Small Cap Opportunities Fund (FSOPX) seeks capital growth. The majority of the fund's assets are invested in small-cap companies. It seeks to acquire common stocks, both domestic and foreign, which may be growth or value stocks. This small-cap mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 12.56%.

Schwab Small-Cap Equity (SWSCX) invests at least 80% of its assets in small-cap companies. It primarily invests in stocks of companies which are part of the Russell 200 index or have market capitalizations not exceeding the $2.5 billion mark. This small-cap mutual fund returned 33.92% over the last one year period.

The small-cap mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $100 and an expense ratio of 1.12% compared to a category average of 1.39%.

Pioneer Oak Ridge Small Cap Growth A (ORIGX) seeks long-term capital growth. It invests at least 80% of its assets in small-cap companies. It primarily invests in equity securities such as common stocks and convertible securities. This small-cap mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 6.47%.

Diversified Bond Mutual Funds

Putnam Diversified Income A (PDINX) seeks current income and preservation of capital. The fund invests 15% to 65% of its assets in government securities and domestic and foreign corporate bonds. The fund primarily purchases corporate bonds rated investment grade. The diversified bond mutual fund returned 14.5% in the last one year period.

The diversified bond mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $500 and an expense ratio of 1.01% compared to a category average of 1.14%.

John Hancock Strategic Income A (JHFIX) invests in foreign debt securities of developed and emerging markets, U.S. government and agency securities and U.S. high yield bonds. The fund may also invest in preferred stock and other types of debt securities. The diversified bond mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 10.09%.

Columbia Strategic Income A (COSIX) seeks total return. The fund invests in three categories of debt securities. These include, U.S. government bonds and assets backed securities; foreign securities, including those issued from emerging markets and corporate debt rated below investment grade. The diversified bond mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 6.8%.

The diversified bond mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $500 and an expense ratio of 1.01% compared to a category average of 1.13%.

Virtus Multi-Sector Fixed-Income A (NAMFX) utilizes at least 80% its assets to purchase a wide range of fixed income securities. It purchases U.S. government securities, investment-grade as well as high yield domestic debt securities. The diversified bond mutual fund returned 14.12% in the last one year period.

As of December 2010, this diversified bond mutual fund held 446 issues, with 1.40% of its total assets invested in Australia(Cmnwlth) 5.75%.

Oppenheimer Global Strategic Income A (OPSIX) seeks a high level of current income. It invests the majority of its assets in securities issued by the US government and high yield domestic and foreign securities. The diversified bond mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 6.9%.

About Zacks Mutual Fund Rank

By applying the Zacks Rank to mutual funds, investors can find mutual 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.

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