Mutual Fund Highlights on Zacks Best of Fund Blog

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Apr 08, 2011, 11:05 ET

CHICAGO, April 8, 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: International Mutual Funds, Growth Mutual Funds, Technology Mutual Funds, and Healthcare 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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Technology Mutual Funds

T. Rowe Price Global Technology (PRGTX) invests the majority of its assets in companies which expect to derive a large proportion of their revenues from the development and application of technology. The fund focuses on acquiring common stock and invests at least 30% of its assets in both mature and developing foreign markets. The technology mutual fund returned 40.65% in the last one year period.

The technology mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 1.04% compared to a category average of 1.72%.

Fidelity Select Technology (FSPTX) seeks long term capital growth. The fund invests primarily in companies that develop or offer products, processes, or services that benefit significantly from technological advances. The technology mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 15.48%.

DWS Technology A (KTCAX) invests the majority of its assets in common stocks of companies in the technology domain. The fund invests in companies regardless of their size or market capitalization. Not more than 35% of its assets are utilized to purchase foreign securities. The technology mutual fund returned 33.06% in the last one year period.

As of February 2011, this technology mutual fund held 89 issues, with 12.86% of its total assets invested in Apple, Inc.

Northern Technology (NTCHX) seeks capital appreciation over the long term. The fund invests heavily in securities of companies whose primary operations are related to technology. The fund invests more than 25% of its total assets in firms in the computers business, including hardware, software and components. The technology mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 5.6%.

The technology mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 1.25% compared to a category average of 1.72%.

Invesco Technology Investor (FTCHX) invests primarily in companies which leverage technology in product development or operations. The fund focuses in acquiring common stocks and more than half of its assets may be utilized to purchase foreign securities. The technology mutual fund returned 36.75% in the last one year period.

International Mutual Funds

Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity A (GSAKX) seeks capital appreciation over the long term. The fund invests heavily in equity securities of companies located outside the US or whose securities are primarily traded in foreign markets. The international mutual fund returned 21.56% in the last one year period.

The international mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $100 and an expense ratio of 1.45% compared to a category average of 1.37%.

Dreyfus International Equity A (DIEAX) invests a large proportion of its assets in equity securities of companies located outside the U.S. These stocks must be part of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE) Index and Canada. The international mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 5.86%.

Mark A. Bogar is the fund manager and has managed this international mutual fund since 2010.

JPMorgan Intrepid International A (JFTAX) seeks long term capital appreciation. It invests the majority of its assets in equity securities issued form mature foreign economies. A relatively smaller proportion may be utilized to purchase emerging market securities. The international mutual fund returned 24.5% in the last one year period.

The international mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.50% compared to a category average of 1.37%.

Threadneedle International Opportunity A (INIFX) focuses on acquiring foreign equity securities of companies with the potential to deliver significant growth. The fund invests in both mature and developing markets and has some exposure to foreign currencies under normal circumstances. The international mutual fund returned 24.85% in the last one year and has a five year annualized return of 3.06%.

As of February 2011, this international mutual fund held 167 issues, with 2.51% of its total assets invested in Rio Tinto PLC.

Vanguard International Explorer (VINEX) seeks capital growth over the long term. The fund invests a large proportion of its assets in growth oriented small cap companies located abroad. Equity securities constitute the majority of its investments. The international mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 4.48%.

Growth Mutual Funds

Fidelity Growth Discovery (FDSVX) seeks capital growth. The fund focuses on acquiring common stocks. It selects companies after considering their potential to deliver significant growth over the long term. It utilizes fundamental analysis of the issuing companies as the basis of selecting stocks. The growth mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 4.91%.

The growth mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 0.75% compared to a category average of 1.32%.

ING Growth Opportunities A (NLCAX) invests a large proportion of its assets in domestic companies with the potential for superior growth. Not more than 15% of its assets may be utilized to purchase foreign securities. The growth mutual fund returned 28.17% over the last one year period.

Jeff F. Bianchi is the fund manager and he has managed this growth mutual fund since 2009.

Baron Growth Retail (BGRFX) seeks capital appreciation. The fund invests the majority of its assets in small growth-oriented companies with market capitalizations not exceeding $2.5 billion. It purchases securities in businesses which could double in value in four to five years. It is a no load fund.

The growth mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 8.88%.

BlackRock Focus Growth A (MDFOX) primarily invests in common stocks of 25 to 35 companies with above-average growth potential. It focuses on acquiring equity securities of mid-cap and large-cap companies. Not more than 20% of its assets are invested in foreign securities. The growth mutual fund returned 33.01% over the last one year period.

As of February 2011, this growth mutual fund held 33 issues, with 7.37% of its total assets invested in Apple, Inc.

RS Select Growth A (RSDGX) seeks capital growth by investing in small and mid-cap growth-oriented companies. It focuses on acquiring equity securities of companies whose market capitalizations may be at most 120% of the market cap of the largest company in the Russell 2500 Index. The growth mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 8.88%.

The growth mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 1.35% compared to a category average of 1.54%.

Healthcare Mutual Funds

Fidelity Select Medical Equipment & Systems (FSMEX) seeks capital growth by investing heavily in the healthcare sector. The fund primarily invests in securities of companies which produce, distribute or develop medical equipment, devices and related technologies. The health mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 9.55%.

The health mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 0.90% compared to a category average of 1.79%.

Franklin Biotechnology Discovery A (FBDIX) invests a large proportion of its assets in biotechnology companies and discovery research companies. The fund focuses on acquiring equity securities, with an emphasis on common stock. The health mutual fund returned 12.04% in the last one year period.

Evan McCulloch is the fund manager and has managed this health mutual fund since 1997.

Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences A (ETHSX) seeks capital appreciation over the long term. The fund invests at least 80% of its assets in health science companies and related firms. The fund invests in both domestic and foreign securities, investing in instruments from at least three different countries at any given time. The health mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 4.32%.

The health mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 2.07% compared to a category average of 1.79%.

Vanguard Health Care Index (VHCIX) invests primarily in healthcare stocks and seeks to match the performance of the MSCI U.S. Investable Market Health Care 25/50 index. This index consists of stocks of companies of all sizes from this sector. This includes firms which produce healthcare equipment and supply related services. The health mutual fund returned 9.22% in the last one year period.

As of December 2010, this health mutual fund held 296 issues, with 10.84% of its total assets invested in Johnson & Johnson.

Putnam Global Health Care A (PHSTX) seeks long-term capital growth. The fund invests primarily in companies from the health care sector across the globe. It focuses on acquiring common stocks of large and mid-cap companies, but may also invest in smaller firms. The health mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 4.25%.

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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