Tag Archives: mutual funds

4 Best-Rated Large-Cap Value Mutual Funds For Stable Return

Large-cap funds usually provide a safer option to risk-averse investors when compared to small-cap and mid-cap funds. These funds have exposure to large-cap stocks, with long-term performance history and more stability than what mid-cap or small-caps offer. Companies with market capitalization of more than $10 billion are generally considered large cap. However, due to their significant international exposure, large-cap companies might be affected by a global downturn. Meanwhile, investors looking for a bargain, i.e., stocks at a discount, are mostly interested in investing in value funds, which pick stocks that tend to trade at a price lower than their fundamentals (i.e. earnings, book value, Debt-Equity) and pay out dividends. Value stocks are expected to outperform the growth ones across all asset classes when considered on a long-term investment horizon and are less susceptible to trending markets. However, investors interested in choosing value funds for yield, should check the mutual fund yield as not all value funds comprise solely companies that primarily use their earnings to pay out dividends. Below, we share with you four top-rated, large-cap value mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and is expected to outperform its peers in the future. Vanguard US Value Fund Investor (MUTF: VUVLX ) seeks long-term capital growth and high income. VUVLX invests all of its assets in undervalued companies having low price/earnings (P/E) ratios. VUVLX focuses on acquiring stocks of large and mid-cap companies having impressive growth potential and favorable valuations. The Vanguard US Value Investor fund has a three-year annualized return of 14.7%. VUVLX has an expense ratio of 0.26% compared to the category average of 1.11%. JPMorgan Large Cap Value Fund A (MUTF: OLVAX ) invests a large portion of its assets in securities of large-cap companies that include common stocks, and debt and preferred stocks that can be converted to common stock. Large cap companies are those that have market capitalization equivalent to those listed in the Russell 1000 Value Index at the time of purchase. OLVAX offers dividends quarterly and capital gains annually. The JPMorgan Large Cap Value A fund has a three-year annualized return of 14.8%. Scott Blasdell is the fund manager and has managed OLVAX since 2013. MFS Value Fund A (MUTF: MEIAX ) seeks capital growth over the long run. MEIAX generally invests in equity securities including common stocks, securities of REITs and convertible securities. Though MEIAX primarily invests in value companies having large capitalization, it may also invest in small and mid-cap companies. The MFS Value A fund has a three-year annualized return of 13.7%. As of October 2015, MEIAX held 98 issues with 4.46% of its assets invested in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM ). Fidelity Large Cap Value Enhanced Index Fund (MUTF: FLVEX ) invests the majority of its assets in companies included in the Russell 1000 Value Index, which consists of large cap companies. FLVEX uses a quantitative analysis of factors including historical valuation, growth and profitability to select companies that are believed to provide more return than the index. FLVEX focuses on acquiring common stocks of companies across the world. The Fidelity Large Cap Value Enhanced Index fund has a three-year annualized return of 13.8%. FLVEX has an expense ratio of 0.45% compared to the category average of 1.11%. Original Post

4 Top-Ranked Mid-Cap Growth Mutual Funds

Mid-cap funds are ideal investment options for investors looking for high return potential that comes with lower risk than small-cap funds. Mid-cap funds are not very susceptible to volatility in broader markets, making it an ideal bet given that the macroeconomic conditions have generally offered a roller-coaster ride in recent years. Meanwhile, when capital appreciation over the long term takes precedence over dividend payouts, growth funds become a natural choice for investors. These funds focus on realizing an appreciable amount of capital growth by investing in stocks of firms whose value is projected to rise over the long term. However, a relatively higher tolerance to risk and the willingness to park funds for the longer term are necessary when investing in these securities. This is because they may experience relatively more fluctuations than other fund classes. Below we share with you 4 top-rated, mid-cap growth mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and we expect the fund to outperform its peers in the future. T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth (MUTF: RPMGX ) maintains a diversified portfolio by investing a large chunk of its assets in companies having market capitalizations similar to those listed in the S&P MidCap 400 Index or the Russell Midcap Growth Index. RPMGX invests in companies having above-average growth potential. Though RPMGX focuses on acquiring common stocks of domestic companies, RPMGX may also invest in companies located outside the U.S. The T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth fund has a three-year annualized return of 17.8%. Brian W.H. Berghuis is the fund manager of RPMGX since 1992. Principal MidCap A (MUTF: PEMGX ) seeks capital appreciation over the long run. PEMGX invests a lion’s share of its assets in equity securities of companies with medium size market capitalizations. Though PEMGX invests in both value and growth stocks of companies, PEMGX currently emphasizes on growth stocks. The Principal MidCap A fund has a three-year annualized return of 14.4%. As of November 2015, PEMGX held 94 issues with 4.46% of its assets invested in Brookfield Asset Management Inc. Class A. DF Dent Midcap Growth (MUTF: DFDMX ) invests majority of its assets in equity securities including common and preferred stocks of mid-cap firms. DFDMX primarily focuses on acquiring securities of companies listed in the U.S. market. DFDMX may also invest in ADRs, ETFs and REITs. The Principal MidCap A is a non-diversified fund and has a three-year annualized return of 13.5%. DFDMX has an expense ratio of 1.10% as compared to the category average of 1.28%. Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Investor (MUTF: VMGRX ) seeks long-term capital growth. VMGRX invests a major portion of its assets in the securities of mid-cap companies. VMGRX primarily emphasizes acquiring common stocks of companies having above-average growth potential. The Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Investor fund has a three-year annualized return of 14%. As of September 2015, VMGRX held 100 issues with 2.83% of its assets invested in Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ: ODFL ). Original Post

3 Top-Rated Allianz Mutual Funds To Invest In

Allianz Global Investors – a segment of Allianz SE ( OTCQX:ALIZF ) ( OTCQX:AZSEY ) – seeks to provide financial services throughout the globe, including the U.S., Europe and Asia-Pacific, by following their philosophy: Understand. Act. According to Morningstar, the company currently has $29.7 billion of assets under management (excluding money market assets) invested in a wide range of mutual fund categories, including equity and fixed-income funds. The company offers financial services to both institutional and retail clients. Meanwhile, founded in 1890, the parent company of Allianz Global Investors, Allianz SE, currently has a nearly $73 billion market capitalization. Below we share with you 3 top-rated Allianz mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and is expected to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Allianz mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of Allianz mutual funds . AllianzGI International Small-Cap Fund A (MUTF: AOPAX ) seeks capital growth over the long run. AOPAX primarily invests in securities of companies having market capitalizations similar to those included in the MSCI World Small-Cap Index. AOPAX is expected to have a weighted-average market capitalization of 50-200% of the same index. The AllianzGI International Small-Cap A fund returned 12.7% in the past one-year period. AOPAX has an expense ratio of 1.45% compared to the category average of 1.53%. AllianzGI Structured Return Fund A (MUTF: AZIAX ) uses an in-the-money short call overlay strategy to gain long equity exposure. AZIAX primarily invests in ETFs that have significant exposure to securities included in the S&P 500 Index. AZIAX may also invest in ETFs with exposure to real estate investment trusts (REITs). The AllianzGI Structured Return Fund A returned 5.6% in the past one-year period. Greg P. Tournant is one of the fund managers of AZIAX since 2012. AllianzGI International Managed Volatility Fund A (MUTF: PNIAX ) seeks to maximize growth of capital over the long term. PNIAX invests a lion’s share of its assets in securities of companies located in foreign lands. PNIAX invests not more than half of its assets issued in any particular country. PNIAX invests in securities of companies from a wide range of countries, including those from the MSCI EAFE Index. PNIAX seeks to manage overall portfolio volatility by investing in these securities. Though PNIAX focuses on acquiring securities issued in developed nations, the fund may also invest in emerging market securities. The AllianzGI International Managed Volatility Fund A returned 3.2% in the past one-year period. As of October 2015, PNIAX held 153 issues, with 3.06% of its assets invested in Lawson Inc. ( OTC:LWSOF ). Original Post