Top 5 Zacks #1 Ranked Real Estate Mutual Funds - Best of Funds ~ MAKE MONEY BLOG$

2/13/13

Top 5 Zacks #1 Ranked Real Estate Mutual Funds - Best of Funds

9:11 PM

admin

Even though real estate has been through tough times recently, securities from this sector should continue to be an integral part of portfolios with a long term horizon. Over the years, mutual funds from this category have continued to perform favorably. They offer a convenient method to invest in real estate because of low initial investment requirements and the advantage of professional management.

Investors willing to hold long term positions would do well to consider these funds as they add stability and bring steady returns to a portfolio.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated real estate mutual funds. Each has earned aZacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect these mutual funds to outperform their peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all real estate funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

Forward International Real Estate A (KIRAX) seeks total return. The fund invests heavily in securities of foreign real estate and related firms. It holds securities of issuers located in at least three countries. A maximum of 20% of its assets may be invested in domestic real estate firms and related companies. The real-estate mutual fund returned 53.56% over the last one year period.

The real estate mutual fund has an expense ratio of 1.65% compared to a category average of 1.46%.

Fidelity International Real Estate (FIREX) invests the majority of its assets in securities of real estate companies or other investments related to the sector. Generally, it focuses on foreign securities and common stocks. The real-estate mutual fund is non-diversified and has returned 44.16% over the last one year period.

As of December 2012, this real-estate mutual fund held 64 issues, with 7.46% of its total assets invested in Westfield Group.

ING International Real Estate A (IIRAX) seeks a high level of total return. The fund invests a large share of its assets in equity securities of firms whose principal operations are related to the real estate sector. A minimum of 65% of its assets are invested in foreign countries. The real-estate mutual fund returned 36.79% over the last one year period.

Joseph P. Smith is the Fund Manager and he has been managing this real estate mutual fund since 2011.

JPMorgan International Realty A (JIRAX) invests in equity securities of real estate investment trusts (REITs) and related companies. A maximum of 20% of the fund's assets may be utilized to purchase foreign debt instruments. The real-estate mutual fund returned 39.60% over the last one year period.

The real estate mutual fund has an expense ratio of 1.40% compared to a category average of 1.46%.

Prudential Global Real Estate A (PURAX) seeks income and capital growth. The fund invests heavily in equity securities of real estate companies. The fund invests in equity securities of real estate and related firms. The real-estate mutual fund returned 26.94% over the last one year period.

Marc Halle is the Fund Manager and he has been managing this real estate mutual fund since 2007.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all real estate 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 .