Top 5 Zacks #1 Ranked Precious Metals Funds - Best of Funds
April 03 2012 - 10:15AM
Zacks
Investors often seek solace in precious metals instruments during a
downturn. These investments are considered to be a natural hedge
against a rapidly declining currency. Even a small portion of
precious metals in a portfolio can provide significant protection
against inflation. In addition, when markets are slowing down,
securities related to these industries acquire greater
significance. At such times they provide better returns than equity
securities, even outperforming them. Precious metals funds are the
best option for investing in this sector since they possess the
advantages of professional insight and well-diversified
portfolios.
Below we will share with you 5 top
rated precious metals mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank
(Strong Buy) as we expect the fund to outperform its peers in the
future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all
precious metals funds, investors can click here to see the complete
list of funds.
GAMCO Gold AAA
(GOLDX) invests the majority of its net assets in domestic and
foreign companies which engage in gold-related activities. A
substantial portion of the fund’s assets are utilized to purchase
foreign securities. The precious metals fund has a ten year
annualized return of 19.09%.
The precious metals mutual fund has
a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of
1.46% compared to a category average of 1.40%.
OCM Gold Investor
(OCMGX) seeks capital appreciation. The fund invests in domestic
and foreign companies in the gold mining industry. It focuses on
purchasing common stocks and may also invest in precious metals
producers. The precious metals fund has a ten year annualized
return of 19.49%.
As of February 2012, this precious
metals mutual fund held 56 issues, with 13.88% of its total assets
invested in Goldcorp, Inc.
First Eagle Gold A
(SGGDX) invests a large share of its assets in gold or related
instruments or in companies principally operating in the gold
industry. Not more than 20% of the fund’s assets may be utilized to
purchase stocks from unrelated sectors. The precious metals fund
has a ten year annualized return of 19.41%.
Rachel Benepe is the fund manager
and she has managed this precious metals mutual fund since
2009.
U.S. Global Investors Gold
and Precious Metals (USERX) seeks capital appreciation
over the long term. The fund invests a large proportion of its
assets in companies whose primary operations are related to gold
and other precious metals. The precious metals fund has a ten year
annualized return of 20.51%.
The precious metals mutual fund has
a minimum initial investment of $5,000 and an expense ratio of
1.56% compared to a category average of 1.40%.
Fidelity Select
Gold (FSAGX) invests the majority of its assets in
companies whose principal operations are related to gold, and in
gold bullion and coins. Up to 25% of the fund’s assets may be
invested in gold and other precious metals through a wholly-owned
subsidiary. It is non-diversified and a no load fund.
The precious metals mutual fund has
a ten year annualized return of 16.81%.
To view the Zacks Rank and past
performance of all precious metals 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.
View All Zacks #1 Ranked Mutual Funds
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