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Top 5 Zacks #1 Ranked Balanced Funds

Get diversified with these Zacks #1 balanced funds.
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Top 5 Highest Yielding Balanced Mutual Funds

Get Balanced with these Zacks top ranked mutual funds.
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Zacks Investment Research Analyzes Technology, International, Balanced, and Real Estate Mutual Funds

CHICAGO, Oct. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Zacks Investment Research highlights technology, international, balanced, and real estate mutual funds in this week’s Best of Funds blog.  

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Technology Mutual Funds

Investors seeking long-term aggressive holdings need not look beyond mutual funds betting on the technology sector. Even though such funds experience relatively higher levels of volatility, they tend to outperform other categories when markets as a whole are seeing an uptrend.  Highlighted funds in this month’s commentary include Dreyfus Technology Growth A (DTGRX), Northern Technology (NTCHX), Goldman Sachs Technology Tollkeeper A (GITAX), RS Technology A (RSIFX), and Kinetics Internet No Load (WWWFX).

International Mutual Funds

Investing in international equity markets has emerged as a lucrative option for investors, most of whose portfolios consist entirely of domestic securities. Around half of the world’s equity market capitalization is made up by international equity markets. Emerging markets, which continue to grow at a rapid pace despite the slowdown in developed economies, are of particular interest for those looking at appreciably higher rates of return. However, such investments also carry unique risks and mutual funds provide a less risky means of exposure to this sector than stocks.

In this week’s commentary we share with you 5 top rated international mutual funds.

Balanced Mutual Funds

Investors looking at both long term capital growth and regular income would do well to consider balanced funds. Balanced funds ensure that gains from rising markets are accompanied by relatively lower levels of risk since they can utilize the strengths of equity as well as fixed income securities. The composition of their portfolios also ensures that the capital invested is protected during a market downturn. Moreover, many funds in this category keep the relative shares of equity, debt and money market instruments fluid to enable them to respond to changing market conditions.  Highlighted funds in this week’s commentary include T. Rowe Price Balanced (RPBAX), Fidelity Global Balanced (FGBLX), Sentinel Balanced A (SEBLX), MEMBERS Diversified Income A (MBLAX), and American Funds American Balanced A (ABALX).

Real Estate Mutual Funds

Investing directly in the real estate sector may appear to be an expensive proposition for most investors. This is where mutual funds come in, offering a cost effective method of investing in this industry. Real estate mutual funds also offer significant protection against inflationary pressures. Research has shown that they perform better on this front compared to gold and other precious metals. Including funds from this sector in a well diversified portfolio helps increase returns while reducing the risk factor as a whole.  Highlighted funds in this week’s commentary include ING Real Estate A (CLARX), Neuberger Berman Real Estate (NBRFX), Fidelity Real Estate Investment (FRESX), Nuveen Real Estate Securities A (FREAX), and Goldman Sachs US Real Estate A (GREAX)  

About Zacks Mutual Fund Rank

The Zacks Mutual Fund Rank is a quantitative ratings system created by Len Zacks, a PHD from MIT. The goal of the rank is simple; to help investors find the best mutual funds to beat the market.

To discover how the Zacks mutual fund rank works and to receive daily notifications on our fund rankings, click here: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5710

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

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Top 5 Balanced Mutual Funds

Balanced mutual funds could be an excellent choice for investors seeking both capital growth and steady income. Investing in this class of funds ensures that gains from rising markets are garnered only at lower levels of risk. The composition of their portfolios also ensures that capital invested is protected during difficult times. Moreover, many balanced funds keep the relative share of equity and debt flexible so that they can respond appropriately to changing market conditions.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated balanced mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect these mutual funds to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all balanced funds, then click here.

Transamerica Balanced A (IBALX) seeks capital appreciation with the secondary objective of current income. Common stocks constitute the majority of the fund’s investments. The remainder of its assets is utilized to purchase high quality bonds with maturity periods not exceeding 30 years. This balanced mutual fund returned 19.29% in the last one year period.

The balanced mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.73% compared to a category average of 1.00%.

Delaware Foundation Moderate Allocation A (DFBAX) invests around 60% of its assets in equity and 40% of its assets in fixed-income securities. Between 10% to 60% of its assets are utilized to purchase foreign securities and not more than 15% are invested in emerging market securities. The balanced mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 5%.

As of September 2010, this balanced mutual fund held 1051 issues, with 7.65% of its total assets invested in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index.

Thrivent Partner Worldwide Allocation A (TWAAX) seeks capital growth over the long term. The fund invests in both mature economies and developing countries and in instruments of all categories. Large cap growth and value securities issued from foreign markets constitute its major investments. This balanced mutual fund returned 15.88% in the last one year period.

The Fund Manager is Ricardo F. Penfold and he has managed this balanced mutual fund since 2008.

Ivy International Balanced A (IVBAX) invests in equity and debt securities which are issued from mature economies in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The fund invests in companies of all sizes and in government securities rated investment grade. The balanced mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 7.28%.

The balanced mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $500 and an expense ratio of 1.51% compared to a category average of 1. 21%.

JHancock2 Lifestyle Balanced 5 (JHLAX) seeks both current income and capital growth, but priorities the latter. The fund invests in underlying funds to meet its investment objectives. Up to Ȝ% of its assets are invested in equity and up to 40% in fixed-income funds. The balanced mutual fund returned 16.11% in the last one year period.

The Fund Manager is Bruce Speca and he has managed this balanced mutual fund since 2010.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all balanced mutual funds, then click here.

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.

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