For investors looking to park their funds in the real estate
sector, mutual funds are the most cheapest and convenient method.
This category of funds also offers superior protection against
inflation. The real estate sector has seen tough times recently but
the presence of these investments generally adds stability to a
portfolio. This is because the volatility in property prices is far
less compared to the kind experienced by stocks. Adding such funds
to a widely diversified portfolio would increase returns while
reducing the associated risk significantly.
Below we will share with you the 5 best performing real estate
mutual funds year to date. To view the Zacks Rank and past
performance of all real estate funds, investors can
click here to see the complete list of funds
.
|
Mutual Fund
|
Zacks Rank
|
Total Return YTD
|
|
Forward International Real Estate A
|
#1 Strong Buy
|
28.0%
|
|
ProFunds Real Estate UltraSector
|
#1 Strong Buy
|
11.9%
|
|
T. Rowe Price Real Estate
|
#1 Strong Buy
|
9.8%
|
|
Fidelity Real Estate Investment
|
#1 Strong Buy
|
9.3%
|
|
Forward Real Estate A
|
#1 Strong Buy
|
9.3%
|
Forward International Real Estate A
(
KIRAX
) invests the majority of its assets in foreign equity securities
issued by companies from the real estate sector and those engaged
in related activities. The fund may purchase emerging market
securities and purchase ADRs. The real-estate mutual fund has a
three year annualized return of 15.91%.
Ian S. Goltra is the Fund Manager and he has been managing this
real estate mutual fund since 2010.
ProFunds Real Estate UltraSector
(
REPSX
) seeks to provide returns which are equivalent to one and a half
times the daily performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate
Index. The fund's portfolio consists of equity securities and
derivatives which have the ability to deliver such returns. The
real-estate mutual fund has a three year annualized return of
35.06%.
The real estate mutual fund has an expense ratio of 2.73%
compared to a category average of 1.38%.
T. Rowe Price Real Estate
(
TRREX
) invests a large share of its assets in companies from the real
estate sector. Not more than 20% of its assets may be invested in
companies which generate a significant part of their revenues by
servicing real estate companies. The real-estate mutual fund has a
three year annualized return of 29.13%.
As of March 2012, this real-estate mutual fund held 39 issues,
with 10.09% of its total assets invested in Simon Property Group,
Inc.
Fidelity Real Estate Investment
(
FRESX
) seeks both capital growth and income. The fund invests the
majority of its assets in real estate companies or other
investments related to the sector. The real estate mutual fund has
a three year annualized return of 31.84%.
Steve J. Buller is the Fund Manager and he has been managing
this real estate mutual fund since 1997.
Forward Real Estate A
(
KREAX
) invests a large share of its assets in securities issued by
companies from the real estate sector. The fund focuses on
investing in common stocks, related convertible securities, units
of REITs and preferred stock. The real-estate mutual fund has a
three year annualized return of -5.12%.
The real estate mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of
$4,000 and an expense ratio of 1.50% compared to a category average
of 1.38%.
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 at
http://www.zacks.com/funds
.
(FRESX): ETF Research Reports
(KIRAX): ETF Research Reports
(KREAX): ETF Research Reports
(REPSX): ETF Research Reports
(TRREX): ETF Research Reports
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