Technology is clearly a long term growth prospect for
investors willing to remain invested and should continue to
outperform the market over time. Many have viewed the sector with
skepticism since the tech bubble burst more than a decade ago,
but times have clearly changed for the better. Valuations are now
based on stronger fundamentals and careful selection of
investments has yielded good long term returns for many funds.
Technology mutual funds greatly reduce the volatility inherent in
this sector through by carefully selecting securities to create
widely diversified portfolios.
Below we will share with you the 5 best performing technology
mutual funds year to date. To view the Zacks Rank and past
performance of all technology funds, investors can click here to
see the complete list of funds.
|
Mutual Fund
|
Zacks Rank
|
Total Return YTD
|
|
Waddell & Reed Science & Technology A
|
#4 Sell
|
21.66%
|
|
ProFunds Internet UltraSector
|
#1 Strong Buy
|
15.66%
|
|
Fidelity Select Software & Computer Services
|
#1 Strong Buy
|
14.96%
|
|
Firsthand Technology Opportunities
|
#5 Strong Sell
|
14.81%
|
|
Goldman Sachs Technology Tollkeeper A
|
#1 Strong Buy
|
14.39%
|
Waddell & Reed Science & Technology A
(UNSCX) invests the majority of its assets in science and
technology companies. The fund focuses on investing in mid and
small-cap companies but may also invest in larger firms. The
technology mutual fund has a five year annualized return of
3.18%.
The fund manager is Zachary H. Shafran and he has managed this
technology mutual fund since 2001.
ProFunds Internet Ultra Sector
(INPSX) seeks a return identical to 150% of the performance of
the Dow Jones Internet Composite Index. The fund invests
substantially all its assets in a mix of equity securities and
derivatives. The non-diversified fund may also invest some part
of its assets in money market instruments. The technology mutual
fund has a five year annualized return of 1.44%.
The technology mutual fund has an expense ratio of 2.84%
compared to a category average of 1.61%.
Fidelity Select Software and Computer Services
(FSCSX) invests heavily in companies whose principal operations
are related to software or information-based services. The fund
may purchase foreign securities and invest a heavily in a single
issuer. The technology mutual fund has a five year annualized
return of 4.57%.
The fund manager is Brian Lempel and he has managed this
technology mutual fund since 2009.
Firsthand Technology Opportunities
(TEFQX) seeks capital appreciation over the long term. The fund
invests a large share of its assets in companies which utilize a
high degree of cutting edge engineering or scientific knowledge
in its operations. The technology mutual fund is non-diversified
and has a five year annualized return of 3.62%.
As of September 2012, this technology mutual fund held 27
issues, with 19.22% of its total assets invested in Apple,
Inc.
Goldman Sachs Technology Tollkeeper A
(GITAX) invests the majority of its assets in equity securities
of Tollkeeper companies .These are companies that are positioned
to benefit from the proliferation of technology. A maximum of 25%
of its assets may be utilized to purchase foreign securities. The
technology mutual fund has a five year annualized return of
2.14%.
The technology mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of
$1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.50% compared to a category
average of 1.61%.
To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all technology
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.
(FSCSX): ETF Research Reports
(GITAX): ETF Research Reports
(INPSX): ETF Research Reports
(TEFQX): ETF Research Reports
(UNSCX): ETF Research Reports
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