Utilities funds are an excellent choice for investors seeking a
steady income flow. They are also used as defensive instruments,
which protect investments during a market downturn. This is because
the demand for essential services such as those provided by
utilities remains unchanged even during difficult times. In recent
years, many funds in this category have increased their exposure to
emerging markets and unregulated companies. This has increased the
risk involved but has also generated higher returns.
Below we will share with you 5 top rated utilities 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 utilities funds, then
click here.
Gabelli Utilities AAA
(
GABUX)
invests a large share of its assets in utilities companies. The
fund focuses on acquiring securities of firms providing
electricity, gas and water services or equipment for these
industries. Not more than 40% of its assets are utilized to
purchase foreign securities. The utilities mutual fund has returned
9.8% over the last one year period.
Mario J. Gabelli is the fund manager and he has managed this
utilities mutual fund since 1999.
Rydex Utilities
(RYAUX)
seeks capital appreciation. The fund invests the majority of its
assets in utilities companies whose securities are traded in the
US. It focuses on purchasing equity securities and may also invest
in derivatives. The utilities mutual fund has a three year
annualized return of 11.62%.
The utilities mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of
$2,500 and an expense ratio of 1.87% compared to a category average
of 1.39%.
Invesco Utilities Investor
(FSTUX)
invests a large share of its assets in stocks of companies in the
utilities sector or related industries. Firms engaged in the
production and distribution of gas and electricity as well as those
providing telecom services constitutes its major investments. Not
more than 25% of its assets are invested in foreign companies from
related industries. This utilities fund returned 13.81% over the
last one year period.
Meggan Walsh is the fund manager and he has managed this
utilities mutual fund since 2009.
Vanguard Utilities Index Admiral Shares
(VUIAX)
seeks to track the performance of the MSCI U.S. Investable Market
Utilities Index. This index consists of companies in the utilities
sector regardless of their market capitalization. The utilities
mutual fund is non-diversified and has a five year annualized
return of 3.47%.
As of September 2011, this utilities mutual fund held 86 issues,
with 7.08% of its total assets invested in Southern Company.
American Century Utilities
(BULIX)
seeks current income and capital appreciation. The fund invests the
majority of its assets in securities listed on at least one index
made up entirely of electricity, natural gas, cable television,
water or sanitation services companies. The utilities mutual fund
has a ten year annualized return of 6.06%.
The utilities mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of
$2,500 and an expense ratio of 0.69% compared to a category average
of 1.39%.
To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all utilities
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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