The healthcare sector is one of the most desirable avenues for
parking investments when markets are headed south. The demand for
such services usually remains unchanged even during an economic
downturn and investments in the sector provide sufficient
protection to the capital invested. Several pharmaceutical
companies also provide regular dividends, which can help mitigate
losses from falling share prices. Healthcare mutual funds provide
the perfect avenue for investors looking to invest in this
sector.
Below we will share with you 5 top rated health mutual funds.
Each has earned a
Zacks #1
Rank
(Strong Buy) as we expect these mutual funds to outperform their
peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past
performance of all health funds, investors can
click here to see the complete list of funds
.
Franklin Biotechnology Discovery A
(
FBDIX
) invests a large proportion of its assets in biotechnology
companies and discovery research companies. The fund focuses on
acquiring equity securities, with an emphasis on common stock. Not
more than 20% of its assets may be invested in securities of any
kind of domestic or foreign issuer. The healthcare mutual fund has
a three year annualized return of 21.24%.
Evan McCulloch is the fund manager and has managed this
healthcare mutual fund since 1997.
Fidelity Select Health Care
(
FSPHX
) seeks capital growth. The fund invests the majority of its assets
in companies whose principal operations include production, design
and sales of health care related products or services. It focuses
on acquiring common stocks and purchases both domestic and foreign
securities. The healthcare mutual fund has a three year annualized
return of 19.82%.
The healthcare mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of
$2,500 and an expense ratio of 0.80% compared to a category average
of 1.50%.
Rydex Biotechnology
(
RYOIX
) invests substantially in equity securities and derivatives issued
by domestic biotechnology companies. It is non-diversified and
seeks long-term capital growth. The healthcare mutual fund has a
three year annualized return of 21.29%.
As of June 2012, this healthcare mutual fund held 40 issues,
with 9.23% of its total assets invested in Amgen Inc.
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences
(
PRHSX
) seeks capital growth over the long term. The fund invests the
majority of its assets in common stocks of companies whose primary
operations are related to healthcare products medicine or life
sciences. The fund focuses on investing in large and mid-cap firms.
The healthcare mutual fund has a three year annualized return of
24.7%.
Kris H. Jenner is the fund manager and has managed this
healthcare mutual fund since 2000.
ProFunds Pharmaceuticals UltraSector
(
PHPSX
) invests in equity securities and derivatives which together
should provide daily returns which are 150% of the daily return of
the Dow Jones U.S. Pharmaceuticals Index. The balance of the fund's
assets is utilized to purchase money market securities. The
healthcare mutual fund has a three year annualized return of
21.82%.
The healthcare mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of
$15,000 and an expense ratio of 2.73% compared to a category
average of 1.50%.
To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all health 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
(FBDIX): ETF Research Reports
(FSPHX): ETF Research Reports
(PHPSX): ETF Research Reports
(PRHSX): ETF Research Reports
(RYOIX): ETF Research Reports
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