Top Ranked Precious Metals Funds
Investors often seek solace in precious metals instruments during a downturn. These investments are considered to be a natural hedge against a rapidly declining currency. Even a small portion of precious metals in a portfolio can provide significant protection against inflation. In addition, when markets are slowing down, securities related to these industries acquire greater significance. At such times they provide better returns than equity securities, even outperforming them. Precious metals funds are the best option for investing in this sector since they possess the advantages of professional insight and well-diversified portfolios.
Below we will share with you 5 top rated precious metals 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 precious metals funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.
Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Investor (VGPMX) invests a major portion of its assets in domestic and foreign companies that are mainly involved in mining, processing and distribution of precious and rare metals. A maximum of 20% may be directly invested in gold and silver among other precious metal bullions. The precious metals fund has a five year annualized return of 0.92%.
This non-diversified fund has an expense ratio of 0.25% as compared to category average of 1.41%.
OCM Gold Investor (OCMGX) seeks capital appreciation over long run. It invests a lion’s share of its assets in domestic and foreign companies related to gold mining and precious metals sector. Generally it invests in gold producers or gold mining exploration firms. This non-diversified precious metals fund has a five year annualized return of -0.21%.
Greg M. Orrell is the fund manager and has managed this fund since 1988.
Rydex Precious Metals Investor (RYPMX) invests majority of its assets in precious metals companies that are traded in the US. Investments can also be made in derivatives and small-cap and mid-cap companies. It may also invest in ADRs and government derivatives. This non-diversified precious metals fund has a five year annualized return of -2.38%.
As of March 2014, this fund held 43 issues with 9.10% of its assets invested in Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold.
Fidelity Select Gold Portfolio (FSAGX) seeks capital growth. It invests in companies whose primary operations are related to gold and few precious metals like silver, diamonds, platinum are considered for investments. The precious metals fund has a five year annualized return of -4.48%.
This non-diversified fund has an expense ratio of 0.92% as compared to category average of 1.41%.
American Century Global Gold (BGEIX) invests in securities of those global companies whose operations are related to gold or other precious metals. Investments are made with the purpose of attaining growth in capital and dividends by investing mostly in companies which are involved in processing, mining, fabricating and distributing gold. The precious metals fund has a five year annualized return of -2.79%.
Lynette Pang is the fund manager and has managed this fund since 2010.
To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all precious metals 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.
Read the analyst report on VGPMX
Read the analyst report on OCMGX
Read the analyst report on RYPMX
Read the analyst report on FSAGX
Read the analyst report on BGEIX
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