Top 5 Best Performing Healthcare Mutual Funds Year-to-Date - Best Performing Funds Year To Date
February 15 2012 - 6:56AM
Zacks
When markets are sailing through troubled waters, investors
often depend on the healthcare sector to protect their valuable
investments. Healthcare and related services continue to remain in
demand during difficult market conditions and are a safe haven in
tough times. Several pharmaceutical companies also pay out regular
dividends, which help in combating losses from falling share
prices. Mutual funds are the perfect choice for investors looking
to enter this sector since they possess the analytical insight
needed to keep abreast of the latest advancements in this
sector.
Below we will share with you the 5 best performing healthcare
mutual funds year-to-date. To view the Zacks Rank and past
performance of all healthcare funds, investors can click here to
see the complete list of funds.
Mutual Fund |
Zacks Rank |
Total Return YTD |
ProFunds Biotech Ultra Sector |
#2 - Buy |
18.5% |
Rydex Biotechnology |
#2 - Buy |
14.7% |
Fidelity Select Biotechnology |
#2 - Buy |
12.6% |
Franling Biotechnology Discovery A |
#1 - Strong Buy |
12.5% |
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences |
#1 - Strong Buy |
10.0% |
ProFunds Biotechnology UltraSector (BIPSX) invests in
equity securities and derivatives that in the opinion of the fund
advisors possess daily return characteristics identical to one and
a half times the daily return of the Dow Jones U.S. Biotechnology
Index. The remainder of the funds assets are utilised to invest in
money market securities. The healthcare mutual fund is
non-diversified and returned 27.86% over the last one year
period.
The healthcare mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of
$15,000 and an expense ratio of 2.87% compared to a category
average of 1.57%.
Rydex Biotechnology (RYOIX) seeks capital growth. The
fund invests a large share of its assets in equity securities and
derivatives issued by domestic biotechnology companies. The fund is
non-diversified and seeks long-term capital growth. The healthcare
mutual fund returned 29.59% over the last one year period.
Michael P. Byrum is the fund manager and has managed this
healthcare mutual fund since 1998.
Fidelity Select Biotechnology (FBIOX) invests the
majority of its assets in companies seeking to benefit from
advances in the biotechnological sector. It focuses on acquiring
common stocks and may also purchases securities issued by foreign
companies. The healthcare mutual fund returned 32.21% over the last
one year period.
As of December 2011, this healthcare mutual fund held 128
issues, with 17.25% of its total assets invested in Amgen Inc.
Franklin Biotechnology Discovery A (FBDIX) seeks capital
growth. The fund 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. The healthcare mutual fund returned 22.48% over the last one
year period.
The healthcare mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of
$1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.31% compared to a category average
of 1.57%.
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences (PRHSX) 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
but may also purchase stock of smaller companies. The healthcare
mutual fund returned 18.69% over the last one year period.
Kris H. Jenner is the fund manager and has managed this
healthcare mutual fund since 2000.
To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all healthcare
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
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