With over 85 years of experience operating in the investment industry, Eaton Vance is one of the oldest investment management firms in the U.S. The company manages more than $173.1 billion worth of assets and offers a wide range of investment products and wealth management services to individuals and institutions, along with its affiliates. Eaton Vance believes that its client-centric approach sets it apart from other organizations in the asset management industry and aims to become the country’s premier investment management firm.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated Eaton Vance 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 Eaton Vance funds, then click here.

Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences A (ETHSX) invests the majority of its assets in common stocks of companies in the healthcare sector. These companies are those whose principal operations involve products or services related to scientific advances in healthcare. It also purchases fixed-income and foreign securities. The fund returned 26.84% over the last one year period.

The Eaton Vance fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 2.11% compared to a category average of 1.98%.

Eaton Vance Greater India A ( ETGIX - MF report ) seeks long-term capital growth. At least 80% of its assets are invested in companies in India and its surrounding countries. Not more than 5% are invested in countries other than India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The fund returned 118.27% in the last one year period and has a five year annualized return of 14.24%.

Christopher Darling is the fund manager and he has managed this Eaton Vance fund since 2007.

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed International Equity A ( ETIGX - MF report ) invests in a wide range of foreign equity securities. It focuses on purchasing common stocks of companies included in the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australia, and Far East ('EAFE') Index. The fund returned 43.58% over the last one year period.

This Eaton Vance fund has an expense ratio of 1.73% compared to a category average of 1.41%.

Eaton Vance Dividend Builder A ( EVTMX - MF report ) seeks total return by investing in dividend-paying common stocks and related convertible securities. Up to 20% of its net assets may be invested in fixed-income securities. Not more than 10% of these securities can have low ratings. The fund has a ten year annualized return of 4.03%.

Charles A. Gaffney is the fund manager and he has managed this Eaton Vance fund since 2007.

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Small Cap A (ETMGX) invests in a wide range of small-cap companies. It focuses on companies with market capitalizations which correspond to firms included in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Up to 25% of its assets may be used to purchase foreign securities. The fund has a five year annualized return of 4.86%.

As of December 2009, this fund held 73 issues, with 2.32% of its total assets invested in Walter Energy.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Eaton Vance 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/mutualfund/