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Top 5 Healthcare Mutual Funds
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ShareWhen markets are passing through choppy waters, investors often rely on the healthcare sector to safeguard their investments. This is because the demand for healthcare services does not vary with market conditions, making them a safe haven during difficult times. Many pharma companies also generate regular dividends, which go a long way in softening the blow dealt by plummeting share prices. Mutual funds are the perfect choice for investors looking to enter this sector since they possess the advantages of wide diversification and analytical insight.V
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, then click here.
Invesco Global Health Care A (GGHCX) invests primarily in companies from the health care sector. It purchases securities from issuers located in at least three countries, including the US. Up to 50% of its assets may be invested in any one country, apart from the US. The health mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 6.67%.
The health mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.23% compared to a category average of 1.72%.
Schwab Health Care (SWHFX) seeks capital appreciation by investing heavily in the healthcare sector. The fund primarily purchase equity securities but may also invest in future contracts. It focuses on investing in domestic firms, but may invest up to 25% of its assets in other countries. The health mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 7.77%.
Larry Mano is the fund manager and has managed this health mutual fund since 2000.
Fidelity Select Health Care (FSPHX) invests the majority of its assets in companies whose principal operations include production, design and sales of health care related products or services. The health mutual fund returned 39.75% over the last one year period.
As of June 2011, this health mutual fund held 103 issues, with 6.18% of its total assets invested in Covidien, Ltd.
Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences A (ETHSX) seeks capital appreciation over the long term. The fund invests at least 80% of its assets in health science companies and related firms. The fund invests in instruments from at least three different countries at any given time. The health mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 7.85%.
The health mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 2.07% compared to a category average of 1.72%.
Vanguard Health Care Index (VHCIX) invests primarily in healthcare stocks and seeks to match the performance of the MSCI U.S. Investable Market Health Care 25/50 index. This index consists of stocks of companies of all sizes from this sector. The health mutual fund returned 30.02% in the last one year period.
Ryan E. Ludt is the fund manager and has managed this health mutual fund since 2004.
To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all health 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.
Read the full analyst report on GGHCX
Read the full analyst report on SWHFX
Read the full analyst report on FSPHX
Read the full analyst report on ETHSX
Read the full analyst report on VHCIX
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| Market Summary | May 26, 2012 13:39 pm ET |
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