Top 5 Growth Mutual Funds

A single minded focus towards capital appreciation are what best characterize growth funds. This purity of style is further established by the fact that investors can expect few or no dividend pay outs from such mutual funds. But investing in this class of funds requires a relatively higher appetite for risk than those following a value or blend style towards investing. However, in depth research and professional management are what make mutual funds a much safer proposition as compared to directly investing in growth stocks.

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

JPMorgan Large Cap Growth A ( OLGAX - MF report ) invests at least 80% of its assets are used to purchase equity in large-cap companies. The market capitalizations of these companies must be within the range of the companies in the Russell 1000 Growth index. The growth mutual fund returned 28.41% over the last one year period.

Christopher Jones is the fund manager and he has managed this growth mutual fund since 2006.

Glenmede Large Cap Growth ( GTLLX - MF report ) seeks significantly high total return over the long term. The majority of the fund’s assets are invested in 50 to 90 domestic large cap companies. The fund focuses on purchasing equity securities, such as common stocks. The growth mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 2.92%

The growth mutual fund has an expense ratio of 0.90% compared to a category average of 1.31%.

Needham Growth ( NEEGX - MF report ) invests at least 65% of its assets in domestic equity securities. The fund focuses on sectors such as technology, healthcare, media and business and consumer services. The growth mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 5.02%.

As of June 2011, this growth mutual fund held 68 issues, with 7.49% of its total assets invested in Dreyfus Treasury Pr Cash Mgmt Inst.

Pioneer Fundamental Growth A (PIGFX) seeks capital appreciation over the long term. The fund invests a large share of its assets in equity securities of large cap companies which are identical to those included in the Russell 1000 Growth Index. The growth mutual fund returned 23.31% in the last one year period.

Timothy Mulrenan is the fund manager and he has managed this growth mutual fund since 2007.

Transamerica Focus A ( IALAX - MF report ) invests in companies whose market cap lies within the bounds of the Russell 1000 Growth Index. A maximum of 25% of its assets may be utilized to purchase foreign securities. Not more than 10% of its assets may be invested in real estate investment trusts. The growth mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 6.87%.

The growth mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.55% compared to a category average of 1.31%.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all growth 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.