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Top 5 Healthcare Mutual Funds
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ShareDuring difficult market conditions, investors often depend on the healthcare sector to safeguard their investments. Since the demand for healthcare and related services does not vary with market conditions, they are a safe haven during tough times. Many pharmaceutical companies also generate regular dividends, which aid 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 domain.
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.
Prudential Jennison Health Sciences A (PHLAX) seeks capital appreciation over the long term. The fund invests heavily in firms from the health sciences domain. Equity and related securities of pharma companies, biotech firms, service providers and medical device manufacturers constitute its major investments. The health mutual fund returned 8.22% in the last one year period.
The health mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 1.27% compared to a category average of 1.60%.
Franklin Biotechnology Discovery A (FBDIX) 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 health mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 3.18%.
Evan McCulloch is the fund manager and has managed this health mutual fund since 1997.
Vanguard Health Care (VGHCX) seeks capital growth in the long term. The fund utilizes a large share of its assets to purchase equity securities of companies from the health care sector. This includes firms focusing on research activities such as drug discovery. Not more than half of the fund’s assets may be invested in foreign equity. The health mutual fund returned 8.91% in the last one year period.
The health mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $3,000 and an expense ratio of 0.35% compared to a category average of 1.60%.
Delaware Healthcare A (DLHAX) invests the majority of its assets in the healthcare sector. The fund purchases equity of both domestic and foreign companies regardless of their size. It may also invest in emerging market stocks. The health mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 16.37%.
As of September 2011, this health mutual fund held 43 issues, with 7.77% of its total assets invested in Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences (PRHSX) seeks capital appreciation in the long term. The fund invests heavily in common stocks of companies whose primary operations are related to healthcare products medicine or life sciences. The health mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 6.93%.
Kris H. Jenner is the fund manager and has managed this health mutual fund since 2000.
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 PHLAX
Read the full analyst report on FBDIX
Read the full analyst report on VGHCX
Read the full analyst report on DLHAX
Read the full analyst report on PRHSX
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| Market Summary | May 26, 2012 22:42 pm ET |
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