Mutual funds investing in the Pacific Basin region provide a truly unique investment opportunity. Among this region’s inherent strengths are the world’s most advanced technological capabilities and a burgeoning pool of savings. Fast growing potential markets are another unique feature of this part of the world. Tapping into the strengths of both mature and developing economies, these funds ensure that they hold highly diversified portfolios. Moreover, they offer lucrative growth opportunities, while ensuring safety of capital invested.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated Pacific mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect these mutual funds to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Pacific funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

Vanguard Pacific Stock Index ( VPACX - MF report ) invests almost all of its assets in common stocks which make up the MCSI Pacific Index. The fund follows a passive management approach and aims to track the performance of the index. The Pacific mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 16.04%.

The Pacific mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $3,000 and an expense ratio of 0.26% compared to a category average of 1.43%.

T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund ( PRASX - MF report ) seeks long term capital appreciation. The fund invests a majority of its assets in common stocks of Asian companies (excluding Japanese companies) without regard to their size. It predominantly invests in emerging markets such as China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong etc. The Pacific mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 34.68%.

Anh Lu is the fund manager and she has managed this Pacific mutual fund since 2009.

Allianz AGIC Pacific Rim A ( ) utilises a large share of its assets to purchase equity securities of companies with economic linkages to Pacific Rim countries. It invests in at least three Pacific region countries at any given time. The Pacific mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 13.88%.

The Pacific mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.63% compared to a category average of 1.43%.

Cohen & Steers Asia Pacific Realty A ( APFAX - MF report ) seeks total return. The fund invests heavily in real estate investment trusts, similar institutions and real estate companies from the Asia Pacific region. It focuses on acquiring emerging market securities and instruments with similar economic features. The Pacific mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 22.78%.

As of March 2012, this Pacific mutual fund held 52 issues, with 8.65% of its total assets invested in China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

Oberweis Asia Opportunities ( OBAOX - MF report ) invests the majority of its assets in equity securities of Asian companies. The fund focuses on purchasing securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations. It may also invest in securities issued from other mature and emerging markets. The Pacific mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 32.35%.

John Wong is the fund manager and she has managed this Pacific mutual fund since 2008.

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