Zacks #1 Ranked Healthcare Mutual Funds

The healthcare sector is one of the most desirable avenues for parking investments when markets are headed south. The demand for such services usually remains unchanged even during an economic downturn and investments in the sector provide sufficient protection to the capital invested. Several pharmaceutical companies also provide regular dividends, which can help mitigate losses from falling share prices. Healthcare mutual funds provide the perfect avenue for investors looking to invest in this sector.

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, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

Fidelity Select Health Care (FSPHX - MF report) seeks capital growth. The fund invests the majority of its assets in companies whose principal operations include production, design and sales of health care related products or services. It focuses on acquiring common stocks and purchases both domestic and foreign securities. The healthcare mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 17.5%.

The healthcare mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 0.80% compared to a category average of 1.49%.

ProFunds Pharmaceuticals UltraSector (PHPSX - MF report) invests in equity securities and derivatives which together should provide daily returns which are 150% of the daily return of the Dow Jones U.S. Pharmaceuticals Index. The balance of the fund’s assets is utilized to purchase money market securities. The healthcare mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 20.55%.

As of April 2012, this healthcare mutual fund held 32 issues, with 15.46% of its total assets invested in Johnson & Johnson.

T. Rowe Price Health Sciences (PRHSX - MF report) seeks capital growth over the long term. The fund invests the majority of its assets in common stocks of companies whose primary operations are related to healthcare products medicine or life sciences. The fund focuses on investing in large and mid-cap firms. The healthcare mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 22.36%.

Kris H. Jenner is the fund manager and has managed this healthcare mutual fund since 2000.

Franklin Biotechnology Discovery A (FBDIX - MF report) 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. Not more than 20% of its assets may be invested in securities of any kind of domestic or foreign issuer. The healthcare mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 18.2%.

The healthcare mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.26% compared to a category average of 1.49%.

Rydex Biotechnology (RYOIX - MF report) seeks capital growth. The fund invests substantially in equity securities and derivatives issued by domestic biotechnology companies. It is non-diversified and seeks long-term capital growth. The healthcare mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 17.68%.

Michael P. Byrum is the fund manager and has managed this healthcare mutual fund since 1998.

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.