American Century Investments is a global asset management firm with more than $123 billion in assets and 200 institutional clients. Founded in 1958 by James Stowers, Jr, the company offers a wide range of products and services across a variety of investment styles and asset classes. The company takes a long term view of investments which allows it to be aligned to client interests and its stated investment objectives. American Century prides itself on a team-managed approach and contributes a significant share of its profits towards cutting edge medical research.

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

American Century High-Yield (ABHIX) seeks current income with a secondary objective of capital growth. A large share of the fund’s assets is utilized to purchase high-yield corporate bonds and other debt securities. Not more than 40% of its assets are invested in foreign fixed income securities. The fund has a three year annualized return of 12.42%.

The American Century mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 0.84% compared to a category average of 1.21%.

American Century Utilities (BULIX) invests the majority of its assets in securities listed on at least one index made up entirely of electricity, natural gas, cable television, water or sanitation services companies. The fund has a three year annualized return of 14.17%.

As of June 2012, this American Century mutual fund held 51 issues, with 12.81% of its total assets invested in AT&T Inc.

American Century Real Estate A ( AREEX - MF report ) seeks both current income and capital growth. A large share of the fund’s assets is invested in equity securities of real estate trusts and companies from the real estate sector. The fund has a three year annualized return of 30.2%.

The Fund Manager is Steven R. Brown and he has managed this American Century mutual fund since 2008.

American Century Inflation-Adjusted Bond ( ACITX - MF report ) utilizes the majority of its assets to purchase instruments which are inflation adjusted. Not more than 20% of its assets may be invested in securities which are not inflation indexed. The fund has a three year annualized return of 9.78%.

The American Century mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 0.48% compared to a category average of 0.81%.

American Century High-Yield Municipal A ( AYMAX - MF report ) seeks current income which is not subject to federal income tax. A large share of the fund’s assets is utilized to purchase municipal securities and other debt instruments which provide high yields. It focuses on acquiring long term and intermediate term securities. The fund has a three year annualized return of 11.62%.

The Fund Manager is Alan Kruss and he has managed this American Century mutual fund since 2011.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all American Century 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.