Top 5 Zacks #1 Ranked Real Estate Mutual Funds

Mutual funds investing the real estate sector should be a necessary addition to portfolios with a long term horizon even though the sector has traversed rough waters in the recent past. Real estate mutual funds have delivered significantly high returns in the past and offer a convenient method for investing in this sector. With their low initial investment requirements, well diversified portfolios and professional management they can go a long way in lowering the risk involved. They also bring stability and steady returns to portfolios over the long term.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated real estate 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 real estate funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

Forward International Real Estate A ( KIRAX - MF report ) seeks current income and capital growth. The fund invests the majority of its assets in equity securities of foreign real estate and related firms. It invests in companies from a minimum of three different foreign countries. The real-estate mutual fund returned 54.98% over the last one year period.

The real estate mutual fund has an expense ratio of 1.65% compared to a category average of 1.46%.

Fidelity Real Estate Investment ( FRESX - MF report ) invests a large share of its assets in real estate companies or other investments related to the sector. The fund is non-diversified and invests in both domestic and foreign securities. The real-estate mutual fund returned 34.25% over the last one year period.

As of September 2012, this real-estate mutual fund held 51 issues, with 11.73% of its total assets invested in Simon Property Group, Inc.

Manning & Napier Real Estate Series ( MNREX - MF report ) seeks current income and capital growth over the long term. It invests heavily in equity, debt and exchange traded funds from the real estate sector. A maximum of 20% of its assets can be invested in debt instruments. The real-estate mutual fund returned 36.54% over the last one year period.

Christian A. Andreach is the Fund Manager and he has been managing this real estate mutual fund since 2009.

Principal Global Real Estate Securities A ( POSAX - MF report ) invests a large proportion of its assets in equity securities of domestic and foreign real estate. The fund invest in companies located worldwide as well as nations with emerging securities markets. The real-estate mutual fund returned 33.52% over the last one year period.

The real estate mutual fund has an expense ratio of 1.45% compared to a category average of 1.46%.

Davis Real Estate A ( RPFRX - MF report ) seeks both capital growth and current income. The fund invests a large share of its assets in domestic companies from the real estate sector through equity securities, bonds, ADRs and GDRs. The real-estate mutual fund returned 31.98% over the last one year period.

Chandler Adams Spears is the Fund Manager and he has been managing this real estate mutual fund since 2002.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all real estate 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.