Top 5 Best Performing Growth Mutual Funds Year to Date

A single minded focus towards capital appreciation is what best characterizes growth funds. This purity of style is further established by the fact that investors can expect few or no dividend pay outs from such mutual funds. But investing in this class of funds requires a relatively higher appetite for risk than those following a value or blend style towards investing. However, in depth research and professional management are what make mutual funds a much safer proposition as compared to directly investing in growth stocks.

Below we will share with you the 5 best performing growth mutual funds year to date. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all growth funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

Hennessy Cornerstone Growth (HFCGX - MF report) invests in common stocks of companies with a strong growth orientation. The fund’s portfolio consists of 50 common stocks selected using a quantitative technique known as the Cornerstone Growth Strategy. The growth mutual fund returned 30.27% in the last one year period.

Neil J. Hennessy is the fund manager and he has managed this growth mutual fund since 2000.

Artisan Global Opportunities (ARTRX - MF report) seeks capital appreciation over the long term. The fund purchases domestic and foreign equity securities and depositary receipts. It may invest in mature markets as well as in emerging economies. It focuses on investing in domestic companies with a minimum market cap of at least $3 billion. The growth mutual fund returned 25.41% in the last one year period.

The growth mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.34% compared to a category average of 1.41%.

Federated Kaufmann Large Cap A (KLCAX - MF report) invests heavily in large cap companies whose stocks are traded on national securities exchanges, the NASDAQ as well as over the counter. A maximum of 30% of its assets are invested in foreign securities. The growth mutual fund returned 19.87% in the last one year period.

As of September 2012, this growth mutual fund held 50 issues, with 3.99% of its total assets invested in American International Group Inc.

Aquila Three Peaks Opportunity Growth A (ATGAX - MF report) seeks capital growth. A minimum of 70% of its assets are in equity securities of companies with the ability to deliver capital growth. The fund invests in companies without regard to their market capitalization. The growth mutual fund returned 21.48% in the last one year period.

Brent R. Olson is the fund manager has managed this growth mutual fund since 2010.

Elfun Trusts (ELFNX - MF report) focuses on investing in domestic equity securities including common and preferred stocks. It may also invest a relatively smaller amount in foreign securities and bonds. The growth mutual fund returned 21.28% in the last one year period.

The growth mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $500 and an expense ratio of 0.21% compared to a category average of 1.27%.

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