We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Principal mutual funds are managed by Principal Asset Management, which began operations in 1994 and oversees $601.5 billion in assets. It provides mutual fund options that include equity funds, fixed-income funds, and multi-asset fund investments. Portfolio management depends on research activities, which include fundamental analysis, macroeconomic assessment and risk evaluation methods that distribute investments across multiple market segments instead of following current market trends. The combination of these elements creates an attractive investment opportunity.
We have chosen three Principal mutual funds —Principal Capital Appreciation ((CMNWX - Free Report) ), Principal MidCap ((PMBMX - Free Report) ) and Principal International Equity ((PTPPX - Free Report) ) that investors should buy now for the long term. These funds have a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), positive three-year and five-year annualized returns, minimum initial investments within $5000 and expense ratios considerably lower than the category average. So, these funds have provided a comparatively stronger performance and carry a lower fee.
Principal Capital Appreciation fund seeks long-term growth of capital by primarily investing in the common stocks of West Coast companies. CMNWX advisors also invest in money market instruments for temporary defensive purposes.
Daniel R. Coleman has been the lead manager of CMNWX since May 19, 2010. Most of the fund's holdings were in companies like NVIDIA Corp (7.3%), Microsoft Corp (7.3%) and Apple Inc. (4.4%) as of July 31, 2025.
CMNWX's 3-year and 5-year annualized returns are 19.3% and 14.8%, respectively. Its net expense ratio is 0.74%. CMNWX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1.
To see how this fund performed compared to its category and other 1 and 2 Ranked Mutual Funds,please click here.
Principal MidCap fund seeks long-term growth by investing primarily in common stocks and other equity securities of medium-capitalization companies that the managers believe offer above-average growth potential or have stock that is undervalued.
Bill Nolin has been the lead manager of PMBMXsince Dec. 6, 2000. Most of the fund's holdings were in companies like Brookfield Corp (5.6%), HEICO Corp (5.4%) and TransDigm Group Inc (5.3%) as of July 31, 2025.
PMBMX's 3-year and 5-year annualized returns are 12.8% and 8.7%, respectively. Its net expense ratio is 1.13%. PMBMXhas a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1.
Principal International Equityfundinvests its assets in equity securities, including stocks and equity-focused ETFs, and mutual funds.
Paul H. Blankenhagen has been the lead manager of PTPPXsince July 31, 2024. Most of the fund’s holdings were in companies like Deutsche Telekom AG (4.7%), AIA Group Ltd (3.8%) andErste Group Bank AG (3.8%) as of July 31, 2025.
PTPPX’s 3-year and 5-year annualizedreturns are 16.7% and 7.8%, respectively. Its net expense ratio is 0.92%. PTPPXhas a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1.
Want key mutual fund info delivered straight to your inbox?
Zacks' free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top performing mutual funds, each week.Get it free >>
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
3 Principal Mutual Funds to Boost Your Portfolio
Principal mutual funds are managed by Principal Asset Management, which began operations in 1994 and oversees $601.5 billion in assets. It provides mutual fund options that include equity funds, fixed-income funds, and multi-asset fund investments. Portfolio management depends on research activities, which include fundamental analysis, macroeconomic assessment and risk evaluation methods that distribute investments across multiple market segments instead of following current market trends. The combination of these elements creates an attractive investment opportunity.
We have chosen three Principal mutual funds —Principal Capital Appreciation ((CMNWX - Free Report) ), Principal MidCap ((PMBMX - Free Report) ) and Principal International Equity ((PTPPX - Free Report) ) that investors should buy now for the long term. These funds have a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), positive three-year and five-year annualized returns, minimum initial investments within $5000 and expense ratios considerably lower than the category average. So, these funds have provided a comparatively stronger performance and carry a lower fee.
Principal Capital Appreciation fund seeks long-term growth of capital by primarily investing in the common stocks of West Coast companies. CMNWX advisors also invest in money market instruments for temporary defensive purposes.
Daniel R. Coleman has been the lead manager of CMNWX since May 19, 2010. Most of the fund's holdings were in companies like NVIDIA Corp (7.3%), Microsoft Corp (7.3%) and Apple Inc. (4.4%) as of July 31, 2025.
CMNWX's 3-year and 5-year annualized returns are 19.3% and 14.8%, respectively. Its net expense ratio is 0.74%. CMNWX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1.
To see how this fund performed compared to its category and other 1 and 2 Ranked Mutual Funds,please click here.
Principal MidCap fund seeks long-term growth by investing primarily in common stocks and other equity securities of medium-capitalization companies that the managers believe offer above-average growth potential or have stock that is undervalued.
Bill Nolin has been the lead manager of PMBMX since Dec. 6, 2000. Most of the fund's holdings were in companies like Brookfield Corp (5.6%), HEICO Corp (5.4%) and TransDigm Group Inc (5.3%) as of July 31, 2025.
PMBMX's 3-year and 5-year annualized returns are 12.8% and 8.7%, respectively. Its net expense ratio is 1.13%. PMBMX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1.
Principal International Equity fund invests its assets in equity securities, including stocks and equity-focused ETFs, and mutual funds.
Paul H. Blankenhagen has been the lead manager of PTPPX since July 31, 2024. Most of the fund’s holdings were in companies like Deutsche Telekom AG (4.7%), AIA Group Ltd (3.8%) and Erste Group Bank AG (3.8%) as of July 31, 2025.
PTPPX’s 3-year and 5-year annualized returns are 16.7% and 7.8%, respectively. Its net expense ratio is 0.92%. PTPPX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1.
Want key mutual fund info delivered straight to your inbox?
Zacks' free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top performing mutual funds, each week.Get it free >>