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Mutual funds having significant exposure to municipal bonds, also known as "munis," are excellent choices for risk-averse investors looking to derive stable tax-free returns. These funds seek to provide returns with a low level of risk by investing in municipal debt securities issued by state and local governments.
These securities are believed to provide steady returns exempted from federal taxes and in many cases from state taxes as well, making them the preferred choices in a choppy market. Though munis are expected to provide lower yields than taxable bonds, they fetch better returns for investors in high tax brackets if we consider after-tax returns.
Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free A (LISAX - Free Report) invests 80% of its net assets in municipal bonds that are capable of paying interest exempt from federal tax. The fund aims for the maximum amount of interest income exempted possible from the federal income tax, with reasonable risk. LISAX uses the Bloomberg Barclays 1-15 Year Municipal Bond Index's volatility as an approximation of reasonable risk. Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free A has returned 1.8% in the past three years.
LISAX has an expense ratio of 0.70% compared with the category average of 0.76%.
Eaton Vance PA Municipal Income A (ETPAX - Free Report) aims for capital gains by investing 75% of its net assets in municipal bonds that are rated at least investment grade at the time of investment. If unrated, the investment advisor can determine whether it is investment grade or not and then pick accordingly. The fund aims to provide current income exempted from regular federal tax. Eaton Vance PA Municipal Income A has returned 1.6% in the past three years.
Adam A. Weigold is the fund manager of ETPAX since 2007.
Fidelity Advisor California Municipal Income A (FCMAX - Free Report) seeks tax-exempted, high-current income. FCMAX invests a large share of its assets in municipal debt securities that are rated as investment-grade and expected to pay interest income free from federal and California personal income taxes. FCMAX invests a minimum of one-fourth of its assets in municipal securities.Fidelity Advisor California Municipal Income A has three-year annualized returns of 1.7%.
As of February 2019, FCMAX held 726 issues, with 1.30% of its assets invested in SAN FRANCISCO CALIF CITY & CNTY ARPTS COMMN INTL ARPT REV 5%.
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3 Muni Bond Mutual Funds to Add to Your Portfolio
Mutual funds having significant exposure to municipal bonds, also known as "munis," are excellent choices for risk-averse investors looking to derive stable tax-free returns. These funds seek to provide returns with a low level of risk by investing in municipal debt securities issued by state and local governments.
These securities are believed to provide steady returns exempted from federal taxes and in many cases from state taxes as well, making them the preferred choices in a choppy market. Though munis are expected to provide lower yields than taxable bonds, they fetch better returns for investors in high tax brackets if we consider after-tax returns.
Below we share with you three top-ranked municipal bond mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) and is expected to outperform its peers in the future. Investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.
Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free A (LISAX - Free Report) invests 80% of its net assets in municipal bonds that are capable of paying interest exempt from federal tax. The fund aims for the maximum amount of interest income exempted possible from the federal income tax, with reasonable risk. LISAX uses the Bloomberg Barclays 1-15 Year Municipal Bond Index's volatility as an approximation of reasonable risk. Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free A has returned 1.8% in the past three years.
LISAX has an expense ratio of 0.70% compared with the category average of 0.76%.
Eaton Vance PA Municipal Income A (ETPAX - Free Report) aims for capital gains by investing 75% of its net assets in municipal bonds that are rated at least investment grade at the time of investment. If unrated, the investment advisor can determine whether it is investment grade or not and then pick accordingly. The fund aims to provide current income exempted from regular federal tax. Eaton Vance PA Municipal Income A has returned 1.6% in the past three years.
Adam A. Weigold is the fund manager of ETPAX since 2007.
Fidelity Advisor California Municipal Income A (FCMAX - Free Report) seeks tax-exempted, high-current income. FCMAX invests a large share of its assets in municipal debt securities that are rated as investment-grade and expected to pay interest income free from federal and California personal income taxes. FCMAX invests a minimum of one-fourth of its assets in municipal securities.Fidelity Advisor California Municipal Income A has three-year annualized returns of 1.7%.
As of February 2019, FCMAX held 726 issues, with 1.30% of its assets invested in SAN FRANCISCO CALIF CITY & CNTY ARPTS COMMN INTL ARPT REV 5%.
To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all municipal bond mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.
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