5 Strong Buy Diversified Bond Mutual Funds to Excel

Diversified bond funds provide investors with a convenient and affordable option to hold a portfolio of bonds from different economic sectors. The costs incurred to create a portfolio of individual bonds would be significantly higher than investing in this class of funds. The associated risk also undergoes a decline since volatility in a specific sector has only a partial effect on the fund’s fortunes. The opportunity to reinvest the income generated and a relatively higher level of liquidity also make them secure and attractive investments.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated diversified bond 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 diversified bond funds, then click here.

Toreador Core Retail (TORLX) seeks capital growth over the long run. It invests in large cap firms throughout the world having market capitalizations identical to those included in the S&P 500 Index or the Russell 1000 Index. It may also invest in small and mid cap companies and ETFs. In order to gain market exposure or for reducing risk, it may invest in options. The diversified bond mutual fund returned 23.4% in the last one year period.

The diversified bond mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.20% compared to a category average of 1.08%.

Wells Fargo Advantage Diversified Income Builder A (EKSAX) diversifies its portfolio by investing a large portion of its assets in both domestic and foreign securities. It primarily invests in corporate debt securities having junk ratings. It allocates 70-90% of its assets in debt securities and invests a maximum of 30% of its assets in equity securities. The diversified bond mutual fund returned 13.2% in the last one year period.

Margaret D. Patel is the fund manager and she has managed this diversified bond mutual fund since 2007.

Voya Global Bond Portfolio A (IOSAX) seeks high return with current income and capital growth. It invests a lion’s share of its assets in bonds all over the globe including that from developed and emerging economies. It invests in investment-grade instruments including corporate and government investment-grade bonds. The diversified bond mutual fund returned 7.6% in the last one year period.

As of June 2014, this diversified bond mutual fund held 435 issues, with 9.49% of its total assets invested in Voya Emerging Markets Hard Ccy Dbt P.

PIMCO Income A (PONAX) invests a minimum of 65% in Fixed Income Instruments that have different maturities including options, forwards and swaps. Also, a maximum of 50% is invested in below investment grade high-yield securities. However, these securities must have at least Caa rating by Moody’s or equivalent rating agencies. The diversified bond mutual fund returned 10.9% in the last one year period.

Alfred T. Murata is the fund manager and he has managed this diversified bond mutual fund since 2013.

Hartford Strategic Income A (HSNAX) seeks total return over the long run with high current income. It invests in debt securities in different countries which Wellington Management Company, LLP believes will give a high total return. It invests in securities including junk bonds and investment-grade securities. The diversified bond mutual fund returned 10.3% in the last one year period.

The diversified bond mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,000 and an expense ratio of 0.95% compared to a category average of 1.08%.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all diversified bond mutual funds, then click here.

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 in our Mutual Fund Center.

Read the analyst report on TORLX

Read the analyst report on EKSAX

Read the analyst report on IOSAX

Read the analyst report on PONAX

Read the analyst report on HSNAX


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