Zacks #1 Ranked Precious Metals Funds
Precious metals have always been a solid investment choice, especially in times of economic uncertainty. They also offer superior protection against inflation, which cannot be said of almost all other reasonably liquid assets. Consequently, they outperform other sectors during a market downturn, as they have demonstrated in the recent past. Since they hold well diversified portfolios and are professionally managed, precious metals funds offer the most stable option for investments in this sector.
Below we will share with you 5 top rated precious metals mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect the fund to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all precious metals funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.
Rydex Precious Metals Investor (RYPMX) seeks capital growth. Majority of the fund’s assets are invested in domestic companies involved in precious metals. Investments can also be made in derivatives and small-cap and mid-cap companies involved in precious metals. The precious metals fund has a five year annualized return of 1.67%.
The fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and has an expense ratio of 1.25% compared to category average of 1.40%.
OCM Gold Investor (OCMGX) seeks capital growth over the long term. It invests a majority of its assets in global and international companies, irrespective of market size, involved in the gold mining industry. The precious metals fund has a five year annualized return of 2.73%.
The fund manager is Greg M. Orrell and has managed this precious metals mutual fund since 1988.
Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining (VGPMX) invests a lion’s share of its assets in domestic and foreign companies that are mainly involved in mining, exploration and distribution of metals. All of its assets may be invested in foreign companies. A maximum of 20% may be invested in gold and silver apart from precious metal bullion. The precious metals fund has a five year annualized return of 6.27%.
As of December 2013, this non-diversified fund held 44 issues with 9.41% of its assets invested in Johnson Matthey PLC.
Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals A (OPGSX) seeks capital growth. It invests primarily in those companies who primarily mine or deal in gold. Apart from domestic companies, the fund may also invest in companies from developing or emerging economies. The precious metals fund has a five year annualized return of 4.42%.
The fund has an expense ratio of 1.23% as compared to category average of 1.40%.
American Century Global Gold (BGEIX) invests in securities of those global companies whose primary operations are related to gold. Investments are made with the purpose of attaining growth in capital and dividends by investing in companies which are involved in processing, mining, fabricating and distributing gold. The precious metals fund has a five year annualized return of 0.57%.
The fund manager is William Martin and has managed this precious metals mutual fund since 1992.
To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all precious metals 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.
Read the analyst report on RYPMX
Read the analyst report on OCMGX
Read the analyst report on VGPMX
Read the analyst report on OPGSX
Read the analyst report on BGEIX
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