Best Mutual Funds to Consider for Investment Opportunities

Mutual funds are investment pools that gather capital from multiple investors to purchase a diversified portfolio of securities. Managed by professionals, these funds offer broader diversification and liquidity. They remain a favored choice for investors aiming to outperform the market or seeking diverse investment options beyond individual stocks. Unlike stocks, mutual funds are traded daily, and each share's value is called the net asset value (NAV). Many investors include mutual funds as part of their retirement savings plans.

Today, approximately 9,000 mutual funds manage around $16 trillion in assets. Some index funds follow specific market benchmarks, but most are actively managed by professional fund managers who buy and sell securities based on strategic objectives to outperform the market. These funds can target various sectors including commodities, real estate, and equities. According to Kiplinger, a respected finance magazine, the top mutual funds across different categories have been rated based on their recent performance.

For large-cap stocks demonstrating strong performance over the past year, top funds include:

Biondo Focus Investment (BFONX)

Fidelity OTC Portfolio (FOCPX)

CGM Focus (CGMFX)

Ridgeworth Aggressive Growth Stock (SAGAX)

Vanguard Capital Opportunity (VHCOX)

ICON Fund S (ICNZX)

Edgewood Growth Retail (EGFFX)

Fidelity Growth Company (FDGRX)

Invesco Value Opportunities (VVOAX)

Primecap Odyssey Growth (POGRX)

Over a three-year period, these funds have performed notably well:

Fidelity OTC Portfolio (FOCPX)

Parnassus Endeavor (PARWX)

USAA Nasdaq 100 Index (USNQX)

Shelton Capital Nasdaq 100 Index (NASDX)

Polen Growth Investment (POLRX)

Edgewood Growth Retail (EGFFX)

DoubleLine Shiller Enhanced CAPE (DSENX)

Janus Forty T (JACTX)

Fidelity Growth Company (FDGRX)

Rydex Nasdaq 100 H (RYHOX)

Over five years, consistent top performers include:

Fidelity OTC Portfolio (FOCPX)

Vanguard Capital Opportunity (VHCOX)

Parnassus Endeavor (PARWX)

Edgewood Growth Retail (EGFFX)

Vanguard Primecap Investor (VPMCX)

Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio (MSEGX)

Vanguard Primecap Core (VPCCX)

Shelton Capital Nasdaq 100 (NASDX)

Catalyst Dynamic Alpha (CPEIX)

Transamerica Capital Growth (IALAX)

And looking back two decades, the top funds are:

Vanguard Capital Opportunity (VHCOX)

Oakmark Select (OAKLX)

Calamos Growth (CVGRX)

Fidelity Millennium (FMILX)

Vanguard Primecap (VPMCX)

Quaker Strategic Growth (QUAGX)

Legg Mason ClearBridge (SHRAX)

Principal Capital Appreciation (CMNWX)

Amana Growth (AMAGX)

Janus Forty T (JACTX)

Similarly, the best funds of the past twenty years include:

Vanguard Capital Opportunity (VHCOX)

Oakmark Select (OAKLX)

Calamos Growth (CVGRX)

Fidelity Millennium (FMILX)

Vanguard Primecap (VPMCX)

Quaker Strategic Growth (QUAGX)

Legg Mason ClearBridge (SHRAX)

Principal Capital Appreciation (CMNWX)

Amana Growth (AMAGX)

Janus Forty T (JACTX)

According to TheStreet, some top mutual funds as of May 2017 include:

AQR Long Short Equity (QLENX)

DoubleLine Shiller CAPE (DSENX)

Matthews Emerging Asia (MEASX)

Fidelity Japan Small Company (FJSCX)

Hennessy Japan Small Cap (HJPSX)

DFA Japanese Small Co (DFJSX)

ProFunds Consumer Goods Ultra (CNPSX)

AQR US Defensive Equity (AUENX)

Lazard Global Infrastructure (GLFOX)

Gurtin Mun Opor Vl (GNMFX)

The U.S. News Mutual Fund Score evaluates funds based on performance, management, and future outlook, involving insights from experts like fund managers and analysts, with monthly updates.

Despite their popularity, mutual funds have drawbacks like high costs, tax inefficiency, and sometimes outdated strategies. Nonetheless, their extensive assets suggest they remain a valuable investment choice. Forbes highlights top mutual funds, including Pimco Total Return, which boasts a strong track record but comes with higher fees due to its long-duration approach. Overall, the massive $16 trillion invested indicates mutual funds continue to be a worthwhile investment avenue.