Top 5 Real Estate Mutual Funds - Best of Funds

For investors looking to park their funds in the real estate sector, mutual funds are the most cheapest and convenient method. This category of funds also offers superior protection against inflation. The real estate sector has seen tough times recently but the presence of these investments generally adds stability to a portfolio. This is because the volatility in property prices is far less compared to the kind experienced by stocks. Adding such funds to a widely diversified portfolio would increase returns while reducing the associated risk significantly.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated real estate 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 theZacks Rank and past performance of all real estate funds, then click here.

Franklin Real Estate Securities A (FREEX) seeks both current income and capital growth. Real estate investment trusts and companies which derive at least half of their revenues from operations in the real estate sector constitute its major investments. The real-estate mutual fund returned 27.47% over the last one year period.

Jack Foster is the Fund Manager and he has been managing this real estate mutual fund since 2008.

Fidelity Real Estate Income (FRIFX) invests heavily in preferred and common stocks of real estate investment trusts. Debt securities of real estate companies as well as related asset backed securities constitute its other major investments. The real estate mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 3.87%.

As of July 2010, this real estate mutual fund held 333 issues, with 7.70% of its total assets invested in Fidelity Revere Str Tr.

Oppenheimer Real Estate A (OREAX) seeks total return. The majority of the fund's assets are used to purchase equity securities, such as common stocks of companies form the real estate sector. The real-estate mutual fund returned 29.08% over the last one year period.

The real estate mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.50% compared to a category average of 1.50%.

First American Real Estate Securities A (FREAX) primarily invests in publicly traded companies from the real estate sector. The fund focuses on acquiring income-generating common stock, but may also invest in derivatives in order to mitigate risk. The real estate mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 4.74%.

John G. Wenker is the Fund Manager and he has been managing this real estate mutual fund since 1999.

JPMorgan US Real Estate A (SUSIX) seeks capital appreciation and current income. The fund invests the majority of its assets in domestic real estate companies whose securities are traded publicly. At least 25% of its assets are invested in companies with interests in the real estate sector. The real estate mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 9.36%.

The real estate mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.18% compared to a category average of 1.50%.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all real estate 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 at http://www.zacks.com/funds/mutualfund/