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2 days ago
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Is American Funds Inc Fnd of Amer A (AMECX) a Strong Mutual Fund Pick Right Now?
If investors are looking at the Large Cap Value fund category, American Funds Inc Fnd of Amer A (AMECX) could be a potential option. AMECX carries a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), which is based on various forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance. Large Cap Value mutual funds invest in stocks with a market capitalization of $10 billion or more, but whose share prices do not reflect their intrinsic value; this value investing strategy often leads to low P/E ratios and high dividend yields, though growth levels are often curtailed. The high-growth opportunity of these funds are slowed even further, as large-cap securities are generally in stable industries with low to moderate growth prospects. Therefore, Large Cap Value funds are usually more appealing to investors who are interested in a stable income stream. American Funds is responsible for AMECX, and the company is based out of Los Angeles, CA. American Funds Inc Fnd of Amer A debuted in December of 1970. Since then, AMECX has accumulated assets of about $77.86 billion, according to the most recently available information. A team of investment professionals is the fund's current manager. Investors naturally seek funds with strong performance. AMECX has a 5-year annualized total return of 9.79% and it sits in the top third among its category peers. Investors who prefer analyzing shorter time frames should look at its 3-year annualized total return of 6.77%, which places it in the top third during this time-frame. It is important to note that the product's returns may not reflect all its expenses. Any fees not reflected would lower the returns. Total returns do not reflect the fund's [%] sale charge. If sales charges were included, total returns would have been lower. When looking at a fund's performance, it is also important to note the standard deviation of the returns. The lower the standard deviation, the less volatility the fund experiences. AMECX's standard deviation over the past three years is 11.34% compared to the category average of 13.65%. Over the past 5 years, the standard deviation of the fund is 10.76% compared to the category average of 13.33%. This makes the fund less volatile than its peers over the past half-decade. Investors should note that the fund has a 5-year beta of 0.58, which means it is hypothetically less volatile than the market at large. Because alpha represents a portfolio's performance on a risk-adjusted basis relative to a benchmark, which is the S&P 500 in this case, one should pay attention to this metric as well. Over the past 5 years, the fund has a negative alpha of -0.4. This means that managers in this portfolio find it difficult to pick securities that generate better-than-benchmark returns. Costs are increasingly important for mutual fund investing, and particularly as competition heats up in this market. And all things being equal, a lower cost product will outperform its otherwise identical counterpart, so taking a closer look at these metrics is key for investors. In terms of fees, AMECX is a load fund. It has an expense ratio of 0.56% compared to the category average of 0.93%. From a cost perspective, AMECX is actually cheaper than its peers. While the minimum initial investment for the product is $250, investors should also note that each subsequent investment needs to be at least $50. Fees charged by investment advisors have not been taken into considiration. Returns would be less if those were included. Overall, American Funds Inc Fnd of Amer A ( AMECX ) has a high Zacks Mutual Fund rank, and in conjunction with its comparatively strong performance, average downside risk, and lower fees, American Funds Inc Fnd of Amer A ( AMECX ) looks like a good potential choice for investors right now. For additional information on this product, or to compare it to other mutual funds in the Large Cap Value, make sure to go to for additional information. Zacks provides a full suite of tools to help you analyze your portfolio - both funds and stocks - in the most efficient way possible. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Get Your Free (AMECX): Fund Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
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2 days ago
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Is Vanguard Growth Index Institutional (VIGIX) a Strong Mutual Fund Pick Right Now?
There are plenty of choices in the Large Cap Growth category, but where should you start your research? Well, one fund that might be worth investigating is Vanguard Growth Index Institutional (VIGIX). The fund does not have a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank, though we have been able to explore other metrics like performance, volatility, and cost. We classify VIGIX in the Large Cap Growth category, an area rife with potential choices. Large Cap Growth funds invest in many large U.S. companies that are expected to grow much faster compared to other large-cap stocks. To be considered large-cap, companies must have a market cap over $10 billion. Vanguard Group is based in Malvern, PA, and is the manager of VIGIX. The Vanguard Growth Index Institutional made its debut in May of 1998 and VIGIX has managed to accumulate roughly $36.41 billion in assets, as of the most recently available information. The fund is currently managed by a team of investment professionals. Of course, investors look for strong performance in funds. This fund in particular has delivered a 5-year annualized total return of 16.7%, and it sits in the top third among its category peers. Investors who prefer analyzing shorter time frames should look at its 3-year annualized total return of 15.48%, which places it in the top third during this time-frame. It is important to note that the product's returns may not reflect all its expenses. Any fees not reflected would lower the returns. Total returns do not reflect the fund's [%] sale charge. If sales charges were included, total returns would have been lower. When looking at a fund's performance, it is also important to note the standard deviation of the returns. The lower the standard deviation, the less volatility the fund experiences. Compared to the category average of 15.72%, the standard deviation of VIGIX over the past three years is 20.09%. The standard deviation of the fund over the past 5 years is 20.26% compared to the category average of 15.67%. This makes the fund more volatile than its peers over the past half-decade. With a 5-year beta of 1.17, the fund is likely to be more volatile than the market average. Alpha is an additional metric to take into consideration, since it represents a portfolio's performance on a risk-adjusted basis relative to a benchmark, which in this case, is the S&P 500. Over the past 5 years, the fund has a negative alpha of -0.62. This means that managers in this portfolio find it difficult to pick securities that generate better-than-benchmark returns. Investigating the equity holdings of a mutual fund is also a valuable exercise. This can show us how the manager is applying their stated methodology, as well as if there are any inherent biases in their approach. For this particular fund, the focus is primarily on equities that are traded in the United States. As of the last filing date, the mutual fund has 76.09% of its assets in stocks, with an average market capitalization of $687.85 billion. Turnover is 11%, which means, on average, the fund makes fewer trades than the average comparable fund. As competition heats up in the mutual fund market, costs become increasingly important. Compared to its otherwise identical counterpart, a low-cost product will be an outperformer, all other things being equal. Thus, taking a closer look at cost-related metrics is vital for investors. In terms of fees, VIGIX is a no load fund. It has an expense ratio of 0.04% compared to the category average of 0.94%. Looking at the fund from a cost perspective, VIGIX is actually cheaper than its peers. This fund requires a minimum initial investment of $5 million, and each subsequent investment should be at least $1. Fees charged by investment advisors have not been taken into considiration. Returns would be less if those were included. Don't stop here for your research on Large Cap Growth funds. We also have plenty more on our site in order to help you find the best possible fund for your portfolio. Make sure to check out for more information about the world of funds, and feel free to compare VIGIX to its peers as well for additional information. If you are more of a stock investor, make sure to also check out our Zacks Rank, and our full suite of tools we have available for novice and professional investors alike. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Get Your Free (VIGIX): Fund Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
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2 days ago
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Is FSHBX a Strong Bond Fund Right Now?
There are plenty of choices in the Investment Grade Bond - Short category, but where should you start your research? Well, one fund that may not be worth investigating is Fidelity Short-Term Bond (FSHBX). FSHBX possesses a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 4 (Sell), which is based on various forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance. FSHBX is classified in the Investment Grade Bond - Short segment by Zacks, an area full of investment potential. By investing in bonds that mature in less than two years, Investment Grade Bond - Short funds are focused on the short end of the curve. Fixed income instruments at this maturity level tend to have low duration risk, but they also pay out small yields compared to their longer-dated peers. Furthermore, these funds'focus on investment grade make them safer, but yields will be lower than in the junk bond category. Fidelity is based in Boston, MA, and is the manager of FSHBX. Fidelity Short-Term Bond made its debut in September of 1986, and since then, FSHBX has accumulated about $1.81 billion in assets, per the most up-to-date date available. The fund's current manager is a team of investment professionals. Investors naturally seek funds with strong performance. FSHBX has a 5-year annualized total return of 2.04% and is in the middle third among its category peers. If you're interested in shorter time frames, do not dismiss looking at the fund's 3 -year annualized total return of 3.95%, which places it in the middle third during this time-frame. It is important to note that the product's returns may not reflect all its expenses. Any fees not reflected would lower the returns. Total returns do not reflect the fund's [%] sale charge. If sales charges were included, total returns would have been lower. When looking at a fund's performance, it is also important to note the standard deviation of the returns. The lower the standard deviation, the less volatility the fund experiences. FSHBX's standard deviation over the past three years is 2.09% compared to the category average of 11.93%. Over the past 5 years, the standard deviation of the fund is 1.88% compared to the category average of 11.64%. This makes the fund less volatile than its peers over the past half-decade. FSHBX carries a beta of 0.28, meaning that the fund is less volatile than a broad market index of fixed income securities. With this in mind, it has a positive alpha of 0.22, which measures performance on a risk-adjusted basis. Costs are increasingly important for mutual fund investing, and particularly as competition heats up in this market. And all things being equal, a lower cost product will outperform its otherwise identical counterpart, so taking a closer look at these metrics is key for investors. In terms of fees, FSHBX is a no load fund. It has an expense ratio of 0.30% compared to the category average of 0.89%. FSHBX is actually cheaper than its peers when you consider factors like cost. Investors should also note that the minimum initial investment for the product is $0 and that each subsequent investment has no minimum amount. Fees charged by investment advisors have not been taken into considiration. Returns would be less if those were included. Overall, even with its comparatively similar performance, better downside risk, and lower fees, Fidelity Short-Term Bond ( FSHBX ) has a low Zacks Mutual Fund rank, and therefore looks a somewhat weak choice for investors right now. Don't stop here for your research on Investment Grade Bond - Short funds. We also have plenty more on our site in order to help you find the best possible fund for your portfolio. Make sure to check out for more information about the world of funds, and feel free to compare FSHBX to its peers as well for additional information. If you want to check out our stock reports as well, make sure to go to to see all of the great tools we have to offer, including our time-tested Zacks Rank. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Get Your Free (FSHBX): Fund Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
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5 days ago
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Is LALDX a Strong Bond Fund Right Now?
If investors are looking at the Government Bond - Short fund category, Lord Abbett Short Duration Income A (LALDX) could be a potential option. LALDX carries a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 2 (Buy), which is based on various forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance. The world of Government Bond - Short funds is an area filled with options, such as LALDX. Government Bond - Short funds hold securities issued by the federal government of the United States of America. These are seen as extremely low risk securities from a default perspective, and are often regarded as risk-free assets. This category focuses on the short end of the curve, and that results in lower yields, but also less sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations, too. Lord Abbett is responsible for LALDX, and the company is based out of Jersey City, NJ. Lord Abbett Short Duration Income A debuted in November of 1993. Since then, LALDX has accumulated assets of about $7.19 billion, according to the most recently available information. The fund is currently managed by a team of investment professionals. Obviously, what investors are looking for in these funds is strong performance relative to their peers. This fund carries a 5-year annualized total return of 2.82%, and is in the top third among its category peers. If you're interested in shorter time frames, do not dismiss looking at the fund's 3 -year annualized total return of 3.69%, which places it in the middle third during this time-frame. It is important to note that the product's returns may not reflect all its expenses. Any fees not reflected would lower the returns. Total returns do not reflect the fund's [%] sale charge. If sales charges were included, total returns would have been lower. When looking at a fund's performance, it is also important to note the standard deviation of the returns. The lower the standard deviation, the less volatility the fund experiences. LALDX's standard deviation over the past three years is 2.38% compared to the category average of 12.66%. Looking at the past 5 years, the fund's standard deviation is 2.31% compared to the category average of 12.37%. This makes the fund less volatile than its peers over the past half-decade. This fund has a beta of 0.26, meaning that it is less volatile than a broad market index of fixed income securities. Taking this into account, LALDX has a positive alpha of 1.11, which measures performance on a risk-adjusted basis. As competition heats up in the mutual fund market, costs become increasingly important. Compared to its otherwise identical counterpart, a low-cost product will be an outperformer, all other things being equal. Thus, taking a closer look at cost-related metrics is vital for investors. In terms of fees, LALDX is a load fund. It has an expense ratio of 0.58% compared to the category average of 0.91%. So, LALDX is actually cheaper than its peers from a cost perspective. While the minimum initial investment for the product is $1,500, investors should also note that there is no minimum for each subsequent investment. Fees charged by investment advisors have not been taken into considiration. Returns would be less if those were included. Overall, Lord Abbett Short Duration Income A ( LALDX ) has a high Zacks Mutual Fund rank, and in conjunction with its comparatively strong performance, better downside risk, and lower fees, this fund looks like a good potential choice for investors right now. Want even more information about LALDX? Then go over to and check out our mutual fund comparison tool, and all of the other great features that we have to help you with your mutual fund analysis for additional information. If you are more of a stock investor, make sure to also check out our Zacks Rank, and our full suite of tools we have available for novice and professional investors alike. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Get Your Free (LALDX): Fund Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
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5 days ago
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Is Bruce Fund (BRUFX) a Strong Mutual Fund Pick Right Now?
If you're looking for an Allocation Balanced fund category, then a potential option is Bruce Fund (BRUFX). BRUFX carries a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 3 (Hold), which is based on various forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance. The world of Zacks' Allocation Balanced funds is an area filled with options, such as BRUFX. These funds like to invest in a variety of asset types, finding a balance between stocks, bonds, cash, and sometimes even precious metals and commodities; they are mostly categorized by their respective asset allocation. For investors, Allocation Balanced funds can provide an entry point into diversified mutual funds, and present core holding options for a portfolio of funds. Bruce is responsible for BRUFX, and the company is based out of Chicago, IL. Bruce Fund made its debut in October of 1983, and since then, BRUFX has accumulated about $345.79 million in assets, per the most up-to-date date available. The fund's current manager, R. Jeffrey Bruce, has been in charge of the fund since December of 1983. Of course, investors look for strong performance in funds. BRUFX has a 5-year annualized total return of 6.37% and is in the bottom third among its category peers. But if you are looking for a shorter time frame, it is also worth looking at its 3-year annualized total return of 1.97%, which places it in the bottom third during this time-frame. It is important to note that the product's returns may not reflect all its expenses. Any fees not reflected would lower the returns. Total returns do not reflect the fund's [%] sale charge. If sales charges were included, total returns would have been lower. When looking at a fund's performance, it is also important to note the standard deviation of the returns. The lower the standard deviation, the less volatility the fund experiences. The standard deviation of BRUFX over the past three years is 9.07% compared to the category average of 13.73%. Looking at the past 5 years, the fund's standard deviation is 10.41% compared to the category average of 13.37%. This makes the fund less volatile than its peers over the past half-decade. Investors should note that the fund has a 5-year beta of 0.5, so it is likely going to be less volatile than the market at large. Alpha is an additional metric to take into consideration, since it represents a portfolio's performance on a risk-adjusted basis relative to a benchmark, which in this case, is the S&P 500. With a negative alpha of -2.54, managers in this portfolio find it difficult to pick securities that generate better-than-benchmark returns. As competition heats up in the mutual fund market, costs become increasingly important. Compared to its otherwise identical counterpart, a low-cost product will be an outperformer, all other things being equal. Thus, taking a closer look at cost-related metrics is vital for investors. In terms of fees, BRUFX is a no load fund. It has an expense ratio of 0.65% compared to the category average of 0.91%. From a cost perspective, BRUFX is actually cheaper than its peers. While the minimum initial investment for the product is $1,000, investors should also note that each subsequent investment needs to be at least $500. Fees charged by investment advisors have not been taken into considiration. Returns would be less if those were included. Overall, Bruce Fund ( BRUFX ) has a neutral Zacks Mutual Fund rank, and in conjunction with its comparatively weak performance, average downside risk, and lower fees, this fund looks like a somewhat average choice for investors right now. Don't stop here for your research on Allocation Balanced funds. We also have plenty more on our site in order to help you find the best possible fund for your portfolio. Make sure to check out for more information about the world of funds, and feel free to compare BRUFX to its peers as well for additional information. And don't forget, Zacks has all of your needs covered on the equity side too! Make sure to check out for more information on our screening capabilities, Rank, and all our articles as well. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Get Your Free (BRUFX): Fund Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
