REPSX Profunds Real Estate Ultrasector Profund Service Cl (MM)

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 the 5 best performing real estate mutual funds year to date.  To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all real estate funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

Ian S. Goltra is the Fund Manager and he has been managing this real estate mutual fund since 2010.

ProFunds Real Estate UltraSector (REPSX) seeks to provide returns which are equivalent to one and a half times the daily performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index. The fund’s portfolio consists of equity securities and derivatives which have the ability to deliver such returns. The growth mutual fund returned 24.89% over the last one year period.

The real estate mutual fund has an expense ratio of 2.73% compared to a category average of 1.37%.

Principal Global Real Estate Securities A (POSAX) invests heavily in real estate equity securities of domestic and foreign companies. The fund may invest without limit in a single country or securities denominated in one particular currency. The growth mutual fund returned 14.22% over the last one year period.

As of August 2012, this real-estate mutual fund held 87 issues, with 6.63% of its total assets invested in Simon Property Group, Inc.

T. Rowe Price Global Real Estate (TRGRX) seeks high current income and capital growth. The fund invests heavily in equity securities of real estate companies worldwide, including domestic firms. A minimum of 30-40% of its assets are invested in foreign firms. The growth mutual fund returned 13% over the last one year period.

David M. Lee is the Fund Manager and he has been managing this real estate mutual fund since 2008.

Manning & Napier Real Estate Series (MNREX) invests a large share of its assets in securities of companies whose principal operations are in the real estate sector. The fund purchases common and preferred stock, convertible securities, ETFs and bonds. The growth mutual fund returned 22.28% over the last one year period.

The real estate mutual fund has an expense ratio of 1.18% compared to a category average of 1.37%.

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