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.

Mutual Fund

Zacks Rank

Total Return YTD

ProFunds Real Estate UltraSector

#2 Buy

11.92%

Rydex Real Estate A

#5 Strong Sell

9.37%

Stratton Real Estate

#2 Buy

9.34%

REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 A

#2 Buy

9.03%

Phocas Real Estate

#2 Buy

9.01%
 
ProFunds Real Estate UltraSectorA (REPSX) invests in securities and derivatives which together should provide daily returns identical to 1.5 times that of the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index. The index tracks the performance of real estate companies listed on domestic equity markets. The growth mutual fund returned 21.16% over the last one year period.

Hratch Najarian the Fund Manager and he has been managing this real estate mutual fund since 2011.

Rydex Real Estate A (RYREX) seeks capital growth. The fund invests a minimum of 80% of its assets in real estate equity securities traded on domestic exchanges. It also invests in derivatives, focusing on futures and options. The growth mutual fund returned 16.03% over the last one year period.

The real estate mutual fund has an expense ratio of 1.61% compared to a category average of 1.37%.

Stratton Real Estate (STMDX) invests a large share of its assets in real estate firms and related companies. A minimum of 25% of its assets are invested in REITs. The fund may purchase equity securities issued by companies regardless of their size. It also invests in debt securities without regard to their maturity periods. The growth mutual fund returned 17.16% over the last one year period.

As of March 2013, this real-estate mutual fund held 44 issues, with 5.40% of its total assets invested in Simon Property Group Inc.

REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 A (RREFX) seeks a high level of current income. The fund invests the majority of its assets in companies whose principal operations are related to the real estate sector. It does not make direct investments in real estate. The growth mutual fund returned 18.86% over the last one year period.

Edward W. Turville. is the Fund Manager and he has been managing this real estate mutual fund since 2010.

Phocas Real Estate (PHREX) invests a large share of its assets in REITs as well as firms operating in the real estate sector. The fund may invest a maximum of half of its net assets in foreign securities. The growth mutual fund returned 15.72% over the last one year period.

The real estate mutual fund has an expense ratio of 1.50% 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.


 
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