Top 5 Equity Income Funds - Best of Funds

Investors looking for regular income flows and with the willingness to forgo capital growth often select equity funds promising income for their investment needs. The presence of both debt and equity income funds in a portfolio also increases diversification. Further, equity income funds provide a steady and regular income stream from dividends which can go a long way in healing losses made by falling stock prices. Equity income funds provide investors with a convenient method of holding a well diversified portfolio which generates a regular income stream.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated equity income funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect the fund to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all equity income funds, then click here.

Alpine Dynamic Dividend (ADVDX) seeks high current income from dividends as well as capital appreciation over the long term. The majority of the fund’s assets are invested in domestic and foreign companies that pay out regular dividend income. The equity income fund returned 6.43% in the last one year period.

Jill Evans is the fund manager and she has managed this equity income fund since 2003.

Putnam Equity Income A (PEYAX) invests at least 80% of its assets in common stocks and other equity securities which have the capacity to provide regular income. The fund focuses on acquiring securities of domestic companies, especially value stocks. The equity income fund has a ten year annualized return of 3.95%.

As of March 2010, this equity income fund held 122 issues, with 4.79% of its total assets invested in Chevron Corporation.

Eaton Vance Dividend Income A (EDIAX) seeks current income and capital growth. The majority of its assets is invested in common and preferred stocks paying dividends. On occasion it may invest up to 25% of its assets in the utilities sector. The equity income fund returned 6.22% in the last one year period.

The equity income fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.33% compared to a category average of 1.30%.

Nicholas Equity Income (NSEIX) invests the majority of its assets in equity securities which generate income. The fund invests in a wide range of income generating equity securities as well as fixed income securities issued by the government and companies. The equity income fund has a five year annualized return of 5.33%.

The Fund Manager is Albert O. Nicholas and he has managed this equity income fund since 1993.

American Century LIVESTRONG Income A (ARTAX) seeks current income with a secondary objective of capital growth. The fund invests in other mutual funds from American Century regardless of their sectoral focus and investment strategy. The equity income fund returned 10.34% in the last one year period and has a five year annualized return of 2.34%.

The equity income fund has an expense ratio of 0.45% compared to a category average of 0.62%.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all equity income 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/.