Top 5 European Mutual Funds - Best of Funds

The clouds over Europe's economy seem to be lifting. News of the successful bond auctions has buoyed investor confidence worldwide, setting the continent on a path of recovery and eventual consolidation. The European region offers investors a choice between growth opportunities and secure investment destinations since it is home to both developed nations and emerging markets with exciting growth stories. Mutual funds offer investors these unique advantages along with the benefits of diversification and professional management.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated European 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 the Zacks Rank and past performance of all European funds, then click here.

Columbia European Equity A (AXEAX) seeks capital growth. The fund invests a large proportion of its assets in equity securities of growth0oriented European companies. It focuses on acquiring securities issued from mature markets, but may also invest in emerging market stocks. The European mutual fund returned 12.19% in the last one year period.

Dan Ison is the fund manager and has managed this European mutual fund since 2009.

T. Rowe Price Emerging Europe & Mediterranean (TREMX) invests at least 80% of assets in emerging-market securities. The fund invests in companies without regard to their size or market capitalization. It focuses on purchasing common stocks of companies located in or having primary operations in emerging market countries. The European mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 16.33%

The European mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 1.64% compared to a category average of 1.76%.

U.S. Global Investors Eastern European (EUROX) seeks capital appreciation over the long term. The majority of its assets are used to purchase equity and equity related securities of companies from Eastern Europe. The European mutual fund returned 15.38% in the last one year period.

As of September 2010, this European mutual fund held 58 issues, with 8.89% of its total assets invested in Ak Sberegatelny Bank Sberbank.

Invesco European Growth A (AEDAX) invests primarily in European companies. The fund focuses on acquiring marketable securities, but may also purchase synthetic instruments. Up to 35% of its assets may be invested in European companies from emerging markets. The European mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 5.13%.

Clas T. Olsson is the fund manager and has managed this European mutual fund since 1997.

Henderson European Focus A (HFEAX) seeks capital growth over the long term. The fund invests the majority of its assets in equity securities of European companies. Companies invested in must be located in Europe or their principal office or major trading market must be located in the region. The European mutual fund returned 11.34% in the last one year period.

The European mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $500 and an expense ratio of 1.61% compared to a category average of 1.72%.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all European 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/