Top 5 Utilities Mutual Funds - Best of Funds

Even during a market downturn, the demand for essential services such as those provided by utilities, remains virtually unchanged. Utilities funds are therefore an excellent choice for investors seeking a steady income flow through consistent yields from dividends. This is also why they are primarily considered to be a relatively more conservative investment option. In recent times their forays into emerging markets have led to appreciably higher returns and they offer superior returns at a relatively lower level of risk.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated utilities mutual 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 utilities funds, then click here.

Fidelity Select Utilities (FSUTX) invests the majority of its assets in utility companies or those deriving a large share of their revenues from operations in this sector. It is non-diversified and may purchase foreign securities. It may also invest a large share of its assets in a single issuer. It is a no-load fund.

The utilities mutual fund returned 10.94% in the last one year period and has a five year annualized return of 4.53%.

Gabelli Utilities AAA (GABUX) seeks both income and capital growth by investing at least 80% of its assets in utilities companies. It focuses on firms providing electricity, gas and water services or equipment for these industries. This utilities mutual fund returned 12.99% over the last one year period.

Mario J. Gabelli is the fund manager has managed this utilities mutual fund since 1999.

Aim Utilities (FSTUX) invests a large share of its assets in stocks of companies in the utilities sector or related industries. Firms engaged in the production and distribution of gas and electricity as well as those providing telecom services constitutes its major investments. Up to 25% of the fund's assets may be used to purchase foreign securities. The utilities mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 4.1%.

The utilities mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.49% compared to a category average of 1.43%.

Vanguard Utilities Index Admiral Shares (VUIAX) seeks to track the performance of the MSCI U.S. Investable Market Utilities Index. This is index consists of companies in the utilities sector regardless of their market capitalization. This utilities mutual fund returned 6.95% over the last one year period.

As of September 2010, this utilities mutual fund held 89 issues, with 6.52% of its total assets invested in Southern Company.

Franklin Utilities A (FKUTX) seeks capital appreciation and current income. It concentrates on purchasing equity in public utilities companies. More than 25% of its assets are invested in companies that provide electricity, gas, water and communication services. The utilities mutual fund returned 6.85% in the last one year period and has a ten year annualized return of 5.73%.

The fund manager is John Kohli and he has managed this utilities fund since 1998.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all utilities 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.