Top 5 Best Performing Energy Mutual Funds Year to Date - Best Performing Funds Year To Date

Just as markets were breathing easy on hopes of a resolution to the Egyptian situation, unrest in Libya has sparked off renewed concern over crude supplies. In Asia, oil prices have risen to a new two-year high and experts expect this trend to continue for a longer period. Accompanying such supply fears is the reality of a steadily rising global demand for energy, particularly true of nations growing at a rapid pace such as China and India. Investors can no longer ignore the energy sector and mutual funds provide the most convenient and prudent option possible to invest in this industry.

Below we will share with you the 5 best performing energy funds year to date. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all energy funds, then click here. 

Mutual Fund	Zacks Rank	Total Return YTD
ProFunds Oil Equipment Services & Distribution	#2 Buy	12.2%
ProFunds Ultra Sector Oil & Gas Investor	#1 Strong Buy	11.2%
Fidelity Select Energy Portfolio	#1 Strong Buy	7.8%
Fidelity Select Energy Services	#1 Strong Buy	7.3%
Vanguard Energy Index	#1 Strong Buy	7.0%

ProFunds Oil Equipment Services & Distribution (OEPSX) invests the majority of its assets in equity securities which are included in the Dow Jones U.S. Oil Equipment, Services & Distribution index. It may also purchase securities with similar economic characteristics. The energy mutual fund returned 55.29% over the last one year period.

The energy mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $15,000 and an expense ratio of 1.80% compared to a category average of 1.72%.

ProFunds UltraSector Oil & Gas Investor (ENPIX) seeks to return daily investment results which are one and a half times the daily performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index. The fund primarily purchases equity securities and derivatives whose daily returns correspond to its investment objectives. The energy mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 8.78%.

The fund manager is Michael S. Neches and he has managed this energy mutual fund since 2009.

Fidelity Select Energy (FSENX) invests the majority of its assets in equity securities of companies whose principal operations are related to the energy sector. The fund invests in both conventional energy companies and those focusing on newer sources. The energy mutual fund returned 34.24% over the last one year period.

As of December 2010, this energy mutual fund held 65 issues, with 17.10% of its total assets invested in ExxonMobil Corporation.

Fidelity Select Energy Services (FSESX) seeks long term capital growth. The fund invests the majority of its assets in companies from the energy service domain. These companies could provide services to both conventional and alternative energy firms. The energy mutual fund is non-diversified and has a five year annualized return of 2.92%.

The energy mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 0.91% compared to a category average of 1.72%.

Vanguard Energy Index (VENAX) invests heavily in the energy sector and seeks to mimic the performance of the MSCI U.S. Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. The index consists of securities of domestic energy companies of different market capitalizations. This energy mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 3.23%.

The fund manager is Ryan E. Ludt and he has managed this energy mutual fund since 2006.

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

 
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