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

Energy is seldom absent from news headlines and is a major issue of controversy and concern for governments and private enterprise alike. Whether it is the nuclear disaster in Japan or unrest in the Middle East, experts and individual investors alike wait with bated breath to know how such events will effect investments in this sector. In the last five-year period energy funds have performed almost twice as well as the nearest domestic equity fund category. Despite the fact that these instruments carry a higher degree of risk, investors looking for higher returns would do well to consider mutual funds from thus category.

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. 

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 68.17% over the last one year period.

The energy mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $15,000 and an expense ratio of 2.80% compared to a category average of 1.89%.

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 10.04%.

The fund manager is Todd Johnson and he has managed this energy mutual fund since 2008.

Fidelity Select Energy Services (FSESX) invests a large proportion of its assets in companies from the energy services 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 7.5%.

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 1.89%.

Fidelity Select Energy (FSENX) seeks capital growth. The fund 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 38.95% over the last one year period.

As of February 2011, this energy mutual fund held 75 issues, with 15.94% of its total assets invested in ExxonMobil Corporation.

Rydex Energy Services (RYVIX) invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of domestic energy services companies and in derivatives. It is non-diversified and seeks long-term capital growth. This energy fund returned 44.66% over the last one year period and has a ten year annualized return of 7.57%.

The fund manager is Michael P. Byrum and he has managed this energy mutual fund since 1998.

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/mutualfund/