Top 5 Growth Mutual Funds - Best of Funds

Growth funds are the natural choice for investors who prioritize capital growth over regular dividend income. This category of funds focus on returning capital growth by investing in stocks companies whose value is expected to rise over the long term. A relatively higher tolerance to risk and the willingness to park funds for the longer term are necessary when investing in these securities since they experience more fluctuations than other fund classes. However, compared to sector specific investments, like technology funds, the associated risk is much lower.

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

ING Growth Opportunities A (NLCAX) invests a large proportion of its assets in domestic companies with the potential for superior growth. Not more than 15% of its assets may be utilized to purchase foreign securities. The growth mutual fund returned 24.03% over the last one year period.

Jeff F. Bianchi is the fund manager and he has managed this growth mutual fund since 2009.

Glenmede Large Cap Growth (GTLLX) seeks significantly high total return over the long term. The majority of the fund's assets are invested in 50 to 90 domestic large cap companies. The fund focuses on purchasing equity securities, such as common stocks. The growth mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 5.65%

The growth mutual fund has an expense ratio of 0.90% compared to a category average of 1.31%.

BlackRock Focus Growth A (MDFOX) primarily invests in common stocks of 25 to 35 companies with above-average growth potential. It focuses on acquiring equity securities of mid-cap and large-cap companies. Not more than 20% of its assets are invested in foreign securities. The growth mutual fund returned 28.38% over the last one year period.

As of March 2011, this growth mutual fund held 32 issues, with 7.20% of its total assets invested in Apple, Inc.

Thrivent Mid Cap Growth A (LBMGX) seeks capital appreciation. At least 80% of its assets are invested in mid-cap companies. It focuses on mid-cap stocks similar to companies in the Russell Mid-cap Growth index or S&P MidCap 400/Citigroup Growth index. The growth mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 7.4%

Andrea J. Thomas is the fund manager and he has managed this growth mutual fund since 1997.

Turner Midcap Growth Investor (TMGFX) invests a large proportion of its assets in equity securities of domestic mid-cap companies. It focuses on common stocks and seeks out firms with diversified operations across different sectors. Not more than 5% of its assets may be invested in a single issuer. The fund returned 29.59% in the last one year period.

The growth mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 1.18% compared to a category average of 1.41%.

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