Top 5 American Century Mutual Funds - Best of Fund Family

With more than $109 billion in assets under management and 200 institutional clients, American Century Investments is one of the world's leading asset management firms. Founded in 1958 by James Stowers, Jr, the company offers a wide range of products and services across a variety of asset classes. It takes a long term view of investments which allows it to be closely aligned to stated investment objectives. American Century prides itself on a team-managed approach and contributes a significant share of profits towards cutting edge medical research.

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

American Century Inflation-Adjusted Bond (ACITX) seeks to provide protection against inflation as well as total return. The fund utilizes a large proportion of its assets to purchase instruments which are inflation adjusted. Not more than 20% of its assets may be invested in securities which are not inflation indexed. The fund returned 7.19% over the last one year period.

The Fund Manager is Robert Gahagan and he has managed this American Century mutual fund since 2001.

American Century International Discovery A (ACIDX) invests the majority of its assets in foreign small and mid-cap firms.  Common and preferred stock and related convertible securities constitute its major investments. The fund invests in both mature economies and developing markets. The fund has a ten year annualized return of 9.05%.

 As of December 2010, this American Century mutual fund held 109 issues, with 2.38% of its total assets invested in Iluka Resources Limited.

American Century California Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Bond (BCITX) seeks current income not subject to California and federal income taxes. The fund primarily invests in debt securities the interest earned from which are exempt from these taxes. The fund has a three year annualized return of 4.06%.

The American Century mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $5,000 and an expense ratio of 0.48% compared to a category average of 0.86%.

American Century Small Cap Growth A (ANOAX) invests a large proportion of its assets in small-cap companies. The companies invested in must have market capitalizations smaller than the largest company in the Russell 2000 Growth Index. The fund returned 32.54% in the last one year period.

Stafford Southwick is the fund manager and has managed this American Century mutual fund since 2001.

American Century Strategic Allocation: Aggressive A (ACVAX) seeks capital growth over the long term and regular income to a lesser degree.  Under normal circumstances 79% of its assets are invested in equity, 20% in bonds and 1% in cash equivalents. The fund has a five year annualized return of 4.59%.

The American Century mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 1.46% compared to a category average of 0.87%.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all American Century 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/