Top 5 Pacific Mutual Funds - Best of Funds

Mutual funds investing in the Pacific Basin region provide a truly unique investment opportunity. Among this region's inherent strengths are the world's most advanced technological capabilities and a burgeoning pool of savings. Fast growing potential markets are another unique feature of this part of the world. Tapping into the strengths of both mature and developing economies, these funds ensure that they hold highly diversified portfolios. Moreover, they offer lucrative growth opportunities, while ensuring safety of capital invested.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated Pacific mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect these mutual funds to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Pacific funds, then click here.

Invesco Asia Pacific Growth A (ASIAX) seeks capital growth. The fund invests a large share of its assets in companies from the Asia Pacific region, with the exception of Japan. The fund focuses on acquiring marketable equity securities but may also invest in derivatives. The Pacific mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 10.26%.

The Pacific mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.60% compared to a category average of 1.79%.

Guinness Atkinson Asia Focus (IASMX) invests the majority of its assets in common and preferred stocks as well as convertible securities of Asian companies. It purchases securities issued by companies of different sizes and invests in at least four different countries. The Pacific mutual fund returned 27.66% in the last one year period.

Edmund Harriss is the fund manager and he has managed this Pacific fund since 2003.

Fidelity Pacific Basin (FPBFX) seeks capital appreciation over the long term. The fund invests the majority of its assets in securities of Pacific Basin issuers and other investments with economic linkages to the region. The Pacific fund has a five year annualized return of 4.67%.

As of March 2011, this Pacific mutual fund held 190 issues, with 3.45% of its total assets invested in Orix Corporation.

Wells Fargo Advantage Asia Pacific (SASPX) invests the majority of its assets in equity securities of companies located in the Asia Pacific region. It focuses on purchasing securities of companies which have the potential for superior earnings growth, sufficient financial resources and an efficient management team. The Pacific mutual fund returned 17.05% in the last one year period.

The Pacific fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 1.65% compared to a category average of 1.59%.

Matthews Asian Growth & Income (MACSX) seeks both current income and capital growth over the long term. The majority of the fund's assets are used to purchase equity securities of companies located in Asia. Equity securities which provide regular dividends constitute the fund's major investments. The Pacific mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 15.28%.

Andrew J. Foster is the fund manager and he has managed this Pacific fund since 2005.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Pacific 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/mutualfunds/