Top 5 Precious Metals Mutual Funds - Best of Funds

Investors often seek solace in precious metals instruments during a downturn. These investments are considered to be a natural hedge against a rapidly declining currency. Even a small portion of precious metals in a portfolio can provide significant protection against inflation. In addition, when markets are slowing down, securities related to these industries acquire greater significance. At such times they provide better returns than equity securities, even outperforming them. Precious metals funds are the best option for investing in this sector since they possess the advantages of professional insight and well-diversified portfolios.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated precious metals mutual 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 precious metals funds, then click here.

USAA Precious Metals and Minerals (USAGX) seeks protection against inflation and long term capital growth. It invests the majority of its assets in domestic and foreign companies with primary operations in the precious metals sector. The precious metals fund returned 21.82% in the last one year period.

Mark W. Johnson is the fund manager and has managed this precious metals fund since 1994.

Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals A (OPGSX) invests primarily in domestic and foreign companies whose major operations include mining, processing or dealing in metals and minerals. This precious metals fund is non-diversified and has a three year annualized return of 25.63%.

The precious metals mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.07% compared to a category average of 1.40%.

Rydex Precious Metals (RYPMX) seeks capital growth. The fund invests in domestic precious metals companies. The majority of its assets are used to purchase equity securities and derivatives. It is non-diversified and seeks capital growth. The precious metals fund returned 21.88% in the last one year period.

As of August 2011, this precious metals mutual fund held 36 issues, with 8.51% of its total assets invested in Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold B.

Tocqueville Gold (TGLDX) invests the majority of its assets in gold or companies involved in mining or processing of gold worldwide. The fund may also consider other precious metals for investment purposes. Up to 20% of its total assets may be invested directly in other precious metals. The precious metals fund has a ten year annualized return of 28.07%.

John C. Hathaway is the fund manager and has managed this precious metals fund since 1998.

US Global Investors World Precious Minerals (UNWPX) seeks capital appreciation over the long term. The fund invests the majority of its assets in companies primarily involved with exploration, mining or processing of gold and other precious metals. The precious metals fund returned 12.71% in the last one year period.

The precious metals mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $5,000 and an expense ratio of 1.81% compared to a category average of 1.40%.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all precious metals 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.