With the overall market, at least as measured by the S&P 500, down around 15%, this has been a rough year for most mutual fund investors, suggests Harry Domash, income specialist and editor of Dividend Detective.
However, not all mutual funds are in the red. Here are three mutual funds that have scored double-digit gains (not a typo) so far this year. What's more, they are not one-year wonders. All three have strong three- and five-year track records. And all three — each no-load funds — are easy to buy.
Fidelity Global Commodity (FFGCX), based in Canada, mostly holds large-cap stocks involved in the energy, metals and agriculture industries. As of November 16, the fund had returned 24% year-to-date, and averaged 25% and 17% annually over the past three and five years.
Biggest holdings included Exxon Mobil (XOM), Nutrien (NTR), Chevron (CVX), Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and CF Industries (CF).
Two on that top five list, Archer-Daniels Midland and CF Industries, had been in the portfolio since April 2009. The most recent addition to the top five list, Nutrien, was added in January 2018. There is no minimum opening investment requirement for this fund.
Despite its name, Auer Growth (AUERX) mostly holds small-cap, value-priced stocks. It's currently overweighting energy, basic materials, and industrial stocks. It has returned 18% year-to-date, and averaged 26% and 14% annually over the past three and five years. Hardly buy and hold, the annual portfolio turnover rate is 150%.
In fact, most of its current holdings have been in the portfolio less than one year. Current biggest holdings include Cross Country Healthcare (CCRN), Continental Resources (CLR), Diamondback Energy (FANG), ON Semiconductor (ON) and D.R. Horton (DHI). Auer Growth requires a $2,000 opening investment.
Fidelity Select Insurance (FSPCX) holds large-cap, mostly value-priced insurance company stocks. It has returned 7% year-to-date, and averaged 14% and 12% annually, over three and five years. Turning over only 15% of its portfolio annually, Fidelity Select Insurance certainly falls into the “buy and hold” camp.
Biggest holdings include March & McLennan (MMC), Travelers Companies (TRV), American International Group (AIG), Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG), and Progressive (PGR).
Of those holdings, Travelers, added in May 2009, has been in the portfolio the longest, while Progressive, added in July 2019, is the most recent addition. No minimum opening investment required for this fund.
Those are my ideas; as always, past performance doesn't necessarily predict future returns. Do your own due diligence. The more you know about your investments, the better your returns.