Even during a market downturn, the demand for essential services such as those provided by utilities, remains virtually unchanged. Utilities funds are therefore an excellent choice for investors seeking a steady income flow through consistent yields from dividends. This is also why they are primarily considered to be a relatively more conservative investment option. In recent times their forays into emerging markets have led to appreciably higher returns and they offer superior returns at a relatively lower level of risk.

Below we will share with you 3 top rated utilities 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 utilities funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

Fidelity Select Utilities Portfolio (FSUTX - MF report) seeks capital growth over the long run. It invests majority of its assets in utility companies or those deriving a large share of their revenues from operations in this sector. The fund focuses in acquiring common stocks. Factors such as financial strength and economic conditions are considered to invest in companies throughout the world. The non-diversified utilities mutual fund has a one year annualized return of 21.5%.

The utilities mutual fund has an expense ratio of 0.80% compared to a category average of 1.20%.

Vanguard Utilities Index Admiral (VUIAX - MF report) tracks the performance of MSCI US Investable Market Index IMI/Utilities 25/50 by using an indexing investment approach. It seeks to perform in line with the benchmarks index’s performance and invests all its assets in stocks that constitute the index. This index consists of companies from the utilities sector regardless of their market capitalization. The non-diversified utilities mutual fund has a one year annualized return of 15.6%.

The fund manager is Michael D. Eyre and he has managed this utilities mutual fund since 2010.

Fidelity Advisor Utilities A (FUGAX - MF report) seeks long-term capital growth. It invests a lion’s share of its assets in companies involved in utilities sector or whose operations are related to the sector. It considers the factors including industry and market conditions to invest in companies all over the globe. The non-diversified utilities mutual fund has a one year annualized return of almost 21%.

As of July 2014, this utilities mutual fund held 33 issues, with 10.28% of its total assets invested in Dominion Resources Inc

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all utilities mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

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 in our Mutual Fund Center.

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