Top 5 Best Performing Real Estate Mutual Funds Year to Date

Mutual funds investing the real estate sector should be a necessary addition to portfolios with a long term horizon even though the sector has traversed rough waters in the recent past. Real estate mutual funds have delivered significantly high returns in the past and offer a convenient method for investing in this sector. With their low initial investment requirements, well diversified portfolios and professional management they can go a long way in lowering the risk involved. They also bring stability and steady returns to portfolios over the long term.

Below we will share with you the 5 best performing real estate mutual funds year to date.  To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all real estate funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

Mutual Fund	Zacks Rank	Total Return YTD
Forward International Real Estate A HHaHh	#1 Strong Buy	39.5%
ProFunds Real Estate UltraSector	#1 Strong Buy	24.6%
Principal Global Real Estate Securities A	#1 Strong Buy	19.0%
Dreyfus Global Real Estate Securities A	#1 Strong Buy	18.4%
DWS RREEF Global Real Estate Securities A	#1 Strong Buy	18.3%

 

Forward International Real Estate A (KIRAX) invests the majority of its assets in foreign equity securities issued by companies from the real estate sector and those engaged in related activities. The fund may purchase emerging market securities and purchase ADRs. The real-estate mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 15.67%.

Ian S. Goltra is the Fund Manager and he has been managing this real estate mutual fund since 2010.

ProFunds Real Estate UltraSector (REPSX) seeks to provide returns which are equivalent to one and a half times the daily performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index. The fund’s portfolio consists of equity securities and derivatives which have the ability to deliver such returns. The real-estate mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 35.64%.

The real estate mutual fund has an expense ratio of 2.73% compared to a category average of 1.37%.

Principal Global Real Estate Securities A (POSAX) invests heavily in real estate equity securities of domestic and foreign companies. The fund may invest without limit in a single country or securities denominated in one particular currency. The real-estate mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 16.52%.

As of July 2012, this real-estate mutual fund held 87 issues, with 6.89% of its total assets invested in Simon Property Group, Inc.

Dreyfus Global Real Estate Securities A (DRLAX) seeks current income and capital growth. The fund invests heavily in publicly traded equity securities of real estate companies. These firms must derive at least half their revenues from the real estate sector. The real estate mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 15.38%.

Peter Zabierek is the Fund Manager and he has been managing this real estate mutual fund since 2006.

DWS RREEF Global Real Estate Securities A (RRGAX) invests a large share of its assets in real estate companies. The fund purchases both equity and debt securities issued by firms such as real estate investment trusts or real estate operating companies. The real-estate mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 14.36%.

The real estate mutual fund has an expense ratio of 1.38% compared to a category average of 1.46%.