Zacks Investment Research Highlights Commodity ETF's, Diversified Bond, and Legg Mason Mutual Funds

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Aug 26, 2011, 03:08 ET

CHICAGO, Aug. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks Investment Research highlights commodity ETF's SLV and AGQ in this week's ETF commentary along with Diversified Bond and Legg Mason mutual funds in Best of Fund and Best of Fund Family commentary.

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Commodity ETF's

Zacks Commodity ETF's commentary highlights The 2 Best Silver ETFs to own for the next bull market in Silver. ETF's include SLV and AGQ.

Ishares SilverTrust (SLV), this is the most liquid and cheapest Silver ETF, with an average daily volume of almost 50 million and an expense ratio of .50%

ProShares Ultra Silver (AGQ), is a leveraged silver ETF which produces 2X or 200% of the return of spot Silver. It is also fairly liquid with an average volume of 1.3 million, but is more expensive to trade with an expense ratio of 0.95%.

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Mutual Fund Commentary

Mutual fund commentary highlights the top five diversified bond mutual funds including NAMFX, JHFIX, STIAX, COSIX, and OPSIX.

Virtus Multi-Sector Fixed-Income A (NAMFX) seeks current income and preservation of capital. The fund utilizes at least 80% its assets to purchase a wide range of fixed income securities. It purchases U.S. government securities, investment-grade as well as high yield domestic debt securities. The diversified bond mutual fund returned 11.71% in the last one year period.

As of March 2011, this diversified bond mutual fund held 434 issues, with 1.49% of its total assets invested in Argentina Rep 8.28%

John Hancock Strategic Income A (JHFIX) invests in foreign debt securities of developed and emerging markets, U.S. government and agency securities and U.S. high yield bonds. The fund may also invest in preferred stock and other types of debt securities. The diversified bond mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 11.53%.

The diversified bond mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 0.85% compared to a category average of 1.15%.

View Full Article: Top 5 Diversified Bond Mutual Funds

View all Zacks #1 Ranked Mutual Funds

Also highlighted in this week's mutual fund commentary include the top five Legg Mason mutual funds including STXAX, SDSAX, SHRAX, SBFAX, and SHMXX.

Legg Mason Western Asset Municipal High Income A (STXAX) utilizes the majority of its assets to purchase municipal securities, the interest income from which is exempt from tax. A maximum of 20% of its assets may be invested in instruments which are subject to federal income tax. The fund returned 3.68% over the last one year period.

The Legg Mason mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 0.77% compared to a category average of 1.04%.

Legg Mason Western Asset Strategic Income A (SDSAX) seeks high current income by investing in a wide range of domestic and foreign fixed-income securities. Up to 50% of its assets may be invested in securities rated below investment grade. The fund has a three year annualized return of 10.65 %.

Mark C. Lindbloom is the fund manager and he has managed this Legg Mason mutual fund since 2006.

View Full Article: Top 5 Legg Mason Mutual Funds

View all Zacks #1 Ranked Mutual Funds

About Zacks Mutual Fund Rank

The Zacks Mutual Fund Rank is a quantitative ratings system created by Len Zacks, a PHD from MIT. The goal of the rank is simple; to help investors find the best mutual funds to beat the market.

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