A single minded focus towards capital appreciation is what best characterizes growth funds. This purity of style is further established by the fact that investors can expect few or no dividend pay outs from such mutual funds. But investing in this class of funds requires a relatively higher appetite for risk than those following a value or blend style towards investing. However, in depth research and professional management are what make mutual funds a much safer proposition as compared to directly investing in growth stocks.

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

Mutual Fund

Zacks Rank

Total Return YTD

Vanguard Capital Opportunity Investor

#1 Strong Buy

16.18%

PRIMECAP Odyssey Growth

#2 Buy

15.68%

Aquila Three Peaks Opportunity Growth A

#1 Strong Buy

14.63%

Champlain Mid Cap

#1 Strong Buy

14.39%

Vanguard PRIMECAP

#1 Strong Buy

14.36%
 

Vanguard Capital Opportunity Investor (VHCOX) invests predominantly in domestic securities with substantial earnings growth potential. It invests in securities of companies regardless of their size. The stocks selected are expected to provide returns greater than the overall market over a three to five year period. The growth mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 8.06%.

The growth mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $3,000 and an expense ratio of 0.48 to a category average of 1.25%.

PRIMECAP Odyssey Growth (POGRX) invests in common stocks of domestic companies, especially those with the ability to return above average growth. It focusses on investing in large and mid-cap companies. The fund also invests substantially in stocks issued by large cap firms. The growth mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 12.48%.

Joel P. Fried is the fund manager and he has managed this growth mutual fund since 2004.

Aquila Three Peaks Opportunity Growth A (ATGAX) seeks capital growth. The fund invests a minimum of 70% of its assets in equity securities with the ability to appreciate capital invested. The fund invests in companies without regard to their market capitalizations. Not more than 15% of its assets may be invested in foreign securities. The growth mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 15.98%.

The growth mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.53% compared to a category average of 1.35%.

Champlain Mid Cap Advisor (CIPMX) invests the majority of its assets in securities issued by mid-cap firms. In this case, a mid-cap company is one with a market cap lower than $15 billion at the time at which the securities were purchased. The growth mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 14.06%.

As of January 2013, this growth mutual fund held 73 issues, with 2.56% of its total assets invested in Willis Group Holdings PLC.

Vanguard PRIMECAP (VPMCX) seeks capital growth over the long term. The fund invests in stocks with substantial growth potential. It focuses on acquiring large and mid-cap stocks. The growth mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 10.44%.

Howard B. Schow is the fund manager and he has managed this growth mutual fund since 1984.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all growth 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.


 
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