30 Top-Performing Mutual Funds This Year

Mutual funds are supposed to be a way for the uninformed investor to take advantage of the stock market. A few broad-based funds can give you a simple way to build a very diverse portfolio without having to research the risks and potential rewards of thousands of different stocks, bonds or other assets. However, as helpful as mutual funds are to the investing process, you still have to choose which one is right for you. And, with such a huge universe of options ranging from incredibly mild to extremely risky, that can be almost as daunting a task as picking the individual stocks that comprise them.

Fortunately, GOBankingRates did some of your homework for you. This new study has taken some 330 different mutual funds and scored them on their year-to-date performance and their "expense ratio" — essentially what percent of the fund the company running it holds back as their management fee. This should give you a sense of which funds are having a banner year without necessarily charging too much in the process.

For additional context, the study also included a few other factors that will matter more for the long-term investor, like the average annual return over the last five and 10 years. All told, this study should provide any investor a good rundown of the funds that are in the midst of a truly hot year, as well as which of them have low fees and proven lasting power over the longer term.

Last updated: Oct. 2, 2019

30. BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio Investor A Shares

• Symbol: BMGAX
• Minimum initial purchase: $1,000
• Share price: $25.63
• Net assets: $4.94 billion
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 35.54%
• 5-year average annual return: 15.37%
• 10-year average annual return: 15.97%
• Gross expense ratio: 1.26%

29. Meridian Equity Income Fund

• Symbol: MEIFX
• Minimum initial purchase: $1,000
• Share price: $19.50
• Net assets: $61.52 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 37.16%
• 5-year average annual return: 14.01%
• 10-year average annual return: 14.78%
• Gross expense ratio: 1.40%

Find Out: Mutual Funds vs. Stocks — Where Should I Invest?

28. Principal MidCap Fund R-4 Class

• Symbol: PMBSX
• Minimum initial purchase: $0
• Share price: $30.60
• Net assets: $16.97 billion
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 33.32%
• 5-year average annual return: 12.28%
• 10-year average annual return: 16.22%
• Gross expense ratio: 0.97%

27. Principal MidCap Fund Class A

• Symbol: PEMGX
• Minimum initial purchase: $1,000
• Share price: $30.05
• Net assets: $16.97 billion
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 33.29%
• 5-year average annual return: 12.27%
• 10-year average annual return: 16.17%
• Gross expense ratio: 0.96%

26. Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Portfolio

• Symbol: FSDAX
• Minimum initial purchase: $0
• Share price: $18.95
• Net assets: $2.95 billion
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 31.41%
• 5-year average annual return: 16.02%
• 10-year average annual return: 17.88%
• Gross expense ratio: 0.75%

25. ProFunds Technology UltraSector Fund Investor Class

• Symbol: TEPIX
• Minimum initial purchase: $15,000
• Share price: $147.10
• Net assets: $86.65 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 38.14%
• 5-year average annual return: 20.51%
• 10-year average annual return: 21.20%
• Gross expense ratio: 1.49%

24. Wells Fargo Discovery Fund - Class A

• Symbol: WFDAX
• Minimum initial purchase: $1,000
• Share price: $34.43
• Net assets: $2.57 billion
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 35.71%
• 5-year average annual return: 11.60%
• 10-year average annual return: 15.96%
• Gross expense ratio: 1.21%

23. Rydex NASDAQ-100 2x Strategy Fund Class A

• Symbol: RYVLX
• Minimum initial purchase: $2,500
• Share price: $167.14
• Net assets: $416.63 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 41.90%
• 5-year average annual return: 23.55%
• 10-year average annual return: 31.58%
• Gross expense ratio: 1.89%

22. Monthly Rebalance Nasdaq-100 2x Strategy Fund H-

• Symbol: RMQHX
• Minimum initial purchase: $2,500
• Share price: $153.10
• Net assets: $154.76 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 41.63%
• 5-year average annual return: N/A*
• 10-year average annual return: N/A*
• Gross expense ratio: 1.81%

*Not enough data; fund's inception date is Nov. 27, 2014

21. Fidelity Select Advisor Gold Fund Class A

• Symbol: FGDAX
• Minimum initial purchase: $0
• Share price: $22.40
• Net assets: $1.97 billion
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 36.10%
• 5-year average annual return: 1.53%
• 10-year average annual return: -2.45%
• Gross expense ratio: 1.19%

Learn: How To Buy Stocks

20. Monthly Rebalance Nasdaq-100 2x Strategy Fund A-

• Symbol: RMQAX
• Minimum initial purchase: $2,500
• Share price: $149.54
• Net assets: $154.76 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 41.73%
• 5-year average annual return: N/A*
• 10-year average annual return: N/A*
• Gross expense ratio: 1.81%

*Not enough data; fund's inception date is Nov. 27, 2014.

19. OCM Gold Fund Investor Class

• Symbol: OCMGX
• Minimum initial purchase: $1,000
• Share price: $8.56
• Net assets: $36.28 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 51.38%
• 5-year average annual return: 3.59%
• 10-year average annual return: 0.42%
• Gross expense ratio: 2.86%

18. Fidelity Select Construction & Housing Portfolio

• Symbol: FSHOX
• Minimum initial purchase: $2,500
• Share price: $62.86
• Net assets: $274.72 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 32.93%
• 5-year average annual return: 10.93%
• 10-year average annual return: 14.77%
• Gross expense ratio: 0.80%

17. Principal MidCap Fund R-5 Class

• Symbol: PMBPX
• Minimum initial purchase: $0
• Share price: $30.42
• Net assets: $16.97 billion
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 33.41%
• 5-year average annual return: 12.42%
• 10-year average annual return: 16.36%
• Gross expense ratio: 0.85%

16. Principal MidCap Fund Class J

• Symbol: PMBJX
• Minimum initial purchase: $1,000
• Share price: $28.88
• Net assets: $16.97 billion
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 33.46%
• 5-year average annual return: 12.44%
• 10-year average annual return: 16.24%
• Gross expense ratio: 0.85%

15. Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund Class A

• Symbol: LAGWX
• Minimum initial purchase: $1,000
• Share price: $24.20
• Net assets: $1.97 billion
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 35.09%
• 5-year average annual return: 11.11%
• 10-year average annual return: 16.27%
• Gross expense ratio: 0.93%

14. Direxion Monthly NASDAQ-100 Bull 2x Fund Investor Class

• Symbol: DXQLX
• Minimum initial purchase: $25,000
• Share price: $26.24
• Net assets: $181.86 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 40.87%
• 5-year average annual return: 24.23%
• 10-year average annual return: 32.67%
• Gross expense ratio: 1.47%

13. Principal Funds Inc. - Midcap Fund Class R6

• Symbol: PMAQX
• Minimum initial purchase: $0
• Share price: $30.85
• Net assets: $16.97 billion
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 33.67%
• 5-year average annual return: 12.57%
• 10-year average annual return: 16.43%
• Gross expense ratio: 0.59%

12. Fidelity Select Gold Portfolio

• Symbol: FSAGX
• Minimum initial purchase: $0
• Share price: $23.10
• Net assets: $1.97 billion
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 36.41%
• 5-year average annual return: 1.85%
• 10-year average annual return: -2.17%
• Gross expense ratio: 0.86%

11. Gabelli Gold Fund Class AAA

• Symbol: GOLDX
• Minimum initial purchase: $1,000
• Share price: $15.61
• Net assets: $312.66 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 42.99%
• 5-year average annual return: 3.58%
• 10-year average annual return: 0.06%
• Gross expense ratio: 1.55%

10. Ultra Nasdaq-100 Profunds Investor Class

• Symbol: UOPIX
• Minimum initial purchase: $15,000
• Share price: $78.73
• Net assets: $511.84 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 41.77%
• 5-year average annual return: 23.44%
• 10-year average annual return: 31.48%
• Gross expense ratio: 1.41%

9. Rydex Precious Metals Fund Class Investor

• Symbol: RYPMX
• Minimum initial purchase: $2,500
• Share price: $32.07
• Net assets: $80.68 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 42.19%
• 5-year average annual return: -0.35%
• 10-year average annual return: -2.47%
• Gross expense ratio: 1.39%

8. Fidelity Select IT Services Portfolio

• Symbol: FBSOX
• Minimum initial purchase: $0
• Share price: $72.73
• Net assets: $4.06 billion
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 36.39%
• 5-year average annual return: 20.24%
• 10-year average annual return: 20.43%
• Gross expense ratio: 0.74%

7. USAA Precious Metals and Minerals Fund

• Symbol: USAGX
• Minimum initial purchase: $3,000
• Share price: $15.47
• Net assets: $666.61 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 41.42%
• 5-year average annual return: 0.5%
• 10-year average annual return: -2.12%
• Gross expense ratio: 1.27%

6. OCM Gold Fund Advisors Class

• Symbol: OCMAX
• Minimum initial purchase: $1,000
• Share price: $9.46
• Net assets: $36.28 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 52.36%
• 5-year average annual return: 4.38%
• 10-year average annual return: 1.07%
• Gross expense ratio: 2.36%

5. Wells Fargo Precious Metals Fund - Class A

• Symbol: EKWAX
• Minimum initial purchase: $1,000
• Share price: $42.14
• Net assets: $368.18 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 43.22%
• 5-year average annual return: 1.90%
• 10-year average annual return: -0.78%
• Gross expense ratio: 1.22%

Discover: The Best Short-Term Investments

4. American Century Global Gold Fund Investor Class

• Symbol: BGEIX
• Minimum initial purchase: $2,500
• Share price: $10.64
• Net assets: $547.13 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 39.88%
• 5-year average annual return: 3.32%
• 10-year average annual return: -0.67%
• Gross expense ratio: 0.67%

3. Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Class A

• Symbol: FKRCX
• Minimum initial purchase: $1,000
• Share price: $17.44
• Net assets: $973.89 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 44.31%
• 5-year average annual return: 0.22%
• 10-year average annual return: -2.19%
• Gross expense ratio: 0.98%

2. ProFunds Precious Metals UltraSector Fund Service Class

• Symbol: PMPSX
• Minimum initial purchase: $15,000
• Share price: $40
• Net assets: $35.58 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 66.55%
• 5-year average annual return: -8.04%
• 10-year average annual return: -10.03%
• Gross expense ratio: 2.52%

1. ProFunds Precious Metals UltraSector Fund Investor Class

• Symbol: PMPIX
• Minimum initial purchase: $15,000
• Share price: $46.21
• Net assets: $35.58 million
• Fund performance (year-to-date return): 67.79%
• 5-year average annual return: -7.13%
• 10-year average annual return: -9.13%
• Gross expense ratio: 1.52%

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Methodology: GOBankingRates analyzed 330 noninstitutional mutual funds in terms of year-to-date return and gross expense ratio, as reported by Yahoo Finance. Included as supplemental data for each mutual fund are the 5-year average return and 10-year average return, both sourced from Yahoo Finance. The minimum initial purchase was sourced from FINRA. All data used to conduct this study was compiled and verified on Sept. 17, 2019.

About the Author

Joel Anderson

Joel Anderson is a business and finance writer with over a decade of experience writing about the wide world of finance. Based in Los Angeles, he specializes in writing about the financial markets, stocks, macroeconomic concepts and focuses on helping make complex financial concepts digestible for the retail investor.

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