This article explores top mutual funds ideal for investors seeking growth and diversification. It highlights top-performing funds across various periods, discusses their historical performance, and provides insights into evaluating mutual funds through trusted ratings. Despite some drawbacks, mutual funds remain a popular choice for building wealth, with around $16 trillion invested globally. Whether aiming for long-term growth or specific sector exposure, understanding top funds helps investors make informed decisions in the dynamic asset management landscape.

Mutual funds are collective investment options that gather money from various investors to build a broad portfolio of securities. Managed by professionals, they enhance liquidity and diversity. Unlike individual stocks, mutual fund shares are traded once daily at their net asset value (NAV). With around 9,000 funds managing approximately $16 trillion, they encompass index funds tracking specific benchmarks and actively managed funds striving to beat the market through strategic trading. Investors often include mutual funds in retirement plans for sustained growth over time.

Top industry sources like Kiplinger highlight high-performing mutual funds across various categories. Leading large-cap funds based on recent performance include: Biondo Focus Inv (BFONX), Fidelity OTC Portfolio (FOCPX), CGM Focus (CGMFX), Ridgeworth Aggressive Growth Stock A (SAGAX), Vanguard Capital Opportunity Inv (VHCOX), ICON Fund S (ICNZX), Edgewood Growth Retail (EGFFX), Fidelity Growth Company (FDGRX), Invesco Value Opportunities A (VVOAX), and Primecap Odyssey Growth (POGRX).

Over a three-year span, top large-cap funds include: Fidelity OTC Portfolio (FOCPX), Parnassus Endeavor (PARWX), USAA Nasdaq 100 Index (USNQX), Shelton Capital Nasdaq 100 Index (NASDX), Polen Growth Inv (POLRX), Edgewood Growth Retail (EGFFX), DoubleLine Shiller Enhanced CAPE N (DSENX), Janus Forty T (JACTX), Fidelity Growth Company (FDGRX), and Rydex Nasdaq 100 H (RYHOX).

In the past five years, consistent leaders are: Fidelity OTC Portfolio (FOCPX), Vanguard Capital Opportunity Inv (VHCOX), Parnassus Endeavor (PARWX), Edgewood Growth Retail (EGFFX), Vanguard Primecap Inv (VPMCX), Morgan Stanley Instl Growth Portfolio A (MSEGX), Vanguard Primecap Core Inv (VPCCX), Shelton Capital Nasdaq 100 Index (NASDX), Catalyst Dynamic Alpha I (CPEIX), and Transamerica Capital Growth A (IALAX).

Looking back two decades, top performers include: Vanguard Capital Opportunity Inv (VHCOX), Oakmart Select I (OAKLX), Calamos Growth A (CVGRX), Fidelity New Millennium (FMILX), Vanguard Primecap Inv (VPMCX), Quaker Strategic Growth A (QUAGX), LeggMason ClearBridge Aggressive Growth A (SHRAX), Principal Capital Appreciation A (CMNWX), Amana Growth (AMAGX), and Janus Forty T (JACTX).

Over the last ten years, leading mutual funds are: Parnassus Endeavor (PARWX), Fidelity OTC Portfolio (FOCPX), Shelton Capital Nasdaq 100 Index (NASDX), USAA Nasdaq 100 Index (USNQX), Reynolds Blue Chip Growth (RBCGX), Fidelity Growth Company (FDGRX), Monetta Young Investor (MYIFX), Rydex Nasdaq 100 H (RYHOX), AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth A (APGAX), and AMG Yacktman Focused S (YAFFX).

Across twenty years, top funds include Vanguard Capital Opportunity (VHCOX), Oakmart Select I (OAKLX), Calamos Growth (CVGRX), Fidelity New Millennium (FMILX), Vanguard Primecap Inv (VPMCX), Quaker Growth (QUAGX), Legg Mason ClearBridge Aggressive Growth (SHRAX), Principal Capital Appreciation (CMNWX), Amana Growth (AMAGX), and Janus Forty T (JACTX).

For the past decade, prominent funds are: Parnassus Endeavor (PARWX), Fidelity OTC Portfolio (FOCPX), Shelton Capital Nasdaq 100 (NASDX), USAA Nasdaq 100 (USNQX), Reynolds Blue Chip Growth (RBCGX), Fidelity Growth Company (FDGRX), Monetta Young Investor (MYIFX), Rydex Nasdaq 100 H (RYHOX), AllianceBernstein Large Cap Growth (APGAX), and AMG Yacktman Focused S (YAFFX).

Over twenty years, top quartile funds include Vanguard Capital Opportunity (VHCOX), Oakmart Select I (OAKLX), Calamos Growth (CVGRX), Fidelity New Millennium (FMILX), Vanguard Primecap Inv (VPMCX), Quaker Growth (QUAGX), Legg Mason ClearBridge Growth (SHRAX), Principal Capital Appreciation (CMNWX), Amana Growth (AMAGX), and Janus Forty T (JACTX).

According to TheStreet, as of May 2017, top mutual funds consist of AQR Long Short Equity N (QLENX), DoubleLine Shiller Enh CAPE (DSENX), Matthews Emerging Asia Inv (MEASX), Fidelity Japan Small Cap (FJSCX), Hennessy Japan Small Cap Inv (HJPSX), DFA Japanese Small Co Inst (DFJSX), ProFunds-Consumer Good Ultra (CNPSX), AQR US Defensive Equity N (AUENX), Lazard Global Listed Infr Op (GLFOX), Gurtin National Mun Oport Vl (GNMFX), Glenmede Large Cap Growth (GTLLX), Performance Trust Strat Bond (PTIAX), GMO Opportunistic Income VI (GMODX), Vanguard Global Minimum Vol (VMVFX), SA US Core Market (SAMKX), Saturna Idaho Tax-Exempt (NITEX), T Rowe Price Japan (PRJPX), NWM Momentum (MOMOX), Vanguard Russell 1000 Gro Ix (VRGWX), and PIMCO Income Fund A (PONAX).

The U.S. News Mutual Fund Score provides a trustworthy evaluation based on past performance and future prospects. Covering around 100 leading funds, it incorporates insights from managers, analysts, and investors with monthly updates, aiding investors in making well-informed choices.

While mutual funds remain popular, they come with certain drawbacks such as high fees, tax inefficiency, and occasionally outdated strategies. Despite this, their appeal persists. Forbes points out top mutual funds like Pimco Total Return (PTTAX), recognized for consistent long-term results but with higher costs. Investors should weigh these factors carefully, but the $16 trillion invested underscores their ongoing attractiveness for many.

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