5 Top and Best International Mutual Funds to invest in 2014
Some of the Top and Best International mutual funds have given, returns of 55% in last 1 year. With US economy growing at a faster pace in last 2 years, mutual funds which invested in the US economy and worldwide have provided excellent returns. In this article, I would provide some hidden gems of top and best global/international mutual funds which you can invest in 2014.
What are global / international mutual funds?
Before we jump into the best funds, I would provide a quick summary about global and international mutual funds. In case you are already familiar about them, you can jump to the next section.
International/Global mutual funds invest in non-domestic securities market across the globe. Investment in international mutual funds offers good opportunities to participate in the growth of the profitable markets of various countries.
Also Read: Top 5 tax saving mutual funds (ELSS) to invest for 2014
Why should you invest in an international mutual fund now?
US economy has been growing in the last 1-2 years. US Analysts expect that it would continue to rise for next 2-3 years. There is good growth in various parts of the world. The growth pace can be slower, but we feel this would provide good opportunities to invest especially through international mutual funds.
5 Top and Best International Mutual Funds to invest in 2014
We have analyzed 5 top and the best mutual funds to invest and below is the analysis.
1) FT Feeder Franklin US Opps fund
Overview: The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation by investing predominantly in units of Franklin U. S. Opportunities Fund, an overseas Franklin Templeton mutual fund, which primarily invests in securities in the United States of America. This is one of the top mutual funds in the International fund category.
Annualized returns: Last 1 year returns are 53% and last 2 years annualized returns are 30.5%.
Suitable for: This fund invests in FT US Opportunities fund which invests in top US Stocks. This is purely based on US economic growth. US economy is expected to grow at a higher pace even in next 2-3 years. However, this is high risk, high return fund. One should consider this risk before investing in this.
2) Motilal MOSt Shares NASDAQ 100 ETF
Overview: This fund's investment return tries to match the performance of the NASDAQ 100 Index, subject to tracking error. The NASDAQ-100 Index consists of the 100-largest US and global non-financial companies that are listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market. Effectively, this is a global index since about half of the revenue of these companies comes from outside the US. The diversification offered and benefits of investing in the top-100 of the largest non-financial sector companies make it unique.
This is one of the second best mutual fund in International category.
Annualized returns: Last 1 year returns are 52% and last 2 years annualized returns are 35% annualized returns.
Suitable for: This fund invests in top US Stocks where half of the revenues for such companies come outside US. Hence, the performance of this fund depends on overall economic growth across worldwide. Even this fund too is high risk, high return fund. One should consider this risk before investing in this.
3) ICICI Pru US Blue Chip Equity
Overview: The scheme seeks to provide long term capital appreciation by primarily investing in equity and equity related securities (Incl ADRs/GDRs issued by Indian and foreign companies) of companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ.
Annualized returns: Last 1 year returns are 41%.
Suitable for: This is relatively new fund floated by ICICI MF 1 year back. This fund invests in top large cap and blue chip Stocks in US. Comparing to other international this fund is relatively safer. However, since this is US based fund, the risk would continue and depends on US economic growth.
4) Birla SL International Equity Fund
Overview: The plan would exclusively invest in international stocks. The aim of the plan is to create a portfolio that is diversified worldwide, to take benefit of low correlation between various countries, and to create a portfolio of high quality and high growth stocks.
Annualized returns: Last 1 year returns are 28%, 3 years annualized returns are 17% and last 5 years annualized returns are 18%.
Suitable for: This is a relatively stable fund and provided consistent returns in last 5 years. Since this invests across worldwide, the risk is moderate and one can expect good returns in the long run. However, do not expect high returns of 50% per annum, which you are currently seeing in other international mutual funds which are basically driven by the US growth market.
Also Read: Top 5 midcap/small cap mutual funds to invest in 2014
5) ING Global Real Estate Fund
Overview: The scheme will invest at least 65% in ING Global Real Estate Securities Fund, up to 35% in the units of other similar overseas mutual fund schemes and may also keep up to 20% of its corpus into money market securities.
Annualized returns: Last 1 year returns are 13%, 3 years annualized returns are 14% and last 5 years annualized returns are 19%.
Suitable for: This is also a relatively stable fund and provided consistent returns in last 5 years. Since this invests across worldwide in real estate segment, the risk is high. However, one can expect good returns in the long run. However, even in this fund too, do not expect high returns of 50% which you are currently seeing in other international mutual funds which are basically driven by the US growth market.
Quick summary and comparison statement
Conclusion: Investment in global mutual funds can provide you good returns over the long run. However, you should keep watching the performance of these funds as they would see a downturn within short span of time with changing global economical and political conditions.
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Suresh
Top and Best International Mutual Funds to invest in 2014
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Dear Suresh Sir,
I wanted to invest 1 lakh in an International Fund. I would like to your view/opinion on whether it is a wise decision to invest in International Funds in 2015?
If yes, which International Fund would you recommend and how much %age of portfolio would you advise to invest
Piyush, Let me analyse and come back in next week
I want to start a SIP . monthly 10k for 15 years , pls provide the best mf to invest . LOW risk High return
Hi Mangal, Mutual funds returns contains some risk. However if you want to invest in low risk mutual funds, you can invest in balanced funds like ICICI Balanced fund and HDFC balanced fund
Hi Suresh,
There was a article today in moneycontrol (http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/international-markets/no-mania-yetus-equitiesfed-may-allow-bubble-gmo_1079831.html)
It says that the upswing in US equities has reached an extreme level and whatever is happening now is bubble building up which even the Fed may allow. It also says that investors would be better off not buying into this market.
I was actually looking forward to invest in any one of the 5 funds suggested by you above (via SIP route) but now I'm confused as to thinking whether I should wait for things to be more clear to see if this so called bubble will burst.
What's your opinion?
Thanks and Regards,
Nanda
Nanda, Like I indicated in some other comment, please do not make fresh investment into US equity funds now. If you are already investing, you can take a stock about position and watch for the downturn and exit. Yes I agree that currently bubble is getting formed and it may collapse (chances are there, but we cannot say). Instead, invest in european or asian geo concentrated funds.
Dear Suresh,
I am an investor in MF for several years on my own. Have seen positives and negatives ( esp with NFOs). I have made some investments recently after going through your blog. Am happy. Would like to make a lump sum investment in ICICI Technology fund, given the news about business resurgence in Indian IT companies. Can hold it for 5 years or more. Is Technology Funds are favoured now?
Ramakrishnan, Investment in mutual funds that too in sector based funds would be very very high risk. Go for SIP in technology funds if you are high risk taker. Don’t invest lumpsum
Dear sir
This is satyarao from raipur wants to invest in International mutual fund and sip monthly plan
in india .both i want to invest in monthly mode.can you please suggest me how to invest and
how to proceed.
Best regards
satyarao
Hi Satyarao, Good to note that you want to invest in intl funds. If you want to invest in monthly mode, you need to do it through SIP. Please check your MF demat account and then you cna put a request to do SIP every month. This is one time request which you need to put along with approx amount and date on which you want to invest every month (like 5th of every month for Rs 1,000 as an example)
Dear Sureshsir,
your analysis is very educative and provides a detailed guidance to a reader. I would be obliged if you could enlighten on the procedures for Stopping SIPs and redeeming units, in case of an NRI who is not in a position to personally deliver the forms to the concerned Registrar.
Thanks and best regards,
Kayk.
Hi Kayk, You need not go to MF AMC companies to redeem if you are holding them in mutual fund brokerage account. It can be done with a click of button. However if you have purchased in physical form, you can submit them to MF AMC and get it redeemed. I don’t think any one is purchasing them in physical form now. Pls let me know.
How about DSP BlackRock US flexible equity?
DG, This is just 1 year completed fund, returns are average, there are better funds.
Hi sir, i am fallowing your blog regular and every day i go through your updates.
my portfolio like below:
icici prudential focussed blue chip fund – 1500/-
Birla sunlife frontline equity fund – 1500/-
Birl sunlife MNC fund – 1000/-.
sir, please tell me your opinion about my funds, i am investing for long term i.e., 15+ years for my two kids 2+ and 0.6+ years of ages. now i want to add one more 1000/- for balanced or diversified or debt fund, please suggest good fund of above three categories.
Good funds Purna.ย
which fund is best in dept fund ( long term ) sir ? what about your view on IDFC Dynamic Bond Fund – Regular Plan (G) , sbi dynamic bond fund? which fund I have to go for sir?
Hi Purna, You can go for any one. Both are good.ย
Hi
nice analysis, it will be helpful if you could also provide some steps on how to invest in these. any Indian outfit contacts ?
Nanmithm, If you have mutual fund brokerage account, you can invest it.ย