Featuring top performing Precious Metals funds, because precious metals offer excellent protection against inflation, which cannot be said of almost all other reasonably liquid assets. These funds primarily invest in equity securities of companies that are involved in mining and processing of gold and other precious metals.

Investors can find such precious metals funds by browsing the entire list of the Zacks #1 Rank Precious Metals Equity Funds.

5 fantastic Examples of Precious Metals

US Global Investors World Precious Minerals (UNWPX) seeks long-term capital appreciation. It also aims to provide protection against inflation and monetary instability. It was incepted in November 1985.

Instead of directly investing in precious metals fund invests a greater part of its assets, at least 80%, in firms principally engaged in the exploration, mining and processing of these metals. This precious metals fund focuses on selecting junior and intermediate exploration companies from around the globe.

Shareholders have to make a minimum initial investment of $5,000 to enter this Zacks #1 Rank ("Strong Buy") fund. The precious metals fund has an expense ratio of 1.50% against a category average of 1.47%.

Frank E. Holmes has been lead manager of the fund since June 1999. Holmes was formerly President of the Toronto Society of the Investment Dealers Association and is CEO and Chief Investment Officer of U.S. Global Investors, Inc.

Franklin Gold & Precious Metals A (FKRCX) seeks long-term capital appreciation. It was incepted in May 1969.

At least 80% of the net assets of this precious metals fund are invested in gold and precious metals operation companies. This precious metals fund also aims to generate current income from dividends or interest received from its investments.

This precious metals fund has an expense ratio of 1.01 % against a category average of 1.47%. As of July 2009, it has a portfolio turnover of 17%.

Steve Land has been lead manager of this precious metals fund since April 1999. Land is a Chartered Financial Analyst and has been with Franklin Templeton Investments since 1997.

Van Eck International Investors Gold A (INIVX) seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in common stocks of gold mining companies. The fund may take current income into consideration in picking investments. It was incepted in January 1956.

This precious metals fund does not directly invest in gold or bullion, but invests in securities of companies principally engaged in gold-related activities, as well as in instruments that derive their value from gold. A company must derive at least 50% of its revenues from gold-related activities to be considered for investment purposes.

The precious metals fund has an expense ratio of 1.44% against a category average of 1.47%. As of June 2009, it has a portfolio turnover of 14%.

Joseph M. Foster has been lead manager of the fund since July 1998. Foster joined Van Eck Associates Corporation in 1996 and is a portfolio manager with the firm.

USAA Precious Metals and Minerals (USAGX) seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation and provide protection of the invested capital against inflation. Providing current income to investors is a secondary objective. It was incepted in August 1984.

This precious metals fund doesn't invest in gold directly, but in gold mining and other precious metals and mineral mining companies, with at least 80% of its assets invested in such firms. With the right mix of companies, the fund can benefit disproportionately when underlying commodity prices rise, while avoid the worst losses of commodity-price downturns.

Shareholders have to make a minimum initial investment of $3,000 to enter this Zacks #1 Rank ("Strong Buy") fund. It has an expense ratio of 2.50% against a category average of 1.47%.

Mark W. Johnson has been lead manager of this precious metals fund since January 1994. Johnson is a Chartered Financial Analyst and is executive director of equity investments with USAA Investment Management Company.

Midas Fund (MIDSX) was incepted in January 1986. The precious metals fund seeks capital appreciation and protection against inflation and, secondarily, current income.

This precious metals fund invests at least 65% of its assets in companies which are directly or indirectly involved in the business of mining, and processing precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum. It may invest up to 35% of its assets in selected growth companies.

The precious metals fund has an expense ratio of 2.43% against a category average of 1.47%. As of September 2009, it has a portfolio turnover of 62%.

Thomas B. Winmill has been lead manager of the fund since January 2002. Winmill has been president of Midas funds since 1995 and the distributor since 1991.

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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.

Top Precious Metals Equity Funds