As the financial landscape evolves, it's crucial to stay on top of the latest trends and to be positioned in the best long-term investments for the upcoming year. In this article, we'll take a look at the top mutual funds for 2023, with a focus on U.S. equity and international funds that have demonstrated strong performance over the past five years.
Our listing of the best mutual funds sticks to U.S. and international equity funds, plus one allocation fund and one short-term bond fund. While there are many other types of mutual funds to choose from, these funds have a proven track record of delivering solid returns for investors.
An index fund is an investment fund – either a mutual fund or an exchange-traded fund (ETF) – that is based on a preset basket of stocks, bonds, or other investment vehicles. Index funds have become increasingly popular with investors in recent years, as they offer a low-cost, diversified way to gain exposure to a broad range of assets.
The best S&P 500 index funds of 2023 are likely to include the Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX), Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX), and Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX). These funds have consistently outperformed their peers over the past five years and are likely to continue to do so in the years to come.
If you're looking for the top mutual funds, these are the best U.S. equity stock funds based on their five-year performance. T. Rowe Price mutual funds are a common sight in 401(k) plans, and some of the top-rated options include the T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (TRBCX), T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (PRFDX), and T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Fund (PRGFX).
International equity funds can also play an important role in a well-diversified portfolio. Some of the top-rated options include the American Funds New World Fund (NEWFX), which invests in emerging markets, and the Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund (DODFX), which focuses on large-cap international stocks.
Allocation funds, which invest in a mix of stocks, bonds, and other assets, can be a good choice for investors who want to minimize risk while still achieving solid returns. The Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund (VSMGX) is one such fund, with a mix of 60% stocks and 40% bonds.
Short-term bond funds can also be a good choice for investors who want to minimize risk while still earning a decent return. The Vanguard Short-Term Investment Grade Fund (VFSUX) is one such fund, with a focus on high-quality, short-term bonds.
These top-rated ETFs and mutual funds can bring balance to portfolios with off-kilter asset allocations. For investors who are looking to diversify their portfolios, some of the best options include the iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH), the Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ), and the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI).
With rising uncertainties in the economy and the capital markets, investors have an incentive to consider the best mutual funds. By investing in a diversified mix of U.S. and international equity funds, allocation funds, and short-term bond funds, investors can position themselves for success in 2023 and beyond.
