Scotia Global Bond Fund
With a gain of 7.2% the Scotia Global Bond Fund was one of the top performing mutual funds in May. Nicholas Van Sluytman took over the reins of this fund in January 2010 and has rewarded investors with strong returns, gaining 7.5% in the past two years. In comparison, the Citigroup World Government Bond Index Fund gained 6.9% during the same period.
Read MoreSentry REIT Fund
The Sentry REIT Fund is one of a few options that mutual fund investors have when looking for exposure to REITs. There are a number of funds that are focused on real estate, but most of those invest more in operating companies as opposed to REITs. For example, as of May 31, the Sentry REIT Fund held 78% in REITs while the CIBC Canadian Real Estate Fund held only 39% of its assets in REITs.
Read MoreCI Signature Income & Growth Fund
Normally we are big fans of the funds managed by CI’s Signature Global Advisors. However, we are less than enamored with this fund. It’s not that it’s a bad fund; it’s just not outstanding. The long-term performance is quite impressive. As of May 31, the fund posted an average ten-year return of 6.1%, handily outpacing the benchmark’s 2.5% gain during the same period. Shorter term it has struggled, losing 4.5% in the past year while the benchmark gained 0.9%.
Read MoreMawer Canadian Equity Fund
Below average volatility, strong returns and a low MER make the Mawer Canadian Equity Fund one of our favourites in the category. Managed by the team of Jim Hall and Vijay Viswanathan, it looks for well known businesses that are trading below their true worth. The fund’s modest asset level of $975 million allows it some flexibility to go off the beaten path and look for companies which can compound their capital at a high rate for a number of years.
Read MoreManulife Strategic Income Fund
Interest rates are hovering near historic lows and will eventually begin moving higher. Before this happens, investors should take steps to protect themselves against this inevitability by shortening duration, increasing yield and investing in actively managed funds where the manager can be tactical in navigating the fixed income markets. The Manulife Strategic Income is one fund that can help investors do just that.
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