Top 5 Federated Mutual Funds - Best of Fund Family

Founded in 1955, Federated Investors is one of the largest investment managers in the U.S. With more than $340 billion worth of assets under management, the company has used a disciplined approach to deliver superior value to investors. Federated offers a wide range of products, including domestic and international equity, fixed-income and money market funds. These products are distributed through more than 5,200 financial intermediaries and institutions.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated Federated mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect these mutual funds to outperform their peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Federated funds, then click here.

Federated Capital Appreciation A (FEDEX) seeks capital growth. The fund invests heavily in companies with the potential to deliver superior growth and whose stocks are attractively priced. It focuses on acquiring common stock of large and mid-cap companies. It may also purchase foreign securities including ADRs. The fund returned 13.2% over the last one year period.

The Federated mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,500 and an expense ratio of 1.23% compared to a category average of 1.13%.

Federated International Small-Mid Company A (ISCAX) utilizes at least 80% of its assets to acquire equity securities of foreign firms. It focuses on acquiring equity securities of small and mid-cap companies, from mature markets as well as emerging economies. The fund has a five year annualized return of 6.3%.

Leonardo A. Vila is the fund manager and has managed this Federated mutual fund since 1999.

Federated Municipal High Yield Advantage A (FMOAX) seeks current income. The fund invests primarily in tax-exempt securities. These are generally of two types, long-term and medium-quality or non-investment-grade. The fund may also invest in tax-exempt securities with maturity periods of less than 10 years. The fund returned 11.32% over the last one year period.

As of September 2010, this Federated mutual fund held 323 issues, with 1.50% of its total assets invested in Buckeye Ohio Tob Settlement Fi Toba 6.5%.

Federated International High Income A (IHIAX) invests the majority of its assets in debt securities from emerging market issuers. It invests in securities with a wide range of maturity periods and credit ratings. The fund is non-diversified and may invest in shares of exchange traded funds as well as in derivative contracts. The fund has a ten year annualized return of 12.6%.

The Federated mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,500 and an expense ratio of 1.24% compared to a category average of 1.34%.

Federated Strategic Income A (STIAX) seeks invests in three major categories of fixed-income securities. These include domestic securities rated below investment grade as well as those rated higher and foreign securities. Not more than 50% of its assets may be invested in any single category. The fund has a three year annualized return of 8.91%.

Joseph M. Balestrino is the fund manager and has managed this Federated mutual fund since 1996.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Federated mutual funds, then click here.

About Zacks Mutual Fund Rank

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. Learn more about the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank at http://www.zacks.com/funds.

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