Top 5 Renewable Energy Mutual Funds – Latest Update

An updated version of renewable energy mutual funds companies. This is a growing list, as renewable energy is elevated to a popular forum.

12 months ago we ran a feature about the top 5 renewable energy mutual funds, who investors with green leanings should look into. These were money manager recommended mutual funds that invest solely in green energy companies.

Since then, practically every mutual fund on the market, green or not, has taken a big hit as the economy spluttered. This spring in particular was a very hard time for many mutual funds, as stock prices fell dramatically. The best five alternative energy mutual funds that we presented in the feature were the Winslow Green Growth Fund, the New Alternatives Fund, PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy, the Guinness Atkenson Alternative Energy Fund, and the Calvert Global Alternative Energy Fund.
Have any of these funds withstood the battering of the last year? If so, which ones and what are the figures?

1. Winslow Green Growth Fund – Last twelve months: +8.81%

The Winslow Green Growth Fund has always been one of very best long term funds for green investors. The fund concentrates on American small cap growth companies. The main goal of this fund is exclude companies which harm the environment, and to include alternative energy companies. They do have some companies in the portfolio, who, whilst not directly helping the environment, do no harm. The fund evaluates potential companies by looking at, for instance, the environmental impact of the company. It is quite strict in terms of what it includes in its portfolio.
Despite the economic meltdown, this fund is one of the very few that is in the red for the year. It truly is the strongest renewable energy mutual fund out there.

2. New Alternatives Fund – Last twelve months: +1.34%

New Alternatives Fund is considered one of the best long term mutual funds. This fund invests in companies of all sizes, from small cap to large cap, from all around the globe. Companies must positively impact the environment to be included in this fund portfolio. Renewable energy companies make up more than twenty five percent of its portfolio, and it is considered a very environmentally friendly mutual fund. With its high percentage of green energy companies, expect the portfolio to grow well in the future.

3. PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy – Last twelve months: -11.35%

PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy includes a portfolio of thirty seven renewable energy companies which develop and use clean energy technology. It is one of the most environmentally friendly mutual funds out of all of the aggressive growth funds, as a result of the fact that it only includes companies that use clean energy technology. This last year, however, hit the fund hard, although not as hard as many other funds.

4. Guinness Atkenson Alternative Energy Fund – Last twelve months: -16.12%

Guinness Atkenson Alternative Energy Fund believes strongly in renewable energy companies. The portfolio holds between 40 and 60 green energy companies at any time. This fund is inherently riskier than most other such funds, as it is not very diversified, and because it includes foreign securities. It has been a very hard 12 months for this fund.

5. Calvert Global Alternative Energy Fund – Last twelve months: -15.07%

Calvert Global Alternative Energy Fund has assets worth more than one hundred and fifty million dollars. The fund contains foreign investments, and maybe more volatile than many other mutual funds. As it is an aggressive growth fund, the rewards could be greater. The fund invests at least 80 percent of its net assets into green energy companies. It is not very diversified, but great for investors who want to invest in green energy technologies without diversity.

These tops 5 funds have all suffered in the last year, and all of them dropped dramatically in April and May. However, since the beginning of June all five of them have begun to climb rapidly, and if the trend continues, in just one more month the overall percentage change for the last 12 months should look much better.

For the original story, and further information on the top 5 renewable energy mutual funds, click here.

For more information, go to:
investorguide.com,
greencentury.com

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.