So far in 2015, the telecommunications and utilities industries have been steady performers, as many investors have been piling into yield friendly, conservative stocks. While these industries are not typically growth industries, they offer some of the highest yields for income-focused investors.
Inside the Fund
The fund was launched in 1987 and is managed by Douglas Simmons. Currently, it has about $988 million in assets under management (AUM).
For income investors, this fund offers a dividend yield of about 2.4%. Around 54% of its holdings are in the utility sector, while 37% are in the communications sector and 9% are in the energy sector.
Historical Performance
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17.33% | 11.87% | 10.07% | 20.50% | 13.30% |
Largest Holdings
Approximately 40% of the fund’s portfolio is in its top five holdings.
| Symbol | Stock | Portfolio Weight | YTD Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| VZ | Verizon | 13% | +4.6% |
| NEE | NextEra Energy | 8.72% | -1.5% |
| D | Dominion Resources | 6.73% | -4% |
| SRE | Sempra Energy | 5.90% | -3.5 |
| EXC | Exelon | 5.66% | -9.5 |
The Bottom Line
This fund combines two of the most conservative, dividend friendly industries. For more information on dividends and mutual funds, check out Dividend Reinvesting Explained for Mutual Fund Investors.