For Immediate Release

 

Chicago, IL – September, 2009 – Three mutual funds rose to the highest level of a new ranking system and are being highlighted today on Zacks.com.

 

These free “Strong Buy” picks are being made available to promote the new Mutual Fund Rank of the investment world’s leading independent research firm.

 

Highlighted Today: Real Estate Equity Funds

 

Fidelity International Real Estate (FIREX) was incepted in September 2004. The investment seeks capital appreciation. The fund primarily invests in non-US securities. Shareholders have to make a minimum initial investment of $2,500 to enter this Zacks#1 Rank (“Strong Buy”) fund. It has an expense ratio of 1.18%.

ING International Real Estate A (IIRAX) seeks high total return by focusing on companies with superior current income and growth potential relative to their peers. Steven D. Burton has been lead manager at the fund since February 2006. It has topped total returns of its benchmark index in the last 1- and 3-year periods.

Cohen & Steers International Realty A (IRFAX) seeks total return by primarily focusing on a portfolio of non-U.S. real estate equity securities including common stocks, preferred stocks and other equity securities issued by real estate companies. The fund may invest up to 20% of assets in the equity securities of REITs and other U.S. real estate companies. It is non-diversified.

 

As part of this promotion, investors are invited to instantly find the rating of nearly 19,000 funds – evaluating, comparing, and tracking them. It’s also simple to pinpoint top-rated funds in 42 categories and for 500+ fund families.

 

Many Funds Are Ranked for Their Future Potential

 

This is the first new ranking system in many years. Unlike others that are based entirely on past performance, the new Zacks Mutual Fund Rank looks for future potential. In fact, U.S. funds are ranked on the earnings-based Zacks Rank of the individual stocks they hold.

 

Arrange for a 30-day free trial at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5855

 

About Zacks

 

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Len Zacks. The company established that earnings estimate revisions are the most powerful force impacting stock prices. It continually processes stock reports issued by 3,000 analysts from 150 brokerage firms.  It monitors more than 200,000 earnings estimates, looking for changes.

 

Then, when changes are discovered, they’re applied to help assign more than 4,400 stocks into five Zacks Rank categories: #1 Strong Buy, #2 Buy, #3 Hold, #4 Sell, and #5 Strong Sell.

 

Since 1988, this proprietary stock-picking system continues has more than tripled the market with an average yearly gain of +26%. 

 

Zacks’ future-based Mutual Fund Rank is the latest breakthrough. Find out how to take advantage of it through a 30-day free trial of Zacks Premium: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5855

  

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Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

 

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

 

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Zacks.com

 

Zacks Mutual Fund Rank

Contact: Alex Kolb
Phone: 312-265-9149

 

 

Email: pr@zacks.com

Visit: www.zacks.com

 

 

Zacks Investment Research