With over $1.3 trillion in assets, Wells Fargo & Company is a highly diversified financial services company with operations spanning the globe. Wells Fargo is one of the four largest banks in the US and has a legacy spanning 150 years in the financial services sector. The company offers banking, insurance, investments and mortgage products through a network of 9,000 stores and other distribution channels. This wide and extensive financial network, spanning more than 80 businesses is run by a team consisting of 278,000 members.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated Wells Fargo 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 Wells Fargo funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

Wells Fargo Advantage Asia Pacific (SASPX) invests the majority of its assets in equity securities of companies located in the Asia Pacific region. It focuses on purchasing securities of companies which have the potential for superior earnings growth. The fund has a three year annualized return of 10.86%.

The Wells Fargo mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 1.65% compared to a category average of 1.42%.

Wells Fargo Advantage Total Return Bond A (MBFAX) seeks both capital growth and income. The fund invests heavily in debt securities rated investment grade. Not more than 25% of its assets may be utilized to purchase investment grade debt securities. The fund has a three year annualized return of 8.82%.

Thomas O’Connor is the fund manager and he has managed this Wells Fargo mutual fund since 2003.

Wells Fargo Advantage Inflation-Protected Bond A (IPBAX) utilizes a large share of its assets to purchase inflation-protected U.S. government securities. Not more than 20% of its assets may be invested in adjustable or variable rate debt securities. The fund has a three year annualized return of 8.87%.

As of December 2011, this Wells Fargo mutual fund held 32 issues, with 5.48% of its total assets invested in US Treasury Note 1.125%.

Wells Fargo Advantage Income Plus A (STYAX) seeks total return by investing the majority of its assets in income generating securities. Up to 35% of its assets are utilized to purchase in debt securities rated below investment grade. The fund has a three year annualized return of 9.22%.

The Wells Fargo mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 0.88% compared to a category average of 0.91%.

Wells Fargo Advantage Utility &Telecom A (EVUAX) invests the majority of its assets in utility and telecomm companies. Not more than 35% of its assets may be utilized to purchase convertible debentures. The fund has a three year annualized return of 12.56%.

Timothy O’Brien is the fund manager and he has managed this Wells Fargo mutual fund since 2002.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Wells Fargo mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

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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