4 Popular Mutual Funds in the Insurance Sector

Nov 14, 2023 By Kelly Walker

Investing in the insurance sector through mutual funds is a wise choice in the financial services sector. Financial experts expect that the financial services sector will benefit from higher interest rates, and the insurance sector may also rise. Mutual funds offer a simple way for investors to participate in this potential growth.

If you're thinking about investing in the financial services and insurance areas without any problems, mutual funds are an excellent option. They make it simple to invest in many different companies, including those in the insurance industry. You will benefit if the industry grows stronger in this manner.

The Fidelity Select Insurance Portfolio (FSPCX), T. Rowe Price Financial Services Fund (PRISX), John Hancock Financial Industries Fund (JFIVX), and Vanguard Financials Index Fund (VFAIX) are four popular mutual funds that focus on insurance companies. These funds allow you to invest in the insurance industry without selecting individual companies.

Fidelity Select Insurance Portfolio (FSPCX)

FSPCX is a sector-specific mutual fund offered by Fidelity Investments. The fund aims to provide financial appreciation to investors by investing mainly in the insurance sector.

The fund's strategy involves active management, in which portfolio managers do extensive research and analysis to find attractive companies in the market for insurance. They want to invest in various insurance-related companies based on their growth prospects and market trends.

FSPCX invests over 88% of its combined funds in company stocks involved in individual and business insurance activities. Fidelity Select Insurance Portfolio seeks opportunities in underwriting, reinsurance, and the sale of life, property, health, and casualty insurance. FSPCX is not widely diversified and seeks profit growth through active management. It had a -0.22% loss in the previous year as of Dec 2020, with returns of 4.82% over the past three years and 9.44% over the past five years. Its top three holdings include Chubb LTD, Marsh and McLennan Companies Inc., and Aon PLC.

T. Rowe Price Financial Services Fund (PRISX)

PRISX is a mutual fund offered by T. Rowe Price that seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing at least 80% of its assets in financial services companies. While it is not solely focused on insurance, it includes insurance providers and other financial institutions.

The fund's primary purpose is to grow the money investors invest over time. It accomplishes this by aiming to raise the value of its investments while simultaneously providing dividend income to investors. The fund employs a combination of fundamental research and risk assessment to find possible investment opportunities.

As of Sep 2020, the PRISX fund has faced a loss of 14.31% in the past year. Over three years, it lost 0.52%; over five years, it gained 5.79%. Its top three holdings are Chubb, Wells Fargo, and U.S. Bancorp.

John Hancock Financial Industries Fund (JFIVX)

JFIVX is a John Hancock Investments mutual fund that seeks long-term capital appreciation. It primarily invests in companies in the financial services sector, which includes insurance companies. The fund managers assess industry trends, company financials, and growth potential to make investment decisions. John Hancock Financial Industries Fund invests in companies from various countries and within the United States, charging a fee of 0.95% of the invested amount.

As of Nov 2020, the fund experienced a loss of 3.86% in the previous year. Over the past three years, it gained 2.67%, and over the last five years, it gained a profit of 7.16%. Its top three holdings include Market Group, Inc., Ameriprise Financial, Inc., and Wells Fargo & Company.

Vanguard Financials Index Fund (VFAIX)

VFAIX is an index fund offered by Vanguard that seeks to track the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Financials Index. This index includes companies in the financial services sector, which includes insurance providers. The fund's strategy involves replicating the index's composition and weighting.

It provides investors with a diversified range of financial firms, providing a broad perspective on the sector's performance.

The fund returned -9.84% in the previous year, 4.43% in the last five years, 12.58% in the previous three years, and 8.80% in the previous ten years. Its fees are relatively low compared to similar funds. The Vanguard Financials Index Fund (VFAIX) has an expense ratio of 0.10%. Its top three holdings are Berkshire Hathaway Inc Class B, JP Morgan Chase & Co, and Bank of America Corp.

Benefits and Risks of Investing in the Insurance Sector Mutual Funds

Investing in insurance sector mutual funds provides access to a thriving industry poised for expansion. These funds provide diversification across several insurance companies. This diversification can help distribute risk across different companies within the industry, decreasing the impact of poor performance by a single company. Skilled professionals manage these insurance funds.

However, risks include market volatility caused by economic shifts and geopolitical events. Specific risks associated with the insurance industry, such as regulatory changes and claims exposure, must also be considered. Economic trends have a substantial impact on the performance of insurance companies. While these insurance funds are accessible and potentially beneficial, investing in them involves an in-depth review of the benefits and risks to make informed decisions aligned with individual financial goals.

Latest Posts
mightyexpressco
Copyright 2019 - 2024