During difficult economic conditions, the demand for essential services such as utilities remains more or less constant. Since this category of funds protects investments during a downturn, they are viewed as a defensive choice, and have gained strength in current market conditions. They are also an excellent choice for investors seeking a steady income flow from consistent dividends yields. Investments in this sector are usually considered to be a conservative investment option. However, many utilities funds are now venturing into emerging markets and provide appreciably higher returns at relatively lower levels of risk.

Below we will share with you the 5 best performing utilities mutual funds year to date. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all utilities funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

Hratch Najarian is the fund manager and has managed this utilities mutual fund since 2011.

Fidelity Select Utilities Portfolio (FSUTX) invests the majority of its assets in utility companies or those deriving a large share of their revenues from operations in this sector. The fund focuses in acquiring common stocks. The fund may invest in both domestic and foreign instruments. The utilities mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 16.12%.

The utilities mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 0.84% compared to a category average of 1.33%.

Fidelity Advisor Utilities A (FUGAX) seeks capital growth. The fund invests a large share of its assets in firms from the utilities sector as well as those which derive a large share of revenues from related operations. It purchases both domestic and foreign securities. The utilities mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 15.82%.

As of February 2013, this utilities mutual fund held 26 issues, with 13.78% of its total assets invested in Duke Energy Corporation.

Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VUIAX) invests all its assets in stocks that constitute the MSCI U.S. Investable Market Index (IMI)/ Utilities 25/50. This index consists of companies from the utilities sector regardless of their market capitalization. The utilities mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 14.76%.

Donald M. Butler is the fund manager has managed this utilities mutual fund since 2004.

Rydex Utilities Advisor (RYAUX) seeks capital growth. The fund invests the majority of its assets in equity securities of utilities firms traded on domestic exchanges as well as derivatives. It focusses on investing in small to mid-sized companies. The utilities mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 13.47%.

The utilities mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 1.84% compared to a category average of 1.33%.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all utilities 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.