When it comes to the best mutual funds of 2019 in the eyes of one prominent mutual fund industry watcher, only eight firms' wares make the cut.

Mortimer J. "Tim" Buckley Vanguard President, CEO

Morningstar's Russell Kinnel highlights 34 funds from eight funds for his "Thrilling 34" list (fka "Fantastic Funds" list in prior years. Vanguard alone accounts for nine funds on the list, followed by Capital Group's American Funds with eight. Other firms whose funds make the list this year include: Baird, Dodge & Cox, and Fidelity, with four funds each; T. Rowe Price with three funds; and Harbor and Seafarer with one fund each.

The list varies in size, as it includes all funds that pass certain criteria; this year he used eight criteria, including price (cheapest quintile "prospectus adjusted operating expense ratio" for the category), PMs who eat their own cooking (with more than $1 million in their own fund), risk (below the "high" level on M*'s risk ratings), positive M* analyst ratings (bronze or higher), strong M* parent rating (better than neutral or average), above benchmark returns (over PM's tenure, minimum of five years), accessibility (minimum investment of $50,000 or less), and no funds of funds.  

Edited by: Neil Anderson, Managing Editor


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