Health Care Mutual Funds

One type of investment that psychiatrists might find especially intriguing are health care mutual funds-specialized portfolios that invest in medical companies ranging from pharmaceutical manufacturers to biotechnology firms to health maintenance organizations. Although these industry-specific funds should not be held in isolation, they can provide solid long-term growth potential to a well-diversified portfolio. Here's key information on five top funds:

• Fund Name
• Sales Charge/Load
• Phone
• Average Annual Return*
• MinimumEaton Vance Traditional Worldwide Health Sciences

4.7%
800-225-6265
+17.98%
$1,000

• Vanguard Specialized Health Care

None
800-662-7447
+17.81%
$3,000

• Fidelity Select Health Care
  3%
  800-544-8888
  +13.64 percent
  $2,500Putnam Health Sciences

5.75%
800-225-1581
+13.50 percent
$500

• T. Rowe Price Health Sciences

None
800-638-5660
N.A.**
$2,500

Notes: Performance results are average annualized figures for the five years through Jan. 31, 1997, as provided by Morningstar Inc. of Chicago. The T. Rowe Price fund debuted in December 1995.

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