4 highly-rated emerging markets bond funds

By The Associated Press

Below are four emerging market bond mutual funds that are highly rated by Morningstar. Each requires a minimum initial investment of $10,000 or less, making them accessible to most individual investors. Each also has a medal rating under Morningstar's Analyst Ratings, a subjective system which attempts to gauge a fund's performance prospects, not just its past record. The scale runs from gold to silver, bronze, neutral and negative.

Fund
Morningstar Analyst Rating
12-month return
3-year annualized return
5-year annualized return
Expense ratio

Fidelity New Markets Income (FNMIX)
Silver
13.2%
14.8%
10.2%
0.86%

T. Rowe Price Emerging Market Bond (PREMX)
Bronze
8.0
13.5
8.1
0.94

MFS Emerging Markets Debt (MEDAX)
Bronze
9.9
13.5
9.1
1.14

PIMCO Emerging Market Bond (PELAX)
Bronze
-0.2
11.6
7.6
1.35

Source: Morningstar Returns through July 11, 2012

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