In Kiplinger’s 2026 mutual fund guide, the highest entries in its general-fund five-year table are Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth I (PAGRX), listed at 20.4%; Tanaka Growth (TGFRX), at 19.4%; and Upright Growth & Income (UPDDX), at 18.8%. These are the leaders in that guide’s table—not a verified ranking of every U.S. mutual fund or share class. The available table details do not establish the measurement window’s exact end date or whether the figures are annualized or cumulative, so treat them as reported figures, not as returns through October 7, 2026.
Which mutual funds had the highest five-year returns?
Kiplinger’s 2026 guide lists these five funds at the top of its general-fund five-year table. The table is one publisher’s comparison, not an exhaustive all-market leaderboard.
| Fund | Ticker | Return listed by Kiplinger |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth I | PAGRX | 20.4% |
| Tanaka Growth | TGFRX | 19.4% |
| Upright Growth & Income | UPDDX | 18.8% |
| Alger Focus Equity A | ALAFX | 18.6% |
| Fidelity New Millennium | FMILX | 18.5% |
The figures are shown as reported in Kiplinger’s 2026 guide. Its retrieved table details do not establish the precise five-year cutoff or whether returns are annualized or cumulative. Confirm those definitions and the as-of date in the current table before comparing these numbers with another source. See Kiplinger’s mutual fund guide.
Sector funds use a different comparison
Kiplinger’s separate sector-fund table places Fidelity Select Semiconductors (FSELX) third among sector-specific five-year performers. It belongs to a different comparison universe from the general-fund table and should not be treated as a direct entry in the same ranking. See Kiplinger’s sector-fund rankings.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute#1 Best Overall
Why “highest return” depends on the comparison
A ranking is meaningful only when its scope and measurement are clear. Before relying on a top-five list, check:
- Fund universe: Is the list limited to general funds, a particular category, or sector funds?
- Measurement window and return type: Does the five-year period end on the same date, and are figures annualized or cumulative?
- Share class: Which class is shown, and are sales charges included? A fund may offer multiple classes with different costs. The SEC notes that a prospectus typically shows performance for only one share class.
- Benchmark: Compare a fund with an appropriate index for its investment category, not simply with another fund that has a different strategy.
The SEC’s standardized prospectus format generally presents one-, five- and ten-year performance alongside an appropriate index. Its sample format also notes that index returns do not deduct fees, expenses or taxes, so an index is a reference point rather than a like-for-like investor result. Learn how to read mutual fund information.
What to check before choosing a fund
A strong historical return is only one part of a decision. Read the fund’s prospectus for its objectives, strategy, principal risks, fees and expenses, and performance details. Compare funds using the same period and return definition, and consider longer-term performance where available. A fund’s strategy and concentration can help explain both its past results and the risks of owning it.
- Find the current prospectus or filing. Fund documents are available from fund firms, their websites, brokers and the SEC’s EDGAR system. SEC guidance on fund prospectuses.
- Match the share class and costs. Confirm the class whose return is quoted, its sales charges, expense ratio and other fees. Do not assume the listed class represents the costs or performance of every class.
- Compare with a suitable benchmark. Use the benchmark and time period specified in the prospectus, while accounting for the fact that index performance excludes costs in the SEC’s sample format.
- Review the risks and strategy. A return figure alone does not show how concentrated the holdings are or how much risk the fund took to produce it.
Why the top five-year funds may not lead next year
Past performance does not predict future results. Investor.gov warns that “This year’s top-performing mutual funds aren’t necessarily going to be next year’s best performers.” A five-year ranking describes a particular past period; it is not a forecast or a reason by itself to buy a fund. Investor.gov on past performance.
How to verify reported figures
Third-party rankings can be useful starting points, but check the fund’s current prospectus or filing for the applicable class, performance period and fees. The SEC’s structured prospectus data are extracted from registrant filings and updated quarterly; the agency says the data are not a substitute for reviewing the filing itself. Its data page showed a 2026 second-quarter set, not a ready-made current leaderboard. SEC mutual fund prospectus risk/return summary data.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
