Natural resource funds had more than $29 billion in assets in 2010.
Natural resources are often found as investment tools in mutual funds. You'll find a variety of funds using natural resources, including hard asset funds, basic material funds, energy funds and basic natural resource funds. Oil and other resources also are popular investments in diversified funds. According to SmartMoney, natural resource funds alone have more than $29 billion in assets.
Oil
Oil refineries are a piece of the energy puzzle available for investors.
This diverse field of investment includes drillers, equipment companies, large oil and gas firms in the United States or Canada, and huge multinational companies. Oil is found in natural resource and energy mutual funds extensively.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is found in natural resource funds.
Natural gas provides energy to homes and businesses. Natural gas mutual funds are available, and natural gas is a component of many energy and natural resource mutual funds.
Solar
Solar panels have grown more efficient recently.
Solar power cells have become more advanced recently, and solar power investment has grown into a widely-used component of green-energy natural resource investors. Solar power can be found in clean and progressive energy funds, as well as traditional energy investments.
Nuclear
The most basic natural resource of all is the atom. Nuclear power is represented in energy mutual funds.
Wind
Wind collection devices have advanced far beyond the old windmill.
Efforts are underway around the world to harness wind power. You'll find wind power investments in clean energy and progressive energy funds.
Water
About two-thirds of every human is water.
The Environmental Protection Agency projects that the United States will spend $500 billion renovating public water systems over the next two decades. Water has become an investment category in not only natural resource funds, but also in some water investment mutual funds. Water also is represented in energy funds through hydro power plants.
Timber
Logging provides resources for building supplies.
Natural resource funds include exposure to wood, mostly through companies in Canada. Timber is found in basic materials and natural resource funds.
Minerals
Coal is used to provide power.
Coal is found in energy funds through investment in power and utility companies using coal. Although coal has been predicted to be on the decline, investment in new, clean coal has extended this natural resource's staying power. Other natural resources, such as limestone, sand and gravel, salt, potash, and peat are frequently mined minerals found in natural resource funds.
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