opportunities. With the advantages of widely diversified holdings and professional management, mutual funds offer a secure route for those looking to invest in the international bond market.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated international bond mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect the fund to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all international bond funds, then click here.

GMO Currency Hedged International Bond III (NASDAQ:GMHBX - News) seeks total return higher than its benchmark, the J.P. Morgan Non-U.S. government Bond Index (Hedged) (ex-Japan). The fund invests a large share of its assets in bonds and is non-diversified. The international bond mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 4.39%.

The international bond mutual fund has an expense ratio of 0.39% compared to a category average of 1.08%.

Consulting Group International Fixed Income (NASDAQ:TIFUX - News) invests the majority of its assets in non-dollar denominated fixed-income securities. The fund focuses on acquiring securities rated investment grade. Not more than 10% of its assets may be utilized to purchase high yield securities. A maximum of 15% of its assets may be invested in merging market securities. The international bond mutual fund returned 1.4% in the last one year period.

Mohamed A. El-Erian the fund manager and has managed this international bond mutual fund since 2009.

Federated Emerging Market Debt A (NASDAQ:IHIAX - News) seeks current income with a secondary objective of capital growth. The fund invests the majority of its assets in debt securities issued from emerging markets. It is non-diversified and may purchase shares of exchange traded funds and invest in derivative contracts. The international bond mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 25.63%.

As of September 2011, this international bond mutual fund held 82 issues, with 4.57% of its total assets invested in Republic of Turkey 6.875%.

Fidelity New Markets Income (NASDAQ:FNMIX - News) invests a large proportion of its assets in emerging market securities and other instruments with economic linkages to such markets. The fund focuses on acquiring debt securities and is non-diversified. The international bond mutual fund returned 3.72% in the last one year period.

The international bond mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 0.88% compared to a category average of 1.25%.

Goldman Sachs Emerging Market Debt A (NASDAQ:GSDAX - News) seeks both capital growth and income. The fund invests the majority of its assets in fixed income securities issued from emerging markets. It purchases both government and corporate debt securities and acquires securities regardless of their credit rating. The international bond mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 8.72%.

Mohamed A. El-Erian the fund manager and has managed this international bond mutual fund since 2009.

About Zacks Mutual Fund Rank

By applying the Zacks Rank to mutual funds, investors can find funds that not only outpaced the market in the past but are also expected to outperform going forward. Learn more about the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank at http://www.zacks.com/funds.

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