Today we are featuring top-performing "Utilities" equity mutual funds, which primarily invest in equity securities of utility companies, including telephone and cable-television firms.

Investors can find such funds by checking out the entire list of the Zacks #1 Rank Utilities Equity Funds.3 Powerful Picks

Fidelity Select Utilities Portfolio (FSUTX) was incepted in December 1981 and seeks capital appreciation. It is non-diversified.

The fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies in the utilities industry and companies that derive a bulk of their revenue from utility operations. Douglas Simmons has managed this Zacks#1 Rank ("Strong Buy") fund since October 2006. It has an expense ratio of 0.88%.

The fund's top holdings include Exelon Corp. (EXC), Sempra Energy (SRE) and Entergy Corp. (ETR).

American Century Utilities Inv (BULIX) is designed for investors

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Kansas was purchased in 1803 by the US government as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Their soil today produces wheat, corn, oats, berries potatoes, and much more. Kansas is also home to some of the leading aircraft-manufacturing companies.Here are some interesting facts about the state:1. Kansas is the number one producer of wheat.2. Kansas is one of top oil producers. The state has also natural gas and helium reserves.3. Kansas wheat exports had a value of $1,012.8 million in 2007, and ranked it second among the states.4. Kansas added more than 20,500 new jobs during 2006.5. 70% of Kansas’ population, age 16 and over, are either working or looking for work.6. It is expected that Kansas total employment will increase by 13.4% from 2002 to 2012.7. Kansas demand for Architects, medical assistants and teachers is expected to ...

The benefits are obvious, but some risks are not widely appreciated. The Utilities Sector shows a disturbing trend for the 12 months ended May 2008. The Gas Utilities Industry has fared a little better than its peers during this period. The crude oil outlook is unclear. That is why opinion is divided on how gas prices may fare in future.

This small-capital stock from Fort Worth, TX has a clear location advantage. The home base is front and center of one of the most exciting natural gas fields in all of North America. The management has been sanguine in leveraging a spatial advantage fully. It has been pro-active in securing gathering and processing rights to top natural gas resources in its neighborhood.

Stock investors wary of how the markets have behaved during June 2008 will be relieved to know that this stock

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The Water Utilities Industry has declined by almost 20% compared to its combined market capitalization a year ago. It is one of the few parts of the economy that has done worse than the general S&P 500 Index. The decline during the first half of June 2008 has been terribly steep. Is there any relief in sight?

Answers to questions of financial viability should follow relevant diagnoses. Utilities all over the world have been subject to unrealistic expectations for many years. Even free market economies are not exceptions. We use too much water, and do not recognize its true value. This cannot continue whether or not we hold industry stocks.

The Water Utilities Industry has untapped potential for green business. It is positioned just right to leverage environmental awareness for new drivers of competitive advantage. Water is a closed system as a sustainable resource, and enterprises based on this substance must fashion

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