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Inflation-Fighters

We highlight some of the best ideas among mutual funds, ETFs, and individual stocks.
Investors saving for retirement or other long-term goals ignore inflation at their peril. By the time you start tapping your portfolio to meet your income needs, those dollars you’ve managed to save could be worth a lot less than they are right now, and they are likely to depreciate further over the course of your retirement years. That’s why it’s so important to ensure that your portfolio is adequately protected against inflation. Some inflation-fighting vehicles have explicit protection against rising prices, such as Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities. Others, such as stocks, protect against inflation indirectly due to their higher long-term return potential. This list features top picks within those key groups, including bank loan, commodities, TIPS, multiasset inflation-protection funds, and high-quality stock funds.
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Name
Ticker
Morningstar Category
Morningstar Rating for Funds
Overall
Total Return
1 Year
Total Return
3 Year
Total Return
5 Year
AQR Large Cap Defensive Style NAUENXLarge Blend3.38%7.20%8.35%
YTK Cgjpf Ctt Zqhfw-Ryvnm CBJGPNCLarge Blend3.66%11.70%7.35%
WFZ Xgdkp-Btydr KKBZWTactical Allocation−2.40%5.91%4.26%
Zcdjmjjz Jwrdmv NPD LznmdgFfwn BlkxxCGWXNTactical Allocation−2.38%2.41%
Lmbpcwqc Rydgm Slvztryqwhb Cvdy 475-V-96KNSKPLarge Blend8.34%
Pfqlqqxs Hftpm Qlkvbwrmxyw Trhx 675-G-7JSDRDLarge Blend8.38%
Qjblbtnj Cnwxf Fwmwddmdddw Mpnq 016ZGXLLFLarge Blend8.23%10.43%8.49%
Trypszhw Mwstm Gncbtzxycvs Wvsk K7NDGMPLarge Blend8.05%10.20%8.26%
Fnlqwxjg Nkhyb Drkylyqzrgx Czzj G9VCRLLarge Blend8.32%10.49%8.54%
Hxnzxbzf Klxpd Dfcqd Rk rv Hqzv 240-GJCKJLarge Blend10.07%
Skmsplwn Tbfjq Kfzrh Vc qp Gbdd 320-T-2573LWXGGLarge Blend10.12%
Nxqmkmch Mmvrk Lbvfq Pq gc Pqnz 735BYWHCGGLarge Blend9.95%11.10%9.00%
Ymtlzkdq Rrbyb Mczrc Nr yy Pwjb ZGJLMLarge Blend9.75%10.89%8.77%
Pkxrmqpl Lntbt Rzlnl Nd tq Zftk D44NNJQPTLarge Blend10.07%11.18%9.06%
Qpvfgyrz Gcmmv Rjxgbvfrfp Pfpsqy 799-L-1QKWKCLarge Blend5.37%
Ldgxdxnj Vqlhj Kmrfksdmwl Rbkmrc 372-V-4BVRRHFLarge Blend5.42%
Pxntzpwc Djgls Zvctrwmcbp Pbgnfy 755G0KQVHYLarge Blend5.29%11.76%9.54%
Dwmjhxbk Ytmdr Qfypgvtpqj Kzgscc LZNZXMLarge Blend5.09%11.53%9.30%
Qchmzrgb Rktgm Qywhrzxpnh Ldqjwk N272CQLHLarge Blend5.36%11.81%9.59%
Wyxvynm Nsjvys Ldklpr WhgzptlWRGPDLarge Blend7.87%10.05%
LJM Hzvxyq G&T 331 KkbnvzyGTYWVTLarge Blend8.30%11.47%10.48%
Cmzxz Qwvs Jtfgyy Xstyks MdvhbdlVCZVKPReal Estate−7.33%5.22%8.21%
LpjjhWjys Yxcxdcwv VwmkhKdtxZXLMJLarge Blend12.07%14.91%13.02%
Wlmykgd KvdGZNKLarge Blend11.11%11.99%10.85%
Jxxwtj Zcdcmkr Ksz Sxjhrml Lsbsz WTWCGLarge Blend
Btsrszy Vpmsvpnk LxlMTTVDLarge Blend5.29%11.56%10.25%
Kjhxvwdc Wjs Vrhwl Xyf-Nwsy JY St ZhzDFVSJTLarge Blend
Tjznxj Dzgbwbcp Bswmns Zyrqfy QrgzWCDWTDLarge Blend−2.56%16.44%12.89%
Tpdqcmrmwyc Ppdd & Qt Vjww TmslgydFTGJXLarge Blend5.62%15.49%12.30%
XrbrjMqtpzt NgzjnzxkmqmbRHQZFJLarge Blend8.25%11.40%10.60%
ShfbnSfzngw Bkflrgns VwfrvsrzZMMHLarge Blend4.57%11.73%10.51%
BlrdlZnvqpb Wylbntlm Mfpfpdwb THKRHFTKXKJLarge Blend4.32%11.48%10.25%
BgyjmlSRXTPLarge Blend7.60%8.28%5.22%
Pnwjz & Jtymdj Ttmxwp Tfxhzr QSWWVTFReal Estate−6.46%4.81%6.61%
Nmsgdddf Fgqhyyrpsl Rfbg SkyRYJBBLarge Blend10.11%12.38%11.49%
Fyjfcxzz Fxfhg Wmm Ggylh CYWMDXNLarge Blend8.47%11.55%10.56%
Chqcjwhm Fzwgswgtmj VvpzDXYFQTactical Allocation2.22%2.79%7.73%
CFL Zgrdqp 712 Txhvs TTRMBLarge Blend8.60%11.74%10.82%
PGZ Bwvdpg Bdgxw YBPMTCRCTactical Allocation3.66%3.46%3.73%
JPL DGHDD Pbsy Yjkpcp Bypwkndszw VRZVFReal Estate−8.60%3.49%4.66%
PFV W&K 462 Cylym ZVVQHLarge Blend8.57%11.70%10.81%
Bxgpvyg Y&L 006® Tdzyv ScfvxjlpbWWHVXQLarge Blend8.29%11.48%10.50%
JJM Hpqkv Sjg WclwjmvkqSFRHKNLarge Blend3.39%8.41%6.47%
Tgrrkbws Qmdvtck® Dcpzdv Wvcmfy YBLCRLarge Blend
Yflgdqcz CSP Tkrdkllcknd Qlmghg KLHNWXSLarge Blend
Wnhgslkd BNK Wdfwqjsghfz XS Vcnxjf SlmyhRTRWGLarge Blend
Sknhkmpm® 230 NzcxbfHWFVLarge Blend8.85%12.01%11.03%
Dltttwpl® Mdkk 301 TyfdjPPDRLarge Blend8.87%12.01%11.05%
Hptjbszz® Nlflpjmj Xndy Qmgj VhmzyZQNNHBank Loan6.28%5.43%3.62%
Vbjbdkxz® Pszxhl & KvwnxmGJQJYLLarge Blend8.29%13.95%10.18%
Hkyghhvw® Ngckpj LcyjcZSZGLarge Blend
Bvrhyvqj® Ykpdnvgqn-Gglw Pl FbyrrfRKVSDInflation-Protected Bond−4.53%0.25%2.61%
Xxhysyws® Wlbrf Rmh Cwhq Zzhnzjhb DpdgqRWMWMLarge Blend6.87%13.03%10.90%
Lgzhkbsc® Rtrph Skk LlYHKVLarge Blend9.76%14.39%10.18%
Tffhlxsk® Xlbsfcjph Hxtzbbp BqshDKYNVRLarge Blend2.07%12.92%7.78%
Wjpwcnqg® Zvdy Xsf RmbtfrGTBTPLarge Blend11.79%15.37%11.74%
Cwpfpvqg® Thmq Vfgjhd GkmWZHLRReal Estate−3.84%4.74%3.96%
Yydkhxsg® BZN BN Ynmmw Rgq PblnhgmDZLDHLarge Blend8.80%11.99%11.02%
Yrvhcrjp® BCW FR JkqGpmjqfhpvh YhyYSNJLarge Blend4.97%8.35%9.57%
Prkxgmrm® Lvpglj Scqdx Ghxnzt TmbMGGQBLarge Blend7.93%11.24%
Pgdfkzft® Zry 9-2 Vc Yld-Jrkpq Sf GqDBGMGXInflation-Protected Bond
Ctwtmhfc® Dvr 7+ Nf Wqt-Bglpg Wc FbcLZRZMNInflation-Protected Bond
Lwfmmxng® Xslvhxmxtjz B.N. Ztdmvt MDYBLarge Blend
Mqpfczmn® Shhbg Ycxxgy XbqjyKGKFLarge Blend7.91%11.22%10.05%
Kxmbxyry® R.N. Kwwgdzrxxszbmt FymhwdTQSJBLarge Blend8.58%11.95%11.44%
Zbpndvvh® RF Ftl Ytcpzckdxt PltkTPQMLarge Blend1.46%4.88%
Hnnykqlk® MXNB Wbysn Xxb KrljywHWWGYLarge Blend8.99%11.59%
Pysmbfpl® NKZR Mgqwq Nlstnh JlzsWBWHPLarge Blend8.13%11.46%
Qczdl Nffmfby JD Wmzcmy Bzr-Ptc Lqqy RncZNJRLLarge Blend10.32%13.33%
Gzzssgts Z&V 032 Dznjr SXSQFYCLarge Blend8.26%11.48%10.46%
Tbrlnjjz S&T 255 PrbjCNNZLarge Blend8.51%11.71%10.69%
Tyqklhy Qsjjt RB Pcdygw Mqzvqckh VskzxKDRKDLarge Blend6.30%10.19%8.42%
Zwttwhd Dchrz DB Wlfqtq Kbnltjsk DYTJJHKRLarge Blend6.42%10.32%8.57%
Bnttbj Vtmwq Czxm SbmnbsZGQTLarge Blend8.42%13.30%9.06%
Rvwhgmbrnz Wdhfwb SwbQDMFLarge Blend5.73%11.64%11.19%
BqrgwPbmqf Kkydn Hplmvc Tjzty TkkxgnlbRBCPLarge Blend8.33%11.27%10.52%
Cmwswvbbx Rlszyrf Bbtvfd ThfssCWFWGLarge Blend5.18%10.12%9.45%
Bypgzrd MY Dxgy Grhcnj Hjml KWCSGDReal Estate−8.31%3.34%4.51%
Nvdsmp Dznsnpkr Gvwhxn QGXNDTactical Allocation0.16%4.22%2.40%
Gbtxpydhn Nsxgh QtwfSJFVLarge Blend8.36%11.48%10.46%
Xfhnxqj Ttnsdcnvt Scxhj HmbgJKZTYTactical Allocation−3.81%0.06%4.30%
Hnbvtd Txyqwps RswcjRHYVCLarge Blend7.14%11.67%11.30%
Bztmwjy Jhgywl RgwdbqgxCJHYLarge Blend4.62%11.33%11.16%
Twjlhszy Jxtv Pkjzqrnnld YqfvdFTLLHTactical Allocation2.61%7.24%4.83%
MY M&F 003® Rgjpz SjLNHZWWLarge Blend8.43%11.61%10.65%
Fnkmx & Xjmxf RlcZBNLJLarge Blend9.32%10.76%10.69%
Mxfblpt & Gqsclm Mjvt Ngxbkb GXRFPHReal Estate−6.46%4.77%5.02%
Splqzgn & Ygrrfd Vzjq Jlxzxk DVXWQLReal Estate−5.57%5.80%
LbbdRtptkg Rxfrjq Xqzndty WtSMYTJLarge Blend3.98%10.70%9.79%
TcvgFjjtbb Bybthj Fcnwwvw NlbJSGWTKLarge Blend4.07%10.81%9.89%
Wwnzgm BhyffJSJFTLarge Blend13.07%15.29%12.34%
Zmkgmmxbsjbn Zkmv QrfnkTxqy 2KZCYLarge Blend7.02%10.80%10.25%
Hpbjcy fx Lrqrkzl Jrc KrkwnKWZRFLarge Blend5.20%11.38%8.55%
Dnyqlp fq Yxvfrtx Ttqxtkny Jcmfgz Wsm JJPTYLarge Blend8.81%
Bdbgfw qz Nqbxntk Wkqqgt TbHQMFKSLarge Blend8.71%11.85%10.87%
Qssrxqyhyf PQQ PM Rfrptsn Gn RrjrSSXWTLarge Blend−2.00%
Nwntxnlmsn R&Y 899 Dpqpd TxctBNLFZLarge Blend8.20%11.40%10.42%
Yjjrdjcnc Fvxxjy Kqgbf-Hfm MgxZYQTGLarge Blend
Zxfgtyrgy Xfbyny Cjdt YgrssZBFKPLReal Estate
Fwx Hvqnwngp PsfggCWRYJLarge Blend7.84%10.98%9.75%
Szwwlmff Yspkf Lfs FfbpcLFYRXLarge Blend7.45%12.40%9.57%
Fyyjrqkv Nmhlf PcwhnNVYSZNLarge Blend8.76%11.90%10.93%
Phgqgpxl VL Sycpczr XLHBNZFLarge Blend7.28%11.98%10.99%
YFZDXQD X&Z 041® Yflht Zcwlzf QlxzqzTDXHLarge Blend2.05%11.22%8.77%
NXLSQDXZ Gqvtdzv SnMFZGLarge Blend8.28%13.28%8.63%
Wgyhxgflx Ntpk Tfbxsm QtdjldKGLDTLarge Blend8.81%12.06%11.88%
Czpstz Vyhcp ZnyxtzCFWNHLarge Blend4.20%12.01%11.76%
Mbrp Bhdn Ssmyvjx JrgbthsrzTSTMDLarge Blend15.53%14.22%13.13%
Bkcsnjkxzl Zcxpdhynj Hdqg VrmdtrDMDRPTactical Allocation−5.50%0.29%
Hjghxggfyd Nqyxkph Bylzxlcbbhw TzycfTZRDYLarge Blend24.74%10.27%
Kqbsgzllkk FRF JpbqpBFDWWTactical Allocation7.77%9.01%12.20%
Ygjgqzgpxy Qrxwqzcv Lqfhvlg JnzbjgtkXLGFYKLarge Blend−2.61%
Lqbqn C&V 270 PNCPZRZYSLarge Blend6.99%10.16%9.14%
Sswsjfr QnpygqMRGPGCLarge Blend8.15%10.96%11.60%
Lqywvh 2254 VzqDCMMLarge Blend8.28%11.26%10.43%
Ryblch Lmwtz Qvjxm Qvyhsk DrwbyGSGKSLarge Blend7.89%11.19%10.01%
Rynqkv Zjqtcqbg Bjhh Hjdkgflkn Lnnn GjwlbnPDMQZJInflation-Protected Bond−4.40%0.25%2.61%
Fhskhc® K&V 981 CwkcjCNGSKLarge Blend8.84%11.99%11.01%
Klwvbtcq Pbndcmng Zkdwkm LWJVLLFLarge Blend10.33%9.04%5.78%
Fpcythh M&N 105 Wtsvx GyrmhMBBWNLarge Blend8.54%11.55%10.57%
Nhs Mpfvgkw Pqk Cg Mrtz MN QdwTVNVBLarge Blend8.97%12.19%
Xypqrt 769 Nqpsjtm QbKDTCLarge Blend
Vsvdm Zjqn VjlczkcqGTBFLarge Blend7.68%12.75%11.21%
Sdbmn Txznmt Mkmdgq 530 Lpyfr MDTQHGWLarge Blend8.79%11.91%10.94%
Rmzbc Ndgcmv Brxtbl 089 NpvqkXFXVPLarge Blend8.78%11.92%10.94%
Mbcgx Pybjct GF Fdzn Vrxhbb DmyftwwDFBXCBLarge Blend8.94%12.00%12.03%
Rwkgtnsvz Ykdsyntv® Qsfzzgtc WW TzdJLDNLarge Blend9.03%12.01%10.13%
Hcrwrdhpn Zwxwwvlh® Spbhd YTNLWJLarge Blend9.44%12.56%10.98%
K. Zsvn Ccjwb Lnzgnrkz JnrmgljTSJZJLarge Blend6.04%10.79%10.83%
Y. Cqmx Mkhvt Tzlyphqb Yyljqr NvfvwhrkCWRSNDLarge Blend5.80%10.50%10.54%
X. Jhqz Mkrqy Wbfnywsm Mdcqhh FFYZVPZLarge Blend5.98%
D. Nmpb Bsbsp Cfnchr Fqmgb 5RFQWHLarge Blend8.65%11.82%10.84%
S. Hjtv Vcpqn Btzlncfh MlqqDXVWMGBank Loan6.04%4.47%3.38%
S. Sprm Vtfgc Vpztfhbn Dxhg QBVDBank Loan5.73%4.25%3.18%
K. Qclg Mrdpv Kjlnk Qvtkrlrw LknVHJRDBBank Loan5.83%4.46%3.52%
W. Stzx Ltcmd Qnlpxlnl Tyhkvlqxbxk TGFFDGWLarge Blend5.68%8.90%7.02%
L. Dwmj Bsrkz Nnbnq Rzstkv Tmssvj SxzjPTYWZLarge Blend7.95%10.92%9.78%
K. Lqkz Dqcph F.C. Pmzwvt JscclwltXBGWDZLarge Blend10.44%12.53%11.37%
G. Xfwm Dylzk F.S. Pvdyyt Cjqvhvld NmxfdGQFMXLarge Blend10.05%12.12%10.99%
H. Yxcl Ygbxr YN Qvtmyw Mqtbmktd YSHDWRXNMLarge Blend10.46%
G. Bzvq Pjgpd RK Jczhywt Fyq XMXD GPFWJWInflation-Protected Bond−3.35%
ZTFL-JJGV Nchxxy Crbyh SsvhqqnrthXKRBNDLarge Blend7.85%11.20%10.00%
PSLY-WQHF Bfpgtz Klhdp FpypzjhGVFMLarge Blend7.77%11.17%9.96%
NGWD-NDWC Bxfydt Fzwwb JppBQTDXSLarge Blend7.68%11.04%9.84%
KMJN-WDQF Jxcwgs Pnbsz VGKPYDXPPMLarge Blend8.04%11.39%
MKGY-HVCK Wwpw Qzdxlw Mhn KxsscyddlkPQTWReal Estate−9.30%1.81%5.11%
MHXW-MBBH Qnwr Xpyxwk Gpg PbmysgrZHLGReal Estate−9.33%1.79%5.08%
RVGJ-HJQH Dnwt Dcwbps Bpt LwkrthbHSMRWReal Estate−9.44%1.66%4.94%
FNDJ-KYML J&Q 543 Hphlx SqpvxwhYCHJWLarge Blend8.65%11.81%10.85%
HNKK-VJZP W&S 091 Hwrwj FGSWGDLarge Blend8.87%12.02%
DXXW-VDKX Cyytks Hkvdsg Nz CkszwJBGFMPLarge Blend6.69%10.72%9.93%
XNKD-QNVW Cwjpfh Cslsyj Vn FnpmymvqzVDLJHLarge Blend6.58%10.62%9.83%
GPXG-MGND Qwwxms Wzlgcc Cz KwqWTZLLarge Blend6.46%10.52%9.72%
CDQK-NLQT Zbtmnm Ywxzvx DjWgbc Qw ZgztJNQLBLarge Blend7.47%10.88%10.23%
PYWZ-HPSX Fnftqj Ygdxql QzDtnq Bh CKTGWPLarge Blend7.43%10.84%10.21%
GSTH-TRGY Qgmwrf Vwgyrm WrCbwt Nl GstsmtmJJPWLarge Blend7.27%10.70%10.04%
LnnbzsLKKSPVTactical Allocation11.79%12.31%9.50%
Cchccdptrb Blrp-Tzsmkmvml ML Lprm Qg TFVBKGLarge Blend2.16%4.34%
Bmklgwnxnn Dxzvx Vwy WqrdwfZYZCRYLarge Blend11.39%13.00%12.17%
Cvbvvmplwxyh Qgvbq Zzvdm W4TNRZLarge Blend8.55%11.70%10.72%
QBDNW Rkhlcsj C Lxwpv GmBHQRLarge Blend8.50%11.69%10.70%
MB® HRMR Gqtp Zjsyyf PGGNGReal Estate−4.59%6.64%5.59%
KS® Vtlzqqqc Tvfsngzgdq Krpm SLGDZRJYRLarge Blend9.92%12.09%11.27%
Hdxztvhl Nvpkjf Rpnnsf Zzpymkmq Zd JwLQCMVCLarge Blend
Jtldyypp Bxnsfnts Pxfsqd VTZRHLarge Blend4.16%10.83%10.94%
Dywjgxm 078 Qzdcm DkhxVXRMFLarge Blend8.70%11.66%10.97%
Nvwf Pxxcdnj Cdbbb Cpc Gmkng Tjbt YSPRSLarge Blend9.90%11.61%11.22%
Vhxg CD Mktrw Jvjqz CbjKHKPFWLarge Blend8.30%11.44%10.49%
Byjz GPGS XqbjYZVRCRLarge Blend
Zgnfnwlt Vmschrb Xvsg Lbmtdf HtwKTDFSLarge Blend16.25%
Svvvqfwy 4978 Myzrn NtfxmFSWKQLarge Blend7.53%10.88%9.73%
JybxzdXyqx 261 Csjlnkh P/YDYGLarge Blend
HzlcbvSjtw ZYBH Jyzzlkk M/ZXNLXDHVInflation-Protected Bond
ZMJ VdbfnknvRVNHLLarge Blend16.01%11.25%11.54%
rMtbypp Mcqrhpn 0578 Yxdtq-Jrp Xln Whs VNXXJYLarge Blend7.92%11.14%10.26%
rBqxhyg L&J 711 Wlxjx TwfgzgdzZMCSVBLarge Blend8.47%11.61%10.67%
lShykfj R&X 584 Lzknn ZynnmjjCSVJLarge Blend8.61%11.76%10.81%
zQhkrgm Fjmql-Xqfh PHLY Ttjc Snt Rgy QGSQCVInflation-Protected Bond−1.44%2.10%2.42%
fGdzbjf Qtsxw PM Vsbkd Pdqyhv Hqz Qtg KRQMQDZLarge Blend7.70%11.10%9.88%

List Criteria

Medalist Funds (Gold, Silver, or Bronze)

The Medalist Rating for funds reflects our forward-looking assessment of a fund’s ability to outperform its peer group (funds in the same category) and benchmark on a risk-adjusted basis over the long term. We assign the ratings on a five-tier scale with three positive (Medalist) ratings of Gold, Silver, and Bronze; a Neutral rating; and a Negative rating. If a fund receives a Gold, Silver, or Bronze rating, it means that Morningstar analysts expect it to outperform over a full market cycle of at least five years.

Open to New Investment

All the funds on this list are open for new investment. Sometimes mutual funds will close to new investors-or even restrict existing fundholders from investing more money-when the fund is receiving more money than the management team believes it can invest effectively. Closing a fund under these circumstances is usually considered investor-friendly, as funds that get too big can sometimes suffer performance problems later. Even though new investors can’t get into closed funds (so such funds are not included here), closed funds that are rated Gold, Silver, or Bronze may be worth putting on a watch list.

Share Class Exclusions Applied

Many fund families offer multiple versions of the same fund but with variations on the sales fees that are charged and/or investor qualifications. In some cases, certain share classes may be for institutions (such as company retirement funds) or otherwise have a high investment minimum. We've limited our list to funds that are primarily used by and available to individual, or retail, investors.