Finance experts believe that 2015 is less attractive on the investment front as compared to last year. They advise investing in stocks and say that bonds should be invested in for safety rather than income. The energy sector is seeing a low, the energy stocks have dropped, and the interest rates have fallen, Rather than predicting or expecting anything, as an article on Financial Post says, it is better to have a diversified portfolio that includes stocks or ETFs. For municipal bonds, the supply and demand outlook seems to be balanced. In states like Alaska, North Dakota, and Texas, oil production exceeds consumption. If oil prices remain low, bonds in these states might perform less, but they won't break down. In stocks, it is advisable to invest in the health care and technology sectors. Intermediate-term corporate bond funds are a good bet. Vanguard High-Yield Corporate and Federated High Yield are examples of junk bond funds that are performing well. Here, we look at some of the best investments for 2015. Precious Metals Precious metals like gold and silver have lost much of the value they had in the last few years. But that doesn't mean investing in precious metals is not a good idea any longer. Palladium is a good investment option, owing to its extensive use and China being one of the biggest markets of this metal. The metal can be bought in the form of bars or coins. According to InvestorPlace, the price of palladium will rise. Silver can be invested in, this year as the prices have come down now and are likely to rise in the near future. InvestorPlace says that the demand for silver is expected to grow by 25% or more in the coming years, owing to the increasing industrial demand for this metal. For those looking for diversification, a mix of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium is also a good investment choice. In the event of a sudden inflation or should the dollar prices dwindle, an investment in precious metals will prove to be of value. The best precious metal funds for 2015, according to US News data are:

• Physical Palladium Shares (PALL)
• Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL)
• ETFS Precious Metals Baskets Trust (GLTR)

Mutual Funds They help you diversify your portfolio and come at lower costs, thus making this investment a convenient option. Secondly, the analysis and monitoring of holding is done by professionals. Also, investors do not trade funds as frequently as stocks. An article on best investment strategies for 2015, by TIME says that investing in ETFs and mutual funds is among the best strategies for this year. Following is a list of the top few mutual funds that can make for good investments in 2015. The rankings have been sourced from Investopedia.

• Fidelity Select Health Care Portfolio (FSPHX): Expense ratio of 0.76%, Category average of 1.43%
• Vanguard 500 Index Inv (VFINX): Expense ratio of 0.17%, Category average of 1.08%
• Vanguard Dividend Growth Inv (VDIGX): Expense ratio of 0.31%, Category average of 1.08%
• Vanguard Health Care Inv (VGHCX): Expense ratio of 0.35%, Dividend yield of 0.84%
• Dodge & Cox International Stock (DODFX): Expense ratio of 0.64%, Category average of 1.19%

Blue Chip Stocks They can be a safe bet for people who are looking for a long-term investment. These stocks have the reputation of performing reasonably, even during an economic downturn. They have offered a steady Return On Investment (ROI) in the past. Many will argue that investors can get higher ROI if they invest in emerging, relatively lesser-known companies, but the risk will be relatively higher. The government has averted the fiscal cliff, but future tax laws can deeply impact the performance of the stock market, and if that happens, penny stocks will be the first ones to take a hit. Even if blue chip stocks go down, investors shouldn't hit the panic button as the fundamentals of these companies are pretty strong, and there will always be scope for a recovery. Taking into account all the considerations, we will advise investors to have blue chip stocks in their portfolio. Following are some stocks which you may consider. They have been enlisted by Fidelity as the top 5 blue chip stocks that should pay you more in 2015.

• Apple Inc (AAPL)
• Wells Fargo & Co (WFC)
• Walt Disney Co (DIS)
• Qualcomm Inc (QCOM)
• General Motors Co (GM)

Municipal Bond Funds Investors consider municipal bonds as a wise investment option for 2015. According to Forbes, the ones that went out of market after the 2008 crisis may start returning due to favorable market conditions and regulatory developments. The new issuance is expected to be more than $375 billion. Yields on short-maturity bonds are expected to rise. Monolines that were gone after the 2008 crisis seem to be returning and the issuance of insured bonds should increase. The tax-exemption that munis have to offer is one reason why most recommend investing in them. Munis are a safe investment because historically, most bonds have been able to retain their value, while earning interest for the investor at the same time. Some states whose municipal bonds are worth considering this year are California, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. (Disclaimer: This article is meant for informative purposes only, and should not be substituted for the advice of an appropriately qualified professional. We do not promise, or guarantee that using this information will lead to a particular outcome/result. Readers are advised to use their own discretion.)