Investors interested in comparatively safer returns from stocks available at discounted prices may consider large-cap value mutual funds. While large-cap funds usually provide a safer option than small- or mid-cap funds, mutual funds investing in value stocks have the potential to deliver higher returns and exhibit lower volatility than their growth and blend counterparts. Value funds generally invest in stocks that tend to trade at a price lower than their fundamentals (i.e. earnings, book value, debt-equity) and pays out dividends. Value stocks are expected to outperform the growth ones across all asset classes when considered on a long-term investment horizon and are less susceptible to trending markets.

Large-cap funds generally invest in securities of companies with market capitalization of more than $10 billion are considered large cap. These funds have exposure to large-cap stocks that are expected to provide long-term performance history and assure more stability than what mid or small caps offer. However, large-cap companies might be affected by a global downturn due to their significant international exposure.

Below we share with you five top-rated, large-cap value mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and is expected to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all large-cap value mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of large-cap value funds .

City National Rochdale Dividend & Income N (RIMHX - MF report) invests at least half of its assets in equity securities of companies that are believed to provide dividend income. RIMHX may invest not more than 25% of its assets in non-US securities. The fund may also invest in debt securities of municipal and corporate bodies irrespective of their maturity periods. The City National Rochdale Dividend & Income N fund has a five-year annualized return of 9.4%.

As of September 2015, RIMHX held 138 issues with 2.28% of its assets invested in Duke Energy Corporation.

T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth (PRDGX - MF report) seeks return through dividend income and long-term capital appreciation. PRDGX invests a minimum of 65% of its assets in stocks of companies that have an impressive history of paying dividend and are expected to provide growth in dividends in the future. The T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth fund has a five-year annualized return of 10.4%.

Thomas J. Huber is the fund manager of PRDGX since 2000.

PNC Large Cap Value I (PLIVX - MF report) invests the lion’s share of its assets in equity securities including common stocks and American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) of domestic large-cap companies. PLIVX is expected to maintain a diversified portfolio comprising undervalued securities. The fund may also invest in securities of companies located in foreign lands. The PNC Large Cap Value I fund has a five-year annualized return of 9.7%.

PLIVX has an expense ratio of 0.98% compared with the category average of 1.11%.

Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Investor (VHDYX - MF report) seeks to replicate the performance of the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. The benchmark index consists of common stocks of companies that are expected to provide an above-average dividend yield. VHDYX invests substantially all of its assets in securities of companies included in the index and seeks to follow the proportion of each stock, same as the index. The Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Investor fund has a five-year annualized return of 11.2%.

As of January 2016, VHDYX held 435 issues with 4.99% of its assets invested in Microsoft Corp.

Commerce Value (CFVLX - MF report) invests a minimum of 65% of its assets in common stocks. The fund’s investments include companies with an impressive earnings growth track record that are believed to pay out dividends. CFVLX may invest a notable portion of its assets in securities of companies from the financial sector. The Commerce Value fund has a five-year annualized return of 11%.

CFVLX has an expense ratio of 0.70% compared with the category average of 1.11%.