Mutual Funds | Investor.gov (2024)

What are mutual funds?

A mutual fund is a company that pools money from many investors and invests the money in securities such as stocks, bonds, and short-term debt. The combined holdings of the mutual fund are known as its portfolio. Investors buy shares in mutual funds. Each share represents an investor’s part ownership in the fund and the income it generates.

Why do people buy mutual funds?
What types of mutual funds are there?
What are the benefits and risks of mutual funds?
How to buy and sell mutual funds
Understanding fees
Avoiding fraud
Additional information

Why do people buy mutual funds?

Mutual funds are a popular choice among investors because they generally offer the following features:

  • Professional Management. The fund managers do the research for you. They select the securities and monitor the performance.
  • Diversification or “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Mutual funds typically invest in a range of companies and industries. This helps to lower your risk if one company fails.
  • Affordability. Most mutual funds set a relatively low dollar amount for initial investment and subsequent purchases.
  • Liquidity. Mutual fund investors can easily redeem their shares at any time, for the current net asset value (NAV) plus any redemption fees.

What types of mutual funds are there?

Most mutual funds fall into one of four main categories – money market funds, bond funds, stock funds, and target date funds. Each type has different features, risks, and rewards.

  • Money market funds have relatively low risks. By law, they can invest only in certain high-quality, short-term investments issued by U.S. corporations, and federal, state and local governments.
  • Bond funds have higher risks than money market funds because they typically aim to produce higher returns. Because there are many different types of bonds, the risks and rewards of bond funds can vary dramatically.
  • Stock funds invest in corporate stocks. Not all stock funds are the same. Some examples are:
    • Growth funds focus on stocks that may not pay a regular dividend but have potential for above-average financial gains.
    • Income funds invest in stocks that pay regular dividends.
    • Index funds track a particular market index such as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
    • Sector funds specialize in a particular industry segment.
  • Target date funds hold a mix of stocks, bonds, and other investments. Over time, the mix gradually shifts according to the fund’s strategy. Target date funds, sometimes known as lifecycle funds, are designed for individuals with particular retirement dates in mind.

What are the benefits and risks of mutual funds?

Mutual funds offer professional investment management and potential diversification. They also offer three ways to earn money:

  • Dividend Payments. A fund may earn income from dividends on stock or interest on bonds. The fund then pays the shareholders nearly all the income, less expenses.
  • Capital Gains Distributions. The price of the securities in a fund may increase. When a fund sells a security that has increased in price, the fund has a capital gain. At the end of the year, the fund distributes these capital gains, minus any capital losses, to investors.
  • Increased NAV. If the market value of a fund’s portfolio increases, after deducting expenses, then the value of the fund and its shares increases. The higher NAV reflects the higher value of your investment.

All funds carry some level of risk. With mutual funds, you may lose some or all of the money you invest because the securities held by a fund can go down in value. Dividends or interest payments may also change as market conditions change.

A fund’s past performance is not as important as you might think because past performance does not predict future returns. But past performance can tell you how volatile or stable a fund has been over a period of time. The more volatile the fund, the higher the investment risk.

How to buy and sell mutual funds

Investors buy mutual fund shares from the fund itself or through a broker for the fund, rather than from other investors. The price that investors pay for the mutual fund is the fund’s per share net asset value plus any fees charged at the time of purchase, such as sales loads.

Mutual fund shares are “redeemable,” meaning investors can sell the shares back to the fund at any time. The fund usually must send you the payment within seven days.

Before buying shares in a mutual fund, read the prospectus carefully. The prospectus contains information about the mutual fund’s investment objectives, risks, performance, and expenses. See How to Read a Mutual Fund Prospectus Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 to learn more about key information in a prospectus.

Understanding fees

As with any business, running a mutual fund involves costs. Funds pass along these costs to investors by charging fees and expenses. Fees and expenses vary from fund to fund. A fund with high costs must perform better than a low-cost fund to generate the same returns for you.

Even small differences in fees can mean large differences in returns over time. For example, if you invested $10,000 in a fund with a 10% annual return, and annual operating expenses of 1.5%, after 20 years you would have roughly $49,725. If you invested in a fund with the same performance and expenses of 0.5%, after 20 years you would end up with $60,858.

It takes only minutes to use a mutual fund cost calculator to compute how the costs of different mutual funds add up over time and eat into your returns. See the Mutual Fund Glossaryfor types of fees.

Avoiding fraud

By law, each mutual fund is required to file a prospectus and regular shareholder reports with the SEC. Before you invest, be sure to read the prospectus and the required shareholder reports. Additionally, the investment portfolios of mutual funds are managed by separate entities know as “investment advisers” that are registered with the SEC. Always check that the investment adviser is registered before investing.

Additional Information

Mutual Funds and ETFs – A Guide for Investors
Closed-End Funds
Index Funds
Smart Beta, Quant Funds and Other Non-Traditional Index Funds
Interval Funds
Mutual Fund Proxy Voting Records and Policies
Mutual Fund Investing: Look at More Than a Fund's Past Performance

Mutual Funds | Investor.gov (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between ETF and mutual fund Investor gov? ›

Unlike with mutual fund shares, retail investors can only purchase and sell ETF shares in market transactions. That is, unlike mutual funds, ETFs do not sell individual shares directly to, or redeem their individual shares directly from, retail investors.

Is investor gov legit? ›

Brought to you by the SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Investor.gov is your online resource to help you make sound investment decisions and avoid fraud.

How do I access my mutual fund account? ›

Log onto the CAMSonline portal and click on 'Investor Services' on the top menu. Then, click on the 'Mailback Services' tab on the left side of the menu. Next, select 'Consolidated Account Statement – CAMS+Karvy+FTAMIL+SBFS'. Once this is done, you need to provide a valid email address and choose a password.

How can I check my mutual fund balance online? ›

Download CAS (Any-time e-CAS)

Investors who have registered their email address with mutual funds serviced by KARVY, CAMS, FTAMIL and SBFS, can avail the facility to obtain a consolidated PDF Account Statement in their registered email address.

What is better a S&P 500 ETF or mutual fund? ›

ETFs carry more flexibility; they trade like stocks and can be bought and sold throughout the day. Mutual fund shares price only once per day, at the end of the trading day, but may benefit from economies of scale. While Vanguard fees are low in many of its products, ETFs tend to be more tax-efficient.

What are 3 disadvantages to owning an ETF over a mutual fund? ›

So it's important for any investor to understand the downside of ETFs.
  • Disadvantages of ETFs. ETF trading comes with some drawbacks, which include the following:
  • Trading fees. ...
  • Operating expenses. ...
  • Low trading volume. ...
  • Tracking errors. ...
  • Potentially less diversification. ...
  • Hidden risks. ...
  • Lack of liquidity.

Which investment site is most legit? ›

10 Best Investment Platforms in Nigeria 2022
  • Cowrywise. ...
  • Carbon. ...
  • Bamboo. ...
  • RiseVest. ...
  • Trove. ...
  • Wealth NG. ...
  • Payday Investor. Payday Investor allows investors to save money and grow returns by investing in the ARM Money Market Fund. ...
  • Accrue. Accrue is a leading online saving and investment platform in upcoming markets.
Nov 9, 2022

What is the best investor website? ›

6 Best Investing Websites
  • ValueInvesting.io.
  • AlphaResearch.
  • Finsheet.
  • Investopedia.
  • SeekingAlpha.
  • Motley Fool.

How can I invest without getting scammed? ›

5 Ways to Avoid Investment Scams
  1. Freely Ask Questions.
  2. Invest in Knowledge.
  3. Always Verify.
  4. Ignore Unsolicited Offers.
  5. Remember to Diversify.
Sep 13, 2021

How do you withdraw money from a mutual fund? ›

You simply have to log-on to the 'Online Transaction' page of the desired Mutual Fund and log-in using your Folio Number and/or the PAN, select the Scheme and the number of units (or the amount) you wish to redeem and confirm your transaction.

Can I withdraw all my money from mutual fund? ›

If you invested through a broker or distributor, you could withdraw money from a Mutual Fund plan through them. Contacting your broker and requesting a withdrawal are options. You must complete and submit a withdrawal request form if you want to withdraw offline.

How do I check my mutual fund investment status? ›

Websites of the AMCs as well as the websites of the registrars like CAMS and Karvy will assist investors in checking their fund status using the folio number. It is possible to do a one-time registration on the website and track performance.

How can I check my Old Mutual balance without app? ›

Dial *120*257# to experience cellphone banking at its best.
  1. solutions.
  2. bank and borrow.

What is a disadvantage of mutual funds? ›

Mutual Funds: An Overview

Disadvantages include high expense ratios and sales charges, management abuses, tax inefficiency, and poor trade execution. Here's a more detailed look at both the advantages and disadvantages of this investment strategy.

Why is Vanguard index better than Fidelity? ›

Fidelity and Vanguard both do a good job keeping costs fairly low, but Fidelity has a slight edge overall. Both brokers charge zero commission for stock and ETF trades, but Fidelity charges $0.65 per contract on options trades, while Vanguard charges $1 per contract for customers with less than $1 million in assets.

Should I put my money in ETFs or mutual funds? ›

When following a standard index, ETFs are more tax-efficient and more liquid than mutual funds. This can be great for investors looking to build wealth over the long haul. It is generally cheaper to buy mutual funds directly through a fund family than through a broker.

Why buy an ETF instead of a mutual fund? ›

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) take the benefits of mutual fund investing to the next level. ETFs can offer lower operating costs than traditional open-end funds, flexible trading, greater transparency, and better tax efficiency in taxable accounts.

Why are mutual funds going down? ›

When mutual fund investors seek higher returns, they invest in equity mutual funds. These are mutual funds that invest in the stock markets. Since they are market-linked, these funds get affected when the market goes down and this is why there are chances of loss in mutual funds too.

Are ETFs good for retirees? ›

Thus, an alternative is to fund retirement income streams via high-dividend-paying exchange-traded funds, or ETFs. Compared to individual dividend stocks, dividend ETFs offer greater diversification. These ETFs can supplement or replace the usual equity allocation in a retiree's portfolio.

What is the most honest investment firm? ›

25 Most Trusted Financial Companies By IBD Trust Index Rating
RankCompanyTrust Rating
1USAA91.1
2USAA90.1
3Vanguard Brokerage89.8
4Charles Schwab88.6
21 more rows
Nov 12, 2021

What are the safest investment funds? ›

U.S. Treasury bonds are widely considered the safest investments on earth. Because the United States government has never defaulted on its debt, investors see U.S. Treasuries as highly secure investment vehicles.

What app is best for first time investors? ›

Best Investment Apps for Beginners
  • SoFi Invest: Best Overall.
  • Ally Invest: Best Overall Runner-Up.
  • Acorns Invest: Best for Automated Investing.
  • TD Ameritrade investment account: Best for Active Trading.
  • Public: Best for Social Investing.
  • Robinhood: Best for No Commissions.
  • Stockpile: Best for Kids.
Feb 1, 2023

What is the best free investment website? ›

Top Stock Market Investment Research Sites
  1. Motley Fool Stock Advisor. Motley Fool Stock Advisor is a premium Motley Fool product that's been educating retail investors for 15 years. ...
  2. Motley Fool Rule Breakers. ...
  3. Seeking Alpha. ...
  4. Trade Ideas. ...
  5. Zacks Investment Research. ...
  6. Motley Fool Everlasting Stocks. ...
  7. Stock Rover. ...
  8. Mindful Trader.

Who is the number 1 investor? ›

Referred to as the "Oracle of Omaha," Warren Buffett is viewed as one of the most successful investors in history. Buffett's investing style of discipline, patience, and value has consistently outperformed the market for decades.

How can you tell if investors are fake? ›

Be particularly alert to these types of strategies:
  1. Unsolicited approaches by phone, email, or text or in person.
  2. A hard sell and lofty promises.
  3. No way to call back or follow up with the seller.
  4. Insistence on a quick decision.
  5. Sketchy details.
  6. Complicated explanations or use of highly complex terminology.

What should you not do when investing? ›

  1. Buying high and selling low. ...
  2. Trading too much and too often. ...
  3. Paying too much in fees and commissions. ...
  4. Focusing too much on taxes. ...
  5. Expecting too much or using someone else's expectations. ...
  6. Not having clear investment goals. ...
  7. Failing to diversify enough. ...
  8. Focusing on the wrong kind of performance.

What is the simplest way to invest money? ›

Here are the easiest ways to start investing in 2023:
  • Start investing in a 401(k)
  • Open an IRA.
  • Invest with a robo-advisor.
  • Invest in pooled funds.
  • Buy Series I savings bonds.
  • Try investing in REITs.
Jan 21, 2023

What is the difference between ETF and fund of funds? ›

The main difference between ETF and Mutual Fund is that while ETFs can be actively bought and sold on the exchanges, just like any other shares, one can only purchase a unit of a Mutual Fund from a fund house even though these can be listed on the exchanges.

What are the differences between an ETF and a mutual fund quizlet? ›

Unlike mutual funds, an ETF trades like a common stock on a stock exchange. ETFs experience price changes throughout the day as they are bought and sold. *ETFs typically have higher daily liquidity and lower fees than mutual fund shares, making them an attractive alternative for individual investors.

Which of the following is a difference between an ETF and a mutual fund quizlet? ›

Which of the following is a difference between an exchange-traded fun (ETF) and a mutual fund? An ETF provides more favorable tax treatment than a mutual fund.

Why choose an ETF over a mutual fund? ›

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) take the benefits of mutual fund investing to the next level. ETFs can offer lower operating costs than traditional open-end funds, flexible trading, greater transparency, and better tax efficiency in taxable accounts.

What is better than an ETF? ›

Index mutual funds

They can also be a low-cost way to invest—many have annual expenses of less than 0.10%. A few scenarios where an index fund may be a better option than an ETF: You can buy an index mutual fund that has lower annual operating expenses.

Are ETFs safer than mutual funds? ›

Are mutual funds safer than ETFs? In terms of safety, neither the mutual fund nor the ETF is safer than the other due to its structure. Safety is determined by what the fund itself owns. Stocks are usually riskier than bonds and corporate bonds come with somewhat more risk than U.S. government bonds.

Are index funds better than mutual funds? ›

Index funds seek market-average returns, while active mutual funds try to outperform the market. Active mutual funds typically have higher fees than index funds. Index fund performance is relatively predictable; active mutual fund performance tends to be less so.

Should I get an ETF or a mutual fund? ›

Mutual funds may require a minimum investment. When following a standard index, ETFs are more tax-efficient and more liquid than mutual funds. This can be great for investors looking to build wealth over the long haul. It is generally cheaper to buy mutual funds directly through a fund family than through a broker.

Why do people usually invest in mutual funds? ›

Mutual funds help provide instant diversification since they invest across dozens or sometimes hundreds of individual stocks, bonds, or other securities. Further, history shows that large groups of stocks tend to ride out market volatility better than individual stocks.

Which of the following should you do before investing in mutual funds? ›

Before Buying A Mutual Fund
  • Read The Prospectus. Before buying shares in a mutual fund, read the prospectus carefully. ...
  • Understand The Risks. Understand that you can lose money investing in mutual funds. ...
  • Understand The Fees. All mutual funds have costs and fees that lower your investment returns.

What are the pros cons of ETF vs mutual fund? ›

Tax efficiency: ETFs generally don't create capital gains, meaning your tax burden may be less than with a mutual fund. Lower fees: ETFs often have lower fees than mutual funds. Low minimum investments: With mutual funds, the minimum investment is set by the fund management and could keep some people from investing.

What is the difference between a mutual fund and a portfolio? ›

A mutual fund is a company that pools money from many investors and invests the money in securities such as stocks, bonds, and short-term debt. The combined holdings of the mutual fund are known as its portfolio.

Where should I buy mutual funds? ›

One can invest in mutual funds by submitting a duly completed application form alongwith a cheque or bank draft at the branch office or designated Investor Service Centres (ISC) of mutual Funds or Registrar & Transfer Agents of the respective the mutual funds.

Are ETFs a good investment for retirees? ›

The key benefits of ETFs, such as simplicity, diversification, low expenses and tax efficiency, can make ETFs a sound investment for retirees. Short-term income generation and long-term growth are other potential benefits for retired investors.

Do mutual funds pay dividends? ›

Mutual funds are required to pass on all net income to shareholders in the form of dividend payments, including interest earned by debt securities such as corporate and government bonds, Treasury bills and Treasury notes.

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