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Different Types Of Mutual Funds
By: John Mussi
This is a guide to the different types of mutual funds. When it comes to
investing in mutual funds, investors have literally thousands of choices.
Before you invest in any given fund, decide whether the investment strategy and
risks of the fund are a good fit for you. The first step to successful investing
is figuring out your financial goals and risk tolerance - either on your own or
with the help of a financial professional. Once you know what you're saving for,
when you'll need the money, and how much risk you can tolerate, you can more
easily narrow your choices.
Most mutual funds fall into one of three main categories - money market funds,
bond funds (also called "fixed income" funds), and stock funds (also called
"equity" funds). Each type has different features and different risks and
rewards. Generally, the higher the potential return, the higher the risk of
loss.
Money Market Funds:
Money market funds have relatively low risks, compared to other mutual funds.
Investor losses have been rare, but they are possible. Money market funds pay
dividends that generally reflect short-term interest rates, and historically the
returns for money market funds have been lower than for either bond or stock
funds.
Bond Funds:
Bond funds generally have higher risks than money market funds, largely because
they typically pursue strategies aimed at producing higher yields. Because there
are many different types of bonds, bond funds can vary dramatically in their
risks and rewards.
Stock Funds :
Although a stock fund's value can rise and fall quickly (and dramatically) over
the short term, historically stocks have performed better over the long term
than other types of investments - including corporate bonds and government
bonds.
You can purchase shares in some mutual funds by contacting the fund directly.
Other mutual fund shares are sold mainly through brokers, banks, financial
planners, or insurance agents. All mutual funds will redeem (buy back) your
shares on any business day.
Making any sort of investment involved a certain amount of risk so it is always
wise to seek the advice of a professional before making any decisions.
About the Author:
John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the
best available loans via the www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.
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