Types of Mutual Funds
By: Robert F. Abbott, author of Big Macs & Our Pensions: Who Gets McDonald's
Profits?, the book that explains the connection between the retirement income of
the middle class and the profits of big business
Ah, you've made a decision. You're going to invest, and you've decided on a mutual fund or funds. But, your
decision making isn't finished. Now, you have to decide what type or types of mutual funds, and that's no easy
decision.
Most of us start the decision process by reviewing the types of mutual funds available, and making some broad
initial choices. Let's review the types, starting with the broadest categories:
Equity Funds
These own stocks in corporations. Generally, these funds generate the biggest returns for investors, but they
also expose us to the greatest risk of losses (although rarely as much as owning a few stocks outside a mutual
fund). The fortunes of most companies correspond to the business cycles; some lead the cycle, some trail, and most
go along with it.
Income Funds
Also known as fixed-income funds and bond funds, these are the second major type of mutual fund. As the
alternate name suggests, these are made up of bonds or financial instruments that behave like bonds. These funds
exhibit less volatility than equity funds, but also tend to return less to investors. Within the realm of bond
funds, you will find variations that reflect the risk involved. For example, corporate bonds offer higher returns,
but also greater risk, than government bonds.
Money Market Funds
The third main type of mutual fund offers even lower returns than income funds, but expose us to virtually no
risk. For most investors, money market funds serve short-term parking needs, rather than long-term investing. For
example, you might use a money market fund if you were waiting a few weeks or months for the price of stock to
reach a certain level. In most cases, inflation will eat up any gains made by money market funds, so few of us find
them suitable for the long term.
So, we start with three major types or categories: equity, income, and money market funds. Beyond that, fund
companies and investors themselves, mix and match to create a rainbow of fund possibilities. Let's take a quick
look at a few of the more common of them.
Balanced Funds
These combine the three types above, so investors don't have to do it for themselves. Depending on the fund and
its objectives, balanced fund managers will put together some combination of stocks, bonds, and cash. Different
funds have different blends, depending on their objectives. Those that want to add a little extra yield will have a
heavier weighting in stocks and a lower weighting in bonds, and funds that emphasize safety will tilt the other
way. Similarly, managers of some funds may vary the balance according to the economic cycles, with more stocks and
fewer bonds when the economy is growing or strong, and the opposite when a slow-down is expected or has already
occurred.
Index funds
Seek to replicate the returns of a public index; the Dow Jones Industrial Average is probably the best known of
such indexes. Since index funds are automatically made up of all the stocks in the targeted index, no active
management is needed, making the fund inexpensive to operate. In addition to stock index funds, you can also find
bond index funds if you want to own a risk-reduced, inexpensive fund.
Global, or International, Funds
Give us exposure to stocks, bonds, or both in other countries, or selected countries. A well diversified
American investor, for example, will own some European or Asian funds, as well as American funds. Since 2009, funds
based on companies in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) nations have been popular with investors looking for
greater growth than they can get in the developed countries.
Segregated Funds
Combine features of mutual funds and life insurance. Normally sold by life insurers, these funds may guarantee
investors won't lose their principal, but at the same time may be costly. And, since cost can reduce the return we
receive, that could negate the purpose of investing in the first place. Still, segregated funds have their place,
especially for the highly risk-averse.
Socially-Responsible Funds
These are relatively new, and designed to attract the interest – and dollars – of socially-conscious investors.
For example, this type of mutual fund does not invest in industries or companies that sell liquor, tobacco
products, guns, or nuclear power.
Still scratching your head, wondering where to start, even though you now know about the major types of mutual
funds? That's quite normal, because we still have more essential discoveries ahead, as well as closer examination
of some of the types of funds listed above.
Knowing Your Own Mind
More important than your fund choices, though, is your personal awareness. Investment counsellors usually try to
identify your tolerance for risk before making any recommendations, and you should too. To start the process, I
recommend this article: Determining Risk and the Risk Pyramid
.
Beyond this, please go to a search engine and type in something like this, “investing risk assessment”,
investment risk survey”, or “investment risk calculator” with or without the quotation marks. While you may be in a
hurry to start investing, please take your time at this stage, and get to know your risk tolerance and that of your
spouse, if that's applicable. It's time well
invested.
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