Investor Glossary-mutual fundInvestor Glossary-mutual fundInvestor Glossary-mutual fundInvestor Glossary-mutual fundInsightful stock market charts - Click here
investor
 # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z     
Term of the Day Email this Definition Link to this Definition

Mutual Fund


A mutual fund is an investment company designed to pool the funds of smaller investors and place them under professional management. A mutual fund allows small investors to diversify their portfolios. When a mutual fund is formed, it issues a prospectus detailing its intended investment strategy, and it is not permitted to deviate from that strategy without public disclosure. A mutual fund prospectus also details the fees investors will be charged, which can be substantial. In the US, a mutual fund is regulated by the SEC.

A mutual fund may invest in stocks, bonds, options, futures, currencies, and/or commodities. Although any specific mutual fund is required to follow a specific investing strategy, the range of strategies available is wide. A mutual fund such as an index fund may attempt to replicate market or sector index. A mutual fund may specialize in large-cap, small-cap or even micro-cap stocks. Investors seeking regular income can invest in a mutual fund that specialize in government bonds or, for the more aggressive, corporate debt.

Rate this mutual fund definition...

               


Where is the market headed? The answer may surprise you. Find out
right now with the exclusive & Barron's recommended charts of Chart of the Day.


Popular Terms: EBITDA, liquidity ratio, 401a, deferred tax, command economy, 144a, per diem, margin rate, deferred revenue, required rate of return, cancelled check, open position, stock split, ex-dividend, implied volatility, in escrow, irrevocable trust, limit order, quality assurance, risk management, 1035 exchange, Key Rate Duration, class C shares, current ratio, Zero Cost Collar, 1031 exchange, wholly-owned subsidiary, VIX, reverse mortgage, retained earnings, phantom income, option premium, minority interest, labor relations, ex-dividend date, covered put, real GDP, LIBOR, inflation, dividends payable, diluted share, debt service coverage, balance sheet, APR, equities, average price per share, FICO score, FTSE, stock market close


Home | Term of the Day | Tell a Friend | Suggest a Term | Edit Subscriber Detail
Accounting | Banking | Bonds | Brokers | Economy | Futures | Mutual Funds | Options | Real Estate | Retirement | Stocks | Taxes | Technical Analysis
©2004-2010 Investor Glossary - All rights reserved - Terms of Use