I’m interested in and have done some reading regarding the different types of funds. Now, I was wondering how do you tell the type of it is such as no-load, -market, etc? where do you look at to find those information about a fund? thank you in advance

 

  • Common Sense 11:59 pm on February 9, 2010

    Read:
    Mutual Funds For Dummies

    It’s your best bet as a good intro to Mutual Funds.

    After you have a basic understanding…. you’ll need to create an "asset allocation" model for yourself. The book will cover that.

    As far as research is concerned. Many brokers have free research on their web sites (Best research for Mutual Funds would be Charles Schwab & Fidelity Investments). I like MorningStar.com the best….. but that’s $150 a year.

    Last thoughts;
    Don’t chase the hot fund of last year….. many times they turn out to the loser of the current year.
    A good "asset allocation" is more important than picking the "best" funds.
    Understand your own risk tolerance. I lost over 50% in some of my funds in 2008. In 2009 they were my best performing funds. The important lesson: I did not get scared out of them… because I understood what the risks were and what I had invested in.

    Try to only buy no load, low fee funds.

    Good luck!

  • Investing Bob 11:59 pm on February 9, 2010

    Try the yahoo mutual fund screen.

  • Jim L 11:59 pm on February 9, 2010

    Most funds list a description when you look it up using the symbol. Or else go to the company’s website – there will be a description of each fund, what type it is, the recent performance and the relative risk.