Wednesday, 13 May 2009

What You Want To Know About High Performing Mutual Funds


Finding High Performing Mutual Funds
The stock market is known for its up and downs, but for the past few years this volatility has been even more noticeable, making it a good idea to turn toward high performing mutual funds. They are a much safer investment than stocks, as they spread out the different areas of your investment, giving you more protection against losses. You can buy them from online brokers like TD Ameritrade, Fidelity Investments, and Charles Swab. Another option is to go straight to the websites of mutual fund companies, like American Century, Vanguard Mutual Funds, T. Rowe Price, Permanent Portfolio, and Parnassus. These are some of the biggest companies out there, but with research you will be sure to find many more.
Do Your Research First
When it comes to finding high performing mutual funds to invest in, the key component in making sure you are looking at the best is research. Google Finance, MSN Finance, and Yahoo Finance all offer free information that you can use to your advantage. As for what to look for, the cost, the amount of return that it yields, its tax rate, and asset allocation are the four main things you should pay attention to while researching. There are many finance websites other than the ones already listed where you will find information on the funds you have in mind. It is extremely important that you are 100% aware of what you are getting into before putting any money down. Locate the prospectus of all the funds you are considering, as that will tell you the strategies used in maintaining the fund by the manager, as well as whether there are short-term or long-term goals in place.
Take Expenses Into Account
The expense ratio, or cost of your investment, is important. The performance of mutual funds fluctuates in the same way that other investments do. A high cost could be indicative of a performance that is suffering. Costs that are reasonable usually mean a fund has done well over time. Ideally, you should look for investments that are not too expensive, as well as those that do not involve a lot of risk. This is especially true of beginners. You can find high performing mutual funds that do not involve a fee being paid upon the creation of your account, provided you do not cancel it within the first 30 to 90 days. However, every fund is different, so once again, be sure to read the prospectus.
Connor Swinney is the owner of the What Are Mutual Funds website. He created the website to be used as a resource for people who are looking for more information on No Load Mutual Funds or that would like to know how they can create a successful investment strategy.


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