Understanding Mutual Funds

Learn the basics of mutual funds, average annual return, brokers, fees and expenses, types of funds and how to read a prospectus from The Investment FAQ. The Mutual Fund Investor’s Center covers types of funds, benefits, selection and understanding fees, expenses, risks and taxes.

Try MSN/Money Easy Fund Screener and/or Yahoo! Fund Screener to zero in on mutual funds using popular investment strategies, including Morningstar ratings and/or minimum initial purchase.

Bloomberg Mutual Funds is a one-stop shop for information, screening and evaluation, while USA Today/Lipper provides a handy screening tool with numerous fund type, time frame and asset options.

Forbes Fund Selection identifies the best fund screening sites on the Internet.

MFEA Fund Selector is useful as a screening tool and to get information on mutual funds sold by and through banks.

Mutual fund news can be found on several different web sites.

• Mutual Fund Investor’s Center
• Investment Company Institute
• Kiplinger
• Brill’s Mutual Funds Interactive
• CNNMoney Mutual Funds
• Morningstar.com includes some free information for non-members.