Mutual Fund Basics

If you are considering investing in the stock market in one way, shape, form, or fashion you’ve probably heard the term ‘mutual fund.” If you are like I was, you probably have no real clue as to what the term actually means in terms of financial benefits or even exactly what a mutual fund is. Hopefully, reading this will clear up a few of the details for you so that you can move on to make informed decisions about where and how to invest your money.

I should begin by pointing out that there really is no method for investing that is completely without risk. That being said, mutual funds have lower risks that many other investment options, which makes them an attractive purchase for those that are unsure about investing. In fact, for the purpose of savings, mutual funds often have much better rates of return than the average savings account at your local bank and the risks are minimal in this type of investment, particularly compared to other riskier ventures.

So back to basics, mutual funds are, simply put, a collection of stocks and bonds that are owned by a group of people rather than one individual investor. This accomplishes a few things. First of all, it allows investors to buy in with considerably less money than it would take to purchase the same ‘portfolio’ on their own and it spreads the damage out among a group of people should something go wrong. In addition, because it isn’t one single stock or bond or generally even one sector of the stock market, the risks for a complete and total loss are reduced to some degree. Keep in mind however that the market does simply have bad days on occasion and there is little that can be done about that short of stuffing your money under your mattress and it certainly won’t grow there.

There are plenty of advantages and disadvantages in regards to purchasing mutual funds. You won’t find the flashy swings, dips, dives, and other grand maneuvers in the typical mutual funds. Most mutual funds are selected because of their stability not for in hopes of massive profits though some mutual funds are, admittedly, more aggressive than others. It really depends on how much of a gambler you are by nature and how much of your investment and retirement you are willing to risk whether or not you will be satisfied with mutual funds as part or all of your investment portfolio.

Diversification is one of the key ingredients of a healthy portfolio and mutual funds will help you work the diversity you need into your portfolio in short order. If you are young and just beginning your career and in no real hurry for retirement this is one of the safest ways to invest your money for the long haul. Unfortunately it may lead to a comfortable retirement but is unlikely to lead to a flashy retirement, as most mutual funds do not have the high payoffs that many investors seek.

There are essentially three types of mutual funds with a few variations on each. First there are money market funds. These funds are great for the long-term investor who has a slow and steady approach to investing and will generally be better than leaving your money in a savings account collecting interest but there are better earning funds to be found. Second are the equity funds. These funds provide slow growth over time as well as some income along the way. Finally there are the fixed income funds. The purpose of these funds is to provide a current income over time. These are not funds that are anticipated to increase in value only to maintain a certain standard of living. This is great for those who have retired or investors that are extremely conservative in nature. Hopefully this finds you knowing a little more about mutual funds in general and preparing to learn even more about how to take control of your investment options and make these key decisions for your future and that of your family.

Mutual Fund Cons

Just as there are many benefits to investing your hard earned dollars in mutual funds there are a few drawbacks to this decision as well. In order to make a truly informed investment decision you need to be aware of both the pros and cons of mutual fund investing before you make the decision as to whether or not this style of investing is suitable to meet your financial needs now and in the future. Keep reading for a little bit of enlightening information on the downside of investing in mutual funds.

1) Low return on investment. While you can make a comfortable retirement for yourself by investing in mutual funds you won’t find the swift and bold flips, turns, and swings that you might find in the sales of certain high yield stocks. In fact, mutual funds are more the slow and steady wins the race sorts of investment methods, which are effective in their own right but, while providing comfort, will not bring copious amounts of wealth. 2) Dubious management. While this isn’t true of all mutual funds you need to check the fund manager out thoroughly before buying into the fund. You never really know whom to trust in this day and age and many people have complained that they would have done better making the decisions on their own rather than relying on the fund manager in order to do so. Of course, when you are making your own decisions you will have other worries on your mind at all times. So professional management can be a benefit or a downside depending on the manager you get for your fund. 3) Too much of a good thing isn’t really good. The problem with mutual funds is that the funds that are doing well and netting high returns for its investors are often quickly inundated with new investors wanting the same results and there is only so much the manager can do to make good on the money that has been invested. There is another issue in which the fact that funds purchase such a small portion of so many stocks that when one or a handful of the companies that the fund is invested in do extremely well, the pool sharing the profits is so large that the impact is often negligible. 4) The big killer for many investors is that the fund manager takes actions that are right for the fund and those actions may not be what is best for your individual situation. A broker or financial planner that you deal with personally is much more likely to make financial decisions for you that are geared towards your individual needs and not the needs of a much larger group. If you want individual advice and guidance then a mutual fund is definitely not the way to go. You should also avoid them if you are in a precarious situation when it comes to things such as capital gains taxes, which can significantly impact your actual profits. 5) Personal control. Are you a control freak? Many of us are and when you go with a mutual fund you are giving someone else control of something that is often very personal. No one likes the idea of being at another person’s mercy when it comes to retirement or planning for the future and you are essentially putting your retirement, your vacation home, or your child’s college education in someone else’s hands. This is a frightening situation for someone who is typically in control of these investment decisions/ It really doesn’t matter whether or not you ultimately decide to include mutual funds in your investment portfolio. The important thing is that when the time to decide presents itself you are in a position to make an informed decision about whether or not you want them included and to act upon the decision you make for better or for worse.

Mutual Fund Pros

Every investment type has its share of pros and cons, the same holds true when it comes to mutual funds. For many investors this is the only way to go while others are very wary or even contemptuous of those who elect to navigate the safer waters of mutual funds rather than taking the risks of the open seas of the stock market. Either way you should understand that there are many benefits to be found by working with mutual funds rather than stocks. You will find a good many of these benefits listed here.

1) Safety in numbers. In a mutual fund you pool your money with a group of people in order to buy a certain set of stocks or bonds or some combination of the two. In this you share the risks among you. Some will argue that you also share the rewards but that is the price you must pay in order to have the security that comes with shared risk. 2) Diversity. You won’t need to worry about intentional diversification with mutual funds for the most part because they are already diversified for you. In most cases you have to purchase very specific mutual funds in order to get a group of stocks or bonds that are too similar in nature, as this would defeat the purpose for many mutual fund investors. It is possible to purchase an industry specific mutual fund though that does increase your risks to some degree. Having your investments spread out across industries and investment type helps minimize the impact should a catastrophic loss occur in one area the blow is softened because the fund encompasses more than one specific stock or bond. 3) Professional management. The average citizen would be hard pressed to afford the services of a financial advisor or stock broker and still have a significant amount of money left in which to invest. You are graced with the skills of a professional investor to guide your fund through the shark infested waters of the trading Bermuda triangle while you are allowed to put your mind to rest and focus on other things such as the places you will go when retirement strikes or the college educations your children will have courtesy of your investments today. 4) Lower transaction fees. This is a huge benefit to many investors who know without a doubt that those transaction fees can literally kill the profits you’d make on occasion. The reason the fees are often lower is that mutual funds are purchased in large lots because they use the collective monies of a large group of people to make a larger purchase rather than using a small amount of money from one person to do the job. Same fee, but more bang for the buck and it’s divided among others in the group rather than one person absorbing the entire transaction fee. 5) The ability to cash out at any time. This isn’t really different than stocks but for those who are considering all with no preconceived understanding you should understand that you can get your money out whenever you need to if emergencies arise. There are fees involved of course but you can recover your investment most of the time and bring home a bit of a profit on occasion. 6) Easy as pie. This is something that most people overlook when making investment decisions but should pay a little more attention to. It is easy to purchase a mutual fund and it can often be done for very little money, especially when compared to stock purchases.

There are a few downsides to dealing with mutual funds as well though for many the benefits far outweigh the potential for lower returns, which is the most commonly complained about detraction from mutual fund investing. It is still worth checking out the cons as well as the pros when it comes to investing in mutual funds compared to stocks, bonds, and other forms of investing.

Selecting A Mutual Fund

When you first get into investing, you have to have a clear idea of what it is you want to accomplish. Most people have long term financial goals like saving for retirement or saving for a second home or maybe to put the kids through college. You also have a time frame. You have 20 years to make this money, or if you get into investing at a younger age, you could have 40 or 50 years to spend investing before your goal comes due. These are all vitally important questions that you need to have answered before you start investing. They will tell you what sort of fund to select for your portfolio. Here are a few general tips for selecting a fund that’s right for you.

If your goal is to have the most growth to your capital that you can get, than an aggressive growth mutual fund or an international growth mutual fund is for you. These kind of mutual funds invest in stocks that are hot and have a great potential for hitting it big. The chance for your capital to increase is very high, but the risk involved in these stocks is also extremely high. They are only recommended for long-term investors who can afford to take a hit if need be.

If you’re looking for a high amount of capital growth, but you aren’t ready for that degree of risk, try growth mutual funds, specialty or sector mutual funds or international mutual funds. They tend to look more towards long-term success in common stock, not a quick hit. The risk is still considered high with these mutual funds, but it’s not as high as the previous option.

If your goals are a bit different and creating current income is a big part of what you want to do, than growth and income mutual funds are right for you. The risk level with these mutual funds are ranked high to moderate and they invest in common stocks with a good possibility for dividends and appreciation of your capital.

If your main goal is to create a high amount of current income and capital appreciation isn’t a concern, then fixed income mutual funds and equity income mutual funds would be the right choice. The risk is considered moderate to low, but the potential for current income is very high.

Selecting the right mutual fund for you is a very important decision. You must have a clear idea of your goals to make the right choice. Once you know your position, you can be well on your way to enjoying success in mutual fund investing.

What Is Venture Capital Fund?

Having your own business is one of the dreams and goal of the average person. Most of us would rather be their own boss than become someone else’s employee. Unfortunately having your own business is not easy. Money is difficult to earn and more difficult to find, well unless you are already well off.

Starting your own business may take a lot of thinking, guts and money. Fortunately new entrepreneurs have other options in finding funds for their business. A venture capital fund is a private equity from outside investors.

People who provide these funds are called venture capitalists. These are a group of wealthy investors, financial institutions and investment banks that can gather investments. They invest in new businesses that are still starting in the industry. In return they get a portion of the equity and have a say in the company’s decisions.

Business ventures

We often hear business ventures from rich people. Most investors who have enough money will embark on a limited partnership with a new company. This may sound good for aspiring entrepreneurs but it is not easy. Venture capitalists have now become more conscious and careful since the dotcom bust. They may not mind taking the risk but they have become more selective on where to invest their money.

Venture capitalists are usually executives from a firm. These investment professionals are referred to as limited partners. These are a group of people who have access to large sums of money for capital. These funds usually come from private and state pension funds, foundations, financial endowments, investment companies and other institutions.

Investors are usually grouped according to their interest. Most venture capitalists invest on starting companies. These companies are usually high-technology businesses such as electronics, computers, research and development. These funds usually last for ten years. The general partners or VCs receive a 2% management fee every year and require 20% of the net profits. They invest in more than one starting company for more returns in the long run.

Venture capitalists are very selective and most of the time has strict requirements. Apart from that they also have a say in the company’s decisions which may not be good for the company. Venture capitalists are known to invest a lot of money in a short amount of time.

They may invest in advertising your company for magazines but are not exactly suited for your type of customers. Companies end up spending money at a faster rate before they can learn how to do it and earn positive returns in the process.

For other entrepreneurs who have a hard time getting their business plans approved they may turn to angel investors. Angel investors are individuals who also have access to large amount of capital and are willing to invest money on highly speculative start up companies. These businesses usually don’t have a solid proof for their technology or have a great potential for its product or services at the start.

If you really need a venture capitalist fund make sure that you will pick a general partner that will work with you not just for the money. Venture capitalists can kick out the founders out of the way and bring in their trained CEOs. At the end of the day it is still a business that you can either work for or have it taken from you.

What Is A Hedge Fund

The simple answer to what is a Hedge Fund is that it is private equity funds which provide a hedge against market conditions. The Hedge Fund is not simple in practice. On a global basis there is over a trillion dollars of private investment capital that can literally invest in any commodity, currency indeses and stocks and bonds. Unlike traditional investing the Hedge Fund may go long or short the market. It is private equity and therefore the gains on transactions for fund owners is taxed differently that normal capital gains taxes.

Essentially the Hedge Fund is formed by individual investors who have a stake in the fund. The buy-in is in the millions. Noted Hedge Fund owners are George Soros and the Blackstone Group founded by Peter G. Peterson and Stephen A. Schwarzman.

The Blackstone Group is a fairy tale. The Blackstone Group was founded by Peter G. Peterson and Stephen A. Schwarsman. According to the Blackstone Group corporate biography the iniital private funds in 1985 were $400,000. By forging alliances and partnerships with some of the most well-heeled on Wall Street their assets under management are over 88.5 billion dollars.

The Blackstone Group is a world leader in alternative investment strategies and investment counseling. A recent IPO Blackstone Capital Partners raised an additional 21.7 billion dollars.

Hedge Funds are only a segment of the Blackstone Group Investments. The Blackstone Group has a stellar Hedge Fund management in the world market. Its group of Hedge Funds are uniquely tailored for a variety of investment strategies and goals. In fact the Blackstone Group can provide individualized tailoring of a Hedge Fund to fit the needs of large investment endowments and retirement funds. Anyone can purchase a unit of stock in the Blackstone Group through a licensed stock broker. It trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the stock ticker BX.

Any discussion about Hedge Funds would not be complete without mentioning the financial wizard George Soros. His ability to sense movements in the market place is known throughout the financial world. His Hedge Fund and investment company is Quantum Fund. He senses weaknesses and strengths as only a master financial investor/trader can. In 1992 his legendary move to short the British pound nearly broke the Bank of London is part of the lore of George Soros. He can play the upside or the downside of any market. Some may call it a sixth sense, but it is an all encompassing ability to assess with precision the reality of the market and stengths of the underlying values with the reactions of the wild and crazy speculator will do. It is this investor saavy that has placed him in the Forbes wealthiest category.

There are thousands of Hedge Funds available in the various market places. Lately some have not done as well due to the roller coaster ride that has occured. This is the time when the true test of a Hedge Fund manager is put to the test. The average mutual fund holder or retirement beneficiary may be surprised to learn that their funds are in part invested in low risk Hedge Funds. The most successful endowment funds have utilized the Hedge Fund investment to capitalize on market movement and volitility.

The professional that manage these funds are lightning quick and have the eccumen to know how and when to make grand plays. Any one who does not possess these combinations of skill and sixth sense does not last in the Hedge Fund for very long. The old adage, “If you snooze, you lose,” applies to Hedge Funds.

Venture Capital Fund: A Viable Risk?

Venture capital fund is considered one of the financing options of a business. A venture capital firm will give a business its much needed funds and first class resources to become an industry player. Seeking out venture capitalists may play a huge role for a company who needs to needs rapid growth and success. Unfortunately even though they may provide a good opportunity there are also disadvantages in acquiring venture capital fund.

Finding potential investors have side effects before and after they approve your business plan. The competition is very stiff. Investors do not care about an entrepreneur’s hopes and dreams. They care about financial projections and earning more money than they invested in a short period of time. In exchange for the money your need; the investors will bite a chunk out of your business and control.

The grass isn’t entirely greener on the other side.

A private equity firm may give you the cash that you need to boost up your business but nothing is free. After all, this is business and money dictates everything. Venture capitalists already have an effect on your business at the start of your application.

Large and established venture capital firms only approve less than 10% of the business plans they come across. Established businesses with a good track record and posses a huge potential are the only ones who have the chance of getting approved.

Private equity firms also invest in specific industries, technologies and geographical area. There are different types of firms but large ones are interested in high technology businesses. You must find a firm that will suit your business and more importantly a product innovative enough to cause interest.

Raising equity to finance your business is time consuming, demanding and costly. Investors will also probe you and your business. During your presentation they will be very critical of your historical financial data, future projections and management team. They will also evaluate your business’ investment potential.

Once they have decided to invest in your business, they will present their term sheet. This will contain the investment deal including the terms and conditions of the investor. Negotiations will follow between you and the venture capital firm. The most important aspect in this negotiation is the valuation of the business.

This will determine the amount of equity that you will give in exchange for the fund. Investors will require 30% to 40% of equity from your business. This will enable them to exercise their influence and gain a say in your company’s decisions.

Due to this the ownership of the company will be diluted. You also have to provide time to be able to provide information to the investors who will be monitoring your company. You also have to adhere to legal and regulatory issues.

Investors aim to earn money three to five times more than they invested in five years. They will accomplish this by selling their equity or to public stock markets.

All in all using venture capital as a financial option comes with risks. If you are an entrepreneur who doesn’t mind sacrificing a chunk of your business for rapid success then this option suits you.

Be reminded however that securing a venture capital is an arduous process even after you have attained it. Be ready for some additional players in the table.

Investing Mistakes To Avoid

Along the way, you may make a few investing mistakes, however there are big mistakes that you absolutely must avoid if you are to be a successful investor. For instance, the biggest investing mistake that you could ever make is to not invest at all, or to put off investing until later. Make your money work for you – even if all you can spare is $20 a week to invest!

While not investing at all or putting off investing until later are big mistakes, investing before you are in the financial position to do so is another big mistake. Get your current financial situation in order first, and then start investing. Get your credit cleaned up, pay off high interest loans and credit cards, and put at least three months of living expenses in savings. Once this is done, you are ready to start letting your money work for you.

Don’t invest to get rich quick. That is the riskiest type of investing that there is, and you will more than likely lose. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it! Instead, invest for the long term, and have the patience to weather the storms and allow your money to grow. Only invest for the short term when you know you will need the money in a short amount of time, and then stick with safe investments, such as certificates of deposit.

Don’t put all of your eggs into one basket. Scatter it around various types of investments for the best returns. Also, don’t move your money around too much. Let it ride. Pick your investments carefully, invest your money, and allow it to grow – don’t panic if the stock drops a few dollars. If the stock is a stable stock, it will go back up.

A common mistake that a lot of people make is thinking that their investments in collectibles will really pay off. Again, if this were true, everyone would do it. Don’t count on your Coke collection or your book collection to pay for your retirement years! Count on investments made with cold hard cash instead.

Retirement Investing For Women

The idea that investing for retirement would be different for women than it would be for men may seem silly and even slightly insulting at first glance. The idea isn’t meant to be sexist in any way, but there are a number of factors that tend to be different in lives of women that make this topic vitally important.

The first is the fact that women are paid less for the same job in the modern workforce. While this margin has been getting smaller and smaller over time, it’s still significant. In a recent study by the United States Department of Labour, women were shown to earn 24 percent less than men for doing the exact same job. This can have serious implications when it comes to investing for retirement.

The same study by the Department of Labour also showed that women, on average, spend less time working than men. A gap of seven years was present in the study due to time that some women take off to have children, raise a family or care for elderly or sick parents. While the obvious impact to the amount of money earned in a lifetime is obvious, there is also the impact on any sort of savings plan through work, as well as less social security.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the last United States Census showed that women are living an average of seven years longer than men. So, not only are women earning less and in fewer years in the workforce, they also live longer which means they need to save more for retirement.

What does all this mean? It means that women might need to take a slightly more aggressive path toward investing for their retirement. It also means that women need to start even earlier than men to start saving and investing. Other good tips are to set different goals than your husband, since your set of circumstances are different. You might also want to have even more diversification in your portfolio than most so that if some of your investments go sour, you won’t be left with nothing. It’s also a good idea to stay on top of your investments. Reviewing them on a regular basis lets you know where your doing well and where you might need to make changes.

While it’s unfortunate that a woman may need a completely different investing plan for retirement than her husband, the fact remains that there are forces conspiring against women in the workplace. But with the right strategy and the proper goals, everyone can enjoy a healthy and prosperous retirement.

Getting Your Feet Wet – Begin Investing

If you are anxious to get your investments started, you can get started right away without having a lot of knowledge about the stock market. Start by being a conservative investor with a low risk tolerance. This will give you a way to making your money grow while you learn more about investing.

Start with an interest bearing savings account. You may already have one. If you don’t, you should. A savings account can be opened at the same bank that you do your checking at – or at any other bank. A savings account should pay 2 – 4% on the money that you have in the account.

It’s not a lot of money – unless you have a million dollars in that account – but it is a start, and it is money making money.

Next, invest in money market funds. This can often be done through your bank. These funds have higher interest payouts than typical savings accounts, but they work much the same way. These are short term investments, so your money won’t be tied up for a long period of time – but again, it is money making money.

Certificates of Deposit are also sound investments with no risk. The interest rates on CD’s are typically higher than those of savings accounts or Money Market Funds.

You can select the duration of your investment, and interest is paid regularly until the CD reaches maturity. CD’s can be purchased at your bank, and your bank will insure them against loss. When the CD reaches maturity, you receive your original investment, plus the interest that the CD has earned.

If you are just starting out, one or all of these three types of investments is the best starting point. Again, this will allow your money to start making money for you while you learn more about investing in other places.

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