Investment Basics: Meandering Through the Mutual Fund Maze

November 17, 2017

By Colin OShea 
Securities Analyst 

You’re thinking of investing in a mutual fund,¹ but with several types to choose from, how do you select one? For starters, you’ll want to invest in a fund with an investment strategy that matches your own goals.

Here’s a look at some common mutual fund types. Which ones reflect your investment goals?

Take Stock of Stock Funds

Stock funds own shares in many different companies. Each fund manager chooses investments with a particular investment goal in mind. Growth funds look for companies with the potential for capital growth. Aggressive growth funds buy shares in companies that may experience sudden rapid growth and volatile prices. Growth and income funds seek modest growth and dividend earnings. Sector funds buy shares in companies within a specific industry.

You also can buy shares in a fund based on company size. Small-cap funds invest in small companies whose stock prices may be volatile. Mid-cap funds invest in medium-size companies that have the potential for growth with less volatility than small-cap funds. Large-cap funds hold shares in large, established companies that tend to pay dividends.

Bonds for Balance

Corporate bond funds² usually buy bonds issued by several different companies with the goal of generating income. Income funds typically invest in corporate and/or government bonds. Tax-free bond funds hold municipal bonds that pay interest that isn’t subject to regular federal income tax and may be state tax free to in-state residents. Junk bond funds buy bonds issued by companies with lower credit ratings and a greater risk of default. These funds generally pay a higher yield than other types of bond funds but are riskier.

And That’s Not All . . .

Balanced funds buy both stocks and bonds with the goal of growing principal and generating income. International funds buy foreign — or a mix of foreign and domestic — securities that can help diversify your portfolio by exposing it to world markets. Index funds buy stocks or bonds corresponding to a particular market index with the goal of mirroring its performance. Money market³ funds hold short-term securities that offer the potential for relatively modest yields.

Your Security National Bank Wealth Management financial professional can help you choose mutual funds that are appropriate for your investment goals.

_{1 Mutual funds are sold by prospectus, which includes information on charges, expenses, and risks. To receive a current prospectus, please contact your registered representative. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.}

_{2 Prices of fixed-income securities may fluctuate due to interest rate changes. Investors may lose money if bonds are sold before maturity.}

_{3 An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.}