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| | So, you’ve decided to jump into the mutual fund investment game. While mutual funds have shown themselves over time to be a safer bet than regular stock trading, there is always the chance you could lose your shirt. But the type of fund you choose will have a lot to do with the amount of risk you take on and the kind of return you’re looking for. For starters, mutual funds are usually broken down into six main categories. | | So, you’ve decided to jump into the mutual fund investment game. While mutual funds have shown themselves over time to be a safer bet than regular stock trading, there is always the chance you could lose your shirt. But the type of fund you choose will have a lot to do with the amount of risk you take on and the kind of return you’re looking for. For starters, mutual funds are usually broken down into six main categories. |
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| − | Equity mutual funds allow you to invest in typical shares of common, everyday stock. | + | * Equity mutual funds allow you to invest in typical shares of common, everyday stock. |
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| − | Fixed income mutual funds allow you to invest in corporate or government securities that usually offer a set rate of return on your investment. | + | * Fixed income mutual funds allow you to invest in corporate or government securities that usually offer a set rate of return on your investment. |
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| − | Balanced mutual funds allow the investor to take on a fund that includes both stock and bond options. | + | * Balanced mutual funds allow the investor to take on a fund that includes both stock and bond options. |
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| − | Maybe the safest form of mutual funds are known as money market mutual funds. They offer a high degree of stability for your principal, as well as high liquidity if you need to back out. | + | * Maybe the safest form of mutual funds are known as money market mutual funds. They offer a high degree of stability for your principal, as well as high liquidity if you need to back out. |
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| − | Bond mutual funds are popular since they invest in tax free as well as taxable ones. | + | * Bond mutual funds are popular since they invest in tax free as well as taxable ones. |
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| − | And finally, sector/speciality funds are used to help diversify your holdings within a particular industry. | + | * And finally, sector/speciality funds are used to help diversify your holdings within a particular industry. |
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| | Each of these types of funds can be both aggressive and risky with a high level of reward possible, or they can be safer and lower risk. It all depends on which fund you choose. | | Each of these types of funds can be both aggressive and risky with a high level of reward possible, or they can be safer and lower risk. It all depends on which fund you choose. |
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| | The risk associated with investing can be caused by many different factors. Things like general economic conditions, the rising or falling of interest rates and inflation are just a few factors that can cause a stock or a mutual fund to rise or fall. One of the best parts about mutual funds is that the risk involved in each fund is clearly stated BEFORE you invest. If you’re just looking to make a few dollars for holiday shopping, you can do that and keep your risk very low. If you are 25 and have a whole lifetime to invest for your retirement, there are mutual funds that can help you take big chances with even bigger rewards. If you lose your money, it’s not as big of a deal since you have your whole life to make it back. | | The risk associated with investing can be caused by many different factors. Things like general economic conditions, the rising or falling of interest rates and inflation are just a few factors that can cause a stock or a mutual fund to rise or fall. One of the best parts about mutual funds is that the risk involved in each fund is clearly stated BEFORE you invest. If you’re just looking to make a few dollars for holiday shopping, you can do that and keep your risk very low. If you are 25 and have a whole lifetime to invest for your retirement, there are mutual funds that can help you take big chances with even bigger rewards. If you lose your money, it’s not as big of a deal since you have your whole life to make it back. |
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| − | Maybe the best advice you can take when analyzing risk versus reward is the fact that every stock, every bond and, yes, every mutual fund will fluctuate. This is an inarguable truism in the world of investing. There may be a few times when you sit down with your morning paper and you need two antacids with your morning coffee because your fund lost a few points. But with smart investing and good advice, you’ll have far more mornings where you leave for work with a smile on your face because your fund is doing well. | + | Maybe the best advice you can take when analyzing risk versus reward is the fact that every stock, every bond and, yes, every mutual fund will fluctuate. This is an inarguable truism in the world of investing. There may be a few times when you sit down with your morning paper and you need two antacids with your morning [http://www.mywikibiz.com/coffee/ coffee] because your fund lost a few points. But with smart investing and good advice, you’ll have far more mornings where you leave for work with a smile on your face because your fund is doing well. |
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| | Analyzing risk versus reward is a huge part of investing and if you are having trouble figuring out how much risk to take, ask for help. You don’t want to enter into investing with a blurry picture of your risk vs. reward. The more you know about your personal situation, the better off you’ll be. | | Analyzing risk versus reward is a huge part of investing and if you are having trouble figuring out how much risk to take, ask for help. You don’t want to enter into investing with a blurry picture of your risk vs. reward. The more you know about your personal situation, the better off you’ll be. |