SJLibrary.org, a collaboration of San Jose State University and San Jose Public Library system.

Contents: - Mutual Funds - ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds)

Mutual Funds

A mutual fund is a "portfolio of securities professionally managed by the sponsoring management company or investment company that issues shares to investors. A no-load fund does not charge a sales commission to buy shares, whereas a load fund does charge one. Mutual funds also charge management fees. The major advantages of mutual funds are diversification, professional management, and ownership of a variety of securities with a minimal capital investment." -- Answers.com

• Free, non-commercial site that analyzes mutual funds and helps you decide when it's time to sell a fund instead of when to buy

• Free tools include Mutual Fund Performance, fund Ticker Lookup, Fund Family Research and Data, etc.

 

---

ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds)

An ETF is "a security that tracks an index, a commodity or a basket of stocks like an index fund, but trades like a stock on an exchange. By owning an ETF, you get the diversification of an index fund as well as the ability to sell short, buy on margin and purchase as little as one share. Another advantage is that the expense ratios for most ETFs are lower than those of the average mutual fund. When buying and selling ETFs, you have to pay the same commission to your broker that you'd pay on any regular order." -- Answers.com