What mutual funds are considered a good investment?

Im2hard2please - 2006-12-22 14:47:33 - Investing

I keep hearing that one should invest in mutual funds that are a combination of around 60% stocks and 40% mutual funds. Can someone knowledgeable in mutual funds recommend a company (like Vangard for Fidelity) that sells mutual fund that invests with this arrangement (60/40)? Thanks guys....this is great advice....all of it. I will heed your guidance. Wonder when the bottom is going to drop out of the stock market again?

Best Answer:

There are many in that category. They are referred to as balanced funds. Morningstar will provide you with a 5 star rating of the best of the lot. Here is a link to all of the 5 star balanced funds. The Fidelity fund is rate as 5 stars. But check them all out. http://screen.yahoo.com/a?cc=2%3Bnm=proy=mgrt=rtmin=5rtmax=retrmin=retrmax=risrmin=risrmax=trytd=troy=trty=trfy=mii=mfl=er=namin=namax=tomin=tomax=mmcmin=mmcmax=vw=1db=funds

Answer:

Go to Morningstar. They rate mutual funds

go to Fidelity.com and they have "bundles" that are already geared for your year of retirement. Example: investing in the "Fidelity 2030" means your retirement will be around 2030 and they will invest your funds accordingly. It takes all the guessing out of investing.

There are many in that category. They are referred to as balanced funds. Morningstar will provide you with a 5 star rating of the best of the lot. Here is a link to all of the 5 star balanced funds. The Fidelity fund is rate as 5 stars. But check them all out. http://screen.yahoo.com/a?cc=2%3Bnm=proy=mgrt=rtmin=5rtmax=retrmin=retrmax=risrmin=risrmax=trytd=troy=trty=trfy=mii=mfl=er=namin=namax=tomin=tomax=mmcmin=mmcmax=vw=1db=funds

Mutual funds can very in investability, and are more difficult to gage than stocks because they have many stocks and/or bonds in them. My favorites have been: UMREX - Excelsior Real Estate Fund UMESX - Excelsior Energy Services Fund Because they have been really good to me and have low fees. Mutual funds are more diverse than stocks, so you have a greater safety factor, but they do have fees. Never buy a mutual fund with a load or excessive fees.

I'd recommend avoiding mutual funds. The costs involved cut into your earnings. The mutual fund managers and their employees all get paid, this cuts into their earnings, so they pay advisers to recommend them, further cutting into their earnings. Buy stocks. Mutual funds add middlemen, and haven't been worth the cost in the past. Stocks give better returns. If you want diversity, buy stock in the best companies of different sectors.

I agree with...STEPHEN J You will be disappointed in your return with a mutual fund. They invest in allot of good companies only to return to the mutual fund holder so little.

I'm with T. Rowe Price. The key is to look at the expense ratios, turnover, etc. You don't want any of that eating into your profit. I know you could find a portfolio of that nature anywhere-be sure to check out the holdings. Good Luck

There are many good funds out there. As a former FA, I would ask many more questions before deciding what your allocation should be. How old are you? Are you married? Income? Second income? Current assets? The list goes on and on. However, if you are looking for a one shot investment, I would target one of the T. Rowe Price Retirement funds. They automatically adjust to become more conservative as you near retirement and they tend to beat their Fidelity counterparts. Stay away from funds with loads. They are pushed by Advisors.