Investment Funds Explorer

Understanding Investment Funds

Investment funds pool money from many investors to purchase a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. This allows individual investors to access professionally managed, diversified portfolios with relatively small amounts of money.

Types of Investment Funds

Mutual Funds

Professionally managed investment funds that pool money from many investors to purchase securities.

Diversification Professional Management

ETFs

Exchange-Traded Funds track an index and trade like stocks throughout the trading day.

Low Expense Ratios Intraday Trading

Index Funds

Designed to track the components of a market index like the S&P 500.

Passive Management Low Fees

Bond Funds

Invest primarily in bonds and other debt instruments for regular income.

Income Generation Lower Risk

Investment Growth Calculator

$1,000 $10,000 $100,000
$0 $200 $5,000
1% 7% 20%
1 year 20 years 40 years

Projected Investment Growth

$98,358

Total Value after 20 years

Total Invested: $58,000
Interest Earned: $40,358

Risk Assessment Calculator

Answer these questions to assess your risk tolerance and get fund recommendations.

1. What is your investment time horizon?

2. How would you react to a 20% market decline?

3. What is your main investment goal?

Your Risk Profile: Moderate

Based on your answers, we recommend the following fund allocation:

Stock Funds: 60%
Bond Funds: 30%
Money Market Funds: 10%

Popular Fund Comparison

Fund Name Type Expense Ratio 5-Yr Return Risk Level
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF Index Fund/ETF 0.03% 14.2% Medium
Fidelity Contrafund Mutual Fund 0.86% 16.8% Medium-High
iShares Core Bond ETF Bond ETF 0.15% 4.3% Low
ARK Innovation ETF Active ETF 0.75% 18.5% High