A mutual fund is an investment company that pools money from shareholders and invests in a diversified portfolio of securities. An investor in a mutual fund is a shareholder who buys shares of the fund. Each share represents a proportionate ownership in all the fund’s underlying securities.

A mutual fund is owned by its shareholders. A management company runs the mutual fund’s day-to-day operations. This company usually serves as the fund’s investment advisors. As the investment advisor, the management company has a staff of professional portfolio managers who make the portfolio investment selections. These managers are guided by objectives outlined in the fund’s prospectus. On the basis of extensive research and analysis, they decide what to buy and when to buy it. With a mutual fund, investors can access a level of professional management and diversification difficult to attain on their own.

            The management company charges an investment management fee that can be from .15 to 2 percent but is typically .5 to .9 percent of the total value of the fund’s assets.

Mutual funds represent the entire spectrum of investment categories. Examples include mutual funds that invest only in U.S. Treasuries, technology companies, banks, or precious metals, to name just a few. Other mutual funds are designed to meet a certain investment objective such as a mix of income and growth or income alone. Some mutual funds invest entirely overseas other may concentrate their investments in one foreign country still others may be restricted to the United States .

*Risks*

Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment goals, risks, charges, and expenses before investing.  Please carefully read the prospectus before investing.

The Fund’s investment return and principal value will change with market conditions, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares.

Not FDIC Insured // May Lose Value // No Bank Guarantee