Shivani asked:


Where i have to invest for Mutual Funds for different companies to avail nil entry load ? is it in the AMc if so where are the amc’s for various companies like reliance, kotak, sbi etc …

hamsterbabies asked:


I have money in a 529 plan and an IRA. I understand those and their tax implications. I don’t understand how you make money from investing in mutual funds just normally and the tax implications. If a mutual fund sells something… then you have to pay taxes on it? I am not quite sure how that process works. I know Vanguard has funds, but I’m not sure how investing in them without the tax benefits from the IRA and such can help me. Thank you.

shaun moore asked:


I am looking for cheap growth stock mutual funds. It doesn’t have to be mutual funds. I am twenty one years old and I do not mind much risk.

Mark Brandon asked:


An entire book could be written about the happy conspiracy between corporate managers and the investment community that pads both pockets at the expense of the everyday shareholder. In fact, one has been written. You should check out “The Battle for the Soul of American Capitalism” by John Bogle, the founder of the Vanguard Group. Bogle has been one of the few mutual fund industry luminaries that publicly decry the abuse taking place. It is an easy read. Check it out. Many of my top ten reasons are touched on in this book.

Over fifty percent of corporate America is owned by the top 100 financial fiduciaries. One would think that this alone would make them the most vigilant voices in the boardroom. In fact, few mutual funds demand accountability from management, and in many of the most egregious cases, they are guilty of downright aiding and abetting the fudging of numbers and the looting of otherwise good corporations. Why? Two glaring conflicts of interest prevent the industry from becoming the activists that they should become.

First, every company is a potential client for 401k and pension administration. Over half of invest-able assets are in defined contribution plans (401k, 403b, etc) or defined benefit plans (pensions). Company management gets to decide who handles these assets on behalf of their employees. Corporate managers who take a dim view of shareholder activism (and who does, except those that are abusing shareholders?) are unlikely to award this business to institutions who meddle too much. Management wants shareholders to blindly follow the recommendations of management. Shareholders who file corporate resolutions and offer up competing board slates are not likely to get a piece of the company’s investment assets.

The second conflict is similar to the first. So many of the mutual fund industry’s parent companies also have operations in investment banking. They are reluctant to raise hay because offending their management clients may result in their firms being left out in the cold when it comes to investment banking deals.

This is really a shame. Mutual funds have the expertise, the resources, and the position to demand accountability from management. Instead, management has used the diffusion of corporate ownership to increase their pay, fudge the numbers, cut sweetheart deals, etc. Bogle calls this a transition from “owners’ capitalism” to “managers’ capitalism”.

Mossan Smith asked:


You must have read this statement many a times in the TV commercials and also on the form that you must have filled and wondered what does this line mean. Let me tell you this line means. I do agree that the mutual funds are subject to market risk but that market risk if you go to consider is very minimal. Thanks to the stringent regulations employed by SEBI (Stock Exchange Board of India)..

Please note that mutual funds do not provide any guarantee of returns or capital (initial amount you invested).

Mutual funds are a good place to start because they offer you the opportunity to diversify quickly into a range of investments

Hence, nobody can assure you of returns, or even not suffering losses. Going strictly by the book, the possibility of a fund performing exceptionally poorly and all your savings dwindling to nothing is quite real.

Having said that, please remember that over the long term, the possibility of such an extreme event is quite negligible. If the historical performance is to go by, then there are hardly any diversified equity funds which have delivered negative returns over the last 10 years, if one would have invested through the SIP.

Therefore, there is no need to be overly concerned. Mutual funds are a very convenient vehicle for individual investors.

Moreover, returns tend to be commensurate with the kind of risk you take. Mutual fund schemes are riskier than the assured return schemes like fixed deposits and bonds. But, they also have the potential to generate far superior returns.

It is upon the investor to strike a balance between the return he wants to earn and the risk he wants to take. Having done that, he can invest in an appropriate combination of assured return schemes (National Savings Certificate, Public Provident Fund, post office schemes, bonds from institutions) and mutual funds.

Mutual Funds come under the regulation of the Securities and Exchange Board of India and have to meet stringent regulations. Therefore, they cannot just close shop and run away with investors’ money.

Mutual Funds comes under SEBI scanner and so does all the other public offering and there is a security deposit that they have to pay for getting listed. The chance of being fraudulent is negligible. With the growing number of people investing in mutual funds they are making it more reliable.

In fact, India happens to have quite stringent rules and norms regarding the setting up of an AMC and making periodic portfolio disclosures (stating where their have invested their money).

Moreover, in the set-up of a mutual fund, there is a body of trustees who are supposed to look after the interest of investors whose money is being managed under different schemes.

The mutual fund itself is a trust registered under the Indian Trust Act, and is initiated by a sponsor. The sponsor is the person who acts alone or with another corporate to establish a mutual fund. The sponsor then appoints an AMC to manage the investment, marketing, accounting and other functions pertaining to the fund.

Therefore, while it may be possible for a mutual fund to inflict losses to the investors as a result of poor fund management, they just can’t wind up their operations and run away with your money.

Mutual funds you can invest in

Share Market

Kotak Mutual Fund

Franklin Templeton India Mutual Fund

Birla Sunlife Mutual Fund

Prudential ICICI Mutual Fund

HDFC Mutual Fund

TATA Mutual Fund

Sundaram Mutual Fund

Cholamandalam Mutual Fund

Standard Chartered Mutual Fund

DSP Mutual Fund

Principal Mutual Fund

SBI Mutual Fund

Reliance Mutual Fund

Deutsche Mutual Fund

ABN AMRO Mutual Fund

J M Financial Mutual Fund

ING Vysya

Optimix

HSBC Mutual fund

Fidelity AMC

For more information on Mutual Funds and Investments visit Kotak Mutual Fund

James asked:


Which one do you prefer, Mutual Funds or ULIP ? Which is Better for short term investing?

Can you Explain 3 Major Differences Between the two?

Jessica Deets asked:


There are a number of companies that handle investment for clients both large and small. Evergreen Mutual Funds is one such company. Falling into the mid- to large-size range as far as investment companies are concerned, this company provides its customers with a solid background and a proven track record.

Founded more than 70 years ago, Evergreen is anything but a new comer on the investment scene. This is a selling point with a lot of individuals who view a company’s stability as key for proving ability to successfully manage money.

For those in the market to purchase mutual funds, Evergreen is typically considered a very solid choice. Mutual funds, for those that don’t know, are open-ended funds that aren’t listed for trading on stock exchanges. There are issued by companies that use their money to invest in other companies. The funds sell their own shares to investors and buy back their shares on redemption. This means capitalization is not fixed and shares can be issued as people seek them out.

Mutual funds are very common investment tools for those who want to make money over the short- and long-term. They can match a number of different investment styles and are also used quite regularly in creating retirement funding accounts. Both individuals and corporations are known to invest in mutual funds.

For Evergreen’s part, mutual fund investments have become a backbone of business. The company’s name is meant to inspire a confidence. Evergreen of course translates in some circles as that which is meant to last and remain beautiful.

The Evergreen company is considered one of the top 30 largest asset management companies in the country and it is in the top 20 largest mutual fund families. It boasts more than 334 investment pros on its payroll and has nearly $250 billion in assets under management for individuals and institutions.

The company caters to both private investors and companies that make investments. During the course of its 70 some odd years in business, Evergreen has served more than four million clients. Its calling card is the ability to work with many different types of investors and investments to assist in solid asset management.

With over 4 million individual and institutional investors and a history of innovation spanning more than 70 years, Evergreen Investments offers the strength that comes with experience. This is one of the top things investors consider when choosing what mutual funds to buy into and which ones to avoid.

Evergreen is also an industry leader, having garnered numerous awards for its ability to handle clients’ money wisely. It prides itself on being able to handle a number of different investment styles for different types of clients and tries to meet or beat its clients’ expectations when it comes to returns.

Evergreen has locations in several states, but is available for investors all over the country and beyond. Its headquarters are located in Boston and Charlotte.

When it comes to making mutual fund investments quality service is key in getting good returns. Companies such as Evergreen have made a name for themselves in providing good service and good results for decades.

“Kh a a a a a n n” ! ! asked:


I have some mutual funds which are made up of very conservative investments - nothing too risky. Over the past few decades this fund has done nothing but grow slowly. Sometimes it goes down a bit, sometimes it spikes a bit, but overall it shows a pattern of growth, which is great.

What will happen to these investments if we go into a bad recession?

Will they decrease in value a lot?

Should I try and head this off by changing my portfolio? Or just ride it out?

Thanks!

Think. asked:


I’m talking about less than and up to one year. Please specify reasons why and why not. Any experience is really appreciated.

Do mutual funds make good investments in general?

TJS asked:


If the fund makes a trade does it have to pay the taxes or does the investor pay taxes after they make a withdrawl from the fund? Or is it both? Same with Mutual Funds? If these funds don’t have to pay taxes on their trades, this seems like a HUGE advantage compared to the average investor.