A mutual fund is an investment fund that pools money from many investors to purchase securities . The term is typically used in the United States , Canada , and India , while similar structures across the globe include the SICAV in Europe ('investment company with variable capital'), and the open-ended investment company (OEIC) in the UK.
49-560: The Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) is a mutual fund company based in Port of Spain , Trinidad and Tobago . Founded in 1981 through an Act of Parliament , the company describes itself as "the leading mutual fund company in the Caribbean". The UTC dominates the mutual fund market in Trinidad and Tobago. This Trinidad and Tobago corporation or company article is
98-778: A stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Mutual fund Mutual funds are often classified by their principal investments: money market funds , bond or fixed income funds , stock or equity funds , or hybrid funds. Funds may also be categorized as index funds , which are passively managed funds that track the performance of an index, such as a stock market index or bond market index , or actively managed funds, which seek to outperform stock market indices but generally charge higher fees. The primary structures of mutual funds are open-end funds , closed-end funds , and unit investment trusts . Over long durations passively managed funds consistently overperform actively managed funds. Open-end funds are purchased from or sold to
147-442: A U.S. mutual fund or a hedge fund ) is calculated by reference to the total value of the fund's portfolio (its assets) less its accrued liabilities (money owed to lending banks, fees owed to investment managers and service providers, and other liabilities). Calculation of the net asset value for a hedge fund, including the calculation of the fund's income and expense accruals and the pricing of securities at current market value,
196-447: A company's market value is lower than its NAV, it may be considered more profitable to wind the company down and sell off its assets individually rather than continue to run it as a going concern . In contrast to fund valuation, the assets of a company will generally be valued for the purpose of a NAV calculation using the book value , the historical cost , or the amortised cost of the company's assets, or an appropriate combination of
245-412: A fair proportion of the fund and redeeming investors receive a fair proportion of the fund's value in cash. For example, if a fund has a NAV of $ 200 million and 1 million shares in issue on a certain day, the "NAV per share"—the price at which shares are issued—is $ 200. A person investing $ 40 million on that day will therefore be given 200,000 shares. Immediately following their investment the total NAV of
294-409: A limited life span, established at creation. Investors can redeem shares directly with the fund at any time (similar to an open-end fund) or wait to redeem them upon the trust's termination. Less commonly, they can sell their shares in the open market. Unlike other types of mutual funds, unit investment trusts do not have a professional investment manager. Their portfolio of securities is established at
343-508: A modern mutual fund was the Boston Personal Property Trust that was founded in 1893; however, its original intent was as a workaround to Massachusetts law restricting corporate real estate holdings rather than investing. Early U.S. funds were generally closed-end funds with a fixed number of shares that often traded at prices above the portfolio net asset value . The first open-end mutual fund with redeemable shares
392-674: A mutual recognition regime that allows funds regulated in one country to be sold in all other countries in the European Union, if they comply with certain requirements. The directive establishing this regime is the Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities Directive 2009 , and funds that comply with its requirements are known as UCITS funds. Regulation of mutual funds in Canada
441-487: A net asset value based on the value of the securities held in the funds. In the United States, at the end of 2019, assets in money market funds were $ 3.6 trillion, representing 14% of the industry. Bond funds invest in fixed income or debt securities. Bond funds can be sub-classified according to: In the United States, at the end of 2019, assets in bond funds (of all types) were $ 5.7 trillion, representing 22% of
490-547: A notice on 17th September 2020 stating that when purchasing mutual fund units before 1:00 PM the NAV from the day of realization (day when investment money reaches the AMC) will be applicable irrespective of the size of investment. At the completion of the valuation process and once all other appropriate accounting entries are posted, the accounting books are "closed", enabling a variety of information to be calculated and produced including
539-449: A substitute for bank savings accounts , though money market funds are not insured by the government, unlike bank savings accounts. In the United States, money market funds sold to retail investors and those investing in government securities may maintain a stable net asset value of $ 1 per share, when they comply with certain conditions. Money market funds sold to institutional investors that invest in non-government securities must compute
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#1732791159861588-539: A trust named Eendragt Maakt Magt ("unity creates strength"). His aim was to provide small investors with an opportunity to diversify. The first investment trust in the UK, the Scottish American Investment Trust formed in 1873, is considered the "most obvious progenitor" to the mutual fund, according to Diana B. Henriques . One of the earliest investment companies in the U.S. similar to
637-493: Is a comparison of the company's current market capitalization (being the price at which the market values the company) with its NAV. The NAV may be below the market price for the following reasons: A company's market value will not always be greater than its NAV. For example, analysts and management estimated that Liberty Media Corporation was trading for 30-50% below its net asset value (or "core asset value") in June 2007. Where
686-566: Is a core fund administrator task, because it is the price at which investors buy and sell shares in the fund. The accurate and timely calculation of NAV by the administrator is vital. In 2003, investors in Lancer Group sued hedge fund administrator Citco for allegedly knowingly disseminating "misleading" Net Asset Value (NAV) statements. Citco ultimately informed investors that it was resigning as administrator to Lancer's funds, but did not provide an explanation. While Citco pointed to
735-406: Is also a key figure with regard to hedge funds and venture capital funds when calculating the value of the underlying investments in these funds by investors. This may also be the same as the book value or the equity value of a business. Net asset value may represent the value of the total equity, or it may be divided by the number of shares outstanding held by investors, thereby representing
784-466: Is now called the "Vanguard 500 Index Fund" and is one of the largest mutual funds. Beginning the 1980s, the mutual fund industry began a period of growth. According to Robert Pozen and Theresa Hamacher, growth was the result of three factors: The 2003 mutual fund scandal involved unequal treatment of fund shareholders whereby some fund management companies allowed favored investors to engage in prohibited late trading or market timing . The scandal
833-658: Is primarily governed by National Instrument 81-102 "Mutual Funds", which is implemented separately in each province or territory. The Canadian Securities Administrator works to harmonize regulation across Canada. In the Hong Kong market mutual funds are regulated by two authorities: In Taiwan, mutual funds are regulated by the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC). Mutual funds in India are regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India ,
882-507: Is targeted at different investors, with hedge funds being available only to high-net-worth individuals. At the end of 2020, open-end mutual fund assets worldwide were $ 63.1 trillion . The countries with the largest mutual fund industries are: At the end of 2019, 23% of household financial assets were invested in mutual funds. Mutual funds accounted for approximately 50% of the assets in individual retirement accounts, 401(k)s and other similar retirement plans. Luxembourg and Ireland are
931-522: Is the major case relating to fund administrator liability for failure to handle its NAV-related obligations properly. The defendants settled in 2016 by paying the Anwar plaintiffs $ 235 million. The court held in the case, prior to the settlement, that "it is reasonable to infer from Plaintiffs' allegations that the Administrators were aware that Plaintiffs would—and did—rely on their statements of
980-411: Is therefore very important to investors. If the NAV in the above example had, with the same assets, been calculated as $ 160 million (and the NAV per share as $ 160), the investor would have been given 250,000 shares and would become entitled to 1/5 of the fund's value. In contrast, closed-end funds are traded in the open market between investors, bought and sold at market prices and not based on NAV. So
1029-543: The net asset value (NAV) computed that day based upon the prices of the securities owned by the fund. In the United States, open-end funds must be willing to buy back shares at the end of every business day. In other jurisdictions, open-end funds may only be required to buy back shares at longer intervals. For example, UCITS funds in Europe are only required to accept redemptions twice each month (though most UCITS accept redemptions daily). Most open-end funds also sell shares to
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#17327911598611078-512: The Funds' NAVs that were sent to the investors.... Accordingly, the Court finds that Plaintiffs allege a relationship between the investors and the Administrators that gives rise to a duty of care ...." Turning to operating companies as opposed to investment companies (mutual funds), in determining whether shares in a public company are a cheap or expensive investment , one tool used by investors
1127-429: The United States, the principal laws governing mutual funds are: Mutual funds are overseen by a board of directors if organized as a corporation, or by a board of trustees , if organized as a trust. The Board must ensure that the fund is managed in the interests of the fund's investors. The board hires the fund manager and other service providers to the fund. The sponsor or fund management company often referred to as
1176-491: The creation of the UIT. In the United States, at the end of 2019, there were 4,571 UITs with combined assets of less than $ 0.1 trillion. Closed-end funds generally issue shares to the public only once, when they are created through an initial public offering . Their shares are then publicly listed. Investors who want to sell their shares must sell their shares to another investor in the market; they cannot sell their shares back to
1225-463: The development of open-end mutual funds (as opposed to closed-end funds). In 1936, U.S. mutual fund industry was nearly half as large as closed-end investment trusts. But mutual funds had grown to twice as large as closed-end funds by 1947; growth would accelerate to ten times as much by 1959. In terms of dollar amounts, mutual funds in the U.S. totaled $ 2 billion in value in 1950 and about $ 17 billion in 1960. The introduction of money market funds in
1274-443: The fact that it had sought statements from Lancer's board of directors as to the propriety of the valuations, Southern District of NY Judge Shira Scheindlin wrote: "Although these actions demonstrate Citco Group's questioning of the numbers, they could also be interpreted as Citco Group's efforts to shield its own involvement in the process". Ultimately, Citco settled with investors. The case of Anwar v. Fairfield Greenwich (SDNY)
1323-431: The fund manager, trades (buys and sells) the fund's investments in accordance with the fund's investment objective. Funds that are managed by the same company under the same brand are known as a fund family or fund complex. A fund manager must be a registered investment adviser . In the European Union, funds are governed by laws and regulations established by their home country. However, the European Union has established
1372-415: The fund will be $ 240 million, as the new investor's cash becomes part of the fund and is available for investment by the fund. The investor will then be entitled to 1/6 of whatever the fund's value is when they withdraw their investment, if in the meantime their 1/6 ownership is not altered by any further withdrawals or investments to the fund. The valuation of the assets and liabilities of an open-ended fund
1421-442: The fund's investment objective, investment approach and permitted investments. The investment objective describes the type of income that the fund seeks. For example, a capital appreciation fund generally looks to earn most of its returns from increases in the prices of the securities it holds, rather than from dividend or interest income. The investment approach describes the criteria that the fund manager uses to select investments for
1470-442: The fund. Bond, stock, and hybrid funds may be classified as either index (or passively-managed) funds or actively managed funds. Alternative investments which incorporate advanced techniques such as hedging known as "liquid alternatives". Money market funds invest in money market instruments, which are fixed income securities with a very short time to maturity and high credit quality. Investors often use money market funds as
1519-400: The fund. The fund's investments and other assets are valued regularly; daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the fund and associated regulatory or sponsor requirements. There is no universal method or basis of valuing assets and liabilities for the purposes of calculating the net asset value used throughout the world, and the criteria used for the valuation will depend upon the circumstances,
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1568-427: The fund. The price that investors receive for their shares may be significantly different from NAV; it may be at a "premium" to NAV (i.e., higher than NAV) or, more commonly, at a "discount" to NAV (i.e., lower than NAV). In the United States, at the end of 2019, there were 500 closed-end mutual funds with combined assets of $ 0.28 trillion. Mutual funds may be classified by their principal investments, as described in
1617-570: The high-interest rate environment of the late 1970s boosted industry growth dramatically. The first retail index funds appeared in the early 1970s, aiming to capture average market returns rather than doing detailed company-by-company analysis as earlier funds had done. Rex Sinquefield offered the first S&P 500 index fund to the general public starting in 1973, while employed at American National Bank of Chicago. Sinquefield's fund had $ 12 billion in assets after its first seven years. John "Mac" McQuown also began an index fund in 1973, though it
1666-506: The industry. Stock or equity funds invest in common stocks . Stock funds may focus on a particular area of the stock market, such as Net asset value Net asset value ( NAV ) is the value of an entity's assets minus the value of its liabilities , often in relation to open-end , mutual funds, hedge funds , and venture capital funds . Shares of such funds registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission are usually bought and redeemed at their net asset value. It
1715-958: The issuer at the net asset value of each share as of the close of the trading day in which the order was placed, as long as the order was placed within a specified period before the close of trading. They can be traded directly with the issuer. Mutual funds have advantages and disadvantages compared to direct investing in individual securities. The advantages of mutual funds include economies of scale , diversification, liquidity, and professional management. As with other types of investment, investing in mutual funds involves various fees and expenses . Mutual funds are regulated by governmental bodies and are required to publish information including performance, comparisons of performance to benchmarks, fees charged, and securities held. A single mutual fund may have several share classes, for which larger investors pay lower fees. Hedge funds and exchange-traded funds are not typically referred to as mutual funds, and each
1764-477: The net asset value per share . Net asset value and other accounting and recordkeeping activities are the result of the process of fund accounting (also known as securities accounting, investment accounting, and portfolio accounting). Fund accounting systems are sophisticated computerized systems used to account for investor capital flows in and out of a fund, purchases and sales of investments, and related investment income, gains, losses and operating expenses of
1813-430: The net asset value per share. Net asset value is commonly used in the context of open-end funds . Shares and interests in such funds are not traded between investors, but are issued by the fund to each new investor and redeemed by the fund when an investor withdraws. A fund will issue and redeem shares and interests at a price calculated by reference to the NAV of the fund, with the intention that new investors receive
1862-683: The per-unit NAV serves as the yardstick for assessment. The NAV index is synonymous to the adjusted price-to-book ratio in which factors such as unrealized losses/gains of owned properties and brand values are reflected. News companies such as PropertyMall typically report on a REIT's NAV when the company reports it. Variable universal life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts often are structured somewhat similarly to mutual funds, and they may vary in value as securities and markets fluctuate. Typically, these insurance or annuity products issue "units" of ownership to policyholders/annuitants in exchange for their investment—similar to shares of
1911-485: The price of shares or interests in a closed-end fund will be whatever the parties agree it to be, which may not correspond to the fund's NAV. Publicly traded shares in such funds generally trade at a price below NAV. Mismarking in securities valuation takes place when the value that is assigned to securities does not reflect what the securities are actually worth, due to intentional fraudulent mispricing. Mismarking misleads investors and fund executives about how much
1960-547: The primary jurisdictions for the registration of UCITS funds. These funds may be sold throughout the European Union and in other countries that have adopted mutual recognition regimes. The first modern investment funds , the precursor of mutual funds, were established in the Dutch Republic . In response to the financial crisis of 1772–1773 , Amsterdam-based businessman Abraham (or Adriaan) van Ketwich formed
2009-422: The prospectus and investment objective. The four main categories of funds are money market funds, bond or fixed-income funds, stock or equity funds, and hybrid funds. Within these categories, funds may be sub-classified by investment objective, investment approach, or specific focus. The types of securities that a particular fund may invest in are set forth in the fund's prospectus , a legal document that describes
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2058-401: The public every business day; these shares are priced at NAV. Open-end funds are often referred to simply as "mutual funds". In the United States at the end of 2019, there were 7,945 open-end mutual funds with combined assets of $ 21.3 trillion, accounting for 83% of the U.S. industry. Unit investment trusts (UITs) are issued to the public only once when they are created. UITs generally have
2107-660: The purposes of the valuation, and any regulatory and/or accounting principles that may apply. For example, for U.S.-registered open-ended funds, investments are commonly valued each day the New York Stock Exchange is open, using closing prices (meant to represent fair value), typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time . For U.S.-registered money market funds, investments are often carried or valued at "amortized cost" as opposed to market value for expedience and other purposes, provided various requirements are continually met. The Securities and Exchange Board of India issued
2156-1019: The regulator of the securities and commodity market owned by the Government of India, under the SEBI (Mutual Funds) regulations of 1996. The functional aspect of Mutual Funds industry comes under the purview of AMFI , a trade association of all fund houses. Formed in August 1995, the body undertook the Mutual Funds Sahi hai campaign in March 2017 for promoting investor awareness on mutual funds in India. There are three primary structures of mutual funds: open-end funds , unit investment trusts , and closed-end funds . Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are open-end funds or unit investment trusts that trade on an exchange. Open-end mutual funds must be willing to buy back ("redeem") their shares from their investors at
2205-437: The securities in a securities portfolio managed by a trader are worth (the securities' net asset value) and thus misrepresents performance. When a rogue trader engages in mismarking, it allows them to obtain a higher bonus from the financial firm for which they work, where their bonus is calculated by the performance of the securities portfolio that they are managing. The NAV of a collective investment scheme (such as
2254-459: The three. NAV is one of the valuation indices of real estate investment trusts (REITs, pronounced "Reets"). NAV is normally quoted "per investment unit" where the value is divided by the number of total outstanding investment units. In simple terms, NAV is an adjusted net asset value reflecting the market values of real estate properties held by an investment corporation. The degree of premium/discount on individual investment unit prices relative to
2303-678: Was established on March 21, 1924, as the Massachusetts Investors Trust, which is still in existence today and managed by MFS Investment Management . In the U.S., there were nearly six times as many closed-end funds as mutual funds in 1929. After the Wall Street Crash of 1929 , the United States Congress passed a series of acts regulating the securities markets in general and mutual funds in particular. These new regulations encouraged
2352-529: Was part of a large pension fund managed by Wells Fargo and not open to the general public. Batterymarch Financial, a small Boston firm then employing Jeremy Grantham , also offered index funds beginning in 1973 but it was such a revolutionary concept they did not have paying customers for over a year. John Bogle was another early pioneer of index funds with the First Index Investment Trust, formed in 1976 by The Vanguard Group ; it
2401-645: Was uncovered by former New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and led to an increase in regulation. In a 2007 study about German mutual funds, Johannes Gomolka and Ralf Jasny found statistical evidence of illegal time zone arbitrage in trading of German mutual funds. Though reported to regulators, BaFin never commented on these results. Like other types of investment funds, mutual funds have advantages and disadvantages compared to alternative structures or investing directly in individual securities. According to Robert Pozen and Theresa Hamacher, these are: Mutual funds have disadvantages as well, which include: In
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