WHAT ARE
MANAGED
FUNDS?

Mutual funds, also known as managed funds, are investment vehicles that pool money from multiple investors to buy a diversified portfolio of assets, such as stocks, bonds, or other securities. These funds are managed by professional fund managers, who make investment decisions on behalf of the investors, aiming to achieve the fund’s stated objectives, such as capital growth, income generation, or a combination of both.

Key Features of Mutual or Managed Funds:

1. Diversification:
By pooling money from many investors, mutual funds can invest in a wide range of assets,
which helps to spread risk. Diversification reduces the impact of any single asset’s poor performance
on the overall portfolio.

2. Professional Management:
Mutual funds are managed by experienced professionals who conduct research, analyse market trends,
and make decisions on buying, selling, or holding assets. This expertise can be especially beneficial for
individual investors who may not have the time or knowledge to manage their own investments effectively.

3. Types of Mutual Funds:
Equity Funds: These funds primarily invest in stocks. They aim for capital growth and are generally suitable
for investors with a higher risk tolerance.
Bond Funds: These funds invest in bonds and other fixed-income securities. They are typically less risky than equity funds and are often used by investors seeking income and stability.
Balanced Funds: These funds invest in a mix of stocks, bonds, and other securities. They aim to provide both growth and income, balancing risk and reward.
Index Funds: A type of mutual fund that tracks a specific market index, such as the S&P 500. These funds aim to replicate the performance of the index rather than beat it, often at a lower cost.
Money Market Funds: These funds invest in short-term, low-risk securities like government bonds and certificates of deposit. They aim to provide liquidity and preserve capital, with lower returns compared to other funds.

4. Units or Shares:
When you invest in a mutual fund, you purchase units or shares of the fund. The value of these units is based on the net asset value (NAV) of the fund, which is calculated by dividing the total value of the fund’s assets by the number of units outstanding.

5. Liquidity:
Mutual funds are generally liquid investments, meaning you can buy or sell units on any business day. The ease of buying and selling makes them accessible to a wide range of investors.

6. Fees and Expenses:
Mutual funds charge fees to cover the cost of managing the fund. These can include management fees, administrative fees, and sometimes sales charges (also known as loads). It’s important to consider these fees, as they can affect your overall returns.
Expense Ratio: This is the annual fee that all mutual funds charge their shareholders, expressed as a percentage of the fund’s average assets. Lower expense ratios mean more of your money is working for you.

7. Open-End vs. Closed-End Funds:
Open-End Funds: Most mutual funds are open-end funds, meaning they can issue an unlimited number of shares, and investors can buy or sell shares at the NAV at the end of each trading day.
Closed-End Funds: These funds issue a fixed number of shares and trade on stock exchanges like individual stocks. Their price is determined by supply and demand and can differ from the NAV.

8. Income Distribution:
Mutual funds generate income in the form of dividends from stocks or interest from bonds, which can be distributed to investors. Investors can choose to receive this income as cash or reinvest it back into the fund to purchase more units.

9. Tax Considerations:
Investors may be subject to taxes on income distributions and capital gains realized by the fund. In some cases, taxes are deferred until units are sold, but it’s important to be aware of the tax implications when investing in mutual funds.

Advantages of Mutual or Managed Funds:

Accessibility*: Mutual funds allow investors with relatively small amounts of money to gain access to professionally managed, diversified portfolios.

Simplicity: They are easy to buy and sell, and the investment process is straightforward.

Risk Management: Through diversification and professional management, mutual funds can help manage investment risk.

Disadvantages of Mutual or Managed Funds:

Fees and Expenses: The fees associated with mutual funds can reduce your overall returns.

Lack of Control: As an investor, you don’t have direct control over the individual investments in the fund; you rely on the decisions of the fund manager.

Performance Variability: Not all mutual funds perform well, and some may not meet their investment objectives.

In Summary:

Mutual or managed funds offer a way for investors to participate in a diversified, professionally managed portfolio with relatively low barriers to entry. They are popular for retirement accounts and other long-term investment goals, though it’s important to understand the fees, risks, and potential returns associated with any fund before investing.