Lecture # 25 Mutual Funds

Cost of Ownership

Management Fee

All mutual funds, including no-load funds, have certain fixed expenses that are built into their per share net asset value. These expenses are the actual costs of doing business.

They are deducted from the assets of the fund. It is advisable to check the prospectus to determine the percentage of the fund's total net assets that is paid out for expenses.

Additionally, shareholder services provided by the fund, investment adviser's fees, bank custodian fees, and fund underwriter costs also come out of the fund's assets. These charges vary from fund to fund; however, they are clearly spelled out in the prospectus.

On a per-share basis, however, management expenses are usually quite small, because they are spread over the tens of thousands, or the millions, of shareholders in the fund.

Redemption Fee

All load funds levy a sales charge when purchasing shares. Some load and some no-load funds also charge a redemption fee when you take money out (redeem shares). The redemption fee is a percentage of the amount redeemed, usually 0.05%(1/2 of 1%).

Avoid funds with redemption fees. There are excellent funds available that will meet your objectives and do not levy redemption fees.

Generally redemption fees are levied only with the intent to cut down on the number of redemptions the fund experiences. The bottom line is that you are entitled to the full value of the shares you redeem.

Switching Fee

Most, if not all, open-end mutual funds permit you to transfer all or any part of your investment from one fund to another fund within its family. This kind of transfer is commonly called "switching"

For many years there was no charge required switching funds. In recent years, however, some funds have started to charge for switching. It is usually a flat fee. The few funds that are charging the investor for this service say it is to discourage too frequent moving in and

out of funds. Constant switching of funds increases the administrative costs involved in keeping track of customer accounts made.

Maintenance Fee

Be on the lookout for a fee that is being assessed against the shareholder's account (s) directly. It is called an "account maintenance" fee. According to prospectuses of the funds that levy this fee, it is to "offset the costs of maintaining shareholder accounts."

The fee is deducted from the dividends to cover the maintenance fee, enough shares or fractions of shares will be automatically redeemed from the account to make up the difference.

Customary Fees Charged by Most Mutual Fund Companies

Investment Advisory Fees

The fund pays a set fee, stated in the prospectus, for investment management. This allows the fund the use of the advisor's investment research staff, equipment, and other resources.

Administrative and accounting services, such as data processing, pricing of fund shares, and preparing financial statements., are included in this fee.

Transfer Agent Fees

The fund pays a set fee for each account for maintaining shareholder records and generating shareholder statements, plus answering your phone inquiries and correspondence.

Audit Fees and Expenses

Each fund is audited annually by an internationally recognized, independent accounting firm which is not affiliated with the fund.

Custodian Fees and Expenses

The Fund's assets, represented by stock certificates and other documents, are held by an outside source for safe keeping.

Directors' Fees and Expenses

The Fund's directors are compensated for their time and travel. The Board meets at least quarterly, as a whole and in subcommittees, to review the fund's business. (Directors or officers who are employed by the fund receive no compensation from the fund for serving as directors.)

Registration: The SEC and various state securities agencies charge fees permitting a fun's shares to be sold.

Reports to Shareholders

Annual, semiannual, and interim reports are printed and mailed to shareholders on a periodic basis.

Mutual Funds Frauds

Investment Fraud

Information is an investor's best tool when it comes to investing wisely and avoiding fraud. And the best way to gather information is to ask questions- about both the investment and the person or firm selling it.

It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or have been investing for many years, it's never too early or too late to start asking questions.

Too many investors who've suffered losses at the hands of swindlers could have avoided trouble if they had only asked basic questions from the start.

This section will help you recognize and avoid different types of investment fraud. You'll also learn what questions to ask before investing, where to get information about companies, who to call for help, and what to do if you run into trouble.