This mutual fund calculator is a helpful tool that allows you to find the amount of money you will have when an investment in mutual funds matures. Once all of the necessary data has been given to the calculator, you will be able to find your mutual fund return - how much money you earned from your investment. There are many mutual fund types, but they are all investment products that help you invest in a diversified portfolio of assets. Read the section below to find out how mutual funds work.
You will also find a mutual fund definition in the sections below, but first, we will tell you what a mutual fund is and how to use this calculator.
How to use the mutual fund calculator?
This tool helps you calculate your mutual fund returns based on the data you provide. Follow the steps below to learn more about how to use the calculator:
Think about your investment type. You may choose between a systematic investment plan(SIP), which includes monthly contributions to the fund, or a one-time investment (lump sum) - pick one of them. If you're not familiar with the former, the SIP calculator can explain the idea.
Depending on the previous choice, input the value of either your monthly contribution or one-time investment.
In the next line, put your expected return from the mutual fund.
Provide the tool with your investment period - the time during which your money will work for you.
You have calculated your mutual fund return! The last line value is the total amount you will get from your investment - the sum of your contribution and the profit from the mutual fund.
What is a mutual fund?
The mutual funds definition tells us that it is a professionally managed investment product. Money is collected from many investors, which is then invested into a specific security set out in the fund's terms; these securities include stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and other assets. Thanks to mutual funds, small or individual investors have access to a diversified portfolio of financial instruments. So, how do mutual funds work if they let investors provide even a small amount of cash to become a part of a large investment?
How do mutual funds work?
Once you invest your money into a mutual fund, you will become a partial owner of the entire portfolio - similarly to a stock investment. By adding the value of the assets contained within the fund, you will get the crucial figure for mutual funds - its Net Asset Value (NAV).
NAV changes each time the fund is evaluated, and its frequency depends on the fund's policy. NAV is similar to stock price, it represents the price of one share of the mutual fund. The difference between stocks and mutual funds is that there may be an unlimited number of shares in a mutual fund. Each time an investor puts money to the fund, new shares are issued, and shares are removed after each withdrawal.
You may compare the NAV from the beginning of the investment with the NAV from the end, and calculate your mutual fund return - its ROI (about which you can read more in the ROI calculator). The volatility of the NAV is based on the risk of the portfolio, as with most investments. In the next section, you may read about mutual fund types based on the securities in its portfolio.
Mutual fund types
As stated in the mutual fund definition, there are different mutual fund types, classified based on the securities in their portfolios. There are many types, but the most common types are:
Fixed-Income - a type of mutual fund that invests in bonds.
Equity - a mutual fund that invests in stocks.
Balanced - invests in diversified securities.
Money Market - invests in safe, short-term bonds. This type often leads to small but stable returns from the mutual fund.
International - invests in assets located outside of the country.
A very popular type of fund is ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund. It is not included above, as it is not a typical mutual fund.
ETF vs. mutual fund
Both ETFs and mutual funds have a lot in common, as they are professionally managed investments. They are almost the same instrument, with only two significant differences.
Firstly, their purchasing process. Mutual funds can be bought at the end of the day for a calculated price - NAV. Buying ETF is different, as their price is set on the stock exchange.
Secondly, mutual funds are, in most cases, actively managed. It means that the asset manager who takes care of the portfolio makes many transactions in order to create the largest profit possible. In the case of an ETF, the portfolio is often passively managed. It means that the portfolio often relies on other portfolios, for example, indexes (like S&P500, etc.). Passive management often leads to lower managing costs comparing to mutual funds, which may attract investors.
As ETFs are traded on stock markets, you may use the stock calculator to find your profit from this type of investment.
FAQ
What is a mutual fund?
A mutual fund is a professionally managed investment product that pools money from multiple individuals to create a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments. Mutual funds are managed by financial professionals who decide which securities should be included in the portfolio. They charge investors a percentage of the fund's assets as management fees, which can impact overall returns, but on average, they still offer attractive ROI (Return on Investment).
What's the difference between an ETF and a mutual fund?
An Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) is a set of various stocks. ETFs offer real-time pricing and can be bought or sold throughout the trading day at market prices. A mutual fund, on the other hand, is a pooled investment that professionals manage and is only traded once per day at a set price for everyone.
A mutual fund may include stocks, bonds, ETFs, and other products in their portfolio (and change them whenever they see fit), while an ETF is a set of specific stocks.
How do you analyze mutual funds?
To analyze a mutual fund, you should research every potential investment by these categories:
- Performance – Review their historical returns to assess consistency and growth potential;
- Expense Ratio – Consider lower expense ratios for better long-term returns;
- Asset Allocation – Ensure the fund's mix aligns with your risk tolerance and goals;
- Manager Expertise – Research the fund manager's track record and experience; and
- Holdings – Check top holdings to understand where the fund invests.
What's the minimal amount of money I can invest in mutual funds?
The smallest amount you can invest in mutual funds varies by fund and platform. Some funds need $500 to $3,000 to start, while others accept even $1. Minimums depend on where you invest.
As an experienced financial advisor with a deep understanding of investment vehicles like mutual funds, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about mutual funds and their calculator:
Mutual Fund Calculator:
The mutual fund calculator mentioned in the article is a valuable tool for projecting the future value of investments in mutual funds. By inputting specific data such as investment type (Systematic Investment Plan or one-time lump sum), contribution amount, expected return, and investment period, investors can determine their mutual fund returns. The calculator simplifies the process of estimating the total amount one can accumulate from their investment, factoring in both contributions and profits.
Mutual Fund Definition:
A mutual fund is a professionally managed investment product that pools money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of securities such as stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and other assets. This collective investment approach provides individual or small investors access to a broad range of financial instruments that they might not be able to access individually.
How Mutual Funds Work:
Once an investor commits funds to a mutual fund, they become a partial owner of the fund's entire portfolio. The Net Asset Value (NAV) of the mutual fund, akin to the price of one share, represents the total value of its assets. NAV fluctuates based on the performance of the underlying securities in the portfolio. Mutual funds continuously issue and redeem shares based on investor demand, maintaining liquidity. Investors can calculate their mutual fund returns by comparing NAV values over their investment period.
Mutual Fund Types:
Mutual funds are categorized into various types based on the securities in their portfolios:
- Fixed-Income Funds: Invest in bonds.
- Equity Funds: Invest in stocks.
- Balanced Funds: Invest in a mix of diversified securities.
- Money Market Funds: Invest in safe, short-term bonds for stable returns.
- International Funds: Invest in assets outside the country.
- Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs): While not a traditional mutual fund, ETFs are similar in that they pool investors' money to invest in a diversified portfolio. However, they differ in terms of trading process and management style.
ETF vs. Mutual Fund:
ETFs and mutual funds share similarities as professionally managed investment products. However, they differ in their purchasing process and management style. ETFs can be bought or sold throughout the trading day at market prices, while mutual funds are traded once per day at a set price. Mutual funds are often actively managed, with higher associated costs, while ETFs may be passively managed, tracking indexes and typically with lower expenses.
FAQ:
The FAQ section addresses common queries about mutual funds, including their definition, differences from ETFs, and analysis considerations such as performance, expense ratio, asset allocation, manager expertise, and holdings. Additionally, it clarifies the minimal investment amounts required to start investing in mutual funds, which vary depending on the fund and platform.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of mutual funds, their calculator, types, functioning, and distinctions from other investment vehicles like ETFs. It offers valuable insights for investors seeking to understand and navigate the realm of mutual fund investments.
