The Five Flavors of Mutual Funds

By Sara Ferguson

Mutual funds come in five flavors; within these five categories are many different types of funds, so you can find a mutual fund that is tailored to your individual needs. Below is a brief description of the different funds:

Equity funds: Mutual funds that primarily include stocks of publicly traded companies. Investing in an equity mutual fund allows investors to quickly create a stock portfolio that matches all their financial objectives. However, a fund can specialize in many different types of companies, which can make selecting the right equity fund more difficult. Equity funds have a higher risk than money market or bond funds, but they also can offer the highest returns. A stock funds net asset value can rise and fall quickly over the short term, but, historically, stocks have performed better over the long term than other types of investments. Not all equity funds are the same. For example, some equity funds specialize in growth or technology stocks.

Hybrid funds: Mutual funds that invest in both stocks and bonds. Hybrid funds are structured to achieve predetermined objectives such as rapid growth, matching a market benchmark, or investing in one industry. To sum up, hybrid funds use combinations of securities to meet their investment objectives.

Equity funds: Mutual funds that primarily include stocks of publicly traded companies. Investing in an equity mutual fund allows investors to quickly create a stock portfolio that matches all their financial objectives. However, a fund can specialize in many different types of companies, which can make selecting the right equity fund more difficult. Equity funds have a higher risk than money market or bond funds, but they also can offer the highest returns. A stock funds net asset value can rise and fall quickly over the short term, but, historically, stocks have performed better over the long term than other types of investments. Not all equity funds are the same. For example, some equity funds specialize in growth or technology stocks.

Bond funds: Mutual funds that usually invest in the debt instruments of corporations and governments. Investors in bond funds are primarily seeking income with some protection of principal. Frequently, the only way an average investor has access to an expensive bond is through a bond mutual fund. Usually, bond funds are conservative and target the payment of dividends. Investors can choose among several types of bond funds. Investment grade bond funds usually have less risk than funds with stocks, but they arent risk-free. These types of bond funds are usually good investment choices for short-, medium-, and long-term investors who desire low risk. Investment-grade bond funds focus on current income.

Money market funds: Mutual funds that invest in the short-term debts of corporations and the federal government. Money market funds often invest in Treasury bills, commercial paper, bankers acceptances, negotiable certificates of deposit (CDs), and short-term debts of U.S. government agencies such as Ginnie Mae (www.ginniemae.gov). Money market funds provide less return and less risk than other types of mutual funds and are good investments for short-term investors. The principal advantage of these funds is their safety. Also, if you ever need to get to your money fast, money market funds may be the type of fund for you.

As always, read the details of an investment before making a commitment. Each investment is different and the risks will be different as well. Beginning investors often make the mistake of not finding out all the details before proceeding; do not just look at the profit you could make from the investment. - 23199

About the Author:

How to Invest Today is a news and educational website dedicated to investing in today's world. How to Invest Today offers the latest news and tips on investing.

What are Forex Signals?

By G. Malone

First thing before you learn about Forex Signals, you should have a little background info about Forex trading. Make no mistake, Forex trading is all about money and you can make real good money, but only if you make the right decisions at exactly the right time. This is especially true when you are new to Forex trading. In real-time Forex trading, within fractions of a second you need to make decisions, if not, one incorrect move can immediately ruin your entire portfolio and put a serious dent on your financial situation.

On the other hand, if you are able to take a right decision, within fractions of a second you can make huge profit"that is only possible when you have correct trading signals. Nowadays you can have several types of trading signals depending upon who gives them to you. Even you can have demo accounts for practice and trading signals by using them you can learn much about Forex trading. Trading signals actually help you make a right trading strategy to reap profits. Therefore, for successful Forex trading you need to have access to professional trading signal services as a mighty tool.

As you know by now, Forex signals are basically market indicators which tell you how those particular foreign exchanges swing (go up and down). Suppose if you have sold something at higher levels and buy at lower levels then difference is your profit. The duty of your Forex signals provider is to tell you in advance or even during trading hours about these different levels so that you can reap certain points or pips. Sometimes these signals are sent you via email or on your mobile device and sometimes during the trading hours on Forex trading software.

Basically, the role of Forex signals is to tell you in advance about the time when you should buy or sell a currency pair. Generally, they provide you an insight of what is being done in the market and what you should do and why. All the research and analysis part is done by them, so that you dont even need to see the Forex market, during trading hours. That means, by using these Forex signals given you in advance you can make good profits by investing a small amount. You literally need not to spend extended hours or leave your current full time job to get profits from Forex market. You never need to monitor Forex trading throughout the day, as your Forex trading signal providing company does it all for you.

Depending upon what type of service provider or company you choose to get Forex signals, they will provide signals to you at the right time so that you can take right decisions and make money. When it comes to software then some of them are even available round the clock on a 24x7 basis. Most of these service providers have professionally qualified and skilled people along with best-of-the-breed advanced tools, gadgets and technologies to keep a close eye on the markets worldwide. Thats why they are able to provide you with accurate and updated information instantly.

However, what methods they use, is a very subjective question as they differ from one service provider to another. Some of the common methods are online software, email alerts, mobile alerts, and pager services. Sometimes, this software is so intelligent that they never bug you unless there is a signal sent from the service provider. A pop-up alerts you when a signal or a call arrives related to Forex trading. So in this way they help you stay abreast of the market moves and help you earn money. Lastly, you must remember that no matter how effective these trading signals may sound to you, you should never put a hell lot of money on stake. And, instead of relying entirely on these signals you must use your own understanding along with other methods/tools to make a well informed decision. Never treat these trading signals as a magic rather you must treat them as a help to keep a close eye on the market pulse! - 23199

About the Author:

To find out more about Forex Signals available along with other useful resources then visit: Forex resources.

Three Stock Trading Myths

By W. Alan Gay

As a Stock Trader for over 15 years, I have learned a lot about the ins and outs of the business. I started out on my own, rather than with a big brokerage firm with fancy employee training courses. I took seminars and self study classes and learned as I went, many times through sheer trial and error.

While this method may have taken me longer to succeed, I have accumulated a lot more real world knowledge about stock trading than a lot of those brokerage house taught investment advisors who only know what they learned from their boss. For instance, I have learned over the years that there are misunderstandings that constantly recur when talking about stock trading. Here are three of them:

First, is the misunderstanding that you have to be a certain type of person to be a successful stock trader. True, the guys who analyze the market and pick the big winners are almost 60% left brained thinkers, and this is probably how the myth started.

But I have found that there's something for every type of thinker in stock trading. The trick is to find what works best for you. To be honest, I would be very unhappy sitting around analyzing stocks all day, but I have been very successful in this profession despite that. Anyone else can too.

The second misconception is that stock trading has a lot of risk to it, even more than running a small business. Now, I will be the first to admit that plenty of people have lost everything in the stock market, and of course those are the stories we see splashed over the papers that terrify a lot of people.

But I have learned that it is a matter of setting up the right process to place your stops and limiting your risks to a level that you are comfortable with. If you can do that, stock trading is really a very low risk profession. For example, I have worked out a process that results in a 75% or more success rate with my trades. That is hard to beat, and you would be hard pressed to find another business that can give you that kind of low risk situation.

And finally, how often do you hear that its a full time job to really make money at stock trading? I believe that is true for some kinds of trading and if you are forced to do the leg work analyzing and picking stocks in a fast paced environment it really does take a lot of time.

But, I am living proof that it is absolutely possible to make a great living trading stock for 2-4 hours a day, which will leave you the rest of your day for whatever you wish. The way to achieve this is to have a process in place that is efficient with your time, and low risk enough that you can be profitable on a consistent basis. There are a lot of different courses available and it can be difficult to find the one that will work for you. I suggest you investigate several different choices and, ask lots of questions Use your questions as an additional screening " if you can't find anyone to take them all seriously, move on quick! Life is too short. If you start your research knowing the right system is there for you, you will be on your way to becoming a successful stock trader in no time. - 23199

About the Author:

W. Alan Gay has been a stock trader and trainer for fifteen years. His free report describes Alan's trip to becoming an accomplished stock trader and gives useful techniques he and his students have used to consistently trade profitably. Click to obtain a free copy of his report and learn more about how you could be a profitable stock trader in as little as two weeks.

What is Forex Trading?

By All Forex

Forex trading is the trading of foreign currencies on the foreign exchange market. This is exchange where a Nations currency is traded for currencies from around the world. Participating in Forex trading means that you are participating in an international market in which a large number of currency fluctuations take place due to many different factors. Profits generated in this market are usually in the trillions of dollars every day and millions of people from many backgrounds engage in it worldwide.

For many people this is one of the primary ways of earning money, while other treat it as an additional source of income. There are people who have earned huge sums of money very quickly and at the same time there are people have lost their fortunes in this market. However, just like any other business activity, in Forex trading too you need to take care of several things, such as through understanding of the market, sufficient money to participate in the market, constant eye on the market pulse, expert knowledge through experts along with others.

Technically speaking, Forex trading is one of the biggest, most liquid and most popular ways of earning legitimate money online that operates round the clock. One estimate has Forex trading generating exchanges in the range of 3 trillion dollars each and every day and still growing. Therefore, it means a great deal of money is involved in it, so if you are able to take right decisions at the right time you can probably earn a huge sum of money. And, the great thing is, anybody can participate in this market almost from anywhere in the world.

Transactions in Forex trading take place between small investors as well as large private investors, multinational corporations, private and public banks, financial institutions, currency speculators, large government and central banks. Another remarkable feature of Forex trading is that it differs from the stock market as it is divided into various levels of access. At the lowest level you will find small or individual investors, while at the highest level you will find inter-bank market which has large investment banking firms and institutions that deal in billions of dollars each and every day. But that shouldnt dissuade small investors who have only a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to invest. The truth is they have the clear majority.

Most of the information that is available on the internet doesnt seem to guide you in the right direction, so you need to be very careful while putting your hard earned money in to Forex trading. Just like any other business, you need to equip yourself with sufficient knowledge, have through understanding of the market, and need to have great deal of patience and persistence. Never fall in the trap for those service providers or companies that promise to make you huge money instantly. Instead of reaping short term gains, always look for ways that can help you invest for the long term. When choosing a company or service provider, always look for their past track record and customer feedback. Unless, you dont have complete knowledge about the Forex market, its trading components, and its fluctuations, no one can help you earn profits in this market. Choose your own trading style coupled with the expert knowledge and tips and start investing slowly and gradually. Develop your trading strategies and stick with them religiously.

Develop your own trading strategies and stick with them. Listen to the experts but when it comes to making a decision, ask yourself, because you are investing your money. When you develop your own strategies based upon your own feelings and guidance from experts and technical analysts, you should become an expert investor. The lack of guidance and you will be aimlessly throwing your money away instead of earning money from Forex trading. - 23199

About the Author:

G. Malone has assembled a great number of Forex Resources Such as Forex Signal Software, Forex Books and Forex Videos. For more information, please visit Forex Trading.

Forex Robot Systems are they worth it?

By James Tynn

While a number of new traders, it is ignorance in the foreign exchange market. They would like to participate, they know it is not, please start the study here. Are aware of this, the signal to buy some foreign exchange companies and the temptation to please.

These companies, these signals are in fact traders in the foreign exchange market is a new claim can help to get the feel for what works and what is happening. New traders often these signals, we get the profit from the information. In some cases, traders said, sometimes there is no profit.

Many of the controversy on foreign exchange and signal when the back is worth. Some experts feel that it is not worth what I think as other new traders. The fact that, you need to decide the things themselves and merchants.

If you are new to the Forex, and want to know more about Forex signals, check out this information below. You will be able to notice who you should use if you decide to pay for Forex signals, what precautions to take, and how to go about signing up. You will also learn what you can do instead if you choose not to pay for Forex signals.

Where You Get Them

Many experts warn new traders against paying for Forex signals. Although it may seem like an attractive idea to newer traders, it can lead to trouble. First, a new trader would need to trust the person who was selling the signals.

It can be difficult in itself. Finding someone you trust. Experts agree if it sells a large signal forex traders probably do not have money. From other foreign exchange market is the life of them. Therefore, it probably will not buy from them. If the signal is likely to be foreign exchange to pay for you.

Free Trial & audit

If you go to is really a signal to buy foreign exchange they should consider some things there. First, you need people to work with only the free trial. To be legitimate businesses when they can test the information before you commit to the full cost. If you do this business if you have not already, you should take your business in it. You also need to think about the audit results obtained from the provider.

Is working in companies and how better is the great feeling that the actual results from foreign exchange signals. If the company does not agree to provide this information, you should go to another location.

Help if you spend money on what is going to hurt you is not, in your opinion, is that publishing the results of the real thing, you need to work. Believe that a trust that information, it is easy to hide something.

What Else You Can Do



If you're new to the system, how to actually help you start applying from a foreign exchange Broker for a free account. Are not allowed to trade real money in these accounts, people, it is best to learn a bit about the foreign exchange market. Not only can you use them Demonstrations, trade and research to get a little insight to determine the terms of total foreign exchange. Will learn about the many foreign exchange Broker providing these accounts is traditional open an account for them.

Once you do decide to open a traditional Forex account, be sure to start with a small deposit until you get everything underway. When you start small, you wont be as afraid to make moves because you will know that you have little to lose. You should also remember that trading via the demo account and trading with a traditional account is a lot different psychologically. There is something that makes people take more risks when using phony money. So, just beware of these things and behave accordingly when trading at first. - 23199

About the Author:

If your looking for a Forex trading signal to maximise your profits then the Forex Confidante is definitely the trading system for you. If you want a Forex robot system with enhanced features and an adaptable unique forex algorithm then the Forex Profit Code is the main Forex robot system to purchase.