Book Description

Completely Revised and Updated for 1999

The fact that there are more mutual funds in existence than there are stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange is testimony to the mutual fund's continued success as a profitable investment opportunity. By placing your money in a mutual fund, you can earn the same dollar-for-dollar return as the very largest investors, even if you begin with as little as 250.

The 100 Mutual Funds analyzed in this book rank as the very best choices for:

Aggressive growth funds
Balanced funds
Global equity funds
Growth and income funds
High-Yield funds
Metals and Natural Resources funds
World bond funds
Municipal bond funds
Government bond funds
International investing
Corporate bond funds
Growth funds
Utility stock funds
Money market funds

Each has been rated for performance over the long term, stability of management, risk sensitivity, up-market and down-market performance, tax minimization (an element not covered in any other mutual fund guide), and predictability of returns. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Uses old data, poor labels and tables would be better
The 2003 edition of The 100 Best Mutual Funds uses data through December 31, 2001.
The book is primarily a collection of two page profiles on each fund.The profiles start with a 5 star ranking system to grade Total Return, Risk Reduction, Management, Current Income and Expense Control. Next the author uses 5 category grades to evaluate up-market performance, down-market performance and predictablility of returns.The grades are excellent, very good, good, fair and poor.I have two problems with these grading systems.First, the categories are too broad, second the author does not specify which time period or periods he used to determine the up and down market performance.
Finally, the two page profiles should be replaced with tables.Tables would make it easier to compare the mutuals funds in each category to one another.Tables would also eliminate the "same words but different numbers" monotony of the text.
I would recommend using Standard & Poor's Net Advantage database if it is available at your local library. If not the American Association of Individual Investors www.aaii.com provides a quarterly mutual fund data table, focusing on low load funds, at a reasonable price. The table can be downloaded into an Excel Worksheet so you can use Excel's filter feature to produce a list of funds with specific criteria.

100 Best Mutual Funds You Can Buy in 2004 by Williamson
A mutual fund is essentially held by shareholders and managed
for an investment fee. This book discusses some of the top
mutual funds in the market together with the considerable
returns. Top funds are American Century Global Gold,
Vanguard Health, Longleaf Partners, Clipper and Calamos Growth.
These funds all have a double digit yearly rate of return.
Aggressive growth funds tend to have the maximal capital gains.
These funds can turn downward in a faltering economy so it is
critical to invest coincidentally with an upturn. If you catch
the bottom of a recession and invest, it is possible to
have three to four times your money in just a few years.
Many of these funds have good investment newsletters which
are important to read carefully. The key is to diversify risk
by placing your portfolio in a managed risk mix of investments.
i.e. safe returns, intermediate risk and aggressive funds

Not worth the money
general information about mutual fund, something you can easily find on the internet.

Helpful
It seems to be a very useful and helpful book for me. Since I usually ask the opinions about the mutul funds from my financial advisor, I found this book can even replace him! Now, I am waiting for the profits I will getfrom buying those mutul funds. ... Read more

Book Description

With over 10,000 mutual funds now available, it is difficult for anyone to make good investment decisions.101 Mutual Fund FAQs explains the ins and outs of mutual fund investing and adresses topics including investing outside the U.S., creating a portfolio of mutual funds, and finding on-line resources. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An Absolute Must Read For Beginners
Mutual funds offer beginners the best entry point into the investment world. But with thousands of funds available and fund managers competing aggressively for your money, how can an educated and sensible decision bemade? This book is a key educational tool. Written in an organized and easyto understand format, all pertinent information is included. Readers willlearn about the difference between load and no load funds, specializedfunds, purchasing and cashing out shares and various tax implications,among many other topics. This should be required reading before making anyinvestment in mutual funds. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sound advice in a crazy investment world
Kirzner and Croft have written a no-nonsense, down-to-earth book of advice on investing for the confused lot! Their well written guide is not only practical, but also includes information from the academic world of finance: important studies are briefly summmarized and enhance the concepts presented. This is also a book of great interest for Canadian investors because it provides information and examples specific to the Canadian markets and tax system. In the sea of investment advice books for US investors, it surely can be considered a life-vest for the Canadian investor. Irreplaceable! ... Read more

Book Description

Individual investing in mutual funds has almost doubled in the past three years. With more than 8,000 mutual funds now available, making fund selections that meet short and long-term goals can be daunting.The Unofficial Guide to Investing in Mutual Funds provides all of the hard facts needed to buy and sell mutual funds with confidence and achieve the maximum investment returns. Investors are given the lowdown on: The most profitable and suitable funds for them in every mutual funds category including Aggressive Growth, Income, Bond, Stocks, and International Mutual fund costs and starting a portfolio with small amounts of cash Diversifying their portfolio to minimize risk Boosting investments by making tax-wise decisions Adapting portfolios to their individual needs and lifestyles --I ncludingmodel portfolios they can use now On-line services and software that provide instant mutual fund information ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A wealth of information on mutual funds.
As a seasoned investor, I have read countless books on this subject matter. However, I found this particular book to be very well written and extremely difficult to put down. Especially, during those times when Ilearned something new. This is a great book on mutual funds and belongs inevery serious long-term investor's library.

She points way to profits in bad times as well as in good .
What most of us need is a guide for all seasons...and this seems to be it!It really isn't true that anyone can make it in a strong up market.Just look at the majority of mutual funds that lag the S & P right now!Andwhat then can we expect when the market turns down?It always has and itlikely always will.

Stacie Zoe Berg makes mutual fund investingunderstandable to those of us who haven't the time to become experts.Sheleads us on the frenzied ascent to market tops...But, she also leads usthrough the frightening market wilderness on the downside.There's alwaysrisk, but for those of us who stay the course sensibly, Stacie Berg'sformula should be just what we've been looking for.

And, Mr. Publisher,Stacie Berg wrote the book...She didn't just edit it.You need to get thatright, also.

A complex subject made understandable
Hats off to Stacie Zoe Berg for making a sometimes confusing and incomprehensible subject not only understandable but enjoyable as well!!

This was an excellent source of information.
I knew very little about investing in mutual funds prior to reading this book, but now feel comfortable giving it a try.What a great book!

Best Mutual Fund Book I Have Read!!
This was a remarkable book. I couldn't put it down and read it from cover to cover. There was so much information contained in the book. I already new some information about mutual funds, but this book taught me a wholelot more that will really be useful in helping me make money with my money. It is a must have book for any financial library. ... Read more

Book Description

50 Ways to Mutual Fund Profits provides explanations of 50 of the best mutual fund strategies. These strategies, ranging from very conservative to very aggressive, cover virtually every approach to mutual fund investing. Each strategy is subject to an unbiased historic test so readers can compare past performance to their chance for success in the future. Lavine includes a primer on mutual funds; an insightful analysis of mutual fund reporting services, including ratings pro ided by major magazines; and a mutual fund glossary. Specific topics include: Momentum investing approaches; Mutual fund switching tactics; Contrarian opinion approaches; Asset allocation with mutual funds; Using mutual funds to save for retirement. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Now is the time to start those mutual-funds investments you've been planning to look into someday, much better than tomorrow, or next week, or similar future dates that never materialize. Kirk Kazanjian's book is the place to start. A funds expert who's written six investment books, who appears regularly on TV and radio, and who bought his first stock at age 5, Kazanjian details the history of mutual funds, explains why they're hot, why you should invest in them, what their drawbacks are, and how to get started, demystifying more than 8,000 mutual-fund choices (through 130 pages of performance data), and explaining how to create an investment plan targeted to your individual goals and risk tolerance. He then writes about index funds, stocks, and bonds, plus how to go about putting together your portfolio.

There are guidelines on when to buy and when to sell, the advantages of retirement plans, and the secrets of high-yield, low-risk money-market funds. Kazanjian describes a day in the life of a fund manager, indicates the 25 best Internet sites for investors, and reveals his personal picks of the 100 most promising funds for 1999. With a glossary of fund-investment terms, and a strong index, the Finance Guide provides a baseline of understanding. After that, it's up to you to avail yourself of Kazanjian's expertise. As he says, the average investor, through bad timing and a lack of discipline, performs poorly. What you need is to gain 20 years' worth of experience magically, or take advantage of the research from someone who already has it. Kazanjian says that "without question, mutual funds are the investment of choice among today's smart consumers." Then he shows you how to become a successful, savvy member of that club. --Stephanie Gold ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent Book on Fund Investing
If you're a fund junkie like me, you'll love this book. It's packed with information on selecting mutual funds and is very fun and easy to read. Kazanjian is an excellent and very accessible writer. He's done all of the research for you, so the book makes picking great funds a breeze.

Great primer for fund investors
I am new to fund investing and found this book to be very helpful. It shows you how to build a portfolio and gives specific picks, complete with information about the fund and performance graphs. It's very easy to read. Also has model portfolios and Internet sites for fund investors. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Few investments are as widely appealing as mutual funds. They permit individuals--including those with limited knowledge of financial markets, those planning relatively small commitments, and those seeking long-term fiscal stability--to join larger groups purchasing a variety of securities managed by experienced professionals. These investments, however, should never be made blindly, and this new edition of Warren Boroson's Keys To Investing in Mutual Funds explains everything necessary to understand all the benefits and risks. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

May be dated, but a useful primer
This is an excellent book to get a good overview of what mutual funds are and why they are such a good investment vehicle for many people.Written in a lively, engaging style, it lays out in brief chapters essential concepts in easy-to-understand language.While it is now dated, it is still a great place to start. ... Read more

Book Description

Ninth edition of the successful mutual funds book, based on BusinessWeek's popular issue on mutual fund performances. Features a two-color design, unique and expanded scoreboards profiting the best performing funds of the year, reviews of over 2000 funds, updated text on: maximizing 410(k) mutual funds returns, picking the right funds for different ages, up-to-date coverage of developments and trends in the market; coverage of lucrative closed-end funds and the latest developments in sales charges and commissions affecting load, and hidden load funds. Also includes information about how different funds operate: equity, bond, money-market, and closed-end; how management expenses affect returns; the mechanics of buying and selling; how to understand a prospectus; 10-year trend analysis; how to set up and monitor a portfolio of funds; minimizing your taxes while maximizing your profits; computer software that's available to help you track your funds. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Everything AND the kitchen sink
Before reading this book, I had very little knowledge what a mutual fund was, and had even less knowledge how to invest in them. This book explains step by step the different types of funds (small cap, mid cap, growth, blend, index, etc.) in a very easy-to-read format. It also recommends investment strategies for people at all stages of their life, and explains why certain funds may work better for people than others. After reading this book, I feel much more confident picking the right fund, and knowing how to react to market swings. A definite A+.

This is a very informative book.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about mutual fund investing. Unlike other books on the subject I have read, the author details how loads and high expenses can devastate investment returns. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best of the Best Mutual Funds
A great book. The methodology made a lot of sense to me and who can argue with funds with good track records and low fees, low risk, and long manager tenure. Definitely helped me pick a couple of funds for my investments.

Well organized and informative book!
This mutual fund book was one of the best I have read yet. As a young professional this guide is geared towards the investor who has a long-term goal, for me its a comfortable retirement. I like the way that Chand onlyselects the best funds that have consistent above-average performance, longmanager tenure, low risk, low fees and wide availablilty. Great Buy! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Internet is no magic wand for riches, but as Peter Crane demonstrates, it's an outstanding resource for the wise investor. He guides you to the financial news and information that the pros rely on, and provides access to the best minds in the industry, allowing you to build a smart portfolio in just minutes. Plus, tips on executing your own investments more quickly, efficiently, and economically. Equally important, Crane shows you the online areas to avoid, and why. If you like your investments conservative and efficient, this book is for you. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Very usefull guide
Very usefull guide to investing on the internet

Extremely useful guide to investing in funds via the www.
Not only does the guide whittle down the methods of investing in mutual funds to the few sites that are actuallly worthwhile, it includes a good overview of mutual fund investing that any layperson could understand. One of the few books written on how to make use of the internet that you will actually find worthwhile, and containing information that is not of historical value only by the time it went to press. A must-have for any new investor, or any seasoned investor that wants the internet has to offer him/her ... Read more

Book Description

With more than 12 million investors and over $900 billion in customer assets, Fidelity is the largest mutual fund company in the world.The reason is simple: By consistently outperforming the S&P 500, Fidelity Funds have shown that they can build significant wealth over the long run.Inside, Jack Bowers, editor of the Fidelity Monitor newsletter, gives you everything you need to know to build an investment portfolio that's right for you.

Whether you're a novice or a seasoned veteran of fund investing, Successful Investing with Fidelity Funds will show you step-by-step how to pick the best Fidelity funds, create a balanced portfolio, avoid unnecessary fees, and win with long-term investing.

"In a series of studies started in 1996, Mr. Bowers found a better value measure: movements in industries' price-to-book ratios."—New York Times (1998)

"Bowers's sector fund portfolio has gained 16.3% a year since 1988 versus 14.3% for the Wilshire 5000."—USA Today (1996)

About the Author

Jack Bowers is the editor of Fidelity Monitor, an independent newsletter that focuses exclusively on Fidelity mutual funds. His model portfolios are among the best performing mutual fund portfolios tracked by the Hulbert Financial Digest, gaining an average 21.2% per year. He also serves as chief investment strategist of Weber Asset Management, a money-management firm with $120 million in assets under management. He lives in Rocklin, California. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Buy This Book!
Even though he writes that it is a "no brainer" that the Dow would advance above 10,000 before year 2002, that fact that he wrote it in this book makes him an honest-to-goodness seer.(Not to mention all of theother choices for Fidelity Funds given in the book that have done quitewell in the past 4 years.)

This book has helped me to choose the properfunds in my 401k plan.I am already well on my way to an easy retirement. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Beginner's Book
This is an excellent book for beginner's.It's very easy to understand and there is no dry reading.It helps you understand how mutual funds work and helps you decide what type of funds are best fitted for your individualgoals. If you already have an extended knowledge of mutual funds this bookmay be a little boring.

The book is readable and easy to understand.
Clueless about mutual funds is a readable book for beginning interest in money management. This book starts with easy explainations on money talk. I have enjoyed reading it, and thats why I ordered it. My only critism isthat it gets tougher to understand as you continue to read it. ... Read more