Pooled Investments
Mutual Funds
Mutual funds pool money to invest in stocks, bonds, or other assets. Managed by professionals, they offer diversification but may have higher fees than ETFs.
Fund Table
Top 20 Funds by Change %
| Fund | Ticker | Price | Change % ▼ | Change $ | Volume | Market Cap | 52W Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund | VEXAX | $164.41 | +2.67% | +$4.28 | — | — | +12.80% |
| Vanguard Total Intl Stock Index Admiral | VTIAX | $41.49 | +2.12% | +$0.86 | — | — | +30.35% |
| Vanguard Developed Markets Index Admiral | VTMGX | $20.51 | +1.79% | +$0.36 | — | — | +32.15% |
| Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Admiral | VSIAX | $93.49 | +1.75% | +$1.61 | — | — | +9.65% |
| Vanguard Mid Cap Index Admiral | VIMAX | $366.26 | +0.96% | +$3.49 | — | — | +11.02% |
| Schwab Total Stock Market Index | SWTSX | $16.62 | +0.67% | +$0.11 | — | — | +16.58% |
| Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Idx Adm | VTSAX | $165.51 | +0.65% | +$1.07 | — | — | +16.54% |
| Fidelity ZERO Total Market Index | FZROX | $23.97 | +0.63% | +$0.15 | — | — | +16.87% |
| Vanguard 500 Index Fund | VFIAX | $639.00 | +0.40% | +$2.52 | — | — | +16.98% |
| Fidelity 500 Index | FXAIX | $240.41 | +0.40% | +$0.95 | — | — | +16.98% |
| Schwab S&P 500 Index | SWPPX | $17.73 | +0.40% | +$0.07 | — | — | +17.09% |
| Vanguard Growth Index Admiral | VIGAX | $253.00 | -0.02% | $0.04 | — | — | +18.77% |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund | VBTLX | $9.78 | -0.10% | $0.01 | — | — | +3.60% |
Key metrics
- Expense RatioOngoing management fee; active funds are typically higher.
- TurnoverHow frequently holdings change; higher turnover may imply more taxes.
- Share ClassDifferent loads/fees by class; review prospectus carefully.
Fees & costs
- Expense ratioTypical: 0.04–1.5%Index funds are cheaper; active can be >1%.
- Sales loadsTypical: 0–5.75%Front/back loads depend on the share class.
Risks
- Manager riskMediumActive decisions can underperform benchmarks after fees.
How to get exposure
- Index mutual fundsLike ETFs but traded end‑of‑day NAV.
- Active mutual fundsSeek alpha with professional management.
Mutual Funds Tracker
Common mistakes and fixes
- Paying loads/fees without clear benefit
- Style drift vs. what you intended to own
- Tax-inefficient funds in taxable accounts
Fix: set target weights, automate contributions, and rebalance on schedule.
Top instruments to use
Vanguard 500 Index (VFIAX)Fidelity ZERO Total Market Index (FZROX)
How to pick
- Clear, consistent process
- Fees justified by skill
- Low turnover in taxable
Mutual Funds playbook
Core allocations
- Choose a 3-fund portfolio (US/Intl/Bonds)
- Target-date funds for simplicity
- Watch turnover and taxes
Active selection
- Prefer managers with process consistency
- Assess fees vs. alpha persistence
- Beware style drift
Tax-aware investing
- Use tax-advantaged accounts first
- Harvest losses where appropriate
- Prefer ETFs in taxable accounts
What to watch
Manager tenureFees & turnoverStyle consistencyTax efficiency
Risk rules
- Define target allocation before buying
- Position size based on risk, not conviction
- Rebalance on schedule or bands
- Prefer low-cost, diversified vehicles for core
Execution tips
- Use limit orders for thin products
- Mind bid/ask spreads and liquidity windows
- Automate contributions where possible