What is a mutual fund?

A mutual fund is best defined as an investment vehicle that pools money from multiple investors to purchase a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. This structure allows individual investors to access a diverse range of investments that they may not be able to afford or manage on their own. The pooled resources enable the fund manager to acquire a variety of assets, thereby spreading out the risk and potentially increasing returns.

Investing in mutual funds provides advantages such as professional management and diversification, which can help mitigate risks associated with investing in individual securities. While certain mutual funds may focus on specific asset classes—like government bonds or equities—most mutual funds aim to include a mix of these assets, making them accessible to a wider range of investors, not just high net worth individuals.