Hedge Fund Basics

Hedge funds are the mysterious strangers of the investment world. While mutual funds are more widely known as an investment strategy, hedge funds have maintained their mystique through a number of ways. In this article, I will describe what type of investment vehicle hedge funds are, give the history, touch upon some of the strategies hedge funds employ, and discuss some of the current trends and ... (Full Article)

Mutual fund Basics

The first open-end mutual fund, Massachusetts Investors Trust was founded on March 21, 1924, and after one year had 200 shareholders and $392,000 in assets. The entire industry, which included a few closed-end funds, represented less than $10 million in 1924. ...(Full Article)

Bond Fund Basics

To understand bond funds, or fixed income funds we need to first understand what bonds are. Bonds are simply a loan, but in the form of a security. "Who’s the borrower?" you may ask. In this case, it is usually the government (including state and local governments) or corporations like IBM or General Motors. By issuing bonds, these borrowers can raise money from the public. ...(Full Article)