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What is the difference between mutual funds and index funds?
Index funds are a type of mutual fund that invests in the stocks of a specific market index, attempting to maintain a value per unit that tracks that index.
Are index funds better than mutual funds?
Index funds have the potential to be more profitable than mutual funds. Unlike mutual funds, the contents of an index fund are more easily known. The individual stocks that make up an index fund are easier to keep track of. It is easier to track the fund gains and losses. Hence the index.
Does s and p 500 pay dividends?
The S&P is an index. It is made up of 500 of the largest US companies. As an index it does not pay a dividend although ETFs and mutual fund investments designed to track the S&P 500 do often pay a dividend. This is possible because many of the 500 companies in the index pay a dividend. The dividends can be pooled and the passed on to investors of the funds. The most common example is ticker symbol SPY.
Does the SP 500 give dividends to investors?
Yes, the SP 500 index includes companies that pay dividends to their investors.
How can a small investor diversify their stock portfolio?
You can use index funds or exchange traded funds to track a broader market index. This gives you exposure to many different types of companies, without your individual research required. Furthermore, your money is allocated between many sectors, so if financial companies hit a rough patch, perhaps your oil companies will be doing well. For large-cap (large-cap = big company!) international exposure, there are a lot of good options for you. The most diversified funds will have exposure to the largest sectors of the US economy, and are generally linked to a broad market index (like the Dow Jones or S&P). For diversification, stick with the index funds, as they will incorporate a variety of company types. The most widely held index fund type is the S&P 500 index funds. These, however do not diversify down into mid and small caps. or international. One might want to ad these other indeces as well for a more diversified portfolio. bonds also need to be diversified - a total stock bond index fund is a good start there...look at VTSAX, VGTSX and VBMFX as a starting point-other companies have these type funds. If you wish to own individual stocks, over 1100 companies have Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRPs). These are companies that, at a minimum, allow you to reinvest your dividends in their stock at no fees. Many of these companies have Optional Cash Purchase Plans (OCPs) that allow you to purchase additional shares in the company at no fee. Usually, you must own at least 1 share in the company. After that you can register in the DRP and purchase shares with the dividends or through the OCP. See the link for more information on DRPs.
Where can on obtain a list of the most successful Index Funds?
There is a list of the most successful Index Funds online at About Money Over 55. The list is called Best Index Funds, and includes Vanguard Index Funds, iShare Exchange Traded Index Funds, and Charles Schwab Index Funds, along with information about these Index Funds.
Commodity index funds are what?
Commodity index funds are funds whose assets are invested in financial instruments linked to a certain commodity index. If it's a well-balanced commodity index fund it will develop roughly the same as the index. It is generally safer to invest in index funds than specialized funds or stocks.
What are some good resources for index funds information?
Index Universe has a great comparison of the top index funds.
What is the difference between mutual funds and index funds?
Index funds are a type of mutual fund that invests in the stocks of a specific market index, attempting to maintain a value per unit that tracks that index.
Are index funds better than mutual funds?
Index funds have the potential to be more profitable than mutual funds. Unlike mutual funds, the contents of an index fund are more easily known. The individual stocks that make up an index fund are easier to keep track of. It is easier to track the fund gains and losses. Hence the index.
Does s and p 500 pay dividends?
The S&P is an index. It is made up of 500 of the largest US companies. As an index it does not pay a dividend although ETFs and mutual fund investments designed to track the S&P 500 do often pay a dividend. This is possible because many of the 500 companies in the index pay a dividend. The dividends can be pooled and the passed on to investors of the funds. The most common example is ticker symbol SPY.
Does the SP 500 give dividends to investors?
Yes, the SP 500 index includes companies that pay dividends to their investors.
How do index funds work for investments?
An index fund or index tracker is a collective investment strategy that aims to replicate the movements of an index. It is a popular retirement plan and is supported by many mutual funds.
How can one exchange traded index funds?
You can exchange traded index funds by selling it through your investment manager. You can get more information about exchange-traded funds at the Wikipedia.
How can a small investor diversify their stock portfolio?
You can use index funds or exchange traded funds to track a broader market index. This gives you exposure to many different types of companies, without your individual research required. Furthermore, your money is allocated between many sectors, so if financial companies hit a rough patch, perhaps your oil companies will be doing well. For large-cap (large-cap = big company!) international exposure, there are a lot of good options for you. The most diversified funds will have exposure to the largest sectors of the US economy, and are generally linked to a broad market index (like the Dow Jones or S&P). For diversification, stick with the index funds, as they will incorporate a variety of company types. The most widely held index fund type is the S&P 500 index funds. These, however do not diversify down into mid and small caps. or international. One might want to ad these other indeces as well for a more diversified portfolio. bonds also need to be diversified - a total stock bond index fund is a good start there...look at VTSAX, VGTSX and VBMFX as a starting point-other companies have these type funds. If you wish to own individual stocks, over 1100 companies have Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRPs). These are companies that, at a minimum, allow you to reinvest your dividends in their stock at no fees. Many of these companies have Optional Cash Purchase Plans (OCPs) that allow you to purchase additional shares in the company at no fee. Usually, you must own at least 1 share in the company. After that you can register in the DRP and purchase shares with the dividends or through the OCP. See the link for more information on DRPs.
Where can I learn more about index funds?
Index funds are investment vehicles that track a particular market index such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the Standard & Poor's 500 index and many others. Many firms offer index funds such as Barclays iShares, Vanguard and others. Yahoo Finance also has relevant information about them.
What is the meaning of the term commodities index funds?
Commodity index funds are where the assets of the funds are invested in financial instruments (tradeable financial assets such as shares or cash) that are linked to a commodity index like Dow Jones AIG. You can invest in the fund which operates by buying and selling commodity futures, but not the index.
