Ask The Expert
Part of my investment strategy is to use dollar-cost averaging with my mutual funds. Can I set up my account to do this automatically?
Tips of the Trade
Fund Comparison
By Mike Shamia, Scottrade Fixed Income Manager Funds invest the pooled capital of investors into one or more securities. The definition may be simple, but the variety of investments that fit that description are numerous. Let's do a quick comparison to understand the differences between three common types of funds: mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and closed-end funds (CEFs). As you can imagine by the subtle differences, mutual funds, ETFs and CEFs all have their own advantages and disadvantages for investors. And like most investments, the disadvantages for some people may be advantages for others. It all comes down to your investment goals. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of a mutual fund, closed end fund (CEF) or exchange traded fund (ETF) carefully before investing. A prospectus contains this and other information. A mutual fund prospectus is available through www.scottrade.com or through a Scottrade branch office. An ETF or CEF prospectus can be obtained directly from the issuer. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. 
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Any specific securities, or types of securities, used as examples are for demonstration purposes only. No information on this Web site should be considered a recommendation or None of the information provided should be considered a recommendation or solicitation to invest in, or liquidate, a particular security or type of security.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of a mutual fund carefully before investing. A mutual fund's prospectus contains this and other information about the mutual fund. Prospectuses are available through our trading site or through a Scottrade branch office. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing. No transaction fee (NTF) funds are subject to the terms and conditions of the NTF funds program. Scottrade is compensated by the funds participating in the NTF program through recordkeeping, shareholder, or SEC 12b-1 fees.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, charges, expense, and unique risk profile of an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) carefully before investing. Leveraged and Inverse ETFs may not be suitable for long-term investors and may increase exposure to volatility through the use of leverage, short sales of securities, derivatives and other complex investment strategies. A prospectus contains this and other information about the ETF and should be obtained from the issuer. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing.
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