Mutual Funds

I often find that investors treat money market mutual funds as a simple parking lot for cash. They know these funds are safe and liquid, but they rarely understand the machinery that makes them work. The stability of a money market fund is not an accident. It is the direct result of a strict, deliberate […]

I find that investors often get stuck on stock picking. They search for the next great fund. But in my years of advising, I have learned a powerful truth. Your specific fund choices matter far less than your overall asset allocation. This is your split between stocks, bonds, and cash. Get this right, and you

I see investors struggle with a universal problem. They know diversification is important. They understand the need to balance stocks and bonds. But the process of building that portfolio from scratch feels overwhelming. Which funds do I choose? How do I know the ratio is right? How do I keep it balanced over time? This

I have guided countless investors through a single, powerful realization. The specific mutual funds you choose are not the most important decision you will make. The real engine of your portfolio’s performance and risk is your asset allocation. This is the process of dividing your investments among major asset classes like stocks, bonds, and cash.

I see a lot of people at your age. You are likely a few years into your career. You have a steady income. You know you need to be investing, not just saving. The question I get all the time is not if you should invest, but how. The most important decision you will make

I want to talk about a fee that affects nearly every mutual fund investor. It is not a hidden fee, but its impact is often underestimated. This fee is the asset-based charge. When a client brings me a statement, this is one of the first lines I look for. It is the ongoing cost of

I often see investors make a critical error. They analyze a single company’s stock with the same mindset they use for a mutual fund. This is a fundamental mistake. Evaluating a company and evaluating a fund are two distinct disciplines. They require different tools, different metrics, and a different psychological approach. My goal is to

When clients bring a specific fund to my attention, my analysis always follows a structured path. The name of a fund is its headline, but my job is to read the full story. The Aspiriant Risk Managed Global Equity Mutual Fund, with its “Aperio” designation, presents a compelling case study. It is not a standard

I want to talk about a question I hear often from new investors. They find a mutual fund they like. They are ready to invest. Then they see it. A footnote, a line in the prospectus, or a mention from their broker: this fund charges a sales load. Their immediate question is always, “Is this

I need to clear up a common point of confusion right from the start. When clients ask me about “Ascensus Mutual Funds,” they often have the wrong idea. Ascensus is not a fund company like Vanguard or Fidelity that creates its own branded mutual funds. You cannot buy an “Ascensus S&P 500 Index Fund.” Instead,