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Keep Watch on Your Funds

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Keep Watch on Your Funds

How can you find out if your funds are on the verge of change?

Things To Know

  • You have information available from public sources, third-party sources, and your own efforts.

Use public information

First, keep tabs on your fund families using the public information available. Regularly visit their Websites and look for news of growth plans, mergers, and new fund launches. Get access to information on funds in the pipeline in the EDGAR section of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Website (sec.gov), where fund families must register their funds. Finally, always scan the marketing materials that jam your mailbox.

Use third-party sources

Next, turn your attention to third-party sources, such as Morningstar, and learn what these groups have to say about your funds and your fund families. Firms such as Morningstar aren’t in the business of selling their own funds, and they take their roles as industry watchdogs seriously. Check out fund news, read fund analyses, and see what other investors in your funds are saying on conversation boards. Make sure to read what members of the financial media are saying, too.

Do your own homework too

Finally, check up on your funds each month to make sure that things are status quo. Have their assets grown rapidly? Are their managers still in place? Is there anything notable going on with the fund family?