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The SEC's Mutual Fund Cost Calculator enables investors to easily estimate and compare the costs of owning mutual funds. The Cost Calculator takes the mystery and math out of the cost equation, revealing how costs add up over time.
Like most investments, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds have fees and expenses that are paid by investors. Because these fees and expenses can vary widely from fund to fund, this tool can help you compare how sales loads, fees, commissions, and other fund expenses can reduce returns.
This publication explains how to invest in mutual funds. It offers information on the advantages and disadvantages of mutual funds, economic changes that affect mutual funds, matching a mutual fund to your investment goals, evaluating and comparing individual mutual fund companies, reading a prospectus, and strategies for investing.