Morningstar's Guide to Mutual Funds. 5-Star Strategies for Success

* Advantages–and occasional disadvantages–of mutual funds versus other types of investments * Listings of recommended funds for virtually any investment goal, time horizon, and level of risk tolerance * In-depth explanations of expense ratios, loads, and other fund charges * Strategies for assessing a fund’s past volatility and evaluating its future risk * Diversification techniques across investments, asset classes, and subasset classes * Optimal investment strategies for meeting short-, intermediate-, and long-term goals * Key points in assessing the quality of a fund’s management Praise for Morningstar Guide to Mutual Funds'Picking actively managed mutual funds is no mean challenge. And as the recent era underscores, past performance is of little help. The Morningstar Guide to Mutual Funds helps cut through the fog with a solid volume of constructive advice. The central message-'truly diversify, keep it simple, focus on costs, and stick with it'-is not only timeless, it is priceless.'-John C. Bogle, founder and former CEO, The Vanguard Group'There's nothing Morningstar doesn't know about mutual funds. And at last, for ready reference, there's a book. You'll find everything here you need to know about managing fund investments, inside or outside a 401(k).'-Jane Bryant Quinn, Newsweek columnist and author of Making the Most of Your Money'All serious mutual fund investors know that Morningstar is the source of impeccable data and sound investment advice. This book is the culmination of nearly two decades of research, analysis, and good old commonsense wisdom.'-Tyler Mathisen, financial journalist, CNBC'Momentum investing, the hype in NASDAQ, the dot-com mania are mostly behind us. Now, we must navigate through the market debris. We need a compass as we look to allocate our financial resources in a way best suited to maintain purchasing power and fully fund retirement. The Morningstar Guide will help investors find true north and steer a course to reach their long-term financial goals.'-Mario J. Gabelli, Chief Investment Officer Gabelli Asset Management, a publicly traded company'A generation of investors who took the stock market for granted now know how important it is to understand-and control-their own investments. The Morningstar Guide should be their most important resource.'-Terry Savage, Chicago Sun-Times financial columnist and author of The Savage Truth on Money GUIDE TO MUTUAL FUNDS SECOND EDITION "Picking actively managed mutual funds is no mean challenge. And as the recent era underscores, past performance is of little help. The Morningstar Guide to Mutual Funds helps cut through the fog with a solid volume of constructive information. The central message--'truly diversify, keep it simple, focus on costs, and stick with it'--is not only timeless, it is priceless." --John C. Bogle, founder and former CEO, The Vanguard Group "Successful investors know they must do their own due diligence. Morningstar has done much of that homework in this guide. Leave it to Morningstar to get it right, offering smart ways to pick, build and monitor a portfolio. It's a commonsense guide that should grace every investor's shelf." --Ted David, CNBC Anchor "There's nothing Morningstar doesn't know about mutual funds. And at last, for ready reference, there's a book. You'll find everything here you need to know about managing fund investments, inside or outside a 401(k)." --Jane Bryant Quinn, Newsweek columnist and author of Making the Most of Your Money From one of the most trusted and respected names in the financial industry comes this comprehensive guide filled with lively anecdotes. Phillips gives a clear presentation of select financial information that will help readers build and maintain a profitable mutual fund portfolio From the global investment research firm Morningstar, this text provides investors with the tools and advice to build and maintain a profitable mutual-fund portfolio.