Mutual Funds: What They Are, Types, and How to Invest

June 30, 2026

Mutual funds are one of the most accessible and effective ways to diversify a portfolio, as they provide access to a wide variety of financial assets. In the following post, we will explain what they are, the different types available, and how you can start investing in them. We will also give you some tips, examples, and tell you about their advantages. 

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What are mutual funds?

Mutual funds are a form of collective investment that allows you to invest in a variety of assets, such as stocks, bonds, and money market instruments, with a single contribution.

Types of mutual funds

These types of funds can be classified according to different criteria, such as the type of income, the risk level, or the maturity period of the assets. We'll explain it better:

By income type

  • Fixed Income: This type of fund invests in fixed-income assets. They are less risky, as they offer a predictable and fixed return, although quite low.
  • Variable Income: More than 75% of the assets in these funds are variable income, for example, company stocks.
  • Mixed: They combine characteristics of fixed and variable income funds. They offer a fixed return during an initial period and then a variable return.

By risk level

  • Moderate: These funds invest at least 75% of their assets in debt instruments and up to 25% in variable income.
  • Structured: They guarantee the recovery of the invested capital and offer a fixed or variable return according to the fund's policy. 
  • Guaranteed: They ensure the total or partial recovery of the invested capital on a specific date.
  • Balanced: They combine up to 75% in debt instruments and up to 50% in equities. 
  • Equity-based: They invest at least 90% of their assets in equity instruments.

By maturity period

  • Short-term: Composed of assets with a maturity of no more than 12 months.
  • Medium-term: They invest in assets with maturity periods of one to five years.
  • Long-term: They include assets with maturities exceeding five years.

By origin

  • International: More than 50% of the assets are foreign.
  • Domestic: Unlike international funds, more than 50% of the assets are local.

How does a mutual fund work?

The simplest way to explain how a mutual fund works is to say that it is essentially a collective investment vehicle, where money from many investors is pooled to buy a diversified portfolio of assets. Once the fund is created, it is managed by professionals who decide which assets to invest in.

Investors who join the fund buy shares in it, which gives them a proportional part of the total assets. The value of each share, known as Net Asset Value (NAV), is calculated daily by dividing the total value of the fund's assets by the number of outstanding units. 

Because funds are almost always managed by third parties, various fees, such as management and operating fees, are charged and deducted from the fund's value. In addition to this, they must always be regulated to ensure transparency and fairness, including the disclosure of relevant information about the fund.

What are the returns on mutual funds?

The returns of a mutual fund are measured by the daily fluctuation in the value of its unit, which is calculated after deducting the management company's fees. The values of these units are variable and are subject to market fluctuations as well as the investment decisions of the management company. 

Due to the variable nature of the unit values, the management company cannot offer or guarantee a predetermined return with no margin for error. 

Steps to invest in a mutual fund

If you want to start investing in a mutual fund, the first thing you need to know is that it requires a lot of information. Why? Because there are many types, very different from each other, and several factors to consider when deciding which one to choose and which one to avoid. Nevertheless, we've provided a step-by-step guide on how to do it here:

Step 1. Do your research

Before investing, it is always necessary to do your research through the General Fund Management Companies and their marketing agents about the different funds available and their characteristics. Specifically, you should consider:

  • The management company's fees.
  • Fees associated with investment and redemption.
  • Maximum payment terms.
  • The fund's objective and the type of investor it is aimed at.
  • The policy of the different types of investments and the inherent risks.

Step 2. Decide

Once you have decided which fund to invest in, the administrator must provide you with the fund's internal regulations and an information prospectus. You must read and understand these documents before proceeding.

Step 3. Formalize your investment

To formalize the investment, you will need to sign the contract provided when submitting your investment application. This contract establishes the investment conditions, and after signing, you will receive a contribution receipt confirming the transaction.

Step 4. Make your contribution

Once you make your contribution, you become a participant in the fund, and your investment is expressed in units. As we explained above, these units represent your proportional stake in the fund's assets.

Step 5. Track your investment

Once the investment is made, you can monitor the fund's performance by checking the unit value on the administrator's website. You should also have access to financial statements, the investment portfolio, and other generated reports.

Advantages of investing in mutual funds

You might be wondering, why invest in mutual funds and not individually? Well, investing in mutual funds offers the following advantages:

Accessibility

One of the main advantages of mutual funds is that they allow investors to access markets and conditions that are usually reserved for large investors. 

Diversification

Mutual funds inherently offer a diversified investment portfolio, meaning that by choosing them, you are investing in a variety of capital market instruments. Diversification allows you to minimize risk, as you don't rely on a single asset, but on multiple ones.

Professional Management

The management of mutual funds is handled by professional managers who use their experience and knowledge to design and manage the investment portfolio. This management is carried out in accordance with the investment policies established in the fund's internal regulations, ensuring that decisions are made based on thorough economic and financial analysis.

Convenience

Investing in mutual funds offers the convenience of delegating investment management to professionals. As an investor, you won't need to get involved in the details of asset purchase or sale transactions, simplifying the process for you and reducing the administrative burden.

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How risky is investing in mutual funds?

No investment is without risk. In the case of mutual funds, these risks are generally lower compared to direct investment in a single asset.

The risk level of a mutual fund will depend on the geographical region, economic sector, and global financial variables, among other things. To fully understand the risks associated with a mutual fund, it is necessary to review the prospectus that each one provides, as this is where you should find the risks detailed. 

Examples of Mutual Funds

Some specific examples of popular mutual funds include:

  • Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFINX): This fund tracks the performance of the S&P 500, providing exposure to the 500 largest U.S. companies.
  • Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX): Actively managed, this fund invests in growth companies across various sectors.
  • T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (TRBCX): Focused on large-cap companies with growth potential.
  • American Funds EuroPacific Growth Fund (AEPGX): Invests in companies outside the U.S., primarily in Europe and Asia.
  • PIMCO Total Return Fund (PTTRX): A fixed-income fund that invests in high-quality, diversified bonds.

What should you consider when investing in mutual funds?

Investing in mutual funds is an excellent way to grow your wealth, but to make informed decisions that suit your needs, you should consider the following:

Define your risk profile

Before investing, you should ask yourself two key questions: What goal do I want to achieve with my investment? and How comfortable am I with market fluctuations and potential negative outcomes? Identifying your goals and risk tolerance is essential for selecting the types of investments and portfolios that best align with your needs and expectations.

Research fund performance, both current and historical

Find out about the current returns offered by mutual funds, as well as their historical performance. This information will help you choose the option that best suits your investment horizon, and remember that, due to market volatility, returns can vary.

Diversify

Diversification is key to managing and mitigating investment risk. By choosing different types of assets, sectors, geographic regions, and themes, you reduce the impact of any significant downturn in a specific area. Diversifying not only protects your investment but also offers more balanced and sustainable growth opportunities. 

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Conclusion 

In conclusion, investing in mutual funds is an excellent way to diversify investments in your portfolio. But first, you need to understand what they are and how to invest in them strategically. Whether you're looking for long-term growth, passive income, or a combination of both, mutual funds offer versatile and accessible options for all types of investors. 

Sergio Navarro

Expert in blockchain, investments, and personal finance

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En estudio

Villareal | Castellón

Josep Ramón Batalla, 54

DOMO-CS-2
Flipping building

Funded

-

-

Target

647.323,06 €

Rentabilidad estimada:
12,64%
Duración estimada:
12
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