Life is a Song68856

Mutual funds are good options for American investors to meet their financial goals. These funds offer professional management and diversification of the funds invested. Mutual funds assets in 1990-2000 rose from 1.065 trillion to a whooping 6.965 trillion dollars. 10% Americans owned funds in 1980 and by 2000, the percentage increased to 49%.

What are Mutual funds?

A company dealing in mutual funds invests the money of several investors in bonds, stocks, securities, assets and several other short-term money-market instruments. The combined holdings owned by the mutual fund are known as its portfolio. When you invest in a mutual fund you become a shareholder of the company. Each share in a mutual fund company is the representation of he investors proportionate ownership of the fund holdings and the income generated. You earn dividends when the mutual fund company earns a profit, however, your shares will decrease in value if it faces a loss. A professional investment manager does the buying and selling of securities for the growth of the fund.

Types of mutual funds:

Equity funds: These funds involve only common stock investments. They can earn a lot of profit, but are also very risky.

Fixed income funds: They include corporate and government securities. These funds offer fixed returns at a low risk.

Balanced funds: This is the combination of bonds and stocks with a low risk. However, the investment does not earn a lot through these funds.

How it works?

Mutual fund shares can be purchased from the company itself or a broker. There are secondary market investors also, like the New York Stock Exchange. Per share net asset value of the funds or NAV is the price that you pay for buying a mutual fund share. It also includes the shareholder fee that is imposed by the fund, at time of purchase. The best feature of mutual funds is that these shares are redeemable. You, as an investor, can sell your shares back to the broker. In order to accommodate new investors, mutual fund companies generally create new shares and sell them. They keep selling their shares continuously till they become large. Investment advisers act as separate entities and are responsible for managing the investment portfolio of the mutual funds. Investing in mutual funds tends to lower the risk factor because they are the result of diverse investments. Since someone else manages your investments, you need not worry about keeping constant tabs on the investment, though a periodical check enhances your personal book of accounts. Managing funds is the full time job of the fund manager and he is responsible for the performance and health of the investment.

The rate of returns in mutual funds is based on the increase or decrease of the value, during a specific period. Returns of a fund indicate the track record. It is important to remember that the past performance cannot guarantee future results.

As in the case of any investment or business, mutual funds also have risks associated with the returns. It is essential to set your financial goals and requirements, before investing in a mutual fund.

The Blarney Castle, with its battlemented keep and ruined towers, situated 5 miles north of Cork, Ireland, is the most visited castle. This castle was erected in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy, who was the local lord at that time. Apart from the grandeur of this castle sitting on the gracious parkland, the focal point of the castle is the legendary Blarney Stone. Many people from all over the world flock to see this legendary stone. Legend has it that by kissing the stone, this gesture will confer a magical eloquence.

The Blarney Stone is located in the wall below the castle battlements. In order to reach the stone, you need to climb 127 steps to the top of the battlement keep. It is not easy task to kiss the stone. In order to kiss the stone, your hands have to grab hold of the vertical iron rails and someone has to hold you by your feet. You will be suspended backward under the parapet. At this awkward position, you can then kiss the stone. Even though it is not easy to kiss the stone, many people have flocked to this place to do it in order to try its efficacy.

The tradition is said to have originated from a comment made by Queen Elizabeth I of England. Lord Dermot McCarthy had attempted to overwhelm her with his non-stop chatter and verbosity in order to prevent her from taking his estate. The Queen is said to have despaired and made a comment which was believed to have started the tradition. The word blarney means cajoling talk or flattery.

Today, little remains of the castle except the keep. Its design and style is typical of a 15th century tower house. Tower houses are small castles or fortified residences built between the 15th and 17th centuries. You can enjoy some walks at the castle grounds and view yew trees and limestone rock formations.

You can choose to have a drink or do some shopping at a village nearby which is only a short walk from the castle. In the village, there are a number of crafts shops and some pubs. You can also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills which sells quality garments and souvenirs.

Blarney Castle is indeed a wonderful place to visit. If you are keen to take a vacation trip and looks forward to some adventure and excitement, you can consider visiting the Blarney Castle. When you are there, perhaps, you would want to kiss the Blarney Stone and prove its efficacy? More information can be found at the Travel Europe.