mutual fund business definition

An investment company that continually offers new shares, and stands ready to redeem existing shares from the owners. Because the shares are purchased directly from and are sold directly to the mutual fund, there is no secondary market in these companies' stock. Individual mutual funds vary substantially in terms of the types of investments, their sales charges (many have none), and their management fees. Also called fund, open-end investment company. Compare closed-end investment company. See also clone fund, family of funds, lifecycle fund, load fund, regulated investment company.