Best Mutual Fund Research Websites to Analyze and Compare Funds
The best mutual fund research websites will share similar qualities, features and benefits. These research sites should provide detailed information about mutual funds, including performance history, expenses, investment objective, risk attributes, manager bio, and more. Each mutual fund research site has its distinguishing services and tools. Therefore it’s wise to sample each one to see which site fits your needs. Here are the best mutual fund research sites:
Morningstar: They may be best known for their “star rating” system, which is on a scale of one to five stars, that helps investors choose mutual funds. Morningstar also offers tools, such as software for professionals, and research information available to all levels of mutual fund investors online. Morningstar also extends their information and commentary to Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and Hedge Funds. Morningstar has both free and premium services for investors. Refinitiv Lipper: Refinitiv Lipper is a global leader in supplying mutual fund information, analytical tools, and commentary. This online fund research tool by Refinitiv is useful to both professional mutual fund advisors and individual investors. Lipper rates mutual funds compared to their peers and provides an instant measure against five metrics, called “Leaders” – total return, consistent return, preservation, expense, and tax efficiency. Kiplinger Mutual Fund Finder: With this search and comparison tool from long-trusted financial resource, Kiplinger, investors can research a specific fund, find funds that match a specific search criteria, compare multiple funds and download and save fund data for personal analysis. MAXfunds: With the “Fund-O-Matic Fund Screener” investors can find the best funds, as MAXfunds says, “without an advanced finance degree.” The self-described “mutual fund research for regular people” can be a a quick and easy way for the do-it-yourselfer to find high quality, low cost mutual funds. FundReveal: If you prefer actively managed funds vs index funds, and you want a good premium research tool that takes an unconventional approach to evaluating fund performance, you should consider FundReveal. FundReveal is not based on past total returns or opinions. It uses past returns but just not total returns; they use “average daily returns” to help determine the fund management’s capability or skill. That may help an investor dig deeper to help predict future returns that can be impacted by the daily decisions made by fund managers.
Most of these mutual fund research sites also include data and analysis on ETFs. Once you begin your mutual fund research, you’ll need to know what things to analyze and what things to ignore. So be sure to see our article on mutual fund analysis and you’ll be ready to invest like a pro!
