What is a mutual fund?

A mutual fund is fundamentally a pool of money collected from various investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. It is managed by professional fund managers who make investment decisions on behalf of the investors, aiming to achieve specific financial objectives such as growth or income. This collective investment approach allows individual investors to gain access to a broad range of assets that they might not be able to invest in individually, promoting diversification and potentially reducing risk.

The professional management aspect is critical because these managers analyze market trends, select investments, and frequently adjust the portfolio based on performance and market conditions. This feature distinguishes mutual funds from other types of investments where the individual investor would typically handle all investment decisions themselves.

In contrast, the other options describe different financial instruments or accounts that do not represent the structure and purpose of a mutual fund. For instance, a single investment owned by an investor is simply an individual stock or bond and does not encompass the diversification aspect of a mutual fund. An account for saving money with high interest typically refers to a savings account or high-yield savings account, which is focused on liquidity and interest gains rather than investment growth through a diversified portfolio. Lastly, a government-backed investment strategy could refer to various programs or bonds but does not