Welcome back to another edition of Foolish mutual fund basics. This time, we're leaving behind the friendly confines of fund redemption fees for the native land of the NAV. Ready to get started? Good.
What it is
For investors, buying shares of a fund can feel a lot like buying shares of a stock. Either way, you're buying shares.
But that's where the similarities end. Funds, you see, are a collection of assets. So, when you buy shares at the NAV, or net asset value, you're staking a claim on a portion of the fund's total assets. Motley Fool Green Light co-advisor Shannon Zimmerman, who also leads our Champion Funds service, explains:
"Unlike stock price, a fund's NAV simply represents the total of its assets minus liabilities divided by the number of shares outstanding -- and so long as a fund is open, additional shares are always available. A good way of demonstrating the difference between stock price and NAV is with distributions. When a fund pays out capital gains or dividends, its NAV is adjusted downward to account for the per-share amount of the distribution, but investors are no poorer for the slide."
Let's use an example. If Fidelity Magellan (FUND:FMAGX) manager Harry Lange was wildly successful in his stock picks during 2007, he might realize $1 per share in capital gains. That money would have to be paid back to shareholders. But the payments would also reduce total assets, and thereby NAV, by $1 per stub.
How it works
So how do you make money as a fund investor? When the underlying assets of the fund you own increase in value.
For example, if the per-share prices of Corning (NYSE:GLW), Genentech (NYSE:DNA), and Seagate (NYSE:STX) rise, the total assets of funds that hold shares of these stocks, such as Lange's Magellan, rise in lockstep. That, in turn, juices the NAV.
Or, in simpler terms: Fund owners make money when those who pull the levers make smart stock picks. That's why Shannon spends so much time studying the talent, track record, and tenure of managers when making his own picks for Champion Funds.
Go under the hood
Which brings me to the bad news. Unlike stock prices, from which you can learn much using classic valuation metrics, there's little to be gained from the NAV.
But that doesn't mean you should ignore the numbers altogether. Thanks to Morningstar, it's pretty simple to determine, on a relative basis, whether a fund's portfolio is cheap or expensive. Just enter the ticker at Morningstar.com and click on "portfolio." That will get you a host of worthwhile statistics.
For example, Morningstar says that Magellan trades for 10.7 times projected cash flow, or roughly equal to the multiple of the broader market. Meanwhile, average cash flow is on pace to grow more than five times faster than the S&P. That could indicate Lange has scored some serious bargains.
Follow the money
Stocks and funds, like per-share prices and NAV, are kissing cousins. Sure, they're related, but you don't want them getting too close. Confuse the two as an investor and your portfolio could suffer the sort of indignity that's usually reserved for those awkward, what's-your-name-again, twice-a-decade family reunions. No Fool deserves that.
Interested in more moneymaking advice? Consider Green Light. Therein, Shannon and co-advisor Dayana Yochim show you how to unlock the hidden fortune inside your paycheck. The February issue alone contains $1,717 worth of tips. Click here to get your copy and 30 days of free access to the service. There's no obligation to subscribe.
Interested in more mutual fund basics? Your digital chariot awaits:
- What is an expense ratio, anyway?
- Turn over the rock on portfolio turnover.
- Sometimes, five-star funds provide one-star returns.
- Stop your broker from sharing so much.
- Find out if you're overpaying to invest.
- Take an exotic tour of fund categories.
- It can be hip to be R-squared.
- Is your fund manager sweetening your returns?
- Give the tax man a stiff arm.
- Your "B" should really be an "A."
Fool contributor Tim Beyers, ranked 998 out of more than 22,500 in the Motley Fool CAPS investor intelligence database, writes weekly about personal finance and investing basics. Have a Foolish money tip? Tell him. Tim owns shares of Seagate. All of his portfolio holdings can be found at Tim's Fool profile. His thoughts on personal finance, Foolishness, and investing in general may be found in his blog. The Motley Fool's disclosure policy just sent your portfolio flowers. Happy Valentine's Day.
