Mutual funds have served as an optimal instrument for millions of people and entities across the globe seeking to improve wealth. Investing pooled funds from numerous investors in a range of diversified assets, mutual funds have become a leading financial security worldwide. Enabling individuals to participate in the market without extensive expertise. Mutual funds have become increasingly important to financial markets, with the
increasing by almost 60 percent from 2011 to 2023. In terms of the
, almost half are concentrated in the U.S. alone. The popularity of mutual funds may be tied to the level of benefits received by participating investors. Entrusting finances to
allows wider access to global financial instruments and markets and has also led to further improved asset diversification and overall performance.
Mutual funds in the U.S. and global trends
The
number of mutual funds registered in the U.S. has remained relatively stable, deviating narrowly from 7,500 over the last two decades. However, the level of
assets under management (AUM) of U.S. mutual funds has more than tripled within this time, breaking the 20 trillion U.S. dollar barrier in 2019 with AUM resting at 25.5 trillion U.S. dollars by 2023. Over half of
American households owned mutual funds, with this figure not having decreased below 40 percent since 2000.
Consequently, in he U.S. the
level of household wealth held in regulated funds was almost double that of bank deposits - a stark contrast to Europe and Japan, where household wealth was primarily held in deposits or currency. A further trend has been the rise of socially responsible and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) funds that have captured the attention of many investors, particularly in Europe and North America. Meanwhile, countries like India and China have seen an overall rise in mutual fund investments as the increasing middle-class population seeks to grow their savings..
Looking ahead
While mutual funds offer many benefits, they also come with challenges. One of the main drawbacks is the fees associated with professional management, which can erode profits over time. Costs makeup an important aspect of the mutual fund industry, as they influence the value of an investor’s return. The
expense ratio of equity mutual funds varied noticeably depending on the fund management style. In the case of actively managed equity funds, it was equal to 0.65 percent in 2023, while for the passively managed equity funds, the expense ratio amounted to 0.05 percent. Additionally in the short term, market fluctuations can lead to losses, particularly for passively managed funds as the value of a mutual fund is closely tied to the performance of its underlying assets. Technological advancements, such as the
increasing popularity of AUM by robo-advisors, have made investing more accessible for individuals, while regulatory changes in countries like the U.K. and the U.S. are aimed at making fees more transparent. Mutual funds offer investors worldwide an accessible, diversified, and professionally managed way to participate in the financial markets. While challenges exist, accessibility and adaptability ensure the role of mutual funds being a part of global investment strategies for years to come.
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