Mutual Funds Made Easy!

Perritt, a contributing editor of Forbes magazine and author of seven investment guides, including The Mutual Fund Encyclopedia, adds a new volume to the already crowded field of investment books. Like IDG's bestselling Mutual Funds for Dummies, published earlier this year, this book is designed to appeal to the fledgling investor who wants some guidance in picking from the 6000-odd mutual funds now available. In a straightforward, serious style, Perritt offers advice on selecting funds and tips on deciphering the often confusing mutual fund data found in newspapers and fund prospectuses. The book covers the important topics: the different types of mutual funds; how to figure out capital gains and losses; how to research funds before investing. Perritt's strength is offering specific strategies: he advises against investing in foreign-based funds because the funds are not properly registered with the SEC, so potential investors have no protection against fraud. Perritt also cautions readers to hold off on new funds until their shares have been available to the public for at least one year, in order to see how the management reacts to market conditions. Perritt includes a list of 100 different equity funds that he recommends for further investor consideration. The mutual fund industry receives so much media attention that it's hard to imagine any book offering unexpected insights. This book doesn't break new ground, but it will be useful for novice investors or those who want to select their own funds without relying on a broker. (July)