What does a mutual fund primarily invest in?

A mutual fund primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds. This is designed to pool money from multiple investors to create a broad investment portfolio that can reduce risk through diversification. By investing in various securities, mutual funds can mitigate the impact of poor performance by any single investment, as losses in one area may be offset by gains in another. This diversified approach is a fundamental characteristic of mutual funds, making them appealing to investors seeking to balance risk and reward without having to manage individual stocks or bonds themselves.

The focus on a mix of assets, such as equities, fixed income, and sometimes other investments, distinguishes mutual funds from other investment vehicles. This structured approach to investing aims to achieve specific financial goals while maintaining a level of risk that suits the investors' profiles.