How to Manage an Institutional Fund

Traditionally, corporations, endowments, pension funds and wealthy individuals have been the primary investors in institutional funds. With a typical minimum investment requirement of $1 million, it's not hard to see why. Lately there has been an increase in individuals without a great deal of personal wealth investing in institutional funds. Discount brokers have made it possible for the average investor to get started with as little as $1,000 or $5,000 to invest. Read on to learn more about institutional funds, how to manage them and how to make them a part of your portfolio.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Capital
• Financial plan
• Internet access

Understand Institutional Funds

1. Find out what an institutional fund does. Institutional funds try to reduce risk by investing in hundreds of different securities.

2. Learn how institutional funds work. By trading securities rather sporadically, institutional funds are able to keep operating costs to a minimum. These savings are then passed on to investors.

Buy Institutional Funds

3. Locate an institutional fund you can invest in. Historically, it was impossible to invest in an institutional fund with less than $1 million. Now, thanks to discount brokers, it is possible to purchase shares for as little as $1,000.

4. Evaluate the fund's past performance using a ratings indicator.

5. Ask for a copy of the prospectus. The prospectus will give you a good idea of who will manage your fund, what expenses are incurred and the investment philosophy of the fund.

6. Determine whether the institutional fund is right for your investment needs. Based on the fund philosophy, management style, performance and rating, you should have a good idea of whether or not you want to invest in the fund.

7. Find out how you can invest in the fund. You can find this information by looking at the stock quote on a financial Web site or by calling the fund directly.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if you can't invest in an institutional fund, that doesn't mean you can't learn from one. Watch to see where the big companies are investing their money. In doing so, you may get some investment ideas of your own.
• Don't get an institutional fund confused with an institutional investor. An institutional investor is a person or organization involved in trading a large enough quantity of shares to qualify for preferential treatment and discount broker fees. Since institutional investors have a great deal of knowledge about the investment world and know how to successfully manage their portfolios, fewer protective regulations are in place for them.