A number of papers have demonstrated that over historical periods, a specified set of factors have outperformed actively managed funds. However, in almost all cases, the factors employed or the procedures followed are not replicable by tradable passive investments. In addition, tradable passive...

In this chapter we examine the three main types of mutual funds, open end funds, closed end funds and exchange traded funds. After a description of each of these organizational forms, we discuss the principle research issues for each type. For open end mutual funds, this includes performance...

This is a survey article. In it we review the modern literature on the characteristics and performance of mutual funds. Key articles on open end stock and bond funds, closed end funds and exchange traded funds are reviewed. Topics range from measuring and predicting performance to explaining...