What are the best places to "put" your IRA money? Which funds give the best rate of return?

Question

What are the best places to "put" your IRA money? Which funds give the best rate of return?

Answer 1

If you want to see the historical returns of all mutual funds, and compare them easily, I'd suggest you use http://www.morningstar.com as a resource.  You don't have to pay anything for the basic information you're looking for.

Answer 2

That can change quickly in some funds...or you can get a long-time slow gainig fund.  A good place to look for info is Investor's Business Daily... they list best performing funds of different types a couple of times a week.

Right now you can look at international funds for gains...or "sector funds" in energy, or materials, or agricultural chemicals...or you can take the long road with the likes of FAIRX ( heavy into Warren Buffet)...or CGMFX ( very astute and active manager)

Answer 3

most mutual funds invest in stocks and make their money from selling them for more than they buy them - no guarantee of return in any mutual fund -you could lose money as well as make it - the potential income long term is much more than a bank CD or bond interest

Answer 4

Depends on your investment time line and risk tolerance.  What you want is an asset allocation that's appropriate.  If you don't know, a target retirement date fund is usually a safe choice.

Answer 5

buy a copy of Money Magazine. they have very extensive charts raking performance of all the funds and lists of recommended ones.