The Art of Astute Investing: Building Wealth With No-Load Mutual Funds [Hardcover]

C. Todd Conover (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 22, 1998

Individual investors: never pay a fee again for mutual funds! Statistics show that "no-load" (i.e. no-fee) funds generally perform as well, if not better, than funds with fees! (Those 4% to 6% fees can add up to quite a cut when it comes to the lovely law of compounding interest.)

Now, investors at all levels have a simple-to-use, logic-based system for making their money work for them. This easy-to-understand guide doesn't recommend specific funds (which, after all, change as the economic winds blow), but explains how to choose an excellent mix of funds. The book shows readers how to:
-- analyze and map out their present financial situation
-- plan for future financial needs such as: buying a house, college expenses, starting a business, or retirement
-- allocate their assets wisely among: equities, fixed income securities, and cash reserves
-- select a small number of funds to achieve: diversification, a tolerable level of risk, and a good return on investment
-- minimize their income tax and determine how much to invest each month
-- monitor performance and make adjustments as necessary

For anyone who wants a safe, sensible approach to investing, this book is the best investment of all!

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Conover is an investment advisor whose clients are individual investors, but he also heads a management consulting firm that specializes in counseling companies in the financial services industry. He also happened to be the comptroller of the currency under President Reagan. He begins by emphasizing the value of investing and explains the importance of setting financial goals, considering, in turn, the four basic goals he says are most common: home buying, college, retirement, and leaving an estate. Conover then explains the importance of the right "portfolio mix," focusing on the role of no-load mutual funds. They have the advantages of "instant diversification" and professional management and come without sales charges. Conover advises how to select and monitor this type of investment, recommending a subscription to Morningstar No-Load Funds. A chapter on tax planning includes provisions of the newest tax law enacted in 1997. David Rouse

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM; First Printing edition (June 22, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814404065
• ISBN-13: 978-0814404065
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,899,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent step-by-step guide to investing, June 2, 1998

By 

david graulich [e-mail] (San Bruno, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Astute Investing: Building Wealth With No-Load Mutual Funds (Hardcover)

A terrific book for anyone trying to gain a better understanding of investments and how to prepare for the major financial events in life. Conover combines common sense with specific advice about which mutual funds to buy and how to create a personalized financial game plan. Very readable and concise.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a user-friendly comprehensive book for investors, October 29, 1999

By 

B. Field - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of Astute Investing: Building Wealth With No-Load Mutual Funds (Hardcover)

I thought I knew how to select a mutual fund and to diversify my portfolio before I read this book. Now I have adjustments to make. Conover gives valuable tables of criteria for bonds and funds, which I copied for personal use, and he offers his own slightly-outdated top picks. This is a must read for unsure investors with any investing horizon!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for do-it-yourself investors!, November 14, 2001

By 

G. Ravishankar (Reston, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of Astute Investing: Building Wealth With No-Load Mutual Funds (Hardcover)

I read a lot of books and articles on personal finance and investing - this book is one of the best I have read and acted on....the author really motivates you to plan your portfolio...and he sure has a lucid way to make it look easy. If you're committed to getting a sense of your financial life and want to build a comprehensive investment portfolio, get this book!