Funds & Investing
BeginnerWhat is expense ratio?
Expense ratio is the annual management and operating cost charged by a fund as a percentage of assets.
Quick Definition
Expense ratio is the annual fee a fund charges as a percentage of assets. A 0.1% ratio on $10,000 costs just $10/year. Lower is better — fees compound against you over time.
Use this concept with tools
DCA
Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) calculator — simulate periodic investments with expected annual returns. See long-term growth projections and total contributions. Free DCA calculator.
Fee Drag
Impact of ongoing fees on final value.
ROI + Annualized
Calculate total ROI and annualized return on investment. Compare scenarios, measure performance, and make data-driven investment decisions. Free ROI calculator.
NPV
Calculate Net Present Value (NPV) of future cash flows using your discount rate. Evaluate project viability and compare investment alternatives. Free NPV calculator.
Investor quotes to remember
“If you don't keep learning, others will surpass you.”
“The most dangerous words in investing are 'this time is different'.”
“I only bet when the odds are clearly in my favor.”
“Knowing what you don't know is more important than knowing what you do.”
Related concepts
What is an index fund?
An index fund is a passively managed fund that holds the same securities as a target index (e.g., S&P 500). It aims to match market returns rather than beat them, with low fees.
What is the difference between ETF and mutual fund?
ETFs trade on exchanges throughout the day like stocks. Mutual funds are priced once at market close. Both can track similar indexes, but ETFs generally offer lower costs and intraday flexibility.