OBJECTIVE

A fund's investment objective states the financial goals it is aiming for, such as "growth," or "income."

OFFERING PRICE

Also known as the "ask" price, the offering price is the amount at which a mutual fund's shares can be purchased. To calculate the offering price, add a fund's current net asset value per share to its sales charge, if any.

OPEN-END FUND

(Also known as "mutual fund.") An investment company that pools money from shareholders and invests in a variety of securities, including stocks, bonds, and money market instruments. They offer growth, income, or both, and the opportunity to invest in everything from a country or industry to the movements of the markets themselves. A mutual fund continually sells new shares to investors and redeems those that are tendered by shareholders.

OPERATING EXPENSES

The normal costs a mutual fund incurs in conducting business, such as the expenses associated with maintaining offices, staff, and equipment. There are also expenses related to maintaining the fund's portfolio of securities. These expenses are paid from the fund's assets before any earnings are distributed.

OPTION FUND

A fund which trades options to increase the value of its shares. The fund may either be conservative or aggressive. A conservative fund, commonly called an "option income fund," may buy stocks and increase shareholders' income through the premium earned by writing options on the stocks within the portfolio. An aggressive fund, commonly called an "option growth fund," may buy options in securities that the fund manager thinks will fall or rise sharply in the near term.

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