Load

A load is a fee charged by a mutual fund or other investment product. It is typically expressed as a percentage of the amount invested, and is deducted from the investor's initial investment or from subsequent contributions. Loads can be either front-end loads or back-end loads.

• Front-end loads are charged when an investor purchases shares of a mutual fund. They are typically expressed as a percentage of the amount invested, and are deducted from the investor's initial investment.
• Back-end loads are charged when an investor sells shares of a mutual fund. They are typically expressed as a percentage of the amount of profit that the investor makes on the sale, and are deducted from the investor's proceeds.

Loads can be a significant expense for investors, so it is important to compare the loads of different mutual funds before investing. Investors should also be aware that some mutual funds offer no-load options, which means that there are no upfront or back-end sales charges.

In addition to loads, mutual funds may also charge other fees, such as management fees and 12b-1 fees. Management fees are paid to the fund's investment manager, and 12b-1 fees are used to cover the costs of marketing and distribution.

It is important to understand all of the fees associated with a mutual fund before investing, so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not the fund is right for you.