Fees paid out of fund assets to cover the costs of marketing and selling fund shares. "Distribution fees" include fees to compensate brokers and others who sell fund shares, and to pay for...

An employer-sponsored retirement savings plan that gives employees a choice of investment options, typically mutual funds. Employees who participate in a traditional 401(k) plan have a portion of...

A type of tax-deferred retirement savings program available to employees of public schools, certain non-profits, and some members of the clergy.

A tax-advantaged way to save for future college expenses, such as tuition and housing.

Public companies file Form 8-K, known as the "current report," to the SEC to announce major events that shareholders should know about, including bankruptcy proceedings, a change in corporate...

A fee that some funds separately impose on investors for account maintenance. For example, individuals with accounts below a specified dollar amount may have to pay an account fee.

Interest earned on a security but not yet paid to the investor.

Advance fee frauds ask for payment up front in order for the deal to go through. The advance payment may be described as a fee, tax, commission, or incidental expense that will be repaid later. Some...

Affinity fraud refers to investment scams that prey upon members of identifiable groups, such as religious or ethnic communities, the elderly, or professional groups. The fraudsters who promote...

Stock trading outside the regular hours of major exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market. Regular trading hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.