Is John Hancock a good firm to invest with mutual funds?

I'm curious because I would like to start a long term investment for retirement at 18 so that my funds could grow. Any suggestions?

It's great that you are thinking ahead. However, John Hancock isn't necessarily the best way to go about it.

A quick check of their website shows a couple of funds that have performed well in recent years and a lot that haven't done well. You have to pay a 5% sales charge (on the class A shares) for the privilege of buying funds that are, overall, quite mediocre. The expense ratios also look high on the funds that I checked.

I suggest that you compare these to other funds before you buy. The past performance of all of their funds is listed on the John Hancock website. Go to other sources, such as Kiplinger.com or Morningstar, and compare them to similar offerings from other companies. Don't forget to compare expense ratios and sales charges. I think that you'll have little difficulty finding better choices.

I also suggest that you look at the websites for Fidelity, Vanguard, and T. Rowe Price. They have many good funds with much lower expense ratios and no upfront sales charges.

i'm sure the John Hancock salesperson thinks it is a good firm -- s/he gets paid, by the account owners, to think so.

on the other hand, Vanguard Mutual Funds group [they're online] regularly offers to lowest fees and costs in the industry. And the investor always ends up paying the fees and costs. {disclosure: since Vanguard has no commission salespeople at all, I receive nothing for mentioning them. I am not a Vanguard employee and, atm, have no position in their funds. I have had a position in their funds in the past and may choose to buy a position in the future without warning or notice of any kind.}


clear enough?

maybe try www.ny-stock.com

No.

On line -- look up and try --

T Rowe Price
Vanguard
Fidelity

Use one of their monthly investment options (IRA first, if you have earned income; then taxable account) selecting the Life-Cycle retirement portfolio mutual fund that comes closest to the year you will reach age 67.

Below I have linked you to an example fund from Vanguard so you will know what I am talking about.

Hi,
Not sure why you are looking at John Hancock. By the way, starting at 18 is as good as it gets and congratulations! You need to ask your question giving more information about yourself and your financial situatation. Also, since you are so young, what are your short and long term goals. Put this question together and post it up on moneyrec.com. It is a fairly new site that is designed specifcally for questions like yours. You can join for free and get some good advice.

Best of luck to you.

Bunny