Should I invest in the S&P 500 or a mutual fund?

I'm curious which way to proceed. Also I'm Canadian. Not sure it that makes a difference

in your case maybe the 500. a mutual fund is only as good as the broker team managing it

that being said, us bank has done ok for us over the years, especially in the early 90's when they made us all rich with microsuck lol, via mutual fund

and OMG blue chips have always out performed t-bills overall, even since the depression (re: bonds)

if you're going to invest in anything at this time, invest in gold
gold value will ALWAYS go up.

You certainly don't want to invest in individual stocks unless you know what you are doing. Even if they are in the S&P. Certain sectors, like the financials, are tanking. Being in the S&P 500 is not a gaurantee that it is a good stock pick.

A mutual fund is always a better plan for a novice because it gives you more diversity without having to pick stocks. If you are bothered with the current instability in the market, a money market fund may be better for now until things stabilize.

I would also advise you not to make this decision based on anonomous people online. You can call Fidelity, for example, and they will find a fund that matches your horizons and risk desire.

It is free. (Fidelity.com)

I have been investing for over 20 years, and I will tell you honestly, I have never seen an environment like the one I am currently witnessing.

I would stick with very safe investments. Blue Chip Stocks and CD's.

And by the way, gold is a terrible long-term investment, historically speaking.

I think the S&P 500 returns better for a short term investment. As opposed to a mutual fund which is much more stable for long term investments. So all in all a mutual fund is the safer investment if its manager maintains it properly, and the growth could be about the same as the S&P 500 and perhaps far better long term.

Being Canadian should make no difference as to what you can invest it.

It would depend on the type of mutual fund. Are you looking long-term or short-term? What kind of risk tolerance do you have?

YEA

Well firstly you did not mension how long the duration of your investment ? But lets just say 6 months then i think the best way is to invest in high flying GDP country like brazil china india russia vietnam. They have etf for most of the country but if dont want to engage in etf then you can do a little research on the big companies from that countries. S&P 500 and mutual fund is very dangerous place to put your money now as US market will take atleast till August of 2009 to recover slowly that also means your growth rate will not be high. I have invested in virtual trade in few countries like china india and brazil and with a capital of USD 15k i made USD 50k instantly in 2 months. Im 23 and i dont have high flying degree or fund to manage because i myself gathering capital lil by lil but i do research to the extreme level, anything that takes to get the inside information. dont rely only on those financial news providers do your own research and investigate about the countries and the companies. If you wish to ask me any question u can email me. thanks and may god bless you.

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