Mutual Funds 101 (Charles Rotblut)

VES Class Instructions and Resources

If this is your first VES Class, please review the content on this page as it contains essential information that you will need to know to navigate the VES Class to completion. Referenced videos and documents can be retrieved from the repository at the bottom of this page. If you have previously completed another VES Class then please proceed to the "Snapshot" tab to continue with the class.

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Quick Start Guide — 5 Things You Need to Know

  •  VES Class documents will appear in a separate window or be downloaded as a PDF to your download folder. Downloaded documents must be retrieved from your device’s download folder. This location will vary according to the type of device and/or browser that you are using.
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  • Each VES Class should be completed like reading a book. Start with the upper-left section on the page and go from the top component to the bottom component in that section. After completing that section, proceed to the next section to its immediate right.
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  • Components in the "Primary Presentation" section contain the video, test, benefits, credits and certificate. These components should be completed sequentially from the top to the bottom, as lower level components will only be unlocked after completion of the components above it. For instance, you must view at least 90% of a presentation video before you can open the class test.
  • All the areas in a VES Class, including the presentation videos, will retain your progress. You do not have to finish an area or class in one session. 
  • Presentation videos are provided in an interactive (SCORM) format for more effective learning. Because the videos are interactive, you may have to bypass a pop-up blocker message before the video will start.
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Highly Recommended Resources to Review Before Your FIRST Class

  • How to Navigate a VES Class — detailed instructions to effectively navigate and complete a VES Class (video or document). 
  • Completing a VES Class FAQs — answers to the most frequently asked questions for completing a VES Class. 
  • Understanding the Interactive Video Controller — instructions for starting and controlling advanced features of a video (video or document).

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Class Tab Descriptions: 

Snapshot: An overview of the class topic, focus, requirements and components. 

Instructor: A biography and the contact information on the class instructor. 

Materials: Education materials to be reviewed prior to, or with, the presentation video, to aid comprehension.

Primary Present: VES Class primary components, including the video, test, benefits, credits and Certificate of Completion.

Resources: Additional learning resources include books, articles, forms, spreadsheets, AI Tools and related services.

Survey: Area for class participants to rate the instructor and the content of the class.

Discussion: Open forum area to post comments, ask questions or interact with other participants on the class content.

"?": Resources and contact information to obtain assistance for VES offerings, AAII membership and AI Tools.

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Additional Resources

  • VES Class Welcome Video — welcome video that includes a broad overview of AAII's Video Education Series. 
  • VES Agreement & Disclaimer — primary resource listing the terms and details for all AAII VES offerings.
  • VES General FAQs — answers to the most frequently asked VES Class questions.
  • VES Class Features & Highlights — overview of all the features that are included with a VES Class.
  • VES Class Video Icon Assistance Designations — quick reference for identifying the icons in the class videos. 
  • Discussion Forum Rules and Guidelines — rules and regulations for contributors to the discussion forum.
  • Active Investing Workstation and AI Tools Overview — reference for AI Tool-based VES Classes only. 
>> To continue with this VES Class, please proceed to the next tab labeled "Snapshot."

For technical issues, questions or concerns with this course please, contact the course administrator at ves@aaii.com.

Synopsis

In this VES Class, Charles Rotblut takes a comprehensive look at funds, including both mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Coverage includes how to construct a diversified portfolio, the key factors and metrics for evaluating a fund, how to compare and select funds and the reasons that an investor should consider selling a fund. Included in this class is information on how to use AAII’s Fund Evaluator, Fund Screener and Fund Compare Tool, which can be used for both mutual funds and ETFs. 

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Class Details

Organization: AAII  ................................................................
Presenter:  Charles Rotblut
Title:  Mutual Funds 101
Duration: 45 Minutes
Credits:  2 Credits
Words of Wisdom: Yes
Segment Incentive Bonus:  Book: "Better Good Than Lucky"
Course Inclusion:
Structured & FlexiLearn


Class Focus

Topic: Mutual Funds AAAAAAAAAAAA
Knowledge Level:  Novice - Intermediate
Appropriate: All Investors


Class Criteria

Credits Accrued: . Passing Test Score          (>= 70%) 
Words of Wisdom:Viewing Requirement     (>= 90%)
SIB Benefit: Passing Test Score         (>= 70%) 

 

Pre-Class | Post-Class Recommendations 

Pre-Class Suggestions: .............................................................................Investing 101
Class Associated Tools:AAII Fund Tools (website)
Continuing Education Classes:AAII's Essential Investing Course 
Associated AAII Offerings:AAII Membership | AAII Journal _____


Additional Elements Included

  • Class Discussion Forum
  • Class Survey
  • Key Terms & Definitions
  • Learning Objectives
  • Lesson Summary
  • Preliminary Education Materials
  • Presentation Slides (PDF)
  • Resources Articles & Studies
  • Segment Incentive Bonus
  • Speaker Bio/Contact Information
  • Testing for Class Credits

Charles Rotblut

AAII vice president and editor of the AAII Journal

American Association of Individual Investors


Charles Rotblut, CFA, is a vice president and financial analyst at AAII. He is the editor of the AAII Journal, created VMQ Stocks, co-created AAII Dividend Investing, helps to manage the Stock Superstars Report portfolio and authors the weekly AAII Investor Update email. Rotblut regularly speaks to the media, including CNBC and Kiplinger’s. He is also a Wall Street Journal expert panelist. His book, "Better Good than Lucky: How Savvy Investors Create Fortune with the Risk-Reward Ratio," was published in November 2010.

Rotblut holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and has analyzed both publicly traded and privately held companies. His experience includes working for Zacks Investment Research, an investment research firm; INVESTools, an investment education company; Curian Capital, a money management firm; and McClure, Schumacher & Associates, a business valuation firm. Rotblut holds a bachelor's of science in journalism from the University of Kansas.



AAII Author Page

Email

Key:

Complete
Failed
Available
Locked
** Mutual Funds (presentation video)
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. This presentation video is the primary component of this VES Class. This video has a 90% mandatory viewing percentage before a participant can take the class test and, upon passing, accrue the credits and attain the class benefits.
You must register to access.
^ Class Test (for credits)
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  8/10 points to pass  |  Graded as Pass/Fail
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  8/10 points to pass  |  Graded as Pass/Fail Passing this test is required to access the Segment Incentive Bonus (SIB), accrue the class credits and attain the Certificate of Completion for this VES Class.
You must register to access.
Words of Wisdom (benefit)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. In this bonus section titled Words of Wisdom, each instructor shares with the class participants their most important investing insights. This Words of Wisdom benefit has a 90% minimum viewing percentage requirement of the classes primary presentation video.
You must register to access.
Segment Incentive Bonus (benefit)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. The Segment Incentive Bonus contains special offers and discounts for participants who complete this VES Class. To attain this SIB benefit a participant must view a minimum of 90% of the classes primary presentation video and pass the associated class test.
You must register to access.
Credit Accrual & Certificate of Completion (reference)
15.00 - Core Course credits  |  Certificate available
15.00 - Core Course credits  |  Certificate available This component documents that you have completed all the required areas for this VES Class. With this completion, your credits have been automatically applied to your account, you can now view, download, or print your "Certificate of Completion" and you are now eligible for this VES Classes associated benefits. No further action is required, and you may proceed to your next VES Class. Congratulations!
You must register to access.

Getting Help

 
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VES Agreement & Disclaimer

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AAII Membership

For AAII membership or other AAII-related inquiries, please contact AAII’s Member Services department at: members@aaii.com.                                                       

 
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AAII’s Active Investing (AI) Tool Questions

For AI Tool analysis or application related questions, that are part of or referenced in this VES Class, please contact the AI Tools coordinator at:  www.aaii.com/aitools 

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Active Investing (AI) Tool Listings and Access

For purchases or a complete listing of all the AI Tools and their respective features, including platform availability, please go to: www.aaii.com/aitools 

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Active Investing (AI) Tool Platform Support

 Platform related questions or inquiries, including installation, tool management or technical support questions, should be directed to the third-party provider that your AI Tools are being run from.  

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This VES Class was created and produced by the American Association of Individual Investors

© 2024 by the American Association of Individual Investors, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; (312) 676-4300; www.aaii.com.