Theme-based format can help investors quickly zero-in on funds that may fit their objectives
TD AMERITRADE offers one of the largest mutual fund platforms for retail investors, with more than 13,000 funds. But, some investors lack the time or expertise necessary to research and identify the funds that might meet their individual objectives. The Company's newly enhanced Premier List of mutual funds, powered by Morningstar Associates, LLC, is the latest in a series of enhancements that can help investors focus more on their objectives and less on filtering out funds that may not be suited to them.
Mutual funds are a common component of a diversified portfolio. According to a recent survey, conducted by InsightExpress, of over 1,000 TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation (NASDAQ:AMTD) retail investor clients, well over half (62 percent) of respondents indicated that they invest using mutual funds, but of these, nearly half (48 percent) admit that there are too many funds from which to choose.
The TD AMERITRADE Premier List consists of funds that have been evaluated by independent experts at Morningstar Associates. They review the more than 13,000 mutual funds available through TD AMERITRADE and narrow the list to their top picks for a range of asset categories. New enhancements further simplify the selection and diversification process by organizing funds in the following categories to help clarify investors' search for mutual funds to fit their needs:
- Core Investments, which represent the basic building blocks of a well-diversified portfolio;
- Primary Investments, which represent investments that may help supplement a core portfolio and provide additional diversification;
- Advanced Investment Strategies, which contain specialized investment strategies that may be used for a specific purpose; and
- All-in-one Investments, which can be used to help diversify with a single fund purchase.
"We are seeing more and more clients move into managed products like mutual funds, but their concern that the choices are too vast is understandable when considering the variety of offerings available today," said Sandy Motusesky, director of mutual funds and ETFs at TD AMERITRADE. "Our clients now have not only the breadth of offerings that the Premier List brings, but much more guidance in terms of selection. Diversification is fundamental, and the process is now much simpler for our clients."
An overwhelming majority of clients surveyed (74 percent) said that they primarily choose mutual funds based on whether they feel it best meets their investment objective. To address this need, the Premier List helps investors create a custom list of funds that may be aligned with their investment strategy. By clicking on their themes of choice, the list dynamically updates to show only the funds that meet their criteria.
For example, over half (51 percent) of respondents said they currently invest to generate income. "These investors might consider selecting the 'Income-oriented Investments' in the Advanced Investment Strategies category as one of their themes. This is just one example of how the Premier List can help people consider funds in different areas of investment and how they can better pursue their objectives through diversification," said Motusesky.
For a fresh look at your investment options, visit www.tdameritrade.com.
Before investing in any mutual fund, carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses involved. To obtain a prospectus containing this and other important information, please visit www.tdameritrade.com or call a TD AMERITRADE representative at 800-669-3900. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Diversification does not eliminate the risk of experiencing investment losses.
AMTD-G
About TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation
TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation (NASDAQ:AMTD), through its brokerage subsidiaries, (1) combines innovative trading technology, easy-to-use and understand trading tools, investment services, investor education and superior client service to create a market-leading financial services experience. Now home to the award-winning thinkorswim brokerage and dynamic trading platform(2) and the Investools investor education program, TD AMERITRADE provides millions of retail investors, traders and independent registered investment advisors with the tools, service and support they need to help build confidence in today's rapidly-changing market environment. For more information and resources for journalists, please visit the TD AMERITRADE newsroom at www.amtd.com.
(1)TD AMERITRADE, Inc., member FINRA (www.FINRA.org) /SIPC (www.SIPC.org), TD AMERITRADE Clearing, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, and thinkorswim, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC/NFA (www.nfa.futures.org).
(2)thinkorswim was rated #1 overall online broker, "best for frequent traders," and "best for options traders" in Barron's ranking of online brokers, 3/16/2009. thinkorswim was evaluated versus others in eight total categories, including trade experience/execution, trading technology, usability, range of offerings, research amenities, portfolio analysis & reporting, customer service & access and costs. thinkorswim topped the list in 2009 with the highest weighted-average score. Barron's is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company ©2010.
About Morningstar Associates, LLC
Morningstar Associates, LLC is a premier provider of customized investment advisory solutions for institutions and their clients. Morningstar Associates is a registered investment advisor and wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc.
About Morningstar, Inc.
Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company offers an extensive line of Internet, software, and print-based products and services for individuals, financial advisors, and institutions. Morningstar provides data on nearly 400,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data on more than 4 million equities, indexes, futures, options, commodities, and precious metals, in addition to foreign exchange and Treasury markets. The company has operations in 20 countries and minority ownership positions in companies based in two other countries.
Neither Morningstar, Inc. nor Morningstar Associates is affiliated with TD AMERITRADE and its affiliates.
About the TD AMERITRADE Premier List of Mutual Funds
The mutual funds selected by Morningstar Associates, LLC for the Premier List have been derived from a universe of mutual funds made available through TD AMERITRADE. Both the universe of mutual funds defined by TD AMERITRADE and the Premier List are subject to change without notice. Morningstar Associates, LLC does not warrant this information to be accurate, complete or timely. Morningstar Associates, LLC is not responsible for any damages or losses arising from the use of this information. Particular mutual funds on the Premier List may not be appropriate investments for you under your circumstances, and there may be other mutual funds or investment options offered by TD AMERITRADE that are more suitable. Morningstar Associates, LLC, is a registered investment advisor and wholly-owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar, Inc. and its affiliates are not related to TD AMERITRADE and its affiliates.
About InsightExpress
InsightExpress is a leading provider of high-quality, digital marketing research and plays a preeminent role in the measurement of advertising effectiveness across online, mobile and other media. Through its patented technologies, proprietary solutions, world-class expertise and time-tested research principles, InsightExpress transforms the way advertisers, agencies, publishers and researchers optimize their marketing activities. InsightExpress is headquartered in Stamford, CT, with offices in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by InsightExpress on behalf of TD AMERITRADE between January 11 and January 17, 2010 among 1050 current TD AMERITRADE clients (aged 18 and over). Respondents were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in InsightExpress surveys. The margin of error in this survey is ±3.0%. This means that in 19 cases out of 20, survey results based on 1,050 respondents will differ by no more than 3.0 percentage points in either direction from what would have been obtained by seeking the opinions of all eligible clients of TD AMERITRADE. The views expressed by respondents in these surveys are not the views of TD AMERITRADE, or its subsidiaries, and should not be considered investment guidance or any kind. InsightExpress and TD AMERITRADE are separate, unaffiliated companies and are not responsible for each other's products and services.
Contacts:
TD AMERITRADE
At the Company
For
Media:
Christina Goethe, (201) 369-8541
Communications and
Public Affairs
christina.goethe@tdameritrade.com
or
For
Investors:
Jeff Goeser, (402) 597-8464
Investor Relations
jeffrey.goeser@tdameritrade.com
