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Strategies  |   Separate Accounts vs. Mutual Funds

To help you determine the investment options that may be right for you, below is a general overview of both mutual funds and separately managed accounts.

  Mutual Funds Separately Managed Accounts
General Features    
Typical account minimum Often as little as $1,000 Often at least $100,000
Access to professional money managers Yes Yes
Number of holdings Varies depending on investment approach and strategy. Varies depending on investment approach and strategy.
Portfolio customization Not available Available. Investors can restrict specific securities or industries from their accounts.
Withdrawals/redemptions Allowed. However, mutual funds may have restrictions and some may charge related fees. Unlimited
Ready Liquidity Typically, money is available next business day. Depending on the securities redeemed, trades may take up to three business days to complete.
Reporting/Communications    
Frequency of investment performance reports Investment performance is available monthly, quarterly and typically daily as well. Investors typically receive in-depth quarterly performance reports. In addition, investors have access to their own financial advisor periodically.
Tax-Related Features    
Security ownership Investors own shares in a fund, which in turn owns the individual securities. Significant redemptions or high turnover activity can potentially produce unexpected taxable distributions at year end. Investors own each individual security within an account. Selling decisions (and possible capital gains consequences) are based on the investor's personal investment strategies and goals, and are not affected by the redemption needs of anyone except the individual account owner.
Unrealized capital gains By law, mutual funds must pass on 98% of all realized capital gains to investors (or pay a 4% federal excise tax) each year. Capital gains may be realized or else harvested for future realization, depending on the investor's needs and the manager's strategy.
Tax-efficient portfolio customization Not available, although some funds are specifically managed for tax efficiency. Investors can sell securities, creating specific tax consequences; for example, to offset capital gains with capital losses.
Costs/Fees    
Total expenses Fund level management fees and may be subject to sales charges and separate distribution and servicing fees.

One asset-based fee covers all separate account program services (including asset management, trading custody and servicing).

Shareholder discounts Not available. All mutual fund investors in the same fund/share class pay the same expense ratio. Larger investors may be eligible for breakpoint fee levels.

Liquidity
Mutual Funds — Typically, money is available next business day (although redemptions may take up to seven business days).
Separate Accounts — Depending on the securities redeemed, trades may take up to three business days to complete.

   
   
 

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