Market Performance Indicators are another benchmark for fund managers to meet, or perhaps to exceed. The market performance indicators used in this report are generally recognized and considered the most appropriate indicators used among long term investors, such as Duke retirement plan participants. A fund or annuity that invests in short-term debt instruments. Because these are short term, they carry a low level of risk to the principal. Interest is earned at the current rate.
Bonds are formal certificates of debt, usually issued by corporations or units of government.
These funds are less conservative than money market funds, because the debt is issued over a longer time horizon, however the potential return is also higher. These funds capture parts of the market, including stocks, bonds, money markets, real estate, and other mutual funds to provide a diversified portfolio. The aim of these funds is to provide a diversified portfolio for an investor, without the individual investor having to decide how to divide their investments among all the available options. These funds are invested primarily in stocks. They offer potential for high return however have higher levels of risk associated with them due to the stock component.