What defines a mutual fund that comes with a sales charge or commission?

A mutual fund that comes with a sales charge or commission is defined as a load fund. When investors purchase shares in a load fund, they typically pay a fee, which may be applied at the time of purchase (front-end load) or when shares are sold (back-end load). This fee is intended to compensate financial advisors or brokers for their services in selling the fund. Load funds differ from no load funds, which do not impose any sales charges, meaning investors can buy and sell shares without incurring these additional costs.

Understanding the characteristics of load funds helps investors assess the overall costs associated with their investment and determine whether the benefits—such as professional management and potential for higher returns—justify the added expense. Therefore, recognizing what constitutes a load fund is crucial for making informed decisions in mutual fund investments.