The market is flooded with thousands of mutual fund investment choices and choosing the right one seems like a daunting task. The methods to measure and compare are plenty and it can often confuse investors. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right mutual funds investment and reap high returns.

Determine your investment goal

You must first determine if you are looking at long-term gains or are focusing on your current income. Ask yourself if you want to invest to cover your existing expenditures or plan for your retirement. Just by identifying your investment goal, you can eliminate several mutual fund investment options. Additionally, you must determine the period you want your money to be tied up in an investment, how much of a risk you are willing to take and whether you might encounter liquidity concerns in the future.

Analyse the charges on mutual funds

Mutual funds work by charging a fee to the investor. Some of them charge a sales fee termed as a load. They can be paid from the initial investment made by the investor of after an investor sells his investment, known as front-end and back-end load respectively. Compare the charges before you zero in on the mutual funds and pick one that ensures highest returns. You must also take into consideration, the expense ratio of the fund before coming to a decision. The expense ratio is nothing but the ongoing cost of the fund, which is a credible predictor of the fund’s future performance.

Evaluate the performance

Although the past performance of a mutual fund does not promise its success in the future, it is important to study it. While making a decision, look into the fund’s performance and observe if there have been extreme swings. Check the funds’ Morningstar ratings before making your decision. A higher Morningstar rating is indicative of the fund’s consistent performance. You can even observe the funds’ long-term performance to help you narrow down your choices.