To coincide with the publication of this year’s “FMA Market Study on Fees charged by Funds for Austrian Public Funds”, in the latest edition of its consumer information series “Let’s talk about money” the FMA explains what an investment fund is, and why kinds of fees may be charged when buying units in a fund. The current average and maximum values of different types of charges are summarised in a clear table – broken down by category of fund.<\/p>
“In the latest edition of ‘Let’s talk about money’ we want to enable consumers to compare the ongoing charges and entry charges across all categories of investments”, remarked the FMA’s Executive Directors, Helmut Ettl and Eduard Müller. This cost transparency allows investors to make a decision that is tailored for their investment needs. As with every investment, the principle applies that “the higher the return, the higher the risk involved”, remarked the FMA’s Executive Directors.<\/p>
The FMA conducts an annual “Market Study on Fund Fees charged by Austrian Retail Funds”. This year, costs stated for 1,014 Austrian investment funds in their respective Key Investor Information Document (KIID) were analysed, and mean values calculated to make it easier to compare charges. The finding of this year’s study again shows that funds that have a higher risk class charge higher fees. Sustainable funds that bear the Austrian EcoLabel certificate charge marginally lower fees in comparison with the market as a whole.<\/p>