What is the difference between a mutual fund and a savings account?

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What is the difference between a mutual fund and a savings account?

The main difference between a mutual fund and a savings account is the way they generate returns and the level of risk involved.

A mutual fund is an investment vehicle that pools money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. The returns of a mutual fund are based on the performance of the underlying investments. Mutual funds offer the potential for higher returns but also come with a higher level of risk. They are managed by professional fund managers who make investment decisions on behalf of the investors.

On the other hand, a savings account is a deposit account offered by banks or financial institutions where individuals can store their money and earn interest on it. Savings accounts are considered low-risk investments as they offer a fixed interest rate and the principal amount is generally insured by the government up to a certain limit. However, the returns from savings accounts are typically lower compared to mutual funds.

In summary, while mutual funds involve investing in a diversified portfolio of securities with the potential for higher returns and higher risk, savings accounts are low-risk investments that offer a fixed interest rate.