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The article reports on the recent introduction by Fidelity of two new index mutual funds that have no fees whatsoever. Topics discussed include a claim by analysts that the promise of no fees puts the company in a position to sell other products and services, the pressure it puts on other index-fund providers to lower fees, and an emerging industry trend toward lower-cost investing.

The article discusses the difficulties encountered by investors in understanding annuities. Topics discussed include the investment returns and the history of the introduction of annuities in the U.S., the details of elementary school teacher Melanie Panush Lindert's experience with annuities and her move to mutual funds to generate retirement income and the pros and cons of annuities, according to mathematicians.

Investors have flocked to the ''set it and forget it'' style of mutual funds known as target-date funds, where the mix of investments automatically becomes more conservative as the retirement date approaches. But when the markets plunged, it became readily apparent that some funds did a better job of protecting investors than others. What was most surprising, however, was the wide variation in performance among funds with the same target date. And most alarmingly, some 2010 funds lost more than the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Want to build an inexpensive investment portfolio? Now you have access to supercheap building blocks, as well as easy instructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

You can add Vanguard to the list of brokerage companies that have lowered their trading commissions and waived trading fees on exchange-traded funds, a move that will apply to all 46 of its funds. Exchange-traded funds are basically mutual funds that trade like stocks. They are pegged to indexes that track different parts of the market. E.T.F.'s also tend to be less expensive and more tax-efficient than their mutual fund counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

[Updated 7:41 p.m.] With the cloud of uncertainty still looming over financial markets, hundreds of readers responded to an invitation to submit questions about the effect on their personal finances. And several recurring themes emerged. Many individuals are still concerned about the safety of their money market mutual funds, as well as the specifics behind the alphabet soup of insurance, from F.D.I.C. to S.I.P.C. Some are worried that they will not be able to get student loans for college, while others have questions about their retirement funds. Answers to many of these questions appear below. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Money market funds have been among the few places that investors could put their cash and sleep peacefully. At the moment, that is not necessarily true. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Focuses on a study which revealed that investors in the U.S. with mutual funds in taxable accounts can expect a much sharper tax increase.

Focuses on the emergence of exchange-traded funds linked to commodities in the U.S.

Reports on the registration statement filed by Barclays Global Investors with the Securities and Exchange Commission seeking approval for the new product called iShares Silver Trust in June 2005.

Reports on the growth of exchange-traded funds being provided by U.S. brokerage firms, as of January 19, 2005.

Presents an update on mutual funds in the U.S. as of December 13, 2004, citing the increase in assets of the Columbia Small Cap fund.

Provides information on various exchange-traded funds in the U.S.

Deals with the complaint filed by the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission against former employees of Prudential Securities regarding market-timing trades of mutual fund shares.

Reports on the decline in Pfizer Inc. stock amid negative news about its painkiller Celebrex, and its impact on mutual-fund shareholders.