Mutual funds are the dominant form of investment companies in the United
States today, with approximately $7 trillion in assets under management.
Over the past half century an important body of academic research has
addressed various issues about the nature of these companies. This book
is designed for academic researchers and practitioners interested in
funds for investment purposes. The authors briefly trace the historical
evolution of funds, present important aspects of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, and then summarize a substantial portion of the academic
literature written over the past five decades.