Find a List of Growth Index Funds

Index funds were first conceived of, at least theoretically, back in the 1600s. This was when early movers and shakers tried to figure out how to predict the future while gambling. This early work on the strategy of risk and risk management later came to fruition in index funds. Index funds are investment tools that seek to follow the market—not to beat it and not to perform under it.

Make sure you know the meaning of the term growth index fund before you look for a list of them. Index funds are what you'll find listed primarily, while you'll see the term growth index fund less often. In general, a growth index fund is an index fund that tries to follow the movement of a specific index or indices, such as large-cap stocks that are growth oriented.

Head to the library or a good bookstore once you're sure that index funds are right for you. One book, in particular, in the All About series, can be helpful for finding background as well as a list of growth index funds: "All About Index Funds: The Easy Way to Get Started" by Richard A. Ferri.

Search for growth index funds on the Internet (a few helpful links are provided in the Resources section below) if you still seek more information on a list of these funds. Again, you're more likely to find information and lists simply searching under index funds. Among these, you can then pinpoint which funds are focused on indices that track growth-oriented companies.

Consult a good investment advisor if you think you still may not be seeing the whole picture. It's helpful to ask trusted associates and friends for recommendations. It can also be helpful to let this group know you're looking specifically for index fund advice.

Tips & Warnings

• Index funds are popular with many investors because, by nature, they require very little management. This means they are relatively low-cost to the investor.
• Because index funds follow the major market indices, you know something of what to expect. There are plenty of riskier directions in which to invest your money.
• Index funds do track the stock market, which is a volatile entity. Just because you're thinking of index funds doesn't mean you won't experience a fair degree of risk.