How to Find a Mutual Fund Rating

Rating systems *****
Step 1
To find a mutual fund rating, the best place to begin your search is Morningstar. Morningstar is the leading research and rating agency for mutual funds. They rate mutual funds on a scale of 0 to 5 stars with 5 being the best. While a mutual fund rating should not be the only factor to consider, it is important.

Step 2
To use morningstar, Go to Morningstars website and enter the ticker symbol for the mutual fund. For example, Type in "TREMX" to look up T.Rowe Price Emerging Markets mutual fund. This will provide you with the mutual fund rating from morninggstar.

Step 3
Go to Businessweek's website. Enter the ticker symbol agaign to recieve the rating. Businessweek is a leading magazine and paper company and are generally unbiased in their ratings. I have used their rating systems myself and find them to be safe and reliable.

Step 4
If you watch Jim Cramer's Mad Money, then you should know that his website, TheStreet.com, provides both stock and mutual fund ratings. These ratings are the same as you receive on your report card. A, B, C, D, and F.

Step 5
Try not to focus on just one companies rating for a specific mutual fund. Some companies might be influenced by certain factors that sway their decision. FOr instance, a mutual fund might hold the stock of the parent company of the website. Obviously, this is going to influence the rating. I would suggest using all the ratings you can find to compute an average.