Question

An investor is considering the purchase of GMO International Equity Fun for her portfolio. GMOIEF has more than one class of shares. Although all classes hold the same portfolio of securities, each class has a different expense structure. This particular mutual fund has two classes of shares, A and B. The time horizon associated with the investor’s objective in purchasing GMOIEF is 3 years. She expects equity investments with risk characteristics similar to GMOIEF to earn 7 percent per year. Class A shares have a front-end load of %3, no back-end load and an annual expense of %1,5. Class B shares have no front-end load and an annual expense of 1.25%. The back-end load for Class B shares is %6 in the first year and declines by %1 each year thereafter. Which class of shares should the investor choose?

Answer 1

Let us say $100 is invested

Class A

Net amount invested = gross amount * (1 - front load %)

Net amount invested = $100 * (1 - 3%) = $97

Net returns per year = gross returns - expenses = 7% - 1.5% = 5.5%

Net proceeds received after 3 years = $97 * (1 + 5.5%)³ = $113.90

Class B

Back end load = 4%

Amount invested = $100

Net returns per year = gross returns - expenses = 7% - 1.25% = 5.75%

Net proceeds received after 3 years = $100 * (1 + 5.75%)³ * (1 - 4%) = $113.53

The net proceeds received after 3 years are higher with Class A

Therefore, the investor should choose Class A