Which statement about expense ratios and load fees is most accurate for long-term investment performance?

• A. They increase returns.
• B. They do not affect net returns.
• C. They directly reduce net returns over time.
• D. They only affect taxes.

Answer: (C)

Costs built into a fund, like the expense ratio and any sales loads, are taken out of the fund’s assets. That means the money that actually earns a return is smaller than the fund’s gross performance, and over many years those small yearly costs compound, steadily reducing the amount that grows each year. Because of this compounding drag, the after-fee, or net, return is lower than the fund’s reported performance. It’s not a boost to returns, and while taxes can matter, these costs mainly trim what you actually keep from your investments over time. So the statement that they directly reduce net returns over time is the best description of their long-term impact.