Many investors are not getting the full returns from their mutual funds and ETFs due to cash-flow timing. Over a decade, this gap can eat 15% of gains. Morningstar’s study shows fund investors earned 6.3% annually versus 7.3% for the funds. Diversified funds tend to keep investors closer to posted returns.

The top seven S&P 500 stocks, including Nvidia, have seen significant gains in the last decade. However, focusing on speculative high-return stocks can be risky. Practicing investing discipline, like dollar-cost averaging, can lead to respectable returns without chasing high-risk stocks.

62% of Americans have money invested in the stock market, with investments accounting for 45% of U.S. households’ financial assets in 2025. Broad market index funds lower risk by diversifying across many holdings. Setting up regular contributions and consulting a financial advisor can help narrow the gap between fund returns and actual profits.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Investors lose 15% of returns over 10 years due to common mistakes. Are you getting the most from your investments?