A mutual fund is a type of investment vehicle that pools money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. Mutual funds are managed by professional fund managers who make investment decisions on behalf of the investors, aiming to achieve the fund's stated investment objectives.

Here are some key characteristics of mutual funds:

1. Diversification:  Mutual funds offer investors diversification, which means spreading investments across a range of assets. This reduces the risk associated with investing in a single security.
2. Professional Management:  Experienced fund managers oversee the fund's investments, making decisions about what securities to buy, hold, or sell based on their analysis and the fund's objectives.
3. Liquidity: Mutual funds are generally considered liquid investments. Investors can buy or sell shares on any business day at the fund's net asset value (NAV), which is the value of the fund's assets minus its liabilities.
4. Variety of Funds:  There are many types of mutual funds available, each with different investment objectives and strategies. These can include equity (stock) funds, bond funds, money market funds, index funds, sector-specific funds, and more.
5. Risk and Return:  Different mutual funds have varying levels of risk and potential return. Generally, equity funds have higher potential returns but come with higher risk, while bond funds are typically considered lower risk but have potentially lower returns.