INVESTNOW MILFORD BALANCED FUND

This investment mix shows what this fund holds (in teal): the proportion of growth assets (shares, commercial property, or other) or income assets (bonds or cash). You can compare it with the average mix for this type of fund (in grey).

It's important to know that this shows what the fund actually held in the most recent quarter, not necessarily what its target is over the long term. Fund managers may vary their investment mix depending on market conditions, so occasionally this can cause a fund to temporarily change categories (e.g. balanced to conservative).

As you invest, your mix (often called asset allocation) is the most significant factor that will determine the results you get, including the ups and downs in value you experience. Choosing a specific mix is a way of dialling your risk up or down, depending on the amount of growth assets you take on board.

For the most appropriate mix for you and your situation (often called your risk profile), see Sorted's investor kickstarter for managed funds, or answer these three questions for KiwiSaver funds.

Fees shown here (in purple) are based on what you would pay over a year if you had $30,000 in this fund. This includes both flat fees for membership and percentage fees.

The emptiest "doughnut" graph shows the fund with the lowest fees – a full one shows the one with the highest. You can compare each fund's fees to the average fees for this type of fund (in grey).

Fees cover the fund manager's costs. But the fees eat away at your results, so it's important to take note of fees. Higher fees don't necessarily mean better results – sometimes just the opposite.

Percentages make these fees seem tiny, but over long periods of time they typically add up to tens of thousands of dollars. To get an idea, see Sorted's KiwiSaver fund finder. Here's even more about fees.

The return figures here show how much this fund has grown in value on average each year over the past five years (in green). This is after fees and taxes have been taken out.

A full "doughnut" graph here shows the fund with the highest 5-year return. You can compare each fund's results with the average for this type of fund (in grey).

Returns are the money that comes back to you from investing. They typically come from your investment becoming worth more, either because someone is willing to pay more for it, or from the money it spins off (such as profits you share when you invest in a company).

Chasing returns always brings a certain amount of risk with it. The higher returns you seek, the more risk you have to take on. These returns figures can be both positive and negative. Here's more on risk and return.