fund
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investment fund
An amount of money collected from many investors in order to invest jointly in securities such as stocks or bonds. Such funds are often managed by financial companies.
Er hat sein Geld in einen internationalen Aktienfonds investiert.
He invested his money in an international equity fund.
The word 'Fonds' (fund) comes from French. This explains why the 's' at the end is not pronounced in the singular. Only in the plural ('die Fonds') does the 's' become audible.
Dieser Fonds investiert hauptsächlich in europäische Staatsanleihen.
This fund invests mainly in European government bonds.
In written form, the singular and plural are identical. You can recognize the difference only by the article and the verb form. 'Der Fonds ist…' (the fund is..., singular) in contrast to 'Die Fonds sind…' (the funds are..., plural).
Der neue Fonds wurde gestern aufgelegt.
The new fund was launched yesterday.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about investing money, stocks, and returns, an investment fund is meant. If it is about foundations, support programs, or special purposes, it means a pool of resources.
Die Rendite dieses Fonds war im letzten Jahr sehr gut.
The return on this fund was very good last year.
In a financial context, typical verbs are 'in einen Fonds investieren' (to invest in a fund), 'einen Fonds auflegen' (to launch a fund), and 'Fondsanteile kaufen' (to buy fund shares) or 'verkaufen' (to sell fund shares).
Viele Anleger investieren monatlich in einen Sparplan für einen ETF-Fonds.
Many investors invest monthly in a savings plan for an ETF fund.
When a fund is intended for a specific purpose, this is often expressed with the preposition 'für' (for) or 'zur' (for / to support).
Es gibt einen Fonds zur Unterstützung von Kulturschaffenden.
There is a fund to support cultural workers.
stock / inventory
'der Bestand' and 'der Fonds' can both mean an existing collection or amount. 'Bestand' is the normal word for what is available or on hand, for example goods, books, or materials. 'Fonds' usually means resources that are available for a specific purpose, often money. In a rarer meaning, 'Fonds' can also mean a collection or stock of things that serves as a basis. In everyday language, 'Bestand' is much more neutral; 'Fonds' sounds more like financing, administration, or a special purpose.
Der Verein richtet einen Fonds ein, damit Familien in Not schnell Hilfe bekommen.
The association is setting up a fund so that families in need can receive help quickly.
Der Bestand der Bibliothek wächst jedes Jahr um viele neue Bücher.
The library's collection grows by many new books every year.