Large Cap Mutual Funds or Index Funds

[mwgr5]

I'm seventeen years old and am assembling a 10k portfolio of mutual funds in Roth IRAs. I am currently choosing how to invest in the large cap area. I have decided to either invest in a large value and large growth mutual fund or to invest in an index fund, such as one that tracks the S&P 500. I am not sure which route to go because the money invested will be in Roth IRA accounts so the investments will be very long term. The long-term nature of the investments worries me about investing in mutual funds because of the uncertainty of future management and performance. Also, most large cap mutual funds do not outperform index funds, and index funds have much lower expenses. However, the tax efficiency of an index fund would be negated because of the Roth IRA, and the higher return possible through mutual funds run by skilled managers like Bill Miller is tempting. As you can see, I need some suggestions. Thanks.