Definitions for "Index funds"
Mutual funds holding portfolios that attempt to duplicate a market average such as the S&P; 500.
Funds that seek to match the returns of a market index by buying into securities that make up the corresponding index (such as S&P CNX Nifty). When you invest in index funds, you are essentially seeking to "buy the market" and not trying to outperform it. Investing in index funds is also known as passive investing.
This category of funds seeks to match the returns of a market index (e.g., Standard & Poor's 500 Index). The funds usually invest in the securities that make up the corresponding index. When you invest in index funds, you are essentially seeking to "buy the market" and not are trying to outperform it.
Unit trusts which invest in the constituent parts of an index.