Analysis of special investment funds focusing on the Czech Republic in the years 2004 - 2014

This thesis deals with retail investors investing in mutual funds in the Czech Republic and focuses on the period from 2004 to 2014. The aim is to analyze what investment opportunities special funds can offer retail investors. The theoretical part defines important terms for collective investment, the concept of the so called "magic triangle", illustrating the relationship between return, risk and liquidity, and the differences between retail and qualified investors. It also briefly outlines the development of collective investment in the world and in the Czech Republic, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of collective investment. Subsequently, the current classification of collective investment funds in the Czech Republic are analyzed from different perspectives. No major differences have been found in the regulation of standard and special funds. The main contribution that this work provides is the detailed analysis of five chosen special funds, forming the practical part of this thesis. Based on the selected criteria it has been found that only some of the chosen special funds can offer retail investors the possibility of an interesting appreciation of invested funds. The work points to the fact that the legislation of the fund is not as fundamental for retail investors as the specific type of investment strategy and the focus of the fund