If you own a mutual fund, and the mutual fund owns Apple Computer shares, are you an Apple Corp. owner?

No. You do not vote the shares. The mutual fund votes for you.

Buy a few shares in your name if you want to go. You will get all the mailings and invitations just like the big boys.

Yes you own some of Apple. But as @worriedguy says, you can’t vote those shares.

Thanks @worriedguy… so how does the mutual fund company decide how to vote?

Sad to say, they almost always vote the way the corporations want them to. The people running managing the funds are friends with the ones running the corporations.
I can only think of one case where they did not. (Disney 5–7 years ago).

Not a voting owner. Your mutual fund manager would be that.
oops. sorry @worriedguy. I see you bin there dun that.

I have never opted for mutual funds because of what can be lumped together in one’s portfolio. The way I understand it…and, someone here may know better…you may have Apple stock for now, but that can change. And, you wouldn’t necessarily be notified.

True, with a mutual fund, you are betting on the fund’s general thrust and the wisdom of its manager. You should study these when you invest in a fund.

There are firms that advise funds on how to vote their shares. From what I know, though, very few actually bother to give it some thought. I heard from one such firm that the person who used to be responsible to vote at the fund before he came along was the mailroom guy: he simply opened the letter, voted with management and sent it back.

You might find this interesting.

@bob_ I hope that firm isn’t Fidelity or Vanguard.

@anartist Fidelity claims that they don’t always vote with management. Note, however, this particular bit: “Fidelity can ultimately voice its opinions on the policies of management through the level of ownership the Fidelity funds maintain in the individual companies.” Meaning, since they only own a (relatively) small stake of companies, their votes ultimately might not make much of a difference (which is why most funds don’t even bother).

No, you are not a shareowner or record and you have no vote.