Answer and Explanation:
To calculate the annual return on the mutual fund over the two-year investment period, we need to consider the initial investment, the load fee, the annual fund operating expenses, and the annual returns.
1. Calculate the load fee deduction:
The load fee is 2% of the initial investment of $10,000.
Load fee deduction = 2% of $10,000 = $200
2. Calculate the net initial investment:
Net initial investment = Initial investment - Load fee deduction
Net initial investment = $10,000 - $200 = $9,800
3. Calculate the average net asset value for each year:
At the end of each year, the annual fees are charged on the average net asset value.
Year 1: Average net asset value = Net initial investment
Year 2: Average net asset value = Net initial investment + Return from Year 1
4. Calculate the return for each year:
The investment returns 5% each year, paid on the last day of the year.
Year 1 return = 5% of Net initial investment
Year 2 return = 5% of (Net initial investment + Return from Year 1)
5. Calculate the annual fees for each year:
The annual fund operating expenses are 0.85% of the average net asset value.
Year 1 fees = 0.85% of Net initial investment
Year 2 fees = 0.85% of (Net initial investment + Return from Year 1)
6. Calculate the total return after two years:
Total return = Return from Year 1 + Return from Year 2
7. Calculate the total fees after two years:
Total fees = Year 1 fees + Year 2 fees
8. Calculate the net return after fees:
Net return = Total return - Total fees
9. Calculate the annual return on the mutual fund:
Annual return = (Net return / Net initial investment) ^ (1 / number of years) - 1
Substitute the values into the formula and calculate the annual return on the mutual fund over the two-year investment period.
Please note that the calculations involve multiple steps, so it's essential to pay attention to each intermediate calculation and round the final answer to three decimal places as specified in the question.