That you essentially waive your voting rights by investing in mutual funds is a downside that usually isn't brought up in investing guides. The usual advise is

That you essentially waive your voting rights by investing in mutual funds is a downside that usually isn't brought up in investing guides. The usual advise is that, for most people, mutual funds are "better" than owning individual stocks, and that index funds are "better" than actively managed funds because most managers can't beat the market and can't justify the higher fees. But each level of indirection dilutes your individual power to vote. Shareholder voting really does make a difference. Here's one case where the big three voted against management (for what I think were the right reasons): https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/05/31/exxonmobil-is-trying-to-fend-off-a-shareholder-rebellion-over-climate-change/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/20...