Goals

• Long-term and short-term goals require different types of investments.group of kids playing image by dip from Fotolia.com
  
  Some American Funds and Oppenheimer Funds work better for different goals. Comparing funds that are appropriate for an investor's time frame will narrow the focus of funds to evaluate.
  
  

Asset Class

• Compare funds with similar investment goals.arrows pointing the center image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
  
  Compare large-company stock funds with each other, not against low-grade bonds. By keeping asset classes of Oppenheimer and American Funds grouped together, you'll better compare apples-to-apples.
  
  

Performance

• Compare short- and long-term returns of the fund.silver bevel symbol percentage image by PaulPaladin from Fotolia.com
  
  Find sites that show mutual fund historical returns and compare short- and long-term investment results. Fund rating websites such as Morningstar or the fund prospectus list many aspects of a fund, including performance.
  
  

Management

• A fund's results largely depend on the management team.professional woman image by nutech21 from Fotolia.com
  
  A fund with good long-term results may not continue to do well with a new manager. Compare the manager's longevity to ensure they're responsible for any positive performance data for Oppenheimer or American Funds.
  
  

Fees

• Management and sales fees slow investment results.money makes money image by Andrey Andreev from Fotolia.com
  
  Fees erode returns in your fund. Evaluate sales charges and internal management costs of funds to adequately compare the choices.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Fund companies rarely are good at every asset class.stock market analysis screenshot image by .shock from Fotolia.com
  
  Some investors believe one investment family is better than the other. Generally, investment companies aren't good at every asset class. They may have superior results in a few asset categories.