For mutual funds, investors send checks to the asset manager, which are invested by the portfolio manager at the end of the day. The investors get “units” of the fund at the end-of-day unit price, which is calculated from the “net asset value” of the fund.

Although Alibaba stock looks reasonably priced, Amazon's lower business risk from the U.S.-China tensions gives it the edge as the better long-term investment. The drop in its P/E ratio in recent months makes now a good time to pick up shares.