There are four basic asset classes, or investment categories, from which you can select. Each has unique qualities, dangers, and advantages.
Once you are familiar with the various asset classes, you may start to consider putting together a mix that would work for your unique situation and risk tolerance.
Investments in growth
These are better suited for long-term investors who can withstand market ups and downs.
Shares
Shares are regarded as growth investments since they can, over the long run, assist in increasing the value of your initial investment.
Dividends, which are essentially a portion of a company’s profit distributed to its shareholders, are another source of income that may be received if you own shares.
Of again, shares’ worth could potentially decrease below what you paid for them. Shares are typically best suited to long-term investors who are fine with these ups and downs because prices can be erratic day to day.
Shares, also referred to as equities, are among the riskiest investment categories even though they have traditionally produced larger returns than other assets.
Property
Due to the potential for significant price increases in the medium to long term for homes and other assets, real estate is also seen as a growth investment.
Property does, however, carry the risk of loss and can lose value just like shares do.
A property purchase can be used to invest directly or indirectly through a property investment fund.
Safe investments
These are viewed as lower risk than growth investments since they are more concentrated on reliably delivering income than on growth.
Cash
Term deposits, high interest savings accounts, and regular bank accounts are all examples of cash investments.
Of all the investment types, they frequently have the lowest prospective returns.
Despite having no potential of capital development, they can provide consistent income, protect wealth, and lower risk in a portfolio of investments.
Variable interest
Bonds, which are essentially when governments or firms borrow money from investors and pay them a rate of interest in exchange, are the most well-known sort of fixed interest investments.
Because they typically offer smaller potential returns and lower levels of risk than shares or property, bonds are also seen as a defensive investment.
Like cash, they can also be sold very rapidly, though it’s crucial to understand that there is a chance of suffering capital losses.
