Diversification: What It Is, Why It Is Important, and How You Can Stay Ahead of the Curve

Diversification in investing is simply having different investments that each reacts differently to the same economic event. In other words, it is the process by which one invests money in various entities to lessen the impact of market shifts or downturns. Keeping your investments diversified is a wise idea that could have many benefits. Here is some excellent information about why diversification can be crucial and the benefits you can gain from it. 

 

Minimize the Risk of Loss

Any time you invest money, you risk losing it. The trick is to make sure you are not at risk for losing too much, and diversification in your investments is the best way to accomplish this goal, in our opinion. When you diversify your portfolio, you can offset losses from ones that do poorly with the ones that do well. That way, your overall portfolio could be designed to minimize the effect of a huge loss. 

 

Preserve Your Capital 

Not all investors need to worry about preserving their capital. But, those who are nearing retirement age need to consider this, as they are no longer at the stage of their lives where they are accumulating a lot of capital. When you get to this stage of your life, diversifying your investments is a great way to help protect your savings, so they will last you as long as you need them. 

 

Create Multiple Sources of Income 

The more diversified your portfolio is, the more potential outlets you give yourself for making money. No matter how carefully you choose where you invest your money, you will never do so with 100 percent perfection. But, if you have your money spread into different types of investments, you could have a good chance of a steady stream of income between them. 

 

Higher Returns 

The goal of any investor is to make money. This goal potentially can be reached more efficiently with a diversified portfolio. When investors diversify their funds, they could have a much better chance of seeing high returns when the money is invested over a long period. 

 

Since having a diversified investment portfolio is so important, it is imperative to know how to create one as well. Here are some ways to check up on if your portfolio is diverse enough (and how to keep it that way). 

 

Spread Your Investments Around 

Putting all of your money into one stock or bond will not get you the returns you want. Instead, diversification encourages you to put your money in several different sectors. Invest some of your money into companies you know well, trust, and are confident of their profitability. But do not stop there. Think outside the box and venture to other places as well. Consider investing in global companies, too. Also, do not rely solely on stocks and bonds. If appropriate, you can also invest in commodities, exchange-traded funds, and real estate investment trusts, to name a few ideas. Keep in mind that you do not want to overdo it. Try to limit your diversification to 20-30 different investments. 

 

Recommended Article: The Time Tested 7 Step Custom Financial Planning Process

 

Consider Index or Bond Funds

Index and bond funds are both long-term additions. These investments are helpful for hedging your portfolio against volatility and uncertainty. These funds tend to have low fees, so they also allow you to keep more money in your pocket where it belongs. 

 

Always Work at Building Your Portfolio 

Do not let your portfolio get stagnant. Keep adding to it whenever you can. Doing so will help protect you from a volatile market since you will be investing your money over time. Also, it will allow you to purchase more shares when prices are low and fewer when prices are high. 

 

Know When it is Time to Cut Bait 

Be vigilant with your investments. There is no excuse for not knowing how they are performing at all times. Knowing how your investments are faring and how the market is doing, in general, is key to making smart decisions. By having this knowledge, it will be easier for you to know when to divest your money and allocate it elsewhere. 

 

Watch Commissions 

Keeping track of the commissions you are paying is crucial when you are investing your money. You need to know how much you are paying in commissions for each of your investments. You also need to see if you are being charged any transaction fees. Some companies charge monthly fees for investing your money. All of these changes can add up over time and can get costly if you are not paying attention. So, always be aware of what you are paying, to whom you are paying it, what you are getting for it, and if any unexpected changes happen with it. 

 

If you want help creating a diversified investment portfolio, contact us today. Our experienced staff is here to help you make investments that strives to bring you quality returns. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opinions expressed in the article are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. All opinions are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete.

Keep in mind that there is no assurance that any strategy or financial plan will ultimately be successful or profitable nor protect against a loss.

The information contained in this blog does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material.

Investments mentioned may not be suitable for all investors.

Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation.

Investments mentioned may not be suitable for all investors.

Past performance may not be indicative of future results.