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Hypo Venture Capital – Funds: Why This Could be the Answer Your Looking For!

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Here at Hypo Venture Capital we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.

Here we look to dispel some of the jargon and confusion surrounding ‘Funds’, breaking them down, with no nonsense explanations in an attempt to help you understand this strategic investment.

Starting out?

Many newcomers to equity investment are nervous about investing in individual firms – and with good reason. Putting all your money into a few stocks is a high-risk strategy, especially for the inexperienced, because it leaves you vulnerable to sharp fluctuations in the share price of the individual stocks you pick, not the markets in which they trade. If you get it right and pick winners, great. But if you pick a couple of big losers, your whole portfolio will be scuppered. Collective or ‘pooled’ investments can diversify your holdings and therefore reduce that risk.

Why pooled funds?

Unit trusts, open-ended investment companies (Oeics, pronounced ‘oiks’) and investment trusts are all vehicles that let you pool your money with lots of other ‘retail’ – or small – investors. (In the US, this kind of investment is known as a ‘mutual fund’.) The pooled money is then invested on your behalf in a wide range of different equities by specialist fund managers. (There are also funds that invest in bonds or other assets, such as commercial property or commodities.) The fund manager takes a fee to run the fund and research what stocks to buy.

If they get it right, it means you get access to a highly diversified range of stocks at a reasonable cost. It also gives you easy access to asset classes and international markets that would otherwise be difficult and/or expensive to invest in. For example, specialist funds are available that invest only in Japan, or Latin America, or only in technology firms, and so on. Also, different funds are designed to meet different investment objectives and there’s a wide range to choose from. Some aim for income, some for capital growth, and some for a balance of the two.

Unit trusts and Oeics

Until recently, unit trusts were the main kind of collective retail investment in the UK. With a unit trust, you buy a fixed number of units in a fund, which then rise and fall according to the value of the underlying assets the trust invests in. Over the past few years, many fund managers have converted their unit trusts into Oeics in the belief that investors find them simpler to understand. From the point of view of the investor, Oeics are more or less the same as unit trusts; they are ‘open-ended’ in the sense that (like unit trusts) the fund’s size expands and contracts depending on investor demand. The big difference is that Oeics have only one price (as opposed to the dual bid/offer pricing of unit trusts).

Investment trusts

Like Oeics, investment trusts are firms whose business is to invest in the shares of other companies. But unlike unit trusts and Oeics, investment trusts are ‘closed-ended’: there are a fixed number of shares in issue, which are traded on the stock exchange. The purpose of an investment trust is, broadly speaking, the same as an Oeic – to give smaller investors cheap access to a wide range of shares. But they are structured rather differently.

The fact that investment trust shares are traded on the open market (the London Stock Exchange) means the share price is determined not just by the value of the trust’s underlying assets, but by current market demand for its shares. Sometimes, if an investment trust is popular, it will trade at a premium to its net asset value (NAV). Other times, it will be trading at a discount.

Investment trusts can borrow money (called “gearing”), often up to 10%-15% of the value of assets and use it to invest in the markets. This is great if the markets go up, but of course the funds losses escalate if they fall.

The final significant difference is that investment trusts are cheaper to buy than unit trusts or Oeics. Actively managed unit trusts have upfront fees of anything up to 5%-6% of the investment, plus an annual management fee of around 1.5%. By contrast, charges on investment trusts are typically less than 1%.

Passive or active?

One way of minimising the cost is to go for an index-tracking fund. These funds aim to match or ‘track’ the performance of a given market index, such as the FTSE All-Share or the FTSE 100. They do this using computer programs to work out how much of each individual stock they need to buy and sell to mimic the performance of the index as a whole.

That’s much cheaper than employing lots of expensive ‘experts’ and researchers, so index-trackers are much cheaper than ‘actively-managed’ funds. Index-trackers might seem like a safety-first option, but there’s a great deal of research evidence to suggest that they outperform most actively managed funds over the long-run because their charges are so low (typically 0.5%, or even less).

Another good ‘passive’ form of pooled investment is the exchange-traded fund (ETF). These work like index-trackers, in that they target a particular market or sector index, but are traded as shares, allowing for a cheap and highly flexible investment.

Want to know more?

Hypo Venture Capital is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com

 

Hypo Venture Capital is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com

Related Venture Capital Articles

Hypo Venture Capital Headlines: Is the global economy back on an even keel?

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http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/is-the-global-economy-back-on-an-even-keel

Day rates for the movement of goods around the world hit their peak in early 2008, a few months before the global financial crisis. Which direction are these same prices heading in now, and can the shipping industry help predict the direction of the global economy?

Day rates for the movement of goods around the world hit their peak in early 2008, a few months before the global financial crisis. Which direction are these same prices heading in now, and can the shipping industry help predict the direction of the global economy?

Munshi Ahmed / Bloomberg

A port in Singapore. Around 90 per cent of all the world’s goods are transported by sea, meaning that when economic activity is strong, the shipping industry is buoyant.

A port in Singapore. Around 90 per cent of all the world’s goods are transported by sea, meaning that when economic activity is strong, the shipping industry is buoyant.

Bloomberg

Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi, which is being constructed between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the world.

Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi, which is being constructed between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the world.

Forty-two floors up, from the window of Mercator’s meeting room, Singapore stretches out, a landscape of order, dotted with trees and water.

To the south, a haze of humidity hangs on the horizon, reducing the Indonesian islands to no more than an outline. Ships, trawlers and tankers sit between these two points, like toys in a bath, motionless in their motion. These are some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, the blue of the ocean endlessly crossed by small black lines, keeping the economy of the world moving.

In the meeting room far above the sea, K Srivastava, a vice president of Mercator in Singapore, is explaining why the company he works for adopted a cautious approach during the heady days of the first half of 2008.

“We could see the cracks,” he says, “We could see the cracks very visibly because the day rates were so high. That on a long-term basis with that kind of day rates, one wonders whether any business can be sustainable.”

Mercator is one of the world’s leading dry bulk shipping companies, a company that moves vast quantities of dry goods – grains, coal, iron ore – around the world, servicing the factories and industries that keep the global economy moving.

Back in 2008, in the months before the financial markets collapsed, the per-day price for moving a shipment was vast. Companies such as Mercator were making huge profits. By one estimate, the shipping industry made an estimated US$ 80 billion (Dh294bn) in profits in 2004. But something didn’t quite add up.

“We found the day rates were too high, [too] unrealistic. The day rates were about $ 80,000 (Dh294,000) to $ 100,000 in the peak of times. So everybody who has a ship was earning $ 100,000 per day. Now that has a couple of implications. Operating costs for a ship are typically in the range of $ 5,000 per day. If you were to say you are earning $ 100,000 and operating costs are $ 5,000 … it’s still a lot of money. And therefore something had to be bizarre there.”

Mercator’s reaction to this situation was to hold fast, not taking on loans or debts. The day rates, notes Srivastava, were at their highest level for a decade. Other indexes were also high, at record levels. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), a measure of the daily average cost to ship dry bulk commodities, was at record levels.

Hypo Venture Capital Zurich Financial News and latest headlines – Hypo Venture Capital Zurich, Switzerland is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com.

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Hypo Venture Capital Zurich, Switzerland Retirement Investing Tips

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by BAIA

Consider Many Retirement Investment Options and Diversify Portfolio

Here at Hypo Venture Capital Zurich we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.

There are so many options for retirement investment planning that even the most ambitious person can feel daunted. But learning about retirement investment strategies as a young or middle-aged adult can save all kinds of financial worries later. The soundest approach to investing for retirement is to save slowly but persistently, and invest widely with as much information as possible.

The Best Approach to Retirement Investing

Every expert has a different recommendation for the best retirement investment decisions, but some advice is universal:

1. Figure out how much retirement income will be needed. Retirement investment calculators are available online that can predict how much a given investment will be worth or how much retirement income will be needed to maintain quality of life by retirement.

2. Start now by opening an investment retirement savings account. Even a small amount, deposited every week or every paycheck, eventually adds up to substantial savings that can be used to fund a comfortable retirement.

3. Knowledge is power. Take every opportunity to learn about retirement investments, as well as the best investment planning in general, and invest money from the aforementioned retirement account wisely as opportunities appear.

4. Create a diverse portfolio. Some stocks will go up while others go down. The real estate market might be booming while sales in other areas fall. The best retirement investment planning takes this into account and invests in several different options at once to ensure a solid investment portfolio that will do well, no matter what.

Retirement Investment Options

There are many retirement investment strategies available. While the best investment plan is always to diversify, with several investments, the following options are a key part of most investment strategies aimed at yielding retirement income:

• Annuities – An annuity works like the opposite of a mortgage. Money is invested in advance, and in retirement years the annuity pays out principle and interest on the investment.

• GICs – GICs guarantee a fixed rate of interest if money is left in an investment for a pre-arranged period. Once the term of the GIC is up, retirement funds can be reinvested again until needed.

• Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds – While there are differences, each of these investment vehicles is a way to speculate by investing money where it may grow – or may, possibly, shrink. The riskier the investment, the greater the potential earning. It’s wise to invest a portion of retirement savings in riskier investments like stocks and mutual funds, if thorough research suggests that they have a good chance of succeeding in delivering a healthy return on investment.

• Home Equity – Real estate is always a smart investment, and paying off the family home before retirement is one of the smartest investments. House values will only rise over time, and home equity can also be used in a reverse mortgage or withdrawn in a lump sum home equity loan if money is needed to supplement retirement income.

The best move, for anyone thinking about investing for retirement, is to learn as much as possible about retirement investment strategies and consider all the options in selecting investments. Speaking with a qualified financial advisor is a first step on the way to a solid investment strategy, and the first step to a profitable retirement portfolio.

About the Author:

Stephen Holmes is a Senior Vice President at World Assets Advisory, with experience in the Financial Services industry spanning over 25ys and 3 Continents. Stephen currently directs the Portfolio Risk Management Group after moving from the Equity Derivatives Research Group 3yrs ago. He has a PhD in Experimental Particle Physics and has been working in the alternative investment industry since 1992. His interests include classical music, reading and he often is a guest speaker at corporate functions with a focus on ‘Technology in Society’.

Want to know more?

Hypo Venture Capital Zurich, Switzerland is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com

 

Here at Hypo Venture Capital Zurich we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.

Find More Venture Capital Articles

Hypo Venture Capital – Socially Responsible Investing

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Here at Hypo Venture Capital we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.

What is socially responsible investing?

Socially responsible investing (SRI) describes an investment strategy that combines the intentions to maximize both financial return and social good. In general, socially responsible investors favor corporate practices that are environmentally responsible, support workplace diversity and increase product safety and quality.

RI strategies provide investors with the opportunity to create positive change in the world through their financial decisions while remaining focused on their long-term investment strategy.

Investing money in a socially conscious manner has gained popularity since the 1970s, though the origins of the concept can be traced back to the 17th century. The idea grew for a number of reasons, including issues regarding the environment, consumer and employee rights, and military activities.

Many individuals who were civil rights and anti-war protestors in the 1960s became investors in the 1970s and 1980s and were looking for a way to express their convictions through their investment portfolios. The first mutual fund to screen investments based on social criteria was established in 1971.

Today, more than 200 mutual funds offer investors a way to access a social investment strategy. Some funds are broad in nature, while others focus on a specific cause.

According to the Social Investment Forum, in 2007, nearly 1 out of every 9 dollars under professional management in the United States (more than $ 2.71 trillion) was involved in socially responsible investing, outpacing the overall market. Interest in this investment approach has grown significantly since the mid-1990s.

Along with funds and other professionally managed portfolios that specialize in socially responsible styles, the Social Investment Forum reports that mainstream money managers are also incorporating social and environmental screens into their investment selection processes. The approach has also taken on global dimensions, as more investors around the world seek to promote specific causes through their investment dollars.

Results can be favorable

An indication of the competitive performance of SRI funds is the performance of SRI indexes. The longest-running SRI index, the Domini 400, was started in 1990 and continues to perform competitively. When benchmarking this index against the S&P 500, the Domini 400 showed a 10.83% return vs. 10.33% total returns with the S&P 500.

Implementing social awareness in different ways

How can socially responsible investing be applied? This is something that can change from investor to investor, depending on each individual’s views. Generally, there are three ways that investors can try to effect change through their investment choices:

• Social screening. Eliminating companies from consideration for inclusion in a portfolio due to specific practices or types of business it pursues. Many social investors avoid companies whose products and business practices are harmful to individuals, communities or the environment.

• Shareholder activism. In some cases, investors or groups of investors (this can include mutual fund managers) will try to influence the behavior of a company or decisions by its board of directors. While this often is focused on improving financial performance, activism can also be a strategy to change a company’s business practices that could be considered detrimental to society.

This can involve filing shareholder resolutions on topics such as corporate governance, political contributions, gender/racial discrimination, pollution and problem labor practices, among other issues.

• Community investing. Institutions use investor capital to finance or guarantee loans to individuals or organizations to improve their own communities. Community investing projects are small and local and often focus on affordable housing, small business startups, improving community facilities and empowering minorities.

Mutual funds vs. individual investing

For most investors, mutual funds offer an easy way to gain access to the world of individual investing. Investors have a wide array of options available and the ability to select funds to invest in large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap stocks, and even in bond funds with a socially conscious angle.

Those who invest in individual securities or use a professionally managed account have the ability to be more selective in screening investments. This approach may be most appropriate for investors whose screening criteria are more specific than would occur with a mutual fund.

Themes arise with the times

Major social issues can often drive the interests of investors in terms of the social screens they favor. In the 1970s and 1980s, there was a great deal of pressure on investment managers to avoid investments in companies doing business in South Africa, at a time when the country maintained a policy of apartheid. In the 1990s, tobacco companies took center stage. Tobacco currently represents the most popular social screen employed in socially responsible mutual funds.

Today, there is increasing focus on the environment, as global warming has become a headline issue. Consumers have taken a greater interest in environmentally friendly products like hybrid cars and energy-efficient lightbulbs.

That same interest extends to investing, as more individuals seek out “green” funds. These portfolios may screen stocks of companies with poor pollution records and may seek to invest in technologies such as solar and wind power development.

Hypo Venture Capital – Investing in your priorities

A socially responsible strategy allows individuals to invest in a way that is consistent with their own priorities. As indicated by performance in recent years, choosing to invest in this manner does not mean sacrificing potential return. However, not all investments will perform in the same way.

If this method of investing interests you, work with your Hypo Venture Capital financial advisor to learn more about how SRI options can work in conjunction with your overall investment strategy. There are a number of mutual funds to choose from that can be incorporated into an existing or proposed asset allocation strategy. Alternatively, you can select specific investments that fit more particular criteria or apply your own social screens to your managed portfolio. Be sure to consider how any investment you choose matches your risk profile and your return expectations.

The most effective approach to socially responsible investing is to make sure that the execution of the strategy is consistent with your overall financial plan. Your HVC financial advisor can help you review your current asset allocation and help you consider whether social investing is right for you.

Hypo Venture Capital is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com

Hypo Venture Capital Asset Allocation: A Sound Investment Strategy Part 2

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Here at Hypo Venture Capital we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.

In today’s complex financial markets, you have an impressive array of investment vehicles from which to select. Each investment also carries some risks, making it important to choose wisely if you are selecting just one.
The good news is that there’s no rule that says you must stick with only one type of investment. In fact, you can potentially lower your investment risk and increase your chances of meeting your investment goals by practicing “asset allocation.”

Asset Allocation Can Work
For instance, at age 25 you may decide to invest with the goal of retiring in comfort within 40 years. Most likely, your investment goal is to achieve as much growth as possible growth that will outpace inflation substantially. In aiming to reach this goal, you may allocate 70% of your assets into aggressive growth stocks, 20% into bonds, and 10% into money market instruments. You have years to ride out the wide fluctuations that come with stocks, but at the same time, you potentially lower your risk with your bond and money market holdings.
Because your goals and circumstances are unique, you may want to talk with an investment advisor who can help you tailor an allocation strategy for your needs. Generally, your asset allocation will change as you reach different stages in your life, as your investment goals also change along with these shifts in lifestyle.
If you have been investing aggressively for retirement for more than 20 years and are now less than 10 years from retiring, protecting what your investment may have earned from market ups and downs may become more important. In this case you may want to gradually shift some of your stock allocation into your bond and money market holdings. Keep in mind, however, that many financial experts recommend that stocks be considered for every portfolio to maintain growth potential.
A Simple Process, Some Dramatic Potential Results
Asset allocation is a simple concept, yet vital to long-term investment success. In fact, a landmark study cited in Financial Analysts Journal shows that about 90% of the variability of average total returns earned by balanced mutual funds and pension plans over time was the result of asset allocation policy.3 For many individual investors, the asset allocation decision amounts to choosing what types of mutual funds to invest in and the amount to invest in each type of fund. Others may want to add individual securities to this mix after exploring their investment options.
Regardless of the asset allocation strategy you choose and the investments you select, keep in mind that a well-crafted plan of action over the long term can help you weather all sorts of changing market conditions as you aim to meet your investment goal(s).
Points to Remember
1.Asset allocation is the way in which you spread your investment portfolio among different asset classes, such as stocks and stock mutual funds, bonds, and bond mutual funds.
2.When prices of different types of assets do not move in tandem, combining these investments in a portfolio can help reduce the variability of returns, commonly referred to as “market risk.”
3.Mutual funds are pools of securities, usually offering diversification within a single asset class. Some mutual funds may include several asset classes.
4.The asset allocation that is right for you depends on your investment time frame, goals, and tolerance for risk.
5.As your investment time frame and goals change, so might your asset allocation. Many financial experts suggest reevaluating your asset allocation periodically or whenever you experience a milestone event in your life such as marriage, the birth of a child, or retirement.
Want to know more?
Hypo Venture Capital is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com

Hypo Venture Capital is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com

Related Venture Capital Articles

Hypo Venture Capital Asset Allocation: A Sound Investment Strategy Part 2

/in , /by

Here at Hypo Venture Capital we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.

In today’s complex financial markets, you have an impressive array of investment vehicles from which to select. Each investment also carries some risks, making it important to choose wisely if you are selecting just one.

The good news is that there’s no rule that says you must stick with only one type of investment. In fact, you can potentially lower your investment risk and increase your chances of meeting your investment goals by practicing “asset allocation.”

Asset Allocation Can Work

For instance, at age 25 you may decide to invest with the goal of retiring in comfort within 40 years. Most likely, your investment goal is to achieve as much growth as possible — growth that will outpace inflation substantially. In aiming to reach this goal, you may allocate 70% of your assets into aggressive growth stocks, 20% into bonds, and 10% into money market instruments. You have years to ride out the wide fluctuations that come with stocks, but at the same time, you potentially lower your risk with your bond and money market holdings.

Because your goals and circumstances are unique, you may want to talk with an investment advisor who can help you tailor an allocation strategy for your needs. Generally, your asset allocation will change as you reach different stages in your life, as your investment goals also change along with these shifts in lifestyle.

If you have been investing aggressively for retirement for more than 20 years and are now less than 10 years from retiring, protecting what your investment may have earned from market ups and downs may become more important. In this case you may want to gradually shift some of your stock allocation into your bond and money market holdings. Keep in mind, however, that many financial experts recommend that stocks be considered for every portfolio to maintain growth potential.

A Simple Process, Some Dramatic Potential Results

Asset allocation is a simple concept, yet vital to long-term investment success. In fact, a landmark study cited in Financial Analysts Journal shows that about 90% of the variability of average total returns earned by balanced mutual funds and pension plans over time was the result of asset allocation policy.3 For many individual investors, the asset allocation decision amounts to choosing what types of mutual funds to invest in and the amount to invest in each type of fund. Others may want to add individual securities to this mix after exploring their investment options.

Regardless of the asset allocation strategy you choose and the investments you select, keep in mind that a well-crafted plan of action over the long term can help you weather all sorts of changing market conditions as you aim to meet your investment goal(s).

Points to Remember

1. Asset allocation is the way in which you spread your investment portfolio among different asset classes, such as stocks and stock mutual funds, bonds, and bond mutual funds.

2. When prices of different types of assets do not move in tandem, combining these investments in a portfolio can help reduce the variability of returns, commonly referred to as “market risk.”

3. Mutual funds are pools of securities, usually offering diversification within a single asset class. Some mutual funds may include several asset classes.

4. The asset allocation that is right for you depends on your investment time frame, goals, and tolerance for risk.

5. As your investment time frame and goals change, so might your asset allocation. Many financial experts suggest reevaluating your asset allocation periodically or whenever you experience a milestone event in your life such as marriage, the birth of a child, or retirement.

Want to know more?

Hypo Venture Capital is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com

Hypo Venture Capital is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com

More Venture Capital Articles

Hypo Venture Capital Asset Allocation: A Sound Investment Strategy Part 2

/in , /by

Here at Hypo Venture Capital we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.

In today’s complex financial markets, you have an impressive array of investment vehicles from which to select. Each investment also carries some risks, making it important to choose wisely if you are selecting just one.

The good news is that there’s no rule that says you must stick with only one type of investment. In fact, you can potentially lower your investment risk and increase your chances of meeting your investment goals by practicing “asset allocation.”

Asset Allocation Can Work

For instance, at age 25 you may decide to invest with the goal of retiring in comfort within 40 years. Most likely, your investment goal is to achieve as much growth as possible — growth that will outpace inflation substantially. In aiming to reach this goal, you may allocate 70% of your assets into aggressive growth stocks, 20% into bonds, and 10% into money market instruments. You have years to ride out the wide fluctuations that come with stocks, but at the same time, you potentially lower your risk with your bond and money market holdings.

Because your goals and circumstances are unique, you may want to talk with an investment advisor who can help you tailor an allocation strategy for your needs. Generally, your asset allocation will change as you reach different stages in your life, as your investment goals also change along with these shifts in lifestyle.

If you have been investing aggressively for retirement for more than 20 years and are now less than 10 years from retiring, protecting what your investment may have earned from market ups and downs may become more important. In this case you may want to gradually shift some of your stock allocation into your bond and money market holdings. Keep in mind, however, that many financial experts recommend that stocks be considered for every portfolio to maintain growth potential.

A Simple Process, Some Dramatic Potential Results

Asset allocation is a simple concept, yet vital to long-term investment success. In fact, a landmark study cited in Financial Analysts Journal shows that about 90% of the variability of average total returns earned by balanced mutual funds and pension plans over time was the result of asset allocation policy.3 For many individual investors, the asset allocation decision amounts to choosing what types of mutual funds to invest in and the amount to invest in each type of fund. Others may want to add individual securities to this mix after exploring their investment options.

Regardless of the asset allocation strategy you choose and the investments you select, keep in mind that a well-crafted plan of action over the long term can help you weather all sorts of changing market conditions as you aim to meet your investment goal(s).

Points to Remember

1. Asset allocation is the way in which you spread your investment portfolio among different asset classes, such as stocks and stock mutual funds, bonds, and bond mutual funds.

2. When prices of different types of assets do not move in tandem, combining these investments in a portfolio can help reduce the variability of returns, commonly referred to as “market risk.”

3. Mutual funds are pools of securities, usually offering diversification within a single asset class. Some mutual funds may include several asset classes.

4. The asset allocation that is right for you depends on your investment time frame, goals, and tolerance for risk.

5. As your investment time frame and goals change, so might your asset allocation. Many financial experts suggest reevaluating your asset allocation periodically or whenever you experience a milestone event in your life such as marriage, the birth of a child, or retirement.

Want to know more?

Hypo Venture Capital is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com

Hypo Venture Capital is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com

Find More Venture Capital Articles