The question of how much investment risk one should take on has a variety of answers. It’s contingent on your unique circumstances, objectives, and comfort zone when it comes to risk. Some individuals are more at ease with risk, while others may be willing to take on more risk to reach their goals. Everyone has varying degrees of tolerance for different types of risk.
Asset allocation plays a crucial role in shaping your financial future. It’s the strategic distribution of your investments across various asset classes, aiding in risk minimisation while bolstering potential returns.
Achieving financial goals and gaining the freedom to live the life we want
Investing is no longer a luxury reserved for the very wealthy; it’s a financial necessity for everyone. Whether we’re saving for retirement or our children’s education, personal investing is crucial in securing our financial futures. However, navigating the world of equities, bonds, and property can be daunting, especially for beginners.
Even the most experienced investors can make costly mistakes
The common adage ‘buy low, sell high’ might seem like a foolproof strategy for maximising investment returns. However, the reality is far more complex than simply trying to predict market fluctuations. Timing the market involves anticipating its highs and lows to buy when prices are at their lowest and sell when they peak.
Cultivating a habit of disciplined investing, smoothing out market fluctuations and reducing overall risk
There may come a time in your life when you are fortunate enough to come into a large sum of money. This could result from a matured savings or investment plan, the sale of a business or valuable assets like a house or an inheritance.
Rather than purchasing assets individually, another option is to use the services of an expert professional fund manager who makes informed decisions on your behalf. Investment funds amalgamate capital from numerous investors, granting each participant proportional ownership.
Ensuring that your savings and investment returns are minimised for taxation
Individual Savings Accounts, or ISAs, are a protective tax-efficient wrapper, ensuring that your savings and investment returns are minimised for taxation. Depending on your financial planning, you can opt for ISAs that offer instant access to your capital, perfect for short-term goals.
Pooled funds that offer various investment strategies to choose from
Investment funds, also called ‘collective investment schemes’, are often large pools of capital created by garnering small investments from many individuals. This fund is then managed by a professional or a team of professionals who decide on the assets to invest in.
A public limited company that aims to make money by investing in other companies
Investment trusts are public limited company entities listed and traded on the London Stock Exchange. These trusts are required to publish an audited annual report and accounts, and they also operate under a board of directors who oversee the trust’s manager. When you put your money into an investment trust, you essentially buy shares in that company.
Often presented as a persuasive opportunity for financial gain
An insidious kind of fraud, the investment scam, often presents a persuasive opportunity for financial gain, requiring only your monetary contribution. At first glance, these offers may appear entirely legitimate, fooling even the savviest individuals. Yet, in most instances, victims of such scams lose partial or total amounts of their invested capital.
