Investments

When exploring the world of investments, it’s important to gain a broad perspective of the various types for a clear understanding of how each of them can work towards achieving your objectives. Each has its own investment characteristics which, when applied individually, may not be appropriate for your financial profile; however, when they are strategically combined in a portfolio, they can work in concert to meet your investment objectives within your risk parameters. It is, therefore, important to consider all investments in light of your specific objectives and risk tolerance.

Investments for Growth Stocks: You can own a piece of a company on the rise. Companies raise capital for their own investment by issuing shares of stock to the public. After issue, the shares are bought and sold on the open market through stock exchanges. When investors perceive that a company’s future earnings prospects are favorable, they will bid up the price of its shares. Stock prices generally rise in a growing economy, and decline in a shrinking economy. Historically, stock prices have always trended upwards, but the market is always subject to downward swings.

Equity Funds: Rather than trying to do it yourself, you should leave it to the professionals to identify companies with the greatest potential and who manage a whole portfolio of investments on your behalf. This provides you with immediate diversification which is essential to minimizing your risk. You can achieve greater diversification by investing in funds that focus on different industry segments or global regions.

Index Funds: One of the ways to participate in the growth of the markets is to invest in index funds, which are similar to mutual funds in that they consist of a big basket of stocks. Unlike mutual funds, they are not actively managed; they simply track the movement of various stock indexes.

Investments for Income

Government Securities: The U.S. government borrows money in order to finance its debt and expenditures. When you purchase a U.S. Treasury note from the government, you are, in essence, loaning it money for which it pays you a fixed rate of interest. Because these notes are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, they are considered to be one of the safest of investments.

Corporate Bonds: The other way companies raise capital is by borrowing money from investors. A company can sell bonds to individuals, and

Companies can also raise capital by issuing debt securities. An individual who owns a corporate bond is a bondholder who receives interest payments from the company. Bonds are typically issued in $1000 increments are have a fixed rate of interest attached to it. Because bonds trade actively in the open market their prices can fluctuate, however, if held to maturity, the bondholder receives the full face amount of the bond.

Hard Assets

Real estate: In recent years, real estate has become less of a sure thing as investments, however, over the long term, they can still be a potential hedge against inflation. Investments such as Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) make it possible for smaller investors to participate in various sectors of real estate. REITs, invest in a portfolio of properties in either the commercial market or multi-family residential market.

All of these investments entail market risk which means there is always the possibility of selling an investment for less than its purchase price. Investors should fully understand their own tolerance for risk and should only consider investing as a long-term proposition. Market risk can be reduced through a well-conceived, broadly-diversified investment strategy consisting of multiple asset classes. Working together, we can help you identify your investment objectives and risk profile in order to create a customized, long-term investment plan.

Contact us today to learn more about our personalized investment services.

For more information about our firm and the services we offer, send us a quick email or call the office. We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you.

bschaper@constellationfa.com | (410) 321-8808