Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Mutual Funds As Your Alternative Investment Portfolio

By Suzanne Bender Platinum Quality Author

The real life game of investing is played at many levels. High risk brings with it high returns. Less risk and the returns are reduced. The popular investment arena that we call the stock market is a field where investors win and lose, depending on their strategies. In this big and competitive playground, it is smart to look for alternatives that can give you good returns with the lowest risk possible. Diversifying your portfolio is a smart way to start and mutual funds may be the answer.

With a mutual fund as a financial tool to invest your money, you are reducing the risk your investment is exposed to. A group of investors pool their money, investing in a high earning stock and bond market at the same time that the portfolio is being diversified. This strategy minimizes risk. In addition, a fund manager manages the pooled money or fund. The fund manager has expertise in the stock and bonds market. His responsibility with the fund is to manage it by investing in securities that will yield the highest return.

Compared to stocks, the mutual fund is a safer way to invest and diversify. Since an expert is managing the fund, that responsibility is taken out of your hands. Buying into mutual funds requires a lot less capital to get started investing. Some mutual funds may require a minimum of $100 to get you started. Because investors pool their money together to purchase stocks and bonds, the trading cost is lower and the diversification is greater.

Diversification is the best safety net for your money. Since you are investing in several stocks and bonds under one fund; if one investment is down, another might perform well. This is a great protective umbrella as opposed to investing in a particular stock that may perform poorly, thereby costing you your investment money. The amount of risk is greatly reduced with this type of investment.

Because a fund manager has already chosen the investments, you will save time and money as opposed to choosing the stocks yourself in an attempt to diversify your portfolio. Investing in several mutual funds will give you instant diversification and investors, instead of the individual stocks/bonds, share the risk.

A well-managed mutual fund can be the answer to a portfolio that gives you higher returns and lower risk. For unsophisticated investors with little experience, this is one of the safest ways to invest.

Looking for more mututal fund strategies and tips? Visit us at Global Mutual Funds - Australia's pre-eminent provider of global investment product alternatives and solutions. Find out what you need to know about equities, options trading, and how exchange traded funds can help build your long term wealth.


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