Diversification is one of the most effective investment approaches that has been applied for years by high-end investors, including Warren Buffet. Forbes notes that traders and investors prefer diversifying as it minimizes the risk of a portfolio while optimizing its returns.
However, if you’re considering a diversification approach, you need to choose a set of investment commodities with various degrees of risk. Also, your investment commodities must belong to different markets and sectors. Indeed, one of the biggest blunders that novice investors usually make is to allot all their financial resources in a single investment commodity or sector.
Are you considering diversifying your investment portfolio to reduce risk and optimize returns? Here are tips to assist you.
1. Select a Range of Assets
Investing in a combination of various asset types can aid you in spreading your investment risk, thus diversifying your portfolio. As the ancient phrase says, “don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” The logic behind this diversification strategy is that the values of various commodities can change independently and usually for varying reasons.
For instance, interest rates often affect bonds while shares change in line with a company’s prospects and fortunes. On the other hand, property values are affected by interest rates and the local economy’s performance. Therefore, if you can choose the right asset allotment, you can make good returns while at the same time safeguarding your portfolio against the worst.
2. Use Target-Date Funds
Another strategy you can adopt in your quest to diversify your portfolio is investing in target-date funds. With this approach, you’re allowed to select a date in the future as your investment goal, which is usually retirement.
If you’re far from realizing the objective, the fund invests in more risky commodities, including stocks. Then, later on, it changes your portfolio’s allotment to more secure commodities, including bonds. Additionally, you can opt for a more self-directed IRA, like a Gold IRA, which is safer and protects you against market uncertainties and inflation.
3. Rebalance Your Portfolio Periodically
As time goes by, the size of the holdings in your portfolio is bound to shift depending on your investment’s performance. Allocate the holdings that perform best a larger percentage of your entire portfolio while decreasing the percentage of the worst-performing holdings. It’s recommended to rebalance it periodically to the relevant weight for every investment to diversify your portfolio.
4. Spread Your Investments Globally
With lots of investment alternatives available in the United States, you can easily neglect other investment opportunities worldwide. However, the global economy increasingly offers lucrative investment opportunities you can cease. If your portfolio mainly focuses on U.S investment assets, consider diversifying into global funds focused on emerging markets. Investing in fast-growing economies like China can benefit your portfolio in the long run.
Additionally, spreading your investment portfolio is an excellent way to safeguard your investment against negative occurrences that may exclusively affect the U.S. The logic behind this diversification strategy is that other nations may not be impacted as much if the U.S. suffers an economic crisis.
5. Include Index or Bond Funds in Your Portfolio
Another way to diversify your portfolio is by including index funds, also referred to as fixed-income funds, in your holdings. Allocating your resources to securities that track different indexes is one of your portfolio’s profitable long-term diversification strategies. By including a few fixed-income assets, you’ll be safeguarding your portfolio against market uncertainties.
Fortunately, these funds are available at a relatively low cost. Overall, this strategy is easier than attempting to create a new portfolio afresh and checking which firms and sectors you’re familiar with. Also, if you’re keen on adopting a more hands-on strategy, index or bond funds can help you get exposure to certain sectors in which you might be underperforming.
Concluding Remarks
Diversification is an inevitable approach if you’re an investor or thinking of becoming one. Without diversification of your portfolio, you risk losing most of your investment if things go wrong with the asset you’ve invested in. Take heed of these five tips to help you diversify your portfolio to have a safer investment plan.
