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Investment Portfolio Theory
From a financial perspective, an investment portfolio is a set of assets that enables a person to grow their wealth over time. It allows an investor to allocate their money across multiple asset classes such as equities, bonds, and cash to diversify their risk and generate returns. The investment portfolio theory states that investors should hold a diversified portfolio of assets in order to mitigate risk and even out returns.
The investment portfolio theory was developed by Nobel Prize-winning economist Harry Markowitz in 1952. He proposed that investors should not just look at security returns in isolation, but rather a portfolio approach would be more beneficial. Markowitz showed that when investments are combined in a portfolio, the total risk can be reduced, and with it, the expected return increases.
The main idea behind the investment portfolio theory is that investors should not just focus on the returns of individual assets; they should also look at how different assets interact with each other within a portfolio. According to the portfolio theory, investors should diversify their portfolio to reduce the risk of losing money over the long-term. By diversifying, investors can minimize their exposure to any kind of single event or market event that could potentially cause large losses due to an over-investment of career in a specific asset.
The investment portfolio theory usually involves a combination of stocks and bonds in the portfolio. This is because stocks offer the opportunity for higher returns, while bonds provide a more consistent cash flow. By blending the two, investors can reduce their risk while maximizing their returns over the long-term.
By spreading out investments across different asset classes, investors can mitigate the risks associated with any single asset class. This is due to the fact that when one asset goes down, others may go up. For example, if the stock market declines, the bond market may increase, resulting in a net gain for the investor.
Investment portfolio theory also states that investments should be made with an eye towards long-term returns. Many investors try to time the market by buying when the market is low and selling when the market is high, but long-term investing is generally more likely to generate greater returns than short-term investing.
In order to effectively spread out investments across different asset classes and generate higher returns, it is important for investors to have a clear investment plan. This should include an investment timeline, objectives and risk tolerance. Additionally, investors should periodically rebalance their portfolios to ensure that their investments remain well diversified.
The bottom line is that investors who use the investment portfolio theory are better able to prioritize their investment goals while minimizing their risk profile. By diversifying and rebalancing their portfolio, investors can maximize their returns over the long-term and achieve financial freedom.