Theme 40. Finance and the formation of an investment portfolio

Components of a portfolio.
The assets that are included in a portfolio are called asset classes. The investor or financial advisor needs to make sure that there is a good mix of assets in order that balance is maintained, which helps foster capital growth with limited or controlled risk. A portfolio may contain the following:
1. Stocks
Stocks are the most common component of an investment portfolio. They refer to a portion or share of a company. It means that the owner of the stocks is a part owner of the company. The size of the ownership stake depends on the number of shares he owns.
Stocks are a source of income because as a company makes profits, it shares a portion of the profits through dividends to its stockholders. Also, as shares are bought, they can also be sold at a higher price, depending on the performance of the company.
2. Bonds
When an investor buys bonds, he is loaning money to the bond issuer, such as the government, a company, or an agency. A bond comes with a maturity date, which means the date the principal amount used to buy the bond is to be returned with interest. Compared to stocks, bonds don’t pose as much risk, but offer lower potential rewards.
3. Alternative Investments
Alternative investments can also be included in an investment portfolio. They may be assets whose value can grow and multiply, such as gold, oil, and real estate. Alternative investments are commonly less widely traded than traditional investments such as stocks and bonds.
Types of Portfolios
Portfolios come in various types, according to their strategies for investment.
1. Growth portfolio
From the name itself, a growth portfolio’s aim is to promote growth by taking greater risks, including investing in growing industries. Portfolios focused on growth investments typically offer both higher potential rewards and concurrent higher potential risk. Growth investing often involves investments in younger companies that have more potential for growth as compared to larger, well-established firms.