How to Build a Diversified Portfolio
Create an investment plan., Stick with your investment plan., Put your money into different investments that have low correlation with each other., Reduce the size of an investment that's too large., Keep investing., Look for rising income...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Create an investment plan.
Learn how to invest in stocks and bonds.
Ask experienced investors for advice. -
Step 2: Stick with your investment plan.
If you must adjust your investment plan, do it for the right reasons, such as a change in the long-term outlook for one of your investments or the realization that an investment no longer meets your goals. , By spreading your money among a variety of investments that may rise and fall at different times, you'll avoid taking those big "hits" that your entire portfolio could suffer when one asset class is hit hard.
You will also need to "rebalance" your holdings occasionally (at least once a year) to make sure the percentages of your portfolio taken up by different assets still fit your risk tolerance and time horizon. , If you put a large amount of money in a single stock, for example, you are taking a substantial risk.
Check current capital gains rates for your bracket.
If they are low by historical standards, take advantage of the opportunity to sell off shares of a stock, and move some of that money into other asset classes, thereby diversifying your portfolio.
Having too much in one investment is a risk that may not be worth taking. , Although good past performance does not guarantee future success, over the long term stocks have significantly outperformed all other asset classes.
Keep investing in high-quality stocks and don't get dissuaded by short-term "bumps" along the way. , To boost your investment income, consider buying stocks that have historically increased their dividend payouts from year to year.
Dividends may now be even more attractive if you live in the US, because they are taxed at a maximum rate of just 15 percent. (Keep in mind, though, that stocks are not fixed-income investments and may not pay dividends.) , Many investors are attracted to the potentially high returns of "growth" and "aggressive growth" stocks.
But there's almost certainly a place in your portfolio for good, solid "growth-and-income" investments, which provide opportunities for capital appreciation and current income. , Be cautious about investing in emerging markets, "junk" bonds, technology stocks, and commodities such as oil and gold.
Before adding these volatile investments to your portfolio, do your homework and read every investment book or article you can lay your hands on.
Consult a fee-based financial adviser, one who comes highly recommended. , Building a "ladder" consists of owning bonds with various maturities.
They will pay off in a "staggered" ("laddered") schedule and thereby help to protect you in all interest-rate environments.
When market rates are low, you'll have your high-rate, long-term bonds working for you.
If rates rise, you can reinvest the proceeds of your short-term bonds into new bonds issued at the higher rates. , If your investments generate dividends or interest that you don't need to meet monthly expenses, consider reinvesting that income to put the power of compounding to work. , No one can predict with any accuracy what future years will bring to the financial markets.
So stick with the investment principles that never go out of fashion, such as diversification, investing in quality, and maintaining a long-term perspective.
If you formulated a good investment plan to begin with, there's no reason to abandon it no matter what the markets do in the short term. -
Step 3: Put your money into different investments that have low correlation with each other.
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Step 4: Reduce the size of an investment that's too large.
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Step 5: Keep investing.
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Step 6: Look for rising income opportunities.
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Step 7: Don't forget "growth-and-income."
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Step 8: Limit exposure to risky investments.
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Step 9: Build a "bond ladder."
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Step 10: Reinvest
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Step 11: reinvest
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Step 12: reinvest.
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Step 13: Follow principles
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Step 14: not predictions.
Detailed Guide
Learn how to invest in stocks and bonds.
Ask experienced investors for advice.
If you must adjust your investment plan, do it for the right reasons, such as a change in the long-term outlook for one of your investments or the realization that an investment no longer meets your goals. , By spreading your money among a variety of investments that may rise and fall at different times, you'll avoid taking those big "hits" that your entire portfolio could suffer when one asset class is hit hard.
You will also need to "rebalance" your holdings occasionally (at least once a year) to make sure the percentages of your portfolio taken up by different assets still fit your risk tolerance and time horizon. , If you put a large amount of money in a single stock, for example, you are taking a substantial risk.
Check current capital gains rates for your bracket.
If they are low by historical standards, take advantage of the opportunity to sell off shares of a stock, and move some of that money into other asset classes, thereby diversifying your portfolio.
Having too much in one investment is a risk that may not be worth taking. , Although good past performance does not guarantee future success, over the long term stocks have significantly outperformed all other asset classes.
Keep investing in high-quality stocks and don't get dissuaded by short-term "bumps" along the way. , To boost your investment income, consider buying stocks that have historically increased their dividend payouts from year to year.
Dividends may now be even more attractive if you live in the US, because they are taxed at a maximum rate of just 15 percent. (Keep in mind, though, that stocks are not fixed-income investments and may not pay dividends.) , Many investors are attracted to the potentially high returns of "growth" and "aggressive growth" stocks.
But there's almost certainly a place in your portfolio for good, solid "growth-and-income" investments, which provide opportunities for capital appreciation and current income. , Be cautious about investing in emerging markets, "junk" bonds, technology stocks, and commodities such as oil and gold.
Before adding these volatile investments to your portfolio, do your homework and read every investment book or article you can lay your hands on.
Consult a fee-based financial adviser, one who comes highly recommended. , Building a "ladder" consists of owning bonds with various maturities.
They will pay off in a "staggered" ("laddered") schedule and thereby help to protect you in all interest-rate environments.
When market rates are low, you'll have your high-rate, long-term bonds working for you.
If rates rise, you can reinvest the proceeds of your short-term bonds into new bonds issued at the higher rates. , If your investments generate dividends or interest that you don't need to meet monthly expenses, consider reinvesting that income to put the power of compounding to work. , No one can predict with any accuracy what future years will bring to the financial markets.
So stick with the investment principles that never go out of fashion, such as diversification, investing in quality, and maintaining a long-term perspective.
If you formulated a good investment plan to begin with, there's no reason to abandon it no matter what the markets do in the short term.
About the Author
Diane Sullivan
A passionate writer with expertise in creative arts topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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