The investment world offers many types of assets, each with unique characteristics. Think of them like tools in a toolbox — each serves a different purpose.
Understanding your options is the foundation for informed decisions. Different asset classes have historically behaved differently in various market conditions.
Stocks & Shares
When you buy stocks, you're buying a small piece of a company. If the company's value grows, your investment may grow. If it declines, your investment may decline.
How stocks work
Companies issue shares to raise money for growth. When you buy these shares, you become a part-owner. Value can potentially grow through capital appreciation (the share price increases), dividends (regular income to shareholders), and voting rights in major company decisions.
What to know
Stocks have historically offered higher long-term growth and may provide inflation protection. They're generally liquid and you can start with small amounts. However, they come with short-term price volatility, no guaranteed returns, company-specific risks, and market downturns can cause losses.
Bonds & Fixed Income
Bonds are essentially loans. When you buy a bond, you're lending money to a government or company in exchange for regular interest payments and return of principal at maturity.
How bonds work
The bond issuer typically promises to pay regular interest (usually every 6 months — the “coupon”), return your full principal when the bond matures, and honour the agreement — unless they default, which is the key risk.
Bond prices typically move opposite to interest rates. When rates rise, existing bond prices tend to fall. Longer-term bonds are more sensitive to rate changes.
Real Estate
Real estate has historically been a significant component of wealth building. You can invest in property directly or through funds that own property portfolios.
Direct Property
Buying residential or commercial property yourself. You get control, rental income, and a tangible asset — but it requires large capital, is illiquid, and needs active management.
REITs & Property Funds
Real Estate Investment Trusts and property funds offer liquid, diversified exposure with professional management. The tradeoff is no direct control, management fees, and market volatility.
Property has historically provided some inflation protection and potential rental income. However, it comes with unique risks including illiquidity and property-specific factors.
Commodities
Commodities are physical goods like gold, oil, wheat, or copper. They often have different price drivers than stocks and bonds, which may provide diversification benefits.
How to invest
Commodity ETFs track prices without physical ownership. Commodity stocks give you shares in companies that produce commodities. Physical ownership (gold bars, etc.) is possible but complex.
Commodities can be volatile and don't produce income like dividends or interest. Some investors use them as a small portfolio allocation for diversification.
Alternative Investments
Beyond traditional assets, there's a world of alternatives. Most require more capital, expertise, or access than beginning investors typically have.
Private Equity & Venture Capital
Investing in private companies. Usually requires substantial minimums and long lock-up periods. High potential returns but also high risk.
Hedge Funds
Complex strategies like short selling, derivatives, and leverage. Higher fees and typically only accessible to accredited investors.
Collectibles & Art
Wine, art, classic cars. Require specialist knowledge, have high transaction costs, and provide no income while held.
Cryptocurrencies
Digital assets. Highly volatile and speculative. Views vary significantly among financial professionals regarding their role in portfolios.
Many investment educators suggest understanding the fundamentals of stocks, bonds, and real estate before exploring complex alternatives.
Building Your Asset Mix
Each asset class has different characteristics. Understanding them helps you think about how portfolios are constructed.
Historical ranges are illustrative. Past performance does not indicate future results.
Different assets, different conditions.
Each asset class has historically performed differently in various market environments.
Diversification matters.
Spreading across asset classes is one of the most widely-taught principles in investing.
Time horizon is key.
When you need the money shapes which assets might be appropriate.
Understanding comes first.
Knowing your options is the foundation for informed decisions.