A
"balanced portfolio" refers to an investment strategy where a person or organization spreads their money across different types of investments, such as stocks, bonds, and cash. This strategy helps to reduce risk, as any potential losses from one investment may be offset by gains in another.
Full definition
By adding alternative asset classes, we can enhance diversification by selecting exposure to factors that don't typically come from a traditional
balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds.
For balanced portfolios, international investments were a significant boost to returns, and especially if they included emerging markets.
So, while low oil prices will make this a trying quarter for the entire energy industry, companies with a
more balanced portfolio of assets should fare better than the pure - plays.
In fact, municipal bonds can be an important component of a strategically
balanced portfolio at every stage of an investor's life.
And when those bear markets represent two of the three worst bear markets in the last 80 years, it highlights how especially fortunate investors who
held balanced portfolios in these periods were.
Once you've
balanced your portfolio between stocks and bonds, however, you've done most of the heavy lifting when it comes to finding the best investments.
The change in the rate of inflation is one of the determining factors in how well bonds protect
balanced portfolios during equity bear markets.
So how do conservative investors and pension funds, who require an average of 8 per cent return to remain viable,
balance their portfolio without adding more risk?
Professional managers
construct balanced portfolios that combine stocks, bonds and other asset classes that seek to lower the overall risk of a portfolio.
It's difficult to argue with nearly 90 years of data showing that a
simple balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds has been an effective passive risk - adjusted strategy.
It's a good idea to start with a core
balanced portfolio like the one I just discussed and use only a relatively small amount of money to buy stocks.
Learn how you can build a
truly balanced portfolio using diversified strategies to maximize your returns and minimize your risk.
As the table below suggests,
strong balanced portfolio returns have historically followed characteristics much different than today.
Of course, the sensible option is to invest in a well - diversified,
balanced portfolio based on your age and risk tolerance.
A conservative investing approach means building a well -
balanced portfolio gradually, over time Conservative investing is an investment strategy that involves a focus on lower - risk, predictable and stable businesses.
Investors who
seek balanced portfolios in dividend - paying stocks are glad to see a trend towards to diversity in equity - income and how more stocks pay dividends.
I also try to
balance my portfolio across all three stages of stocks, though I prefer the stocks with a ~ 3 % yield and 6 - 10 % growth the most.
I felt like I was the only one who didn't know what a well -
balanced portfolio looked like, and that made managing my 401 (k) a fearful prospect.
A $ 1 million nest egg can safely support a $ 40,000 gross annual withdrawal over a 30 - year period assuming a reasonably well -
balance portfolio according to this methodology.
Balanced portfolios tend to divide assets between medium - term investment - grade fixed income obligations and shares of common stocks in leading corporations, many of which may pay cash dividends.
The change in the rate of inflation is one of the determining factors in how well bonds
protect balanced portfolios during equity bear markets.
Those seeking stable growth and willing to tie up their money for a few years are better off with a simple
balanced portfolio participating in 100 % of market returns.
If an investor holds a portfolio with a 100 % allocation of public equities, he can sell some of his stock to purchase precious metals,
thus balancing his portfolio from volatility.