What Is Long-Term Investing?
Long-term investing is the process of distributing money across a diverse set of assets. The investor commits to their portfolio for an extended period — usually at least a year — and adds to the investment over time as part of a carefully crafted financial plan. Candidates with enough money set aside to start a portfolio are excellent options.
Why Long-Term Investing?
Long-term investing is popular for a few reasons. They tend to be lower-risk for reliable growth over time, with the potential for a high return. Long-term investors also pay less in transaction fees than short-term investments because of the infrequency of significant transactions.
One of the greatest benefits is that long-term investing requires minimal attention from the investor. A dependable financial advisor will monitor your investment’s growth and adjust it as necessary.
Examples of Long-Term Investments
Long-term investments comprise a variety of assets, each with unique benefits. Some of the most popular examples of long-term investments include:
- Growth stocks: These include a share of companies that reinvest earnings to ensure they gain value over a long period.
- High-dividend stocks: These company shares redistribute a portion of earnings back to investors as dividends.
- Real estate: Property investors purchase to gain consistent revenue for residential or commercial tenants. Investors hope to eventually sell their real estate for a profit.
- Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs): A fund manager either actively or passively adjusts this stock portfolio to outperform the ever-growing market over time.
Tips for Long-Term Investing
A well-crafted long-term investment can position anyone for a stable future. Here are a few long-term investment tips you can use to get started:
- Set and stick to a budget first: You should wait to make a long-term investment until you’ve put enough capital aside to disperse. Maintaining a consistent budget can help you establish your base.
- Develop a strategy: Every long-term investment needs goals and a plan to meet them. A financial advisor will develop a flexible investment strategy around your income and needs as they change.
- Establish a timeline: Time-based goals are easier to achieve. Fill your plan with time benchmarkers that allow you to monitor progress and adjust your approach.
- Prioritize diversity: Long-term investments are designed to see greater returns with support from multiple asset types. Diversification insulates your portfolio if one investment begins to fail.
Looking to back your portfolio with a reliable advising and management team? Fort Pitt Capital group is here to help — contact us online to speak with an investment advisor.
