Tag Archives: risk tolerance

There is a common notion that stocks, at least if held for a long-time, outperform other assets [and, as such,] should be the cornerstone of any long-term portfolio. [While that is indeed true,] it is best to focus first on how much you are able and willing to lose (i.e. what risk you are able and willing to bear) when determining the optimal allocation for your portfolio. [Only] then [should you] think about what potential investment returns you might be able to capture. [Let me explain.] Words: 1503

Over the past 20 years, the S&P 500 has produced a 9.2% annualized total return. Over the same period, gold has returned an annualized 6.6%. And bonds? The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index has returned 5.7%. Based on these figures, what type of return do you think the average investor has achieved over this time period? The answer will shock you. Read on!

If you are an average person - intelligent and capable - who makes decisions with confidence and without emotion and have more than a few years in your investment time horizon before retirement then this article is for you. If you don't have them, then this article is really for you. Words: 795