The number of investors is fast-growing all over the world. However, when one talks of investment, most people only consider the traditional investment alternatives like stocks, fixed deposits, bonds, and government savings schemes. These days, the types of investments are various, and investors have a lot to choose from. Although, some have a little less risk than others, while some have more. The return, eventually, is in proportion to the risk. Keep reading this article and know about the various types of investments. You can also learn about the stock market by enrolling with the Best Stock Market Institute In Delhi.
These dynamic asset classes and types of investments are essential for every investor and industry professional. They are discussed below-
Types Of Investment
1 Stocks Or Direct Equity
Stocks are among the most common and preferred investment alternatives known to investors. Buying stocks refers to buying the ownership stake in a listed company. One can invest in stocks as long term and short term investment. After purchasing a stock, an investor waits for the stock’s price to rise so that he can sell the share at a profit. The risk involved here is that the share price may fall, resulting in a loss to the shareholder. These types of investments offer high liquidity and allow a wide range of investors to invest.
 2  Bonds
Bonds are similar to debentures. These are long term loans. When a company or government entity plans to raise capital without diluting its ownership, it issues bonds for a subscription. The investors can then subscribe to the issue. Bonds are of different types. Some pay interest at maturity, during some annual pay interest. At maturity, the investor gets his principal amount and interest back. The rate of return from bonds is relatively lower than from stocks because the risk involved is also low. However, they are consider a very safe investment.
  3 Mutual Funds
Mutual involves pooling money from many investors and investing them in selected stocks that may outperform the market. There is fund manger in every fund house who manage your mutual fund portfolio. An actively managed mutual fund is changed in composition by fund managers to have the best-performing stocks and earn a higher return. On the other hand, a passively managed mutual fund tracks another benchmark index, and its performance is most likely similar to the index.
4Â Â Public Provident Fund
A public provident fund is an investment scheme that the government of India offers. In these types of investments minor risk is involve. To invest in a general provident fund, you must be willing to sacrifice liquidity. 15 years is the minimum locked in period of these funds. Hence, the investment can be made periodically, not exceeding INR 1,50,000. The return offered by the public provident fund is close to 8%. It is widely popular due to its tax-free nature. The amount invested in a general provident fund can be allowed as a deduction while calculating income tax. One will receive tax free amount at the time of maturity.Â
5  Exchange–Traded– Funds
Exchange-traded funds are one of the best types of investments. These can be sold and purchased on the stock market. If you want to learn about stock markets, you can join NIWS to get the Best Stock Market Course In Delhi. These are similar to mutual funds in way that these are also a set of different investments. This collection of assets tracks a benchmark market index. Just like shares the price of ETFs is constantly changing throughout the trading day. They minimise risk to a certain level as these are diversified to balance the losses.
 6 Gold
Gold is probably one of the oldest investments made by people, specifically women. This investment is consider to be the best long term investment. It has, time after time, proved to hedge against market inflation. It is essential to hold in your portfolio to cover the losses arising in the stock market. And it moves opposite to the fluctuations in the stock market. Also, it has low risk in the long run and high liquidity.Â
7Â Real Estate
Real estate means buying a real estate apartment or another property. Such properties are maintain for earning a regular rental income. The investors are such people who view that the property can be sold at a high profit in the future. The tenure is long-term, and liquidity is low. However, the risk factor involved in these types of investments is moderate.
 8 Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies are the investments that you will always find in the news these days. These are digital currencies that are trade at cryptocurrency exchanges. These are a new alternative to investment. Most investors use these to diversify their portfolios and neutralize the market risk. You can purchase a fraction of such securities. Bitcoin is one of the most popular cryptocurrencies. These have huge fluctuations and are very risky.
 These are the most common investment alternatives that most investors look upon for making a balanced portfolio.
 Conclusion About Types of Investments
After reading this article, we know you now know more about the different types of investments. Although, apart from the ones discussed above, there are various other investment alternatives, such as commodities, futures, options, hedge funds, and collectibles. Given the time horizon and risk, these options can be a part of a balanced portfolio. However, some of these investment alternatives are suitable for beginners with fewer funds and lesser risk exposure. At the same time, some are only good for experienced investors with a large amount of money and risk exposure. With time and experience, one can adopt an investment strategy and build a balanced portfolio with moderate risk and a reasonable return.
