Investing in stocks
Shares of common stock play a role in just about every investment portfolio. This article is for those who'd like to know more about where their savings might be invested. Here are the basics:
- Stock (sometimes called equity) represents ownership of a company, divided among the company's shareholders
- While any company can issue stock, only companies that meet legal requirements can issue shares for trading on U.S. stock exchanges where they can be bought and sold by any member of the public
- The market value of publicly traded stock can change at any time. When the value increases, the shareholder sees a capital gain, which can become part of the investor's return.
- Public companies generally seek to earn a profit. Profit may be distributed to shareholders as a dividend, which can become another part of the shareholder's investment return.
Why stocks? A closer look at performance potential
Stocks carry higher investment risks than bonds or money market investments, but historically, they also have realized higher rates of return over longer holding periods. While past performance doesn't guarantee future results, the higher return potential of stocks can make them appropriate investments for long-term investors seeking to build the value of their portfolios or to stay ahead of inflation. Both of these objectives are critical to investors with specific long-term goals in mind, such as saving for retirement.
Managing the risks of investing in stocks
Stock investors must weigh the potential risk of loss of principal against the risk of not meeting their investment goals or of losing purchasing power to inflation. They can also manage risk by:
- Diversifying among stocks of many different companies. Investing in just one or two stocks is generally much more risky than buying stocks of 15 or 20 companies. By holding stocks of different companies in multiple industries, you reduce your exposure to a substantial loss due to a price decline in just one stock. Remember, diversification does not ensure a profit or eliminate risk during market declines.
- Allocating assets appropriately. Asset allocation refers to how you spread your portfolio among different types of investments — such as stocks, bonds, and money market investments. An aggressive investor with a longer time horizon might choose to keep a large fraction of his or her portfolio in stocks, while an investor seeking less risk could have a smaller fraction. The balance in either case could be in bonds and money market funds. This adds yet another level of diversification to the portfolio and can further reduce investment risk. Your financial professional can help you select an asset allocation that is appropriate for your goals, risk tolerance and time frame.
- Staying invested through periods of market turbulence can also help reduce risk of loss as the variability of returns tends to level out over time.
The mechanics of investing in stocks
Individuals can buy stocks directly through a full-service or discount brokerage. They can also gain investment exposure to stocks through equity mutual funds and other pooled investment products. Some employers offer their employees the opportunity to buy company stock through an employee stock ownership program or a retirement plan.
Because of their long-term potential, stocks have a place in nearly every portfolio. Speak with your financial professional about how you can use equity investing to help meet your financial goals.
Equity securities are subject to stock market fluctuations that occur in response to economic and business developments.
Investing in fixed-income securities may involve certain risks, including the credit quality of individual issuers, possible prepayments, market or economic developments and yields and share price fluctuations due to changes in interest rates. When interest rates go up, bond prices typically drop, and vice versa.
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The material was authored by a third party, DST Retirement Solutions, LLC, an SS&C company ("SS&C"), not affiliated with Merrill or any of its affiliates and is for information and educational purposes only. The opinions and views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Merrill or any of its affiliates. Any assumptions, opinions and estimates are as of the date of this material and are subject to change without notice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The information contained in this material does not constitute advice on the tax consequences of making any particular investment decision. This material does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situations or needs and is not intended as a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security, financial instrument, or strategy. Before acting on any recommendation in this material, you should consider whether it is in your best interest based on your particular circumstances and, if necessary, seek professional advice.
Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by SS&C or its sources, neither SS&C nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall SS&C be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscriber's or others' use of the content.
Past performance does not ensure a profit or protect against loss.
This article is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment strategies discussed or recommended in this report and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized.
Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks. Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.
Asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.
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