Don’t Let Risk Stop You From Investing – Learn How to Manage it In Your Portfolio Instead
Risk is inherent in investing, but that shouldn’t stop you from investing in a portfolio designed with risk management in mind. When you understand risk – and how to manage it – you can overcome risks posed by things like market volatility or specific risks tied to different asset classes and investment styles. Implementing effective risk management strategies can help mitigate these risks and protect your investment portfolio, and that’s what we’d like to explore in this important investor education article.
Read on to learn key risk management strategies for investors, including diversification, portfolio rebalancing, and risk assessment, plus insight on how to manage risks associated with different asset classes, investment styles, and market conditions.
Diversification: The Power of Spreading Risk
Diversification is a fundamental risk management strategy that most investors have heard of. It involves spreading investments across different asset classes, industry sectors, and geographic regions. By diversifying your portfolio, you reduce the impact of a potential loss from any one investment. If one investment performs poorly, other investments may offset the loss, helping to protect your overall portfolio and keep you out of the red.
For example, instead of investing in just one stock, consider diversifying your portfolio by including stocks from different industries, or adding other asset classes like bonds, real estate, or commodities. This can help reduce the concentration risk associated with holding too much of a single investment, and lower the overall risk of your portfolio. We don’t recommend more than 5% of your investable net worth in any single stock.
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Portfolio Rebalancing: Maintaining the Right Balance
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: you can’t just “set it and forget” your portfolio. It needs ongoing active management to maintain a proper balance and the best of breed investments to reach your long-term goals. Portfolio rebalancing is another essential risk management strategy that involves periodically reviewing and adjusting your investment portfolio to maintain the desired asset allocation for each investment in your portfolio. Over time, some investments may perform better than others, causing the portfolio’s asset allocation to shift. Rebalancing involves selling overperforming securities and buying underperforming securities to bring the portfolio back to its original target asset allocation.
Rebalancing helps with risk management by preventing your portfolio from becoming too heavily weighted in certain investments or asset classes that may carry higher risks over time. It keeps your portfolio aligned with your risk tolerance, risk capacity, and investment objectives, and helps you avoid overexposure to a particular investment that could pose a risk to your overall portfolio performance. While you don’t want to rebalance every week or month, doing so annually is a good baseline for most investors. But with that said, rebalancing doesn’t replace ongoing active asset management.
Risk Assessment: Understanding and Managing Risks
Risk assessment is another critical component of effective risk management. It involves evaluating and understanding the risks associated with different investments, asset classes, and investment styles, and taking appropriate actions to manage those risks.
Investors should carefully assess the risks associated with each investment they consider, including factors such as:
- Market volatility
- Economic conditions
- Industry-specific risks
- Regulatory risks
- Company-specific risks
- Monetary policies
Understanding these risks can help investors make informed investment decisions and implement risk mitigation measures as needed. This can be complex, so we recommend consulting with your financial advisor for guidance.
Like rebalancing mentioned above, it’s important to note that risk assessment should be an ongoing process, too. Regularly review your portfolio with your financial advisor and assess the risks associated with your investments. This is especially necessary during changing market conditions or when considering new investments. Stay informed about the latest developments and news that may impact your investment portfolio and be prepared to take appropriate actions to manage risks effectively.
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Would You Like to Discuss Risk Management for Your Investment Portfolio?
Managing risks is a critical aspect of successful investing, and it’s something we analyze in our clients’ portfolios daily. By implementing effective risk management strategies such as diversification, portfolio rebalancing, risk assessment, and active asset management investors can mitigate risks associated with different asset classes, investment styles, and market conditions.
If you’d like professional investment management that aligns your risk management strategies with your individual investment goals, risk tolerance, risk capacity, and time horizon, we can help. At Davidson Capital Management, we stay vigilant, informed, and proactive in managing risks to safeguard our clients’ investments and achieve their long-term financial objectives. If you’re looking for a Texas Registered Investment Advisor you can trust, we’d love to talk. Schedule a conversation with us today to learn more about the investment management services we’ve been offering for more than 30 years and how we can help you achieve your investment goals.
