Investments for Higher Risk Tolerance

Investments for Higher Risk Tolerance.

This article discusses investment options for individuals with a higher risk tolerance, emphasizing the importance of effective risk management strategies.

If you want to invest as an expat or high-net-worth individual, you can email me (advice@adamfayed.com) or use these contact options.

Important Notice:

Please be aware that the information presented in this article is intended solely for educational and informational purposes.

It should not be thought of as actual investment advice based solely on the provided information.

To put it simply, the information is consistently accurate. My goal is to always provide my readers with accurate and up-to-date information.

However, it is crucial to understand that complex matters like investment decisions should not be solely reliant on online content.

Every individual has unique financial situations, goals, and income, making it impossible for a single type of advice to suit everyone.

Therefore, before making any investment-related decisions, it is wise to consult a financial professional.

If you are unable to access the services of a financial planner or wealth manager for your investments, you are welcome to reach out to me.

For those who prefer to manage their investments themselves, I strongly advise conducting extensive research before proceeding with any investments.

Introduction

In some of my previous articles, I emphasized the significance of a person’s risk tolerance in investment matters.

Risk tolerance plays a crucial role in determining asset allocation and investment strategies.

Individuals with a higher risk tolerance are better suited for aggressive investment approaches.

This involves assets with higher potential returns but also higher associated risks.

On the other hand, those with lower risk tolerance are more inclined towards conservative investing strategies.

These involve low-risk assets like bonds and bank deposits.

Several factors, such as age, net worth, and income, influence an individual’s risk tolerance.

Understanding Risk Tolerance

Understanding an individual’s risk tolerance is crucial as all investments carry some level of risk.

This knowledge allows investors to effectively plan their portfolios and make informed investment decisions.

Investors can be categorized into three groups: aggressive, moderate, or conservative, depending on their capacity to handle risk.

To assess risk tolerance, investors can take advantage of online tools like risk-related surveys or questionnaires.

Analyzing the historical returns of various asset classes can also help determine the volatility associated with different financial instruments.

The time horizon for an investor plays a significant role in risk tolerance.

Those with long-term financial goals may opt for higher-risk assets like stocks, potentially yielding greater returns over time.

Conversely, for short-term objectives, lower-risk cash investments may be more suitable.

Other factors that influence risk tolerance include an investor’s future earning potential and the presence of additional assets.

Such additional assets could include something like a home, pension, Social Security, or inheritance.

Having more stable sources of funds can enable investors to take on greater risks with their investable assets.

Furthermore, those with larger portfolios may exhibit higher risk tolerance.

Any potential losses represent a smaller percentage of their overall wealth compared to individuals with smaller portfolios.

Let’s explore some representative examples that consider these factors in a different way to gain a better understanding.

Example 1:

Let us imagine a person named Tom, a 25-year-old individual with a high income.

Tom’s risk tolerance is well-suited for aggressive investment strategies due to his young age and ability to handle potential losses.

However, if Tom’s income were lower or moderate, conservative investments would be more prudent.

This is because he may find it challenging to manage higher risks.

Example 2:

Now, let’s look at another person named John, a 50-year-old individual with a higher income.

Despite earning the same amount as Tom, John’s risk tolerance differs.

As he approaches retirement, it is more appropriate for John to adopt conservative investment strategies.

Taking unnecessary risks at this stage could jeopardize his few remaining working years and financial security during retirement.

Example 3:

Next, let us have a look at another person named Jacob, a 40-year-old with a higher income.

Jacob’s risk tolerance lies between Tom’s youthful risk appetite and John’s cautious approach to nearing retirement.

He has the option to pursue aggressive strategies or opt for stable, low-risk investments. Ultimately, Jacob’s choice depends on his personal preferences and other contributing factors.

Alternatively, Jacob could consider a mixed investment strategy with a diversified portfolio that includes both risky and low-risk assets.

I hope that you have a clear understanding of risk tolerance through these examples.

Let us now have a look at some of the best investments for people with higher risk tolerance.

Investments for Higher Risk Tolerance

Options

Options present an opportunity for investors seeking substantial returns through market timing.

When an investor buys options, they gain the right to purchase a stock or commodity equity at a predetermined price within a specific future.

If the actual security price does not align with the prediction for those future dates, they are not obligated to proceed with the purchase or sale of the option security.

However, this investment approach is risky due to the time-sensitive nature of buying or selling securities.

Seasoned investors typically discourage market timing practices, making options both perilous and potentially lucrative.

Indeed, options trading offers various advantages and disadvantages that potential traders should carefully consider.

Advantages

Options require lower upfront financial commitment compared to stock trading.

The cost of purchasing an option, including the premium and trading commission, is significantly less than buying shares outright.

There is a limited downside for option buyers.

Investors are not obligated to follow through on the trade if their assumptions about the stock’s trajectory are incorrect.

If that’s the case, then their losses are limited to the contract’s cost and trading fees.

There is built-in flexibility for options traders.

Investors have strategic moves they can deploy before the options contract expires, such as:
— Exercising the option
— Selling it to another investor
— Making back some money on an “out of the money” option

Ability to fix a stock price.

Options contracts allow investors to freeze the stock price at a specific amount (strike price) for a defined period.

This is while ensuring the certainty for buying or selling the stock.

Disadvantages

Let us now have a look at the potential disadvantages of investing in options.

There is a possibility for unlimited/amplified losses for option sellers.

Option sellers can incur losses much greater than the contract’s price, as they are obligated to buy or sell shares at the specified price within the contract’s timeframe, regardless of how high the stock price rises.

Short-term nature of options.

Options require near-term price movements to be profitable.

This means investors must make accurate assumptions about the time to buy the contract and when to exercise, sell, or exit before it expires.

There are some specific requirements for trading options.

Potential traders must apply for approval through their brokers, and meet certain financial criteria.

At the same time, they should keep a minimum amount of funds in their brokerage account to comply with industry regulations.

There are some additional costs and risks associated with options trading.

Some options trading strategies, like selling call options on securities not already owned, may require setting up a margin account.

Margin accounts involve interest rates and potential margin calls if the account balance falls below a certain level.

Before engaging in options trading, investors should thoroughly understand the characteristics and risks of standardized options.

Along with that, they should also pay attention to the applicable income tax rules.

Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)

Certain initial public offerings (IPOs), like Snapchat’s in mid-2017, garner significant attention.

This lead to potentially overvalued judgments and short-term return predictions by professionals.

On the other hand, less high-profile IPOs present opportunities for investors to acquire shares in undervalued companies.

These can result in substantial short- and long-term returns when the company’s valuation eventually corrects.

However, the majority of IPOs fail to generate noteworthy returns, similar to the case with SNAP.

For instance, Twilio Inc. (TWLO), a cloud communications company went public in June 2016.

This experienced a successful IPO, raising $150 million at an initial offer price of $15 per share.

Within its first three trading days, Twilio’s stock price surged by 90%, and by mid-December, it soared by 101%.

IPOs are inherently risky due to the uncertainty surrounding a company’s future performance.

This is regardless of their efforts to disclose information to the public and obtain approval from the regulatory authorities.

There is no guarantee that a company’s management will execute the necessary responsibilities to drive the company’s growth and success.

Now, let us have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of investing in IPOs.

Advantages

Transparency

Investors in the IPO will have access to pricing transparency, similar to major investors.

The order of IPOs will display the securities’ prices, making the entire process open and visible.

However, it’s important to note that share prices after the company goes public may be influenced by unpredictable market conditions.

Long-Term Objectives

Investing in an IPO is akin to equity investment, and it holds the potential to generate substantial profits in the long run.

This will help investors achieve their financial goals, such as buying a home.

Purchase Cheap, Earn Huge

When a company plans to go public, it offers its shares at a discounted price.

This means that during the IPO, shares can be acquired at a relatively low cost.

However, after the company gets listed and performs well in the stock market, investing in the company might become more expensive.

Disadvantages

Before deciding to invest in an IPO, it’s essential to consider both the positives and negatives.

Like any other investment, IPOs have their benefits and drawbacks.

One significant disadvantage is that there is no guarantee of obtaining shares during the IPO.

Privacy

When applying for an IPO, investors need to disclose various personal details in the documentation and application.

This information might include private data that individuals would rather keep confidential, but it is a mandatory requirement for participation.

Time-Consuming

Investing in an IPO demands thorough research into the company and its past performance.

Though this information is available in the firm’s prospectus, understanding it requires time and effort.

External Interference

The pricing of IPOs can be significantly influenced by external factors.

Especially, when businesses operate under government regulations that are subject to change, based on the political climate in India at any given time.

Venture Capital

The future of startups seeking investments from venture capitalists is precarious and uncertain.

While some startups may fail, a few exceptional ones can offer highly sought-after products and services that meet public demands.

However, even with a desirable product, the success of a new company can be hindered by:
— Poor management
— Ineffective marketing efforts
— An unfavorable location

There is one of the risks associated with venture capital.

It is the limited transparency regarding management’s ability to execute necessary functions and support the business.

Many start-ups are driven by visionary individuals who might lack business acumen.

As a result, venture capital investors must conduct additional research to evaluate the feasibility of a new company effectively.

Furthermore, venture capital investments often require substantial minimum amounts, which can pose challenges for some investors.

If you are considering investing in a venture capital fund or opportunity, it is crucial to thoroughly research and conduct due diligence before making any decisions.

Let us now have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of investing in venture capital investments.

Advantages

Let us start with the advantages of investing in venture capital investments.

High Return Potential

Venture funds focus on early-stage companies with significant growth potential.

This presents an opportunity for investors to achieve high returns if the companies they invest in are successful and experience substantial growth.

Diversification

By investing in a venture fund, investors gain exposure to a portfolio of different companies.

This diversification helps spread risk, reducing the impact of any individual company’s failure on the overall performance of the fund.

Access to Experienced Managers

Investing in a venture fund grants access to skilled managers with a successful track record in early-stage investments.

Their expertise can enhance the chances of making successful investment decisions.

Professional Management

Venture funds are managed by professionals experienced in handling this type of investment.

Entrusting funds to these experts provides peace of mind to investors.

Potential for Early Exits

Venture funds often invest in companies that may be acquired or go public.

If one of these events occurs, investors may see a return on their investment relatively quickly compared to traditional investments.

Disadvantages

Now, let us have a look at the disadvantages of investing in venture capital investments.

Illiquidity

Venture funds typically invest in private companies

This makes it challenging for investors to sell their shares and access their capital before the fund is liquidated.

High Fees

Venture funds often charge significant management and performance fees, which can reduce overall returns for investors.

Risk of Loss

As with any investment, there is always a risk of losing money when investing in a venture fund.

The success of early-stage companies is uncertain, and if they do not perform well, the value of the fund may decline, resulting in potential losses for investors.

It’s essential for investors to carefully weigh these pros and cons and assess their risk tolerance before deciding to invest in a venture fund.

Conducting thorough research and seeking advice from financial professionals can help in making informed investment decisions.

REITs

In many of my previous articles, I have explained the importance of REITs as an investment.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) entice investors with attractive dividends in return for tax advantages granted by the government.

These trusts invest in collections of commercial or residential real estate properties.

As REITs are closely tied to the real estate sector, they are susceptible to fluctuations based on:
— The overall economy
— Interest rates
— The current state of the real estate market

These aspects decide which REITs can experience periods of growth or downturns.

The highly volatile nature of the real estate market makes REITs inherently risky investments.

While REITs offer the potential for high dividends, there is also a significant risk associated with the initial principal investment.

The REITs that promise the highest dividends, ranging from 10% to 15%, are often the ones carrying the highest levels of risk.

Now, let us have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of investing in REITs.

Advantages

Let us start by discussing the advantages of investing in REITs.

Liquidity

REITs are traded on public exchanges, making them easy to buy and sell.

Unlike traditional real estate investments, which can be less liquid and require more time to sell, REITs offer greater flexibility in accessing your investment.

Diversification

Investing in REITs provides exposure to a diverse portfolio of commercial or residential real estate properties.

This diversification can help spread risk, as the performance of one property or sector may not significantly impact the overall performance of the REIT.

Transparency

REITs are subject to regulatory requirements and must provide regular financial reports to investors.

This transparency enables investors to make informed decisions based on the performance and health of the REIT.

Stable Cash Flow through Dividends

REITs are required to distribute a significant portion of their income to shareholders in the form of dividends.

This reliable income stream can be attractive for investors seeking regular cash flow.

Attractive Risk-Adjusted Returns

Historically, REITs have offered competitive risk-adjusted returns, often outperforming other investment options.

Disadvantages

Now, let us have a look at the drawbacks of investing in REITs.

Low Growth Potential

Because REITs must distribute a large portion of their income in the form of dividends

This means they are left with limited capital to reinvest and expand their property holdings.

This can result in lower growth potential compared to other investments that retain more earnings for growth.

Dividends Taxed as Regular Income

The dividends earned from REITs are typically taxed as regular income, which can result in higher tax liabilities for investors.

This is especially applicable to those individuals in higher tax brackets.

Subject to Market Risk

Like all investments, REITs are influenced by market fluctuations and economic conditions.

Changes in interest rates, overall economic performance, and real estate market trends can impact the value of REIT shares.

Potential for High Management and Transaction Fees: Some REITs may have higher management and transaction fees.

These can eat into overall returns for investors. It’s essential to carefully consider the fees associated with a specific REIT before investing.

To be precise, REITs can be an attractive addition to an investment portfolio due to their potential for stable dividends, diversification benefits, and liquidity.

However, investors should be aware of the potential drawbacks, such as limited growth potential and tax implications, before making investment decisions.

Conducting thorough research and consulting with a financial advisor can help individuals assess whether REITs are good for them.

Bottom Line

High-risk tolerance individuals, also known as aggressive investors, are willing to accept a higher degree of investment risk in pursuit of potentially higher returns.

Based on your level of risk tolerance, some of these investments may suit your investment goals.

On the other hand, some of them may not be preferable based on your specific situation.

I’m telling this again that I am writing this article for educational and informational purposes.

None of this information should be considered actual financial advice because investment needs can be complex.

High-risk tolerance individuals have unique needs that demand a more aggressive and growth-focused investment approach.

However, it is essential for these investors to strike a balance between risk and potential rewards while considering their:
— Financial goals
— Time horizon
— Overall financial situation

Nevertheless, the specific assets that best suit your needs can only be determined through a thorough evaluation of your individual situation.

In such circumstances, it is advisable to seek the guidance of a financial expert who can cater to your investment requirements.

Over the years, I have helped numerous individuals achieve financial independence by addressing their unique investment needs.

If you are looking for a wealth manager but are uncertain about finding the right person, you have come to the right place.

Feel free to reach out to me to discover if you can benefit from the exceptional solutions I offer.

With that said, I believe the information provided in this article has been valuable to you.

Pained by financial indecision? Want to invest with Adam?

Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters, with over 760.2 million answer views on Quora.com, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.