Brendan Sanford 
If you’re new to the world of investing, you might be overwhelmed by the various terms and financial acronyms used in investing. You may spend hours Googling different terms or even feel unsure about which one to choose. To help you out, here are some investment terms everyone should know:
Diversification is the idea of spreading your investment across various assets. Buying only tech stocks can lead to a significant underperformance, while investing in both can help you spread your risk. You don’t want to invest your entire portfolio in one type of asset, as the latter will have more volatility and less underperformance. But, if you can spread your money across a variety of assets, you will be less likely to suffer from a major loss if one group does better than the rest.
One of the most popular investment vehicles is exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These funds allow you to choose a theme, or pick different companies to invest in. They fluctuate in price during the day. Some ETFs match a particular Nasdaq index, while others invest in bonds and foreign investments. Regardless of the investment, it’s important to understand the terms and definitions of these different types of investments, to help you make the best decision when investing your money.
The most common investment term is “stocks.” Stocks, also known as shares, are part-ownership in a company. Investors who own stocks become owners of the company and are entitled to the dividends and profits. The value of a share increases or decreases in price over time, and investors make money by buying and selling stocks when they rise in price. The difference between the two prices is called the “bid-ask spread.”
Investment risk is a term in the financial market that affects the likelihood of the investor losing money. Higher risk means that there is a higher likelihood of loss, but the potential reward is higher as well. The risk-return tradeoff is essential to any investment decision, and assessing the amount of risk and how easily you can replace lost funds is crucial. You must also be aware of how much risk you’re willing to take in order to receive a high return.
Bonds and treasury bills are examples of non-equity investments. Bonds represent loans between governments and companies. They are paid back at a specific date, and the investor hopes to earn a higher return on their investment. The interest rate on these investments is usually low because the loan is much safer. Bonds are an excellent investment, as they’re paid back. If you can’t make the payments in time, consider a cash account instead.
Index funds are a form of mutual fund. These investment products pool money from many people, and they mirror different market indexes. The low fees associated with them make them an excellent choice for investors who want to take part in a collective portfolio without doing the research themselves. Mutual funds are a great choice for investors who want to invest but don’t have much knowledge of investing. This is a convenient investment vehicle for those who want to make money but don’t have the time to do it.
