Diversification

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Definition of 'Diversification'

Diversification is the practice of spreading your investments across different asset classes, industries, and companies. This can help to reduce risk and improve your overall returns.

There are many different ways to diversify your portfolio. You can invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and real estate. You can also invest in different countries, regions, and industries.

The key to diversification is to not put all of your eggs in one basket. If you invest in a single stock, for example, and that stock loses value, you could lose a lot of money. But if you invest in a variety of stocks, you are less likely to lose all of your money if one stock performs poorly.

Diversification can also help to improve your returns. When you invest in a single asset class, you are exposed to the risk of that asset class. For example, if you invest only in stocks, you are exposed to the risk of the stock market. But if you also invest in bonds, you are exposed to the risk of the bond market. By diversifying your portfolio, you can reduce your overall risk and improve your potential returns.

There are a few things to keep in mind when diversifying your portfolio. First, you need to make sure that you have a long-term investment horizon. Diversification is most effective over time. If you are planning to withdraw your money in the near future, you may not want to invest in assets that are volatile.

Second, you need to understand your risk tolerance. Some people are comfortable with taking on more risk, while others are not. You need to invest in assets that are appropriate for your risk tolerance.

Third, you need to rebalance your portfolio regularly. As your investments grow, you will need to sell some of your winners and buy some of your losers. This will help to keep your portfolio diversified.

Diversification is an important part of any investment strategy. By diversifying your portfolio, you can reduce your risk and improve your potential returns.

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