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Stock Strategies
Buy and Hold Stock Strategy
by InvestorGuide Staff (Write for us!)
(Click on the links within the article to get definition of that word)
When you actually implement a true and effective buy and hold strategy with your stocks then there can be,
will be, and even should be periods of time when you are losing money in a fiscal year. Yet, when the long haul
is a path you can comfortably take with your finances, then the buy and hold approach will almost surely
net you around 10% a year on the initial investment with minimal, if not acceptable, risk. Of course, this is
with a typical "buy and hold" portfolio, such as those created by insurancecompanies or pension funds.
Traditional "Buy and Hold" Portfolio
A mutual fund is a typical investment tool used by pensionfunds, insurance companies, and ordinaryinvestors to
help build wealth while minimizing risk. A typical mutual fund will decrease risk by diversifying the portfolio between
bonds and equities (stocks). Naturally, the rate of return on any mutual fund over a period of time will depend
upon its composition, or how
the funds are allocated. The specific needs and financial position of the investor
must be taken into account when choosing a mutual fund. However, the "traditional" buy and hold portfolio would
typically include 60 percent of stocks and 40 percent of bonds - or a 60/40 portfolio.
Again, the actual mutual fund to choose and its corresponding asset allocation will depend upon the needs and
situation of the investor. Where long-term investment growth is concerned with minimal risk, the 60/40 is a standard
mutual fund option for an investor that has proven itself over the decades. The stocks in this traditional buy and
hold portfolio will fuel growth and lead to potential capital gains in the future. If the stocks payoutdividends,
then there is a steady revenue stream too in addition to the (hopefully) appreciation of the basic amount invested.
The bonds in a traditional portfolio provide a reliable revenue stream that can be used to supplementincome.
This brings a sense of stability to the portfolio as bonds tend to have far less risk and they provide a stream
of income in the form of interestpayments. Of course, the revenue generated can be predicted accurately and is
therefore limited and will not provide the sort of growth opportunities that stocks can provide. Younger investors
will probably be better off with a portfolio featuring more stocks and greater growth opportunities.
Older investors nearing or already in retirement will probably prefer portfolios with a greater percentage
of bonds and their more reliable revenue streams and a lower proportion of stocks and their associated risks.
Therefore, the traditional 60/40 buy and hold stock strategy may yield an average of 10 percent per year over
a long enough timeline, but it may not be the correct proportion for you or your financial needs.
The best way to maximize your long term investmentreturns is
to optimize your buy and hold stock strategy.
While the particular percentage of equities and bonds in your portfolio will vary according to factors relating
to age and financial situation, the composition of those stocks also needs to be looked at carefully in order
to get the largest returns on your money. To do this, you will need to understand the difference between growth
and value stocks.
Growth Stocks
When you think about growth stocks, think about younger companies that have carved out a significant market position
and are poised to make even bigger gains in the future: Google and Apple are both good examples of growth stocks.
Basically, companies that have rising sales, solid profits, and a dominance of some kind in their markets.
Generally, companies that rank high on the S&P 500 Index would be considered growth stocks.
Value stocks are essentially what their name implies: a value for money. Essentially, value stocks are so because
the associated companies aren't doing well now but they are in a good position to do much better in the foreseeable
future. Therefore, their stock prices are actually low but a spurt of tremendous growth is very possible which
could cause spikes in share prices in the not-so-distant future.
The reason why growth and
value stocks are so important to your buy and hold strategy is that value stocks
traditionally outperform growth stocks - over the long haul. While it would not be advisable to place of all
your stock investments into value stocks, it would be wise to split the allotment. Therefore, invest half of
your money into growth and the other half into value stocks. In the long run, this should lead to a higher overall
average return while not significantly increasing your risks.
The buy and hold stock strategy is nothing new in the world of finance. Nor is it a radical concept to
differentiate between value and growth stocks and realize that value stocks can be purchased at a bargain
and sold for a mint if you find and buy them at the right time. However, there is naturally a greater risk when
buying value stocks. After all, the company's stock prices may never rise again and the current prices may
actually be overvalued given the condition of the business. However, by balancing your stock investments
between both growth and value stocks, there is definitely a greater potential for growth than in a
portfolio featuring only growth equities. The buy and hold strategy will work given a long enough timeline,
but it will work even better when you take the time to modify it to your particular needs and diversify it properly.
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