Do you know the different types of asset classes prior to investing? As we all know, there is three asset class? You have mainly fixed income, also known as bonds, equities commonly called stocks, and money market or cash equivalent. These three are an old class of assets. Newly added are commodities, cryptocurrency, financial derivatives, futures, and real estate. In general, the asset class is a group of investors with specific laws and regulations. The instrument considered as an asset class functions similarly in every marketplace. It is the best option to generate short- and long-term extra income.

Being an investor, one must remember these sets of asset classes are both intangible and tangible instruments. Make sure you are also well equipped with the terms and definitions of these asset classes. It is one of the best options to diversify your portfolio as an investor.

Different Types of Asset Classes

At present, there are many different types of asset classes that exist in the investment market. Some of the most popular and profitable assets are explained below.

1. Asset Classes: Equities

It is a shareholder’s stake in the company. Almost every company has its shares that are open to investors to buy. When an investor buys the shares of a company, they get a share of the ownership of the company. So, when the company makes profits, the prices of the shares also increase and so does the value of the investor’s share.

2. Asset Classes: Bonds

Bonds are units of corporate debt issued by companies and securitized as tradeable assets. These are basically investment securities where the investors lend their money to the company for a predefined period of time.

3. Money Market Accounts

A money market account is an interest-bearing account at a bank or credit union. These accounts pay higher interest rates as compared to the standard savings bank account. Also, these accounts come with a dedicated debit card. So, basically, they act as a one-stop solution for all your bank-related needs.

4. Asset Classes: Futures

Futures are financial derivative contracts. they obligate people to make transactions with the assets at a prescribed date and time in the future. Also, the price at which the asset will be bought or sold is decided prior. The buyer and the seller are obliged to make the transactions at this price only.

5. Commodities

Commodities are most often used as inputs in the production of other goods or services. Investors and traders can buy and sell products directly in the spot (cash) market or via derivatives such as futures and options.

6. Cryptocurrency

A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency designed to work as a medium of exchange. It uses cryptography to secure and verify transactions as well as to control the creation of new units of a particular cryptocurrency. 

7. Asset Classes: Financial Derivatives

A derivative is a financial contract that derives its value from an underlying asset. The buyer agrees to purchase the asset on a specific date at a specific price. 

8. Asset Classes: Digital Gold & Digital Silver

They have real gold and silver as their underlying assets in a 1:1 ratio. Nowadays there are plenty of platforms, through which you can invest in digital gold and silver. In contrast to physical gold and silver, digital gold and silver have many benefits like increased security, easy handling of precious metals, ease of investing, and so on.

9. Asset Classes: Real Estate

Real estate is a very tangible form of investment asset which is backed by property, that is, land, shops, houses, and so on. It is a great hedge against market downturns as the value of real estate is bound to increase in the long run.

Steps Required to Invest in Different Instruments

Here is a simple four-step process for you to begin your investment journey with different asset classes.

1. Find the Right Advisor

Search for the right financial advisor or digital platform. This is a very important step as choosing the wrong financial advice can hurt your finances and portfolio.

2. Do Your Own Research on the Asset Classes

Get to know about types of asset classes and diversification. Diversify your investment according to the risk you can bear. Study a suitable asset class. And note down your investment plan. There are two types of investment short-term and long-term.

3. Choose the Right Asset Classes

Select the asset class that is more suitable to you and invest in it after consulting with your financial advisor. Make sure that you choose the asset classes while considering the level of risks and returns involved in them.

4. Diversify Your Assets

Diversifying your assets among different asset classes is extremely crucial for keeping your portfolio balanced. It also helps in ensuring that your portfolio yields maximum returns with low to moderate levels of risks.

Conclusion

When you are investing in remember you are putting your hard money. There are investment strategies like value, growth, extra income, the performance of an investment over time, earnings per investment, and others. Investment in one asset will give you the same result. But the diversified investment will help you to earn variable cash flow.

It is better you categorize your investment options as per the set of priorities. Your investment ensures its return potential with time and the right buyer. These instruments perform differently with changing times. Being an investor, you shall not expect the same performance from it.