So you've finally decided to start investing. And you know the cardinal rule of the smart investor: A portfolio should be diversified across multiple sectors.To get more news about
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That pretty much covers the basics, whether or not you've waded through the more complicated concepts of technical analysis. You are ready to pick stocks.But wait! With tens of thousands of stocks to choose from, how do you go about selecting a few worth buying? Whatever some experts suggest, it's just not possible to comb through every balance sheet to identify companies that have a favorable net debt position and are improving their net margins.
A stock screener, if you use one, is prone to error. Riding the coattails of institutional investors is an option, but you should know that they tend to rely on safe blue-chip stocks that may or may not provide the best returns.
The first step to picking investments is determining the purpose of your portfolio. Everyone's purpose for investing is to make money, but investors may be focused on generating an income supplement during retirement, on preserving their wealth, or on capital appreciation.
Each of these goals requires a very different strategy. The thoughtful investor has a 'story' that explains every decision to purchase a stock
Three Types of Investors
Income-oriented investors focus on buying (and holding) stocks in companies that pay good dividends regularly. These tend to be solid but low-growth companies in sectors such as utilities. Other options include highly-rated bonds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and master limited partnerships.
Investors who aim at wealth preservation have a low tolerance for risk, by nature or because of their circumstances. They prefer to invest in stable blue-chip corporations. They might zero in on consumer staples, the companies that do well in good times and bad. They do not chase initial public offerings (IPOs).
Investors who are looking for capital appreciation are looking for the stocks of companies that are in their best early growth years. They are willing to take a higher degree of risk for the chance of big gains.
The Diversified Portfolio
Any of these investor types might use a combination of the above strategies. In fact, that's one of the prime motives of diversification. A conservative investor can devote a small portion of a portfolio to growth stocks. A more aggressive investor should earmark a percentage for solid blue-chip stocks to offset any losses.
Deciding which category you fall under is the easy part. Figuring out which stocks to pick gets complicated.
It's vital to keep up with market news and opinions. Reading the financial news and keeping up with industry blogs by writers whose views interest you is a form of passive research. A news article or blog post can form the foundation of an investment thesis.
The underlying argument can be a common-sense observation. For example, you might note that the emerging markets nations are producing new middle classes made up of people who demand a greater variety of consumer goods. As a result, there will be a surge in demand for certain products and commodities.
The “Story” Behind a Stock Pick
Taking the argument a step further, the investor can deduce that with an increase in the demand for a product, some producers of that product will prosper.
This type of basic analysis forms the “story” behind the investment, which justifies purchasing a stock.
At the same time, it's important to be critical of your own assumptions and theories. You may love doughnuts and fast cars, but that doesn't mean that the newly affluent of Southeast Asia are clamoring for them too.
Once you are comfortable and convinced of the general argument after performing this form of qualitative research, corporate press releases and investor presentation reports are a good place for continued analysis.
