Jul 8th, 2024 at 17:15
it's the best tool to build capital over a 3-year horizon
Imagine you need to transport a fragile package across the country. You could hire a race car driver who will weave through traffic, trying to deliver the package faster than anyone else. But the risks are high - an accident could happen at any turn. Or you could choose a reliable train, which moves slower but on clearly laid tracks and with a much lower chance of collision.
Investing is very similar to this situation. You can try to "beat the market" like a reckless driver, trying to guess which stocks will rise in price. But this is a risky path, accessible only to experienced investors. Or you can choose a reliable and predictable method - index investing, which resembles a train moving towards its destination.
Imagine a "basket" carefully filled with stocks of different companies, representing a specific sector of the economy or even the entire market. This "basket" is the index. For example, the S&P 500 index includes stocks of the 500 largest US companies, such as Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon.
Index investing is a strategy in which you do not buy individual stocks but invest in the entire index at once, that is, in a "basket" of securities. Simply put, it's like buying a small piece of every company included in the index.
Special funds called ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) are used for index investing, which copy the composition and dynamics of the selected index. For example, the SPY ETF tracks the S&P 500 index. By purchasing a share in an ETF, you become the owner of all assets included in the index, in the same proportion.
The criteria for selecting assets in an index depend on its type. This can be the company's capitalization, the sector of the economy, the region, and other factors. It is important to note that indices are constantly updated to reflect the current market situation.
Index investing reduces risk because your capital is spread across multiple stocks. Even if one company faces difficulties, it will not have a significant impact on your portfolio.
Furthermore, index investing is a great tool for passive income. You don't need to constantly monitor the market and make decisions about buying/selling stocks. Just invest in an index fund and watch your money grow.
Index investing is like a reliable train that takes your finances towards long-term growth. It's a simple, affordable and effective way to grow your capital without unnecessary effort and risk. Regardless of your experience and knowledge, index investing can be a great choice for achieving your financial goals.