Most people who prefer investing in debt instruments or real estate do so because such investments are 'safer' compared to stocks. Stock prices tend to fluctuate wildly and are considered to be more 'risky'.
That logic reminds me of a departed uncle who refused to stir out of his home. He thought his home was 'safer' because it had less pollution and germs. Plus city roads were too 'risky' because of unruly traffic.
Debt instruments like bonds and bank fixed deposits may appear 'safer' but they carry risks too - from fluctuating inflation and interest rates. Real estate prices fluctuate also, putting your investment at risk.
One of the best reasons given by financial experts for investing in stocks is that they provide capital appreciation that can beat inflation. Younger people often flock towards growth stocks in the hope of quick 'multibagger' returns.
More experienced investors - who are in the game for the long haul - include stocks of dividend paying companies in their portfolios. But aren't such companies stodgy, slow-growth ones?
They often are. But not only do they pay regular dividends, such dividends tend to grow over time. Why? Because with lower growth opportunities, there is less need for capital expenditure.
So, the cash these companies keep generating through well-known branded products or services are distributed to shareholders.
Those investors who are working regularly or earning from their business or profession may not really need the dividend income. But they can very well reinvest the dividend amounts in buying more stocks.
Over the years, 'dividend compounding' can lead to a substantial addition to your stock portfolio - leading to even more dividends that will become useful when you retire and are no longer earning a regular income.
That logic reminds me of a departed uncle who refused to stir out of his home. He thought his home was 'safer' because it had less pollution and germs. Plus city roads were too 'risky' because of unruly traffic.
Debt instruments like bonds and bank fixed deposits may appear 'safer' but they carry risks too - from fluctuating inflation and interest rates. Real estate prices fluctuate also, putting your investment at risk.
One of the best reasons given by financial experts for investing in stocks is that they provide capital appreciation that can beat inflation. Younger people often flock towards growth stocks in the hope of quick 'multibagger' returns.
More experienced investors - who are in the game for the long haul - include stocks of dividend paying companies in their portfolios. But aren't such companies stodgy, slow-growth ones?
They often are. But not only do they pay regular dividends, such dividends tend to grow over time. Why? Because with lower growth opportunities, there is less need for capital expenditure.
So, the cash these companies keep generating through well-known branded products or services are distributed to shareholders.
Those investors who are working regularly or earning from their business or profession may not really need the dividend income. But they can very well reinvest the dividend amounts in buying more stocks.
Over the years, 'dividend compounding' can lead to a substantial addition to your stock portfolio - leading to even more dividends that will become useful when you retire and are no longer earning a regular income.
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