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Today’s investment markets can change very quickly. Improvements in technology allow investors to access news also instantly instead of those long newspaper columns. As a result, the value of your investments may be subject to large fluctuations. While this could lead to some nice Forex trading benefits, it can be overwhelming for a beginner investor to learn how to navigate stock market fluctuations. Use these tips to stay on top of your investments and have peace of mind.
What Is An Investment Portfolio?
Before we get into tracking your portfolio investments, you should have a basic ideas about investment portfolios. Your investment portfolio is the combination of assets that you have invested in. For example, if you invest in stocks and bonds, your portfolio is made up of these two asset classes. Many new investors and experience professionals will try to diversify their portfolios to avoid risk. To track your various investment portfolio assets, using the following devices to stay up to date.
Great TV Programming
The growth in cable TV channels and online programming has created some great choices for investors. CNBC, for example, provides constant market updates and commentary during the business day.
Technology has improved the graphics and charts used on investing channels like CNBC. To get the most out of business programs, try channels provided in HD. To find deals from Dallas, TX Direct TV providers, do a search on the web. You can find some providers that offer up to 200 HD channels.
Mobile Applications
Smart Insights reports the majority of Internet use is now on mobile devices. Most financial service companies now offer mobile versions of their websites and applications.
As an investor, you can set up an application to alert you about any news on a company that is an investment for you. If you own IBM common stock, for example, you can get alert when any news comes out on IBM. More sophisticated sites can Tweet you updates and even allow you to make investment trades through your mobile device. Stockbrokers.com provides a review of the best mobile trading apps.
Setting Goals
Setting investment goals is the first step to creating an investment portfolio. You need to know what you want your money to do for you. Are you investing for retirement? Or, are you investing for quick gains for short-term goals? Decide what your personal goals are for investing. What do you want to get out of your investment portfolio? Once you set investing goals and objectives, then you can better decide how to allocate investment portfolio assets to maximize stock market returns when you buy and sell stocks.
Deciding How Much Help You Need
Many investors, particularly from the millennial generation, are using technology to move away from traditional financial advisors. These investors feel that technology allows them to make many types of investment decisions on their own. This group also uses technology to monitor the progress of their investments.
Every investor needs to think carefully about asking for investment advice. If you choose to go on your own, you’ll need to spend time researching and selecting investments. You’ll also invest time to monitor your investment portfolio including stock, mutual and endowment funds. Some investors simply can’t spend the time needed to invest on their own.
Investors also use financial advisors to provide objective advice. The third party professional is not personally attached to your investment portfolio. Hopefully, that independent professional can provide unbiased advice about your investments.
This advice is particularly helpful when your investments are declining in value. It’s important to avoid a rash decision to sell everything in a market downturn.
Tools For The DIY Investor
If you decide that you are willing to take the time and monitor your investments, there are some good investing sites and online stock brokers you should consider.
Wealthfront collects information about your income, investment objectives, risk tolerance and tax status. They use that information to build an investment portfolio to meet your needs. Wealthfront uses exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to build your portfolio. ETFs can be an inexpensive way to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds. You can also access your account on a mobile device.
Betterment is a similar online investing platform. Both of these firms focus on keeping investment costs low and providing an easy to use site for investors. Certainly, they offer more knowledge for investing.
Investment markets today can have big fluctuations. Take some time to think about how much help you need with your investments. If you’re not willing to spend the time to monitor your portfolio, ask a professional for help.
