Diversify

Introduction

Tips For Getting
Diversified

Appropriate
Diversification

Maximum
Portfolio

Investments that
Reduce Risk

Asset Class Mix

Asset Allocation

Your Place in the
Market

Introduction to Diversification

Diversification means splitting your money among several investment options, so that if one option you choose does poorly your entire investment won't suffer the same fate.

Suppose you invest all your money in a single stock: Intel Corp., for example. Your entire investment will be wrapped up in that company's performance. The return on your investment will depend on internal factors such as how well the company's products do, how successful its R&D (research and development) is, and what personnel changes it makes, not to mention external factors such as how well the microprocessor industry as a whole performs. Intel is a great company, but nobody's perfect, and every downturn in Intel's fortunes will affect your entire investment.

If on the other hand, you put part of your investment into Intel, and part into Mobil Corporation, you will significantly reduce your reliance on either investment. During periods when Mobil -- or the petroleum industry overall -- is doing poorly, Intel may be doing well, and vice versa. You will have reduced your exposure (vulnerability) to the risks both of the individual companies and their respective industry sectors. Your investment account will be more versatile than it would be with a 100% weighting (entire investment) in any single stock.

You can continue to add other stocks to your portfolio, further spreading out your exposure to company-specific risk. Although there may be times when the whole economy declines, affecting all of your investments, diversification across a broad spectrum of industries will generally help protect your investment.

Proper asset allocation -- having investments that balance each other out in terms of performance -- can actually help you make more money. There is a whole world of investments out there, and a diversified account gives you the versatility to play in a number of fields with a substantial degree of safety.

• Some tips for getting diversified.
  Here's how to get a healthy, well-balanced investment account.
• What is an appropriate amount of diversification?
  You don't need to buy everything in sight.
• Maximizing the performance of your total portfolio
  Diversification not only reduces risk, but also helps make your portfolio more profitable. Here's how.
• Getting into investments that reduce risk
  There's more to taming risk then meets the eye.
• How asset class mixes influence your total return
  Find the right ingredients for your investment pie.