|
(ARA) - Life moves at a breakneck speed. Between work, play, volunteer time, extracurricular activities and more, many people have difficulty keeping up. Finding time for leisure activities is tough, and finding time to appropriately invest for retirement or save for college or a major purchase can be next to impossible.
Fortunately, an increasingly popular investing option exists today that provides a simple, all-in-one solution: asset allocation funds. Asset allocation is when an investor balances risk and return by creating a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds and cash.
"In the past, investors needed to purchase several different mutual funds to balance their desired level of risk and create diversification. For many, this was quite a complex task," says Nikki Sorum, senior vice president of marketing and investment products for Thrivent Investment Management. "Thankfully, asset allocation funds take the burden off investors by incorporating the basics of smart investing -- asset allocation, diversification and reallocation -- in a single fund focused on investors' individual goals and risk tolerance."
The rising popularity of asset allocation funds suggests their simplicity is just what investors have been looking for. The number of asset allocation funds has doubled since 2001; there now are more than 300 asset allocation funds, offered by 60 different money managers.
"Asset allocation funds are popular because they appeal to so many different types of investors," says Sorum. "Whether a first-time investor or a seasoned investor, these funds have a place in almost every portfolio."
Asset allocation funds vary, though. The goal of some asset allocation funds is to maintain a static asset allocation mix, while others vary the asset allocation mix as market opportunities change.
Asset allocation funds recently launched by Thrivent Investment Management are actively managed by a committee that monitors each fund's risk-and-return profile on a quarterly basis and makes adjustments to the underlying mix of securities based on changing market conditions.
As with any financial decision, investors should consult a qualified financial professional first. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Related Readings
Understanding Basic Finance Terms
If your like many, you don’t always understand what people are talking about when it comes to loans. Without understanding the basic terminology when it comes to loans you just aren’t setting yourself up right to make an educated decision when it comes to applying for a loan.
Basic Financial Concepts
The activity of finance is the application of a set of techniques that individuals and organizations (entities) use to manage their financial affairs, particularly the differences between income and expenditure and the risks of their investments.
Personal Financial Planning
The financial planning process is a dynamic process that requires regular monitoring and reevaluation. In general, it has five steps: (assessing your situation, setting goals, crafting a plan, taking action, and monitoring your progress)
Avoid the Three Biggest Financial Pitfalls
For the average person and/or family, the three biggest financial pitfalls to avoid are new vehicles, credit car interest, and short-term loans. Any and all of these can drain a person's or family's coffers of much needed funds
Asset Allocation Funds: The All-in-one Investment Solution
Life moves at a breakneck speed. Between work, play, volunteer time, extracurricular activities and more, many people have difficulty keeping up. Finding time for leisure activities is tough, and finding time to appropriately invest for retirement or save for college or a major purchase can be next to impossible.
Rising Interest Rates Make Bank Certificates of Deposit Worth Another Look
Many consumers are taking another look at Certificates of Deposit (CDs) as an investment option when reviewing their financial portfolios, particularly with the recent rise in interest rates and flexible CD features offered by financial institutions.
Are You Hitting Roadblocks Along the Way to Retirement?
More and more Americans are facing the reality that the financial demands of everyday living are getting in the way of their ability to save for tomorrow. They are not paying nearly enough attention to their long-term needs, especially the need to save and plan for retirement. Some people plan to simply work longer to better position themselves for the transition into retirement, but are not considering the possibility that they may not have the luxury of retiring on their own terms.
|
|
|
measure and fulfill your financial needs