Building Your Portfolio  •  Lesson 8 of 8
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Once you understand why investing is important, it’s crucial to learn how to create a diversified portfolio using different types of assets. 

To build a well-balanced investment portfolio, you need to distribute your money among different assets — and consider market conditions, risk tolerance, and overall investment goals.


Stocks

When you own stocks, you own a part of a company. Stocks are traded on stock exchanges, allowing investors to buy and sell shares. Historically, stocks have shown long-term growth, but their prices can be influenced by events related to the company or the overall market.

Investors can earn returns through stock price appreciation or dividends, which are a portion of the company’s profits distributed to shareholders. Stocks offer an opportunity for capital growth and income generation.

ETFs

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) combine the flexibility of stocks with the diversification benefits of mutual funds. ETFs represent a basket of securities, such as stocks, bonds, or commodities, and trade like a stock on exchange platforms. 

By investing in ETFs, you get the opportunity to invest in a broad market index or a specific sector, providing easy portfolio diversification. ETFs are attractive for long-term investors seeking a cost-effective way to build a diversified portfolio. 

Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies based on blockchain technology. Unlike traditional forms of investment, cryptocurrencies operate on decentralized networks. 

Investors are attracted to cryptocurrencies due to their potential for high returns and the underlying blockchain technology, which ensures transparency and security. But, cryptocurrency prices can be highly volatile. 

Fixed-income investments

Fixed-income investments are assets that generate a predictable stream of income for investors. They include government and corporate bonds, certificates of deposit, and certain funds. 

Fixed-income investments are considered relatively low-risk as they provide regular interest payments and the return of principal at maturity. Because of this, these investments are often used to balance higher-risk investments like stocks.

Types of investors: 

There two main types of investors: active investors and passive investors. Active investors try to outperform the market, while passive investors aim to match the overall market’s performance. You may also come across terms like value, growth, income, index, and momentum investors.

Now that you’ve learned about these asset classes and investor types, you can start building your portfolio. If you’re feeling confident, you can test yourself on what you’ve learned.

QUESTION 1 OUT OF

What is the purpose of building a diversified portfolio?

To invest in a single asset class
To reduce risk by spreading investments across different assets
To maximize short-term gains

Correct!

Incorrect!

What is a stock?

Ownership in a part of a company
A collection of bonds
A digital currency

Correct!

Incorrect!

What do exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provide investors with?

Access to multiple markets and diversification
High-risk investment opportunities
Guaranteed returns

Correct!

Incorrect!

What is one characteristic of cryptocurrencies?

They are regulated by governments
They have stable prices
They are based on blockchain technology and have volatile prices

Correct!

Incorrect!

What are fixed-income investments typically used for?

Balancing higher-risk assets like stocks
Maximizing short-term gains
Speculating on currency exchange rates

Correct!

Incorrect!

What is the main difference between active and passive investors?

Active investors aim to track the market’s performance, while passive investors try to beat it
Active investors take on more risk, while passive investors take a conservative approach
Active investors focus on commodities, while passive investors focus on stocks

Correct!

Incorrect!

What does a growth investor look for?

Companies with stable earnings and dividends
Undervalued companies with potential for significant growth
Diversified portfolios with low-risk assets

Correct!

Incorrect!

Which type of investor focuses on companies that pay consistent dividends?

Value investor
Growth investor
Momentum investor

Correct!

Incorrect!

 What does it mean to build a balanced investment portfolio?

To invest all your money in high-risk assets for maximum returns
To allocate your money among different assets, while considering market conditions, risk tolerance, and investment objectives
To focus on a single asset class for simplicity

Correct!

Incorrect!

What does low correlation mean in relation to asset classes?

When two assets move in the same direction
When two assets move in opposite directions
When the price of an asset remains constant

Correct!

Incorrect!

Which asset class is often used to offset higher-risk assets like stocks?

Fixed-income investments
Cryptocurrencies
ETFs

Correct!

Incorrect!

What is the main benefit of diversifying your portfolio?

Higher returns on investment
Lower risk through spreading investments across different assets
Guaranteed profits

Correct!

Incorrect!

What is the historical performance of the stock market?

Consistent losses
Long-term gains with occasional downturns
Stable and predictable returns

Correct!

Incorrect!

What is the purpose of an ETF?

To invest in a single company’s stock
To provide access to multiple markets and increase diversification
To speculate on currency exchange rates

Correct!

Incorrect!

What is the main advantage of fixed-income investments?

High returns on investment
Low risk and stability
Quick and easy liquidity

Correct!

Incorrect!

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