what is better to be diversified or to be in a sector that you know well? (applies for stocks)?
87351
The first rule of investing: diversification.\n\nThe only way you can know enough about a sector to not need to diversify is to have insider knowledge, and that's illegal.
708400
good is a very relative term, depends on the individual. Reliable woould really never go with stocks. No stock is guarenteed to maintain value. Generally big comapnies like GE, Boeing, IBM, Catterpillar, ALCOA are generally good. However, if you look at returns, stocks like GOOG, Starbucks, etc are great
2685
it depends on where you are in the country and how much education you have. the numbers are aggregated so its over all markets and industries. so if you are in an industry that isnt growing then you need to look elsewhere.
293467
A 5% return would be pretty average, depending on the stock, but you shouldn't count on a monthly "income" from it.  The market moves up and down, but as a general rule it moves up.  Of course, you risk investing in a stock that drops, and then you could lose that much or more each month, which is why diversification is vital.  The safest bet would be to invest it in a few different mutual funds, which provide instant diversification
142535
Because you are intereseted in the Financial Services Industry, you see it as having good career prospects and security.\n\nRemember to be able to back up the interest with industry knowledge.
652949
The best way to do anything yourself is to learn something about it first. You'd be surprised at the thousands of books available on this one subject at your local library.\n\nBut most people spend more time deciding the color of their new car, than they do on a mutual fund advisor, for example. \n\nAre you really wanting to do this yourself, or are you asking about someone who is an expert who can do it for you?\n\nIf you invest in the stock market right now, or just buy into all the ETF's you can afford, it's a crap shoot, like rolling the dice, and the odds are probably not in your favor, whether you have an expert fund manager or not, because mutual funds are always "in" the market.\n\nThey say "Buy and Hold" for the long term is better, but that depends on when you get in, and what your definiton of "long term" is. The phrase "Buy low and sell high" infers that you buy after a decline; decidedly not the case here.\n\nThe Dow is now approaching all-time highs last seen in Jan 2000, so if your long-term definition is more than seven years, then you won't mind waiting another seven years for a profit.\n\nIn my opinion, the name of the game is capital preservation. When the risks are high, like right now, you get out of the stock and bond markets and park your cash in a interest bearing money market fund or CD or Treasury Bill.\n\nThis is simply not a good entry point for investors. Be patient, wait a few months, and you'll be able to buy much more stock a lot cheaper, the risks will be lower (even though they will seem higher), and your chance of success greater.\n\nIf you wish to research the “Buy and Hold Strategy” further, or perhaps trade yourself, I recommend two book titles. One is called "Which Is Better, Buy-and-Hold or Market Timing?" The other is "Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Market Timer?" They will give you plenty to think about.
731812
It depends on where you live. I work for a Bank and the best place in my mind is with my investment specialist, if you have any questions you can email me and I'll give you more information
106542
Invest in many stocks from a sector or sectors of the market in order to increase capital.
49036
If you don't want to invest in individual stocks, then you are usually better of with an index fund, or ETF, than a mutual fund. The majority of mutual funds underperform index funds. (it's quite ironic that picking stocks at random would provide better results than most "professionals".)
859928
u do have a good idea, it'll help u in life later on,  if u don't get a job in one field, u can try for another in the other field. though i personally think tht u should concentrate only on one field and give it ur best rather than diversify in 2 entirely different fields
289865
A sector index fund is a better investment because you are investing in many companies at once; the fate of your returns do not lie in the outcome of a single company.
47408
The success of a trader depends on the trader and not the time-frame in which he or she works, for the most part. You can certainly make "big money" in the short term, but whenever you have the words "big" and "money" together, a third word called "risk" comes into focus. You certainly can capitalize on a good news or a M&A or something else, but it does not come without risk.
423889
The best way to do anything yourself is to learn something about it first. You'd be surprised at the thousands of books available on this one subject at your local library.\n\nBut most people spend more time deciding the color of their new car, than they do on a mutual fund advisor, for example. \n\nAre you really wanting to do this yourself, or are you asking about someone who is an expert who can do it for you?\n\nIf you invest in the stock market right now, or just buy into all the ETF's you can afford, it's a crap shoot, like rolling the dice, and the odds are probably not in your favor, whether you have an expert fund manager or not, because mutual funds are always "in" the market.\n\nThey say "Buy and Hold" for the long term is better, but that depends on when you get in, and what your definiton of "long term" is. \n\nThe Dow is now approaching all-time highs last seen in Jan 2000, so if your long-term definition is more than seven years, then you won't mind waiting another seven years for a profit.\n\nIn my opinion, the name of the game is capital preservation. When the risks are high, like right now, you get out of the stock and bond markets and park your cash in a interest bearing money market fund or CD or Treasury Bill.\n\nThis is simply not a good entry point for investors. Be patient, wait a few months, and you'll be able to buy much more stock a lot cheaper, the risks will be lower (even though they will seem higher), and your chance of success greater.\n\nIf you wish to research the “Buy and Hold Strategy” further, or perhaps trade yourself, I recommend two book titles. One is called "Which Is Better, Buy-and-Hold or Market Timing?" The other is "Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Market Timer?" They will give you plenty to think about.
1175865
Completely ignore the last answer.  Since you have asked this question I will assume you don't have a ton of experience in the market, or you would know the differences already.  Stay away from a discount broker as it is important you know exactly where you want to put your money at all times and when, if and how much to move at any time.  Most people who have jobs and a life do not devote enough time to research to possibly be able to do this profitably.  Find a good broker with reasonable costs to devise a plan for you.  This person may charge more than a discount guy but if they understand what your goals are they can make up for their cost in the better returns and safer diversification they can provide.
785213
That is tough, a few factors that jump out at me are your age, offering of company stock options and availability of benefits. The first two  have to do with how much risk you can afford to take. If you are at the beginning half of your career it would not be as essential that you maintain your position with the stable company. There are bound to be opportunities for you if something goes awry with the new position.\n On the stock option point a small up and possibly coming company could offer stock options that could significantly increase your income.
1070150
There are several countries in the world that are growing much faster than other countries in the world.  Also there are  currencies that are much stronger than other currencies.  There is also the diversification issue to consider. A portfolio diversified among several different countries will generally outperform a single country portfolio with less overall risk. \n\nThere are mutual funds that specialize in particular country markets and there are mutual funds that are general world market funds. Those are the easiest methods to get exposure to the world markets.
1119265
how about which one interests you more. in the long run you will make more money if you like what you are doing.