To be a disciplined investor and invest successfully, you must limit the temptation to act hastily. Follow our tips to learn how to best manage your investment portfolio.

If you often feel compelled to follow the market trend or sell in the face of a sharp downturn, you can avoid the most common mistakes by adopting a more consistent and disciplined approach. Here are some tips to become a better investor.

Investor Education and Degrees

To become a professional investor, investment banker, sales agent, or sales agent, you will likely need at least a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or a related field. However, it may be even more beneficial to complete an MBA program. You can find dissertation assistance services to finish your academic program with high grades.

Degrees in finance, economics, and business administration help investors since they are already familiar with many of the trading terms and trends in the stock market. However, it is not necessary to have a business degree to become an investor. Classes in these programs may help you understand some of the concepts:

  • Investment management
  • International trade
  • Political economics
  • Globalization and emerging markets
  • Venture capitalism

Tips to become a better investor

1. You should diversify investments or create “baskets” for each objective

Divide your money into “baskets” and orient each one to a specific objective, this will allow you to focus the appropriate level of risk to each one of them. For example, money saved for a car purchase in another year could be invested in a conservative fund. On the other hand, your children’s college savings in ten years could be invested in a diversified portfolio of funds with a higher associated risk and, therefore, a higher expected return. This approach will be able to help you take the appropriate risk for each objective.

2. Be realistic about what you can expect from your mutual funds

Many investors choose funds that have had several stellar years, so it is not surprising that they expect to make significant gains. Otherwise, when a fund starts to plummet investors rush to get out of it and this strategy may not be the most appropriate.

Always keep in mind that past returns do not guarantee future returns, so the choice of where to invest should not be based on historical returns alone, but rather you should put together a well-diversified portfolio according to your investor profile and investment horizon; and whatever the asset class, be realistic about your earnings expectations.

Plan your reaction: unless there has been a fundamental change in your portfolio management or strategy, you should give a fund at least two years to recover. If it still continues to underperform its peers, do your research before selling.

3. Invest according to your risk profile and don’t follow fads

If your savings objective is clear and the investment strategy is the right one, wait at least two years before abandoning a fund that was once very profitable and is now going through a bad patch. Also, when investing, resist the temptation to follow everyone, as you may be buying just when funds are at their most expensive. 

A better strategy is to look for a fund that matches your savings objective and investor profile and has a solid long-term track record and good management.

4. Choose investment funds that are less volatile in the face of market crises

If you do not risk-tolerant, select less volatile funds, as they vary less during market crises. Keep in mind that funds that invest in various instruments are less likely to suffer variations as a result of their diversification. These funds can be an effective alternative for people who do not want to be constantly aware of their investments and want to delegate their management. 

5. Consider the impact on your investment portfolio when buying or selling a fund

Although in general some of your funds may underperform on a particular day, putting together a diversified portfolio can help you maintain the value of your portfolio in the face of a sharp market decline. Otherwise, you may lose that benefit if you are too quick to exit the fund when your return is too low.

Conclusion

Now that you know some aspects that you should consider to be an investor, do not hesitate to put them into practice, since they will pay off and your economy will have greater possibilities to grow. Don’t forget that discipline and perseverance are important for you to achieve your goals and objectives.