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What are the most popular forms of investing?

Written by BizPartner Group | 20 February 2025

Each form of investing has its own benefits and risks. It's important to have enough information to make the right decisions that can deliver long-term financial benefits. Especially for beginners, it is crucial to get a comprehensive view of the different forms of investing and understand their specifics. We therefore give you a brief overview of the currently popular unconventional forms of investing:

Equities:

By investing in stocks, investors become owners of shares in publicly traded companies. This gives them the opportunity for potential long-term capital growth and possible dividends. However, they bring risks such as stock price volatility, uncertainty in company performance, losses in the event of failure, and foreign exchange volatility. It is essential for everyone, not just newcomers, to educate themselves in this area, diversify their portfolios, and carefully select companies based on thorough research.

Bonds:

Bonds are debt securities issued by a government, corporation, or other institution to raise funds needed for its activities. They represent a form of commitment by the issuer, to pay a certain amount of money to the bondholder in the future, including interest payments.

Bondholders normally receive periodic returns in a form of interest payments, which are determined based on the interest rate and the face value of the bond. At maturity, holders have the right to receive a refund of the bonds face value. They are considered a less risky investment compared to shares because they have fixed maturities and interest rates. The risk arises if the issuer may face insolvency or financial uncertainty, which may affect its ability to repay its debts. 

Risks can be minimised by investing in secured bonds. Companies issuing bonds most often guarantee their repayment with their assets. This can include real estate, cars, inventory and more. However, it is necessary to check the actual value of the assets and, if applicable, their liquidity. If the assets in question are also pledged for the benefit of the issue, the security is much greater because they serve as a guarantee for the investors. In the event of default, for example, the property can be monetised to repay the investment.

Investment funds:

Investment funds are an efficient way of investing for investors who wish to participate in a variety of different assets without the need for direct ownership of individual securities or real estate. These funds collect capital from investors and should be managed by professional management companies. One of the main benefits is the ability to diversify the portfolio, as funds usually invest in different asset classes such as equities, bonds, commodities and real estate.

ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund):

An ETF is an exchange-traded fund composed of various assets such as stocks, bonds, commodities and other funds. It provides diversification and liquidity to investors because it can be easily bought or sold on an exchange. Compared to other investment instruments, ETFs can be traded throughout the day on an exchange and are less costly to manage. A financial institution creates an ETF by buying assets from an index it wants to track and then issuing ETF shares according to that portfolio. ETFs are popular among investors looking for a simple and cost-effective investment form with diversification and liquidity.

Real estate investments:

Real estate investments are a form of investing in which investors purchase various types of real estate, including houses, apartments or commercial buildings. These investments can generate profits in two primary ways. The first is through rental income, where owners receive regular monthly income from tenants. The second way is the potential profit from the growth in property values. At the same time, it is important to consider the risks associated with these investments, such as market fluctuations, maintenance costs, as well as the time-consuming nature of property management.

Cryptocurrencies:

Cryptocurrencies are digital and decentralized currencies that use cryptography to secure financial transactions and regulate new units of currency. Cryptocurrencies exist in virtual form and do not represent physical money. The most well-known and widely used cryptocurrency is Bitcoin (BTC). Other popular cryptocurrencies include Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Litecoin (LTC), Cardano (ADA) and many others.

There are different ways to invest and each one is unique. As you can see, not everything that glitters is gold, and there are potential challenges to consider. You need to carefully examine your goals, financial pain threshold, and experience level. The better prepared you are, the better your chances of making an attractive profit.