A question among most investors today is, “How can I better diversify my portfolio for yield while focusing on capital preservation?” Most money managers will suggest bonds; traditionally, bonds have been a great source for yield because they have a lower risk of default. However, bonds are not as attractive to investors today as they once were since yields are extremely low in the U.S. According to Aberdeen Standard, a traditional balanced investment portfolio of equities and fixed income would be forecasted to deliver a return of around 3% versus an average of 7% over the last 20 years. The simple answer of the question above of how to diversify a portfolio is to get innovative.
Read moreDebt-Based Crowdfunding 101
Generally, crowdfunding capital raise is structured as either equity or debt. Equity is issued as stock, representing a form of ownership in a company with no defined maturity date. On the other hand, debt capital is raised in the form of a loan or promissory note to be paid back at some point in the future, usually with a fixed interest rate. Debt offerings on equity crowdfunding platforms tend to be open for a shorter duration. Let's discuss the basics of debt-based crowdfunding and why investors should consider using debt instruments to better position their portfolio against market volatility.
Read moreAlternative Investments in Agriculture Fight a Bleak Bond Market
Fixed-income security has been a good way historically to diversify a portfolio and lower exposure to stock market volatility, but 2018 may prove to be the year to exercise caution and rethink one’s investment strategies.
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