During most client financial planning conversations, the financial planning process generates a sort of awakening. For some, its like “blinkers off”, while for some others, it’s like “a huge load off my shoulders”. For some, it’s a scientific validation of their understanding of their finances, while for others, some aspects come as a rude shock. But usually for everybody, the discussions lead to a clear shared understanding of their current financial position, a discovery of what their financial future priorities are and what they need to do going forward to achieve them.
As a part of our conversations, we also transparently share the short-term volatilities that asset classes like equities have, which could lead to a capital loss of even 20-30%, even if temporary. Over the course of our discussions, most customers end up building comfort with various available asset classes, as well as the differences between them. With our help, they also get to know what (and how) they will need to invest in each asset class to achieve which goal, and get comfortable with the risk-return trade-offs of each asset class.
Rarely though, we come across some customers who are quite resistant to the idea of investing a part of their savings into equity, irrespective of how critical it is to achieve their financial goals. When we try to understand more, the following deeper truths emerge
- I do not want to take any risk, I am very conservative
- I just don’t understand Equity
- I have no idea of how the stock market works
- I am worried that I will lose all my money
- I prefer to invest in something I understand – like Real Estate or Gold
To many of you, these reasons may sound familiar. So, how can these worries be addressed?
For us, these worries are opportunities for us to understand customers better so that we are able to adapt their investments to their risk appetites in the best possible way, while enabling them to meet their goals. At the same time, it is also an opportunity for customers to understand a bit more about various asset classes, especially the ones they do not know much about, confront their beliefs and overcome their fears.
Irrespective of your mental approach towards decisions, the below rationales should help you to understand and update your beliefs about the risks attached with equity.
- History shows that while in the short-term, investments in equities are very volatile, in the long-term, a well-selected and adequately-diversified portfolio of equity mutual funds is very safe from a capital loss perspective. The below table illustrates this
- A significant part of our own portfolio is in equities and we are usually invested in most recommendations to our customers. Our own experiences in investing in equities has been very positive. This also helps build confidence in our customers that we have skin in the game and that our interests are aligned.
- Many customers who come to us have a significant % of their Net Worth in Real Estate, which hasn’t had a great run in the last decade or so. That being the case, the risk of remaining further invested in Real Estate is higher, and investing in equities not only helps them meet their goals more safely, it also reduces risk in their portfolio through diversification.
As a people, we are used to taking risks in many aspects of our life. We take those risks by managing them better, by constantly building and updating our understanding of the risks and taking appropriate corrective actions, when needed. Our approach to risks in investing needs to be similar.
Equities are an important asset class, arguably the most important from a wealth creation perspective, and much needed for all of us to meet our long-term financial goals. Avoiding Equities due to your fears of them is something that can severely impact your financial security in the future. The better thing to do would be to understand your reasons for fearing equities and seek the correct information in order to overcome them.
Finwise is a personal finance solutions firm that helps individuals and families plan for their financial goals, follow their passions and achieve financial independence. For consultations, please reach us at getfinwise@finwise.in or +91 9870702277/9820818007.
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