What does it mean to make sound investments?

A well-founded investment is a well-thought-out and long-term sustainable investment that usually generates a return on your capital over a longer period. This means that you are not only focused on getting back what you have invested, but that you are also making money on your investment. That said, there are many different ways to make sound investments. 

For example, you can choose to invest your money in shares or funds, or you can choose riskier investment products such as certificates, derivatives or currency trading. However, the most important thing is that you do a basic analysis before you start investing, so that you know which products suit you and your goals best.

Are you looking for fast-news, hot-tips and market analysis? Sign-up for the Invezz newsletter, today.

If you invest the money in shares or equity funds, it means that you invest in a company or a group of companies, and then follow their development on the stock market. When it comes to funds, there is a wide range, some examples are equity funds, fixed income funds, index funds, hedge funds and mixed funds.

Avoid investing with borrowed capital

It is always better to invest with your own money than with borrowed capital, because there is a risk that the investment will decrease in value and that you will therefore not be able to pay back the borrowed capital. This is especially important when investing in e.g. certificates, where there is a risk that you can lose more money than you invested from the beginning. 

The advice is therefore to avoid quick loans or other loans for investments, in this way it will be easier to get better control over your personal finances.

Invest in shares – how do you get started?

There are a number of ways to invest in stocks, and the approach that’s right for you depends on your investment goals and how much time and effort you’re willing to put into monitoring your investments. If you’re looking for long-term growth, you may want to consider buying and holding quality stocks for the long term. This strategy involves buying stocks that you believe are undervalued and holding onto them until they reach their full potential.

Another option is to buy shares that pay dividends. Dividend stocks tend to be more mature companies that generate consistent cash flow, and they often pay out a portion of their profits to shareholders in the form of dividends. This can provide a source of income as well as the potential for capital gains if the share price rises.

One of the most important things when investing in stocks is that you have to remember that you can also lose money. Therefore, don’t invest more money than you can afford to lose, and make sure you have a good exit strategy in case things go bad. 

There is no magic formula for how to make money in stocks, but it is important to remember that it takes time – perhaps years – before you see any significant return on your investment.

Tips for investing in shares

There are a few things to keep in mind when investing in stocks. Here are some tips:

1. Read up. It is important to know what kind of company you are buying into. Read about the company’s history, their goals, their finances and their management team. Consider using a broker or financial advisor if you find it difficult. They can help you make informed decisions about how/where to invest your money.

2. Develop a strategy and stick to it. Set targets for your stocks and when to sell or buy. Remember that you can use the stop loss function, which makes it possible to sell if the price reaches your set trigger price.

3. Diversify your portfolio. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – spread your investments across different companies and industries. This means that you reduce the risk in the event of a downturn. A single share in a sector/industry makes you more exposed compared to if you had held several different shares in several different sectors.

4. Be patient and don’t panic if the stock market goes down. Remember that the market will eventually recover and your investments will likely go up with it.

You can find more tips on what to consider when investing in shares on the Financial Supervisory Authority’s website

Risks with investments

There are of course risks even with investments. The obvious risk is that the company does not reach its goals and that the share therefore goes down. But there are also risks that are more or less beyond the company’s control. For example, there may be changes in laws, regulations, tax reforms and global changes that make it more difficult for the companies to reach their set goals. If you invest in a foreign company or a company that is dependent on exports, there may be a currency risk that affects the company’s results.

As I said, there are many different ways to invest, and it is important that you find a way that suits your own needs. You should also think about how much money you can afford to risk, and be prepared for both wins and losses.