Investment Risks
Engaging with a DecisionMakers adviser will not mean you can avoid risks. Our advice may mitigate the impact of some of these risks, however residual risks will always remain, and by proceeding with any investment you accept these general risks, and any specific risks as detailed in the relevant support material, including the PDS where applicable.
When you invest your money, you're taking a chance in the hope of making more money in the future. Each investment comes with its own set of risks, and it's essential to assess and manage these risks based on your financial goals and risk tolerance. Diversification and due diligence are valuable strategies for mitigating some of these risks. However, there are risks involved, and here are some of the most common ones:
Risk Types
Market Risk: This is the risk that the overall financial markets (like shares, bonds, or real estate) go up and down. Sometimes they go up, and you make money, but sometimes they go down, and you can lose money. Market risk is a bit like a roller coaster ride. Trying to time the market by buying low and selling high can be challenging and risky. Many investors fail to accurately predict market movements. Investor emotions and sentiment can influence market movements. Overly optimistic or pessimistic investor sentiment can lead to market bubbles or crashes.
Company Risk: If you invest in individual shares, there's a risk that the company you've invested in might not do well. Maybe they'll have financial problems or face tough competition. If that happens, the value of your share can drop.
Interest Rate Risk: This risk comes into play when you invest in bonds or other fixed-income investments. If interest rates go up, the value of your existing bonds may go down because newer bonds pay higher interest rates.
Inflation Risk: Over time, prices for goods and services tend to go up, and this is called inflation. If your investments don't grow faster than inflation, the purchasing power of your money can decrease, meaning you can't buy as much with it in the future.
Liquidity Risk: Sometimes, it can be hard to turn your investments into cash quickly when you need it. This is especially true for assets like real estate, which might take a long time to sell. If you're in a hurry to get your money back, you might have to sell at a lower price than you'd like.
Credit Risk: When you invest in bonds or lend money to someone, there's a risk they might not pay you back. This is called credit risk. It's like when you lend money to a friend, and they might not return it.
Political and Economic Risk: Events like elections, government policies, or economic crises can affect your investments. For example, a change in government might lead to new laws that impact certain industries or businesses.
Diversification Risk: If you put all your money into one type of investment, you're at risk if that particular investment doesn't do well. Diversifying means spreading your money across different types of investments to reduce this risk.
Currency Risk: If you invest in assets denominated in a foreign currency, changes in exchange rates can affect the value of your investments when you convert them back to your own currency.
Time Horizon Risk: How long you plan to keep your money invested can also affect your risk. If you need the money soon and the market is down at that time, you might have to sell at a loss. Longer-term investments can often weather market ups and downs better.
Volatility Risk: Investments, especially shares, can be volatile, meaning their prices can go up and down a lot in a short period. High volatility can make it harder to predict how your investments will perform.
Regulatory Risk: Changes in government regulations can impact certain industries or companies. For example, stricter environmental regulations might affect the profitability of companies in the energy sector.
Taxation Risk: Tax laws can change, and these changes can affect the returns on your investments. It's essential to understand how taxes can impact your investment gains.
Event Risk: Unforeseen events like natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or pandemics can disrupt financial markets and negatively affect your investments.
Default Risk: When you invest in bonds, there's a risk that the issuer (like a company or government) may default on their interest payments or fail to repay the principal amount when the bond matures.
Technology Risk: Technological advancements can disrupt industries. Investing in a company that doesn't keep up with technology trends can be risky.
Lack of Information Risk: Investing in assets with limited available information can be risky because you may not have a clear understanding of the investment's true value or potential risks.
Geopolitical Risk: Events on the global stage, such as conflicts between countries or trade disputes, can impact financial markets and your investments.
Counter-party Risk: In some investments, like derivatives or certain financial products, you might be exposed to the risk that the other party involved doesn't fulfill their obligations.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Risk: Companies that don't follow responsible environmental, social, and governance practices may face risks related to reputation, legal issues, or changing consumer preferences.
Investment Fraud Risk: Scammers can lure unsuspecting investors with promises of high returns and then disappear with their money. It's crucial to be cautious and research before investing.
