Four common investing mistakes to avoid

Successful investing isn't always about how much money you make. It’s also about how much you keep. Keeping losses to a minimum allows your assets the potential to grow over time through compounding.

To keep your portfolio from losing value or hindering the growth of your assets, avoid these common investing mistakes.

1. Putting all your eggs in one basket

Everyone knows this old adage. If you invest all of your assets in only one fund or security and that investment tanks, your portfolio could be scrambled.

Instead, consider diversification. While this strategy doesn’t ensure a profit or guarantee you won’t lose money, you can better manage risk by spreading your assets among different investments and asset classes. That includes stocks, bonds and cash instruments.

As some assets fall in value, others may rise or hold steady and help offset the losses.

2. Trying to time the market

Some investors stay fully invested in stock funds while the stock market is rising, then jump quickly into money market¹ or cash equivalents just before stock values begin to fall. For this strategy to work, investors must know precisely when to get out of stocks. And precisely when to buy back into them. Always.

If you build a portfolio that meets your long-term goals and considers your risk tolerance, you can stay invested. Even when the market is volatile.

3. Buying last year’s winners

Don’t expect last year’s top-performing funds or stocks to be successful year after year. Too many factors can affect stock and bond funds in any given year. Factors such as economic health, interest rates, consumer confidence and political issues.

While there’s no guarantee history will repeat itself, you don’t want to ignore a past-season winner that has steady performance and a fund manager with a consistently solid track record.

4. Thinking short term

Investing for the short-term simply may not give your investments time to potentially grow. This is particularly important if your goal is long-term, such as funding your retirement or college education for your kids. For long-term growth, many investment professionals say it’s essential for your portfolio to include stocks.

There may be periods when stock prices fall and your portfolio loses value. But stocks, such as those in the S&P 500, have historically outperformed bonds and cash investments.²