In volatile market, do all the asset classes will rise and fall together. Some may go up and others can support the weight of it. A well diversified portfolio is performing in accordance with both the top and slides down.

Diversification combines a variety of investments such as stocks, real estate and bonds, and reduces the risk exposure.

Unsystematic risk:
The only way to protect your portfolio against unsystematic risk is diversification. Also known as specific risk, this type of risk affects a small number of assets. For example, a policy or a new tax would affect all electronics companies. By diversifying your investments in different sectors can reduce unsystematic risk in large measure.

Systematic risk:
However, systematic risk is more difficult. Affects the systematic risk of a large number of assets. For example, problems in one country can strike a blow to all assets in your portfolio. Any amount of diversification can save your portfolio against a fall.

Further diversification can erode the performance of your portfolio.

Gold at all-time high:
Despite the warnings, the price of gold has risen consistently in recent months. The yellow metal has been a favorite among investors, even when the capital was collapsing. From January 2011 the price of gold rose by 23 percent. Therefore, gold has been a growing breed of investors, the faith that rests on it. This, in turn loan to rotate the impact pushes the price up. Since the price has reached a phenomenal high, defying reason, any negative news could accelerate the slide down. Investors should refrain from a massive exposure to gold in the high current.

Realty to beat inflation:
Investments in real estate have always yielded returns that have beaten the inflation monster. With good inventory with developers, prospective homebuyers have a good chance of clinching a bargain deal. Invest in projects with clear title.

Long-term pays:
The current market uncertainty and the possibility of a global meltdown have small investors jittery.

However, investors can churn out good returns if they invest with a long-term perspective of say 3-5 years.

A systematic investment plan (SIP) is an affordable way to invest in mutual funds. With as little as Rs 500 every month, you can gradually increase your equity exposure. Investors benefit from rupee cost averaging.

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In the event the markets head upwards, the units held increase in value. If the market goes down, it will buy more units. A SIP allows investors to be unaffected by short-term market turbulence and invest through both market ups and downs.

Instead of putting all your eggs in one basket, you must diversify across asset classes in accordance with your risk appetite.

Source: [ET]