Long-term investment strategies simply involve investing long-term. Generally, long-term investors build a core portfolio and add to their holdings for years or decades. They may also periodically rebalance their asset allocation and diversification strategy to match their goals.

Understanding long-term investing strategies

Long-term investment strategies typically rely on a buy-and-hold approach, where you hold assets long-term. Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is another common component, where you buy the same assets at regular intervals, regardless of price. Over time, DCA can average down your purchase price, resulting in reduced volatility.

Investors may also combine elements of other strategies, like:

• Passive investing: A buy-and-hold approach that may aim to match market returns
• Active investing: A hands-on approach that may aim to generate a specified return or “beat the market”
• Dividend investing: Buying dividend-paying stocks or bonds
• Dividend reinvesting: Plowing earned dividends back into your portfolio to increase your holdings
• Growth investing: Buying riskier, high-growth assets
• Value investing: Buying assets trading below their perceived “true value”

Each of these strategies may incorporate a wide variety of assets like stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, real estate and commodities.

Benefits of long-term investment strategies

Long-term investing gives your portfolio a chance to rebound from short-term volatility without cashing out losses. Since you don’t have to sweat every potential crash, you may enjoy a less emotional journey.

Longer time horizons also mean you can make riskier investments early on to seek higher lifetime returns. Plus, long-term strategies usually lower trading costs and capital gains tax bills.

How does long-term investing affect you?

If you want to save for retirement, buy a house in 10 years or build lifetime wealth, a long-term strategy can help. Consider these tips to keep on the right path.

Know your risk tolerance

Investing always incurs risks, and it’s important to determine how much you can stand financially and emotionally. Consider the implications of every asset, from stocks and bonds to cryptos and commodities.

Match investments to your timeline

If you want to grow wealth on shorter timelines, you may prefer a more conservative strategy that reduces your exposure to volatility. But if you have decades to go, a riskier allocation could generate greater growth.

Diversify your portfolio

Diversification spreads your money around to reduce risk and capture gains in different markets. A well-diversified mix can prevent one bad investment from dragging down your entire portfolio and smooth out long-term gains. However, you may see smaller short-term returns.

Don’t time the market

Day trading, swing trading and other short-term strategies often involve market timing – trading quickly to capture highs and avoid lows. While they sound good, they carry immense risks and abysmal success rates.

By contrast, long-term strategies allow the market to recover from downswings, negating paper losses incurred along the way.

Rebalance as necessary

Over time, market swings can throw your asset allocation and diversification out of whack. Big life events, like building a family or getting a raise, may also change your situation. It’s wise to evaluate and rebalance your portfolio at least once per year to keep your investments in line with your goals.

What this means for you

Long-term investment strategies may give investors a better chance of securing success and long-term wealth. But you don’t have to go it alone – Q.ai’s AI-backed-and-managed Investment Kits can help.