Investors know that not all stocks are created equal. There are several different kinds on the market, and many of them can be excellent investments under the right conditions. Value stocks and growth stocks are both popular among investors, but for very different reasons. Understanding the differences between the two is vital for any investor who wants to optimize their portfolio.
Understanding Growth Stocks
Some companies grow more quickly than others, and some of them manage to outpace the market as a whole. Stocks in those companies are known as growth stocks. Investors who choose these stocks expect the company to expand relatively quickly over time, which will raise the value of the stock.
Many of those companies are relatively small. Most of them have unusual products, important patents, or other unique assets. Those features encourage loyalty among consumers and limit the competition that the company faces. That is not a guarantee of success, but it does make it much more likely.
Understanding Value Stocks
Stocks that are cheap compared to the company’s sales, dividend payments, and other fundamentals are known as value stocks. Investors buy them because they believe that the stock is really worth more than the going rate.
Most of these stocks are fairly affordable, especially compared to other stocks in the same industry, and many of them offer excellent dividend payments. Most value stocks come from older companies. Their value may have dipped because of a bad year, a period of negative publicity, or other factors. There are also times when a stock is undervalued because the company is relatively obscure in spite of good performance. Investors choose these stocks because they believe they are getting an excellent deal and expect the stock’s value to increase as other investors recognize the real value. In some cases, they also choose these stocks for dividend payments.
Choosing Between Them
It can be hard to choose between growth stocks and value stocks. Investors need to make that choice based on their own goals. Value stocks tend to be safer, especially those that offer dividends. Growth stocks are riskier, but they can also have higher returns. Both are subject to the general cycles of the market, and their performance can vary depending on the length of the investment period. Some investors will prefer growth, and some will prefer value, but the best choice will come down to the investments themselves and to the general state of the market.
Originally posted on WeeklyMoneyMultiplier.info.