What are asset classes?
There are many ways to invest. And every investment decision can result in different timeframes, degrees of risk, and financial objectives.
Whatever strategy you choose, all investments can be categorised into asset classes. Broadly, there are two types of asset classes, income and growth.
Income assets
Cash, bonds, and mortgage securities are considered income assets. They typically deliver returns in the form of income, meaning they pay regular income or interest payments to you.
Because income assets are considered to be low risk, they’re generally more stable and may feature:
- Lower returns than growth assets
- Less fluctuation in returns over the short-term when compared with growth assets
Growth assets
Shares and property are classified as growth assets. Over time they typically provide returns in the form of capital growth.
Growth assets are often considered higher in risk and may feature:
- Capital growth over the long-term with some income
- Generally, fluctuating returns over the short-term. However, they tend to level out over the long-term
- Higher returns compared to other asset classes, due to their higher-risk profile.
A closer look at asset classes
The five main asset classes are:
- Cash
Includes bank accounts and term deposits and may include higher interest paying securities. Generally, cash provides a regular income stream and is the lowest risk of all asset classes. - Fixed interest (bonds)
Bonds have low to medium risk and provide a reliable income stream. They also have the potential for some capital growth.
Bonds are issued by a corporation, bank, or government body in return for cash. Usually, bonds are well-suited for short to medium-term investors. For the most part, they offer a higher return than cash investments. - Mortgage securities
Generally, mortgage securities have a low-to-medium risk and provide a reliable income stream. They usually offer a higher return than cash investments. - Property
Includes residential property, property trusts, and other securities across residential, commercial, retail, and industrial property investments. Returns may include regular income and capital growth.
Generally, property represents a lower risk growth asset than shares but are riskier than cash and bonds. Property is suited for medium to long-term investors. - Australian and international shares
Shares can potentially achieve greater returns and capital growth compared to other assets. However, they are higher in risk than income assets. Shares are usually best suited for long-term investors.
How asset classes work together
Usually, a managed fund will be made up of a combination of income and growth assets. How this mix of income and growth assets is structured will depend on the investment style of the investor.
For example, a conservative style of managed fund will consist of more income assets than growth assets. Whereas a growth style will likely feature less income assets and more growth assets.
What’s right for you?
Choosing the appropriate investment options is crucial for any investor. And it’s important to remember that what is right for one person, may not be appropriate for someone else.
For more helpful articles, visit the Education HUB.
Relevant links
Ready to invest? Check out our range of Managed Funds.
Read next
Where do I start?
Investing can help you reach your financial goals sooner but can be overwhelming sometimes. We’re here to help simplify the process and help you get started.
Why invest in a managed fund
A managed fund is a professionally managed investment portfolio that pools your money together with the money of multiple investors. An Investment Manager then buys and sells shares or other assets (property, cash, bonds etc) on your behalf.
Risk vs return
Investing can be a great way to grow your money and reach your financial goals. However, it’s important to understand that all investments carry a degree of risk. So, how can you balance risk vs return?
Things you should know
Sandhurst Trustees
Sandhurst Trustees Limited ABN 16 004 030 737 AFSL 237906 (Sandhurst) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL 237879. Sandhurst is the responsible entity and issuer of the managed funds available on this website. Additionally, Sandhurst is the issuer of commercial lending products and the provider of traditional trustee services available on this website. Each of these companies receives remuneration on the issue of the product or service they provide. Investments in these products are not deposits with, guaranteed by, or liabilities of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank nor any of its related entities, and are subject to normal investment risk, including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and capital invested.
Information on the website is jointly prepared by Sandhurst and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and subject to change without notice. Advice in relation to managed funds and commercial lending products is provided by Sandhurst. The information contains general advice only and does not take into account your personal objectives, situation or needs. Before making an investment decision in relation to these products you should consider your situation and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement available on this site.
The information is given in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be accurate at its issue date. Neither Sandhurst nor the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank give any warranty for the reliability or accuracy or accept any responsibility arising in any way, including by reason of negligence for errors or omissions for the information contained on this website. Neither Sandhurst nor the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has an obligation to update, modify or amend this website or notify you in the event that a matter of opinion or projection stated changes or subsequently becomes inaccurate.
Neither Sandhurst nor Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is responsible for the content of any other site accessed via this site. That information is the responsibility of the site owner. Links to other sites are provided for convenience only and do not represent any endorsement by Sandhurst or the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank of the products and services offered by the site owner.