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Financial FocusConsider Growth-and-income Funds for Long-term GoalsBy Mark Sonnier AAMS, Investment Representative To work toward achieving your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement, youll need to invest in growth stocks. Yet, you may be leery of the investment risk posed by these vehicles -- after all, the stocks with the greatest potential for growth also carry the greatest potential for price volatility. So what can you do: For one thing, you can consider adding some income to your growth. Specifically, you may want to invest in income-oriented stocks - those that pay dividends to shareholders. The prices of income-producing stocks will certainly fluctuate, but generally not as much as the prices of growth stocks. One of the best ways to mix income-oriented stocks with your growth stocks is through growth-and-income mutual funds. As the name suggests, the primary objective of these funds is to grow your principal with a secondary goal of providing income. Typically, these funds pay dividends on a quarterly or semiannual basis. When you invest in growth-and-income funds, you receive some key benefits: Diversification -As is the case with all mutual funds, growth-and-income funds are made up of dozens, or even hundreds of individual securities. Growth-and-income funds may contain a diversified array of high-quality domestic and foreign stocks, corporate bonds and government securities. By spreading your investment dollars over these different vehicles, you can help protect yourself against market down-turns that may affect one asset class particularly heard. Professional management -When you invest in a growth-and-income fund, you automatically get the services of an experienced team of investment professionals. A portfolio manager makes the day-to-day buy and sell decisions, relying on a variety of resources to maximize the performance of the fund. And financial analysts evaluate the suitability of all stocks and other investments that go into the fund. Liquidity -You can sell your shares at the current net asset value on any business day. (However, this value may be more or less than your original purchase price.) Reinvesting IncomeMay people who invest in growth-and-income funds dont actually need the money for their cash flow. Instead, they reinvest the dividends, into the fund. Should you follow this dividend reinvestment plan: It depends on your individual needs. Reinvesting dividends is certainly a great way to build up more shares in the funds you own. However, at different stages in your life, particularly in retirement, you may want or need to take the dividends to supplement your income. In any case, dividends are now more attractive than every. The maximum tax rate on dividends is now 15 percent, following the passage of tax law changes in 2003. Previously, dividends were taxed at your individual income tax rate. Dont Focus on Highest IncomeWhen youre considering growth-and-income funds, youll have no shortage of choices - there are hundreds available. If you are particularly interested in the income side of growth-and-income, you first inclination may be to look for those funds that are the biggest payers. But that may not be your best move. Keep in mind that the funds dividends, like its share price, will move up and down. Also, even if youre concentrating on income, you still need growth, so , as you evaluate specific funds, pay close attention to their prospects for capital appreciation. If youre interested in growth-and-income funds, consult with your investment professional to find the ones that offer the asset mix, return and risk level that meet your individual needs. Make sure to review the prospectus carefully before investing - the more you know beforehand, the better off you will be. Finance: Here’s What You Should Know About Dividends - August 5, 2004 article
Finance: Don't Make These Mistakes in Retirement- August 16, 2004 article
Finance: Tax-smart Investment Tips for 2004 - August 23, 2004 article
Finance: What does election year mean for investors - August 31, 2004 article
Finance: 529 Plan Can Help You Cope With College Costs - September 6, 2004 article
Finance: Time to Bring Home Some International Investments? - September 16, 2004 article
Finance: Walk Through Finances Before Strolling Down the Aisle - September 21, 2004 article
Finance: Don’t Come Up Short in Your Retirement - October 2, 2004 article
Finance: When Investing, Buy What You Know - October 07, 2004 article
Finance: The Hard Truth: Most Employment is At-Will - October 14, 2004 article
Finance: Don't Follow the Latest Investment "Fads" - October 21, 2004 article
Finance: Take Steps to Prevent Identify Theft - October 28, 2004 article
Finance: Realistic Outlook Pays Off For Investors - December 3, 2004 article Mark Sonnier is an investment representative for Edward Jones. If you have an investment question or problem you would like Mark to address, you may reach him at (281) 332-8554 or 1025 East Main, Suite 102 in League City. ![]() |
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