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Asset Allocation: Stocks, Bonds, and Why the Mix Matters

Beginner Investing • 5 min

There's no universal 'correct' mix of stocks and bonds — it depends heavily on time horizon and risk tolerance. Asset allocation is simply how an investor divides their portfolio among broad categories like stocks, bonds, and cash. Historically, stocks have delivered higher long-term returns with more volatility, while bonds have generally been steadier but with lower long-term returns.

A common shorthand is something like a '60/40' portfolio — 60% stocks, 40% bonds — though that specific split is a starting reference point, not a universal rule.

Insider Angle: age-based allocation rules of thumb (like 'hold your age in bonds') exist because time horizon changes the math: a 25-year-old has decades to ride out a downturn, while someone retiring next year does not — same market, very different appropriate risk level.
Try This: If you were building a portfolio for someone retiring in 1 year versus someone just starting their career, what allocation split would you guess makes sense for each, and why?

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