When is it time to make portfolio changes?

**SPONSORED CONTENT BY TRINA DESOTO WITH EDWARD JONES INVESTMENTS**

The kids are back at school and summer vacations are fading memories, so it must be autumn. But the seasons don’t just move on the calendar, they also change in your life. Speaking of changes, you’ll have to make many through the years, including changes to your investment portfolio.

How will you know when it’s time? Just as Mother Nature sends out “signals” to indicate changing seasons – falling leaves, colder temperatures and shorter days – your portfolio will “tell” you when to make adjustments. Here some indicators:

Out-of-balance portfolio: Even the best stocks can lose value when the overall market is down, but if you only own stocks, you could take a big hit during a downturn. If it happens repeatedly, you may find it hard to even stay invested. Stocks will always fluctuate in value, and protection of your principal is not guaranteed. You can at least help defend yourself against market volatility by balancing your portfolio with a mix of stocks, bonds, government securities, certificates of deposit (CDs) and other investments, with the percentage of each type of asset based on your individual goals, time horizon and risk tolerance.

“Overweighting” of individual investments: You can have too much money kept in a single investment, such as an individual stock or bond. This “overweighting” can happen on its own, as when a stock, or stock-based vehicle, has increased so much in value that it takes on a larger percentage of your portfolio than intended, possibly bringing with it more risk than intended, too. No single investment should take more than a small percentage of your entire portfolio.

Your life may also send you messages regarding changes to make to your investment and financial strategies. Here are milestones that may trigger necessary moves:

New child: Review your life insurance, making sure it’s sufficient to provide for a newborn or newly adopted child, should anything happen to you. You may also want to begin investing in a college savings vehicle, such as a 529 plan.

New job: Assuming your new job offers you a retirement plan, such as a 401(k), you’ll have some choices. How much can you afford to contribute? How should you allocate your dollars among the investment choices offered in the plan? How can you best integrate your 401(k) or other plan into your overall investment portfolio to avoid duplication?

Impending retirement: You may want to adjust your portfolio to help reduce its short-term fluctuations and to provide more current income opportunities, though you may still need to invest for growth. You could be retired for a decades, and you’ll need to stay ahead of inflation.

Pay attention to the messages coming from your portfolio and your life. These “signals” will give you an idea of when to make investment-related moves.

Would you like to receive our newsletter via email?
Email me at trina.desoto@edwardjones.com

Sponsored by Trina Desoto with Edward Jones Investments, your hometown Clarksville financial advisor. Click here for more information.
2197 Madison Street, Suite 103, Clarksville, TN, 37043 (931) 552-4023