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Table of Contents 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................2 
Abstract .............................................................................................................................................2 
Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................2 
Preface ..............................................................................................................................................2 
UNDERSTANDING THE INVESTMENT PROCESS......................................................................................3 
What is Investment? ...........................................................................................................................3 
History ...............................................................................................................................................3 
How to Start an Investment Portfolio...................................................................................................4 
Different Types of Investment .............................................................................................................5 
Major Types of Investment..................................................................................................................8 
Mutual fund ..................................................................................................................................... 10 
Common Types of Mutual Funds.................................................................................................... 10 
Definition of Investment from different Perspectives.......................................................................... 11 
History of Shares .............................................................................................................................. 12 
History of Stocks & Shares ............................................................................................................. 14 
How Best to Invest in Shares ............................................................................................................. 17 
Why Might a Company Invest in Another Company's Stock? ............................................................... 17 
RISK FACTORS................................................................................................................................... 18 
References ....................................................................................................................................... 22
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
Abstract 
The data relevant to the topic is collected from different websites and 
as well as by taking interview from the person who is directly 
connected with the investment side. 
Executive Summary 
Basically my topic is all about investment. In my report I have told each 
and every thing about investment like by the point of view of a single 
person or any company point of view that why they invest in other 
companies. The types of investment, how risk factor involve in it. How a 
single person can get knowledge about investing in share or another 
where. All things are clearly explained in the report. 
Preface 
This report is prepared for those who don’t know about investment, 
who are interested to invest somewhere but don’t know to utilize their 
money. It will help all individuals and businessman as well. 
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UNDERSTANDING THE INVESTMENT PROCESS 
What is Investment? 
In simple terms, Investment refers to purchase of financial assets. While Investment Goods are those 
goods, which are used for further production. 
History 
The Code of Hammurabi 1700 B.C. provided a legal framework for investment establishing a means for 
the pledge of collateral by codifying debtor and creditor rights in regard to pledged land. Punishments 
for breaking financial obligations were not as severe as those for crimes involving injury or death. 
In the early 1900s purchasers of stocks, bonds, and other securities were described in media, academia, 
and commerce as speculators. By the 1950s the term investment had been co-opted by financial brokers 
and their advertising agencies to promote speculation. By the late 1900s the terms speculation and 
speculator were somewhat down played by the media, likely due to turmoil in the capital markets ever 
since the tech boom bubble pop, and the historical fascination with blaming Wall Street speculators for 
all the ills of the world, had mysteriously returned to the newspapers. The public is instead fed the word 
investor or investment instead of speculator or speculation, even though the bulk of the activities are 
not investment grade 
The Investment Process 
Successful investing is never so easy. An orderly, disciplined approach is necessary for successful 
management of your investment assets. It's a step-by-step process, starting with the assessment of your 
goals and needs. 
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How to Start an Investment Portfolio 
Investment is usually the last thing you want to think about when you just got your first paycheck. Blow 
it all! Some clothes….a decent watch…the car…a killer mobile and the flat screen. OK, for a few months, 
but if you don’t back off a bit, then, those things will own you and you’ll spend your life paying off your 
history at 20% more than the “bargain” price you bought it for! Think about investment….as part of your 
life NOW. If you start an investment program setting just a small part of your money aside, you will have 
the freedom no one will never even imagine! 
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Step 1 
Set a vision of what you want. Money is not the thing...it's the dream you can make happen. So you're 
not into money management...you are into dream realization! The earlier you get started, the faster 
your dreams will happen. Based on your vision, write down your goals, not money goals, but "I want to 
be" goals or "I want to be able to" goals. Motivation is your vision of the dreams and that is really 
powerful. 
Step 2 
Educate yourself on investment. It is important that you start learning early so you have solid 
information on which to make your investment decisions. Start by reading the quarterly reports and 
annual reports of the company you are working with. Start tracking their stocks. Get to know the other 
companies in your field of work. Read their reports. Warren Buffet says buy what you know. That extra 
money in your paycheck may just be the starting base for your portfolio. Meet your bank investment 
advisor. They will be able to provide information and you can ask some of your questions as well. Read 
books in your library or financial sections in the newspapers. Or search for information online. 
Step 3 
Find a mentor. Get someone who is not interested in selling you a product or a service, someone who 
has done well in investing. There is always one in your family or circle of friends or at work. Ask people 
what they do about investment. Listen to their experience and find out what you need to do to prepare 
yourself to become a better investor. 
Step 4 
Determine your risk tolerance. How much risk are you prepared to take? Fear and greed drive the 
markets...if you have a problem with these, stay in forgiving investments like mutual funds or bonds. 
Look for investment products that are within your level of risk. Get to understand these products and 
how you can get better returns from these. Remember...this is supposed to be fun, and it really can be, 
but not if you're terrified. Maybe start with something safe to build up your confidence.
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Step 5 
Decide how much you can afford. Start with the amount you can regularly take out from your bank 
account without pain. 10% is a good target but to get started, anything will do. Look at your goals as 
well. If it is something you really want to have sooner, set aside more money to reach it in less time.. If 
you just want to start saving for retirement, a safe way to start is to contribute to your company's pre - 
tax investment program like 401K for Americans or RRSPs for Canadians. Many European countri es have 
similar tax incentives. You will be surprised at how much a little amount put in regularly accumulates in 
a period of time. 
Step 6 
Open an investment account. Shop around for better performance and deals that suit your own unique 
requirements. Some financial institutions offer to set aside a regular amount to put in your investment 
account and once accumulated, you can then decide to put it in stocks or whatever funds. Meanwhile, 
this will earn interest. 
Step 7 
Start investing. If you want, you can first start with a trial investment account. You can build a trial 
portfolio of stocks you choose yourself based on your research. Invest in what you know well. If you are 
ready, go for it. You learn faster when the stakes are high. You can start by buying the stocks of 
companies offering Dividend Reinvestment Program (DRIP). As the dividends come in, they 
automatically buy more stock. Most of these companies are well established and very conservative and 
will allow you to buy one stock (through a brokerage) to get in the game. 
Once you have one stock, the company will allow you on a regular basis, at a date they set, to buy extra 
stocks. No matter what decisions you make, the key is to START NOW. 
Different Types of Investment 
Different types or kinds of investment are discussed in the following points.
1. Autonomous Investment 
Investment which does not change with the changes in income level, is called as Autonomous or 
Government Investment. 
Autonomous Investment remains constant irrespective of income level. Which means even if the income 
is low, the autonomous, Investment remains the same. It refers to the investment made on houses, 
roads, public buildings and other parts of Infrastructure. The Government normally makes such a type of 
investment. 
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2. Induced Investment 
Investment which changes with the changes in the income level, is called as Induced Investment. 
Induced Investment is positively related to the income level. That is, at high levels of income 
entrepreneurs are induced to invest more and vice-versa. At a high level of income, Consumption 
expenditure increases this leads to an increase in investment of capital goods, in order to produce more 
consumer goods. 
3. Financial Investment 
Investment made in buying financial instruments such as new shares, bonds, securities, etc. is 
considered as a Financial Investment. 
However, the money used for purchasing existing financial instruments such as old bonds, old shares, 
etc., cannot be considered as financial investment. It is a mere transfer of a financial asset from one 
individual to another. In financial investment, money invested for buying of new shares and bonds as 
well as debentures have a positive impact on employment level, production and economic growth. 
4. Real Investment 
Investment made in new plant and equipment, construction of public utilities like schools, roads and 
railways, etc., is considered as Real Investment. 
Real investment in new machine tools, plant and equipments purchased factory buildings, etc. increases 
employment, production and economic growth of the nation. Thus real investment has a direct impact 
on employment generation, economic growth, etc. 
5. Planned Investment 
Investment made with a plan in several sectors of the economy with specific objectives is called as 
Planned or Intended Investment. 
Planned Investment can also be called as Intended Investment because an investor while making 
investment makes a concrete plan of his investment. 
6. Unplanned Investment 
Investment done without any planning is called as an Unplanned or Unintended Investment. 
In unplanned type of investment, investors make investment randomly without making any concrete 
plans. Hence it can also be called as Unintended Investment. Under this type of investment, the investor 
may not consider the specific objectives while making an investment decision. 
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7. Gross Investment 
The total amount of something before various factors deduct from the total. For example, gross 
revenue, gross sales, and gross income. 
8. Net Investment 
Net investment is the measure of a company's investment in capital assets, such as the property, plants, 
software and equipment that it uses for operations. 
How It Works/Example: 
The formula for net investment is: 
Net Investment = Capital Expenditures – Depreciation (non-cash) 
Major Types of Investment 
There are many things where we can invest, each with its own level of risk and return. The more money 
you can make from an investment, the higher the risk that you might not get all your money back. So it’s 
good to have a mix of different types of investments to spread your risk. And it's important to do your 
homework and get investment advice so you understand the risks before you hand over your money. 
Bank savings 
Savings accounts with New Zealand’s major banks are one of the most common and least risky ways to 
store your money for the short term. Credit unions and building societies also offer savings accounts. 
When you deposit money in an account you are lending it to the bank, which pays you some interest in 
return. The interest you can earn is relatively low, so savings accounts are not the best option if you are 
looking for long-term growth. 
Term deposits 
Like savings accounts, term deposits also pay interest. The difference is that you agree to lend your 
money to the bank for a fixed period of time such as 6 or 12 months in return for a higher rate of 
interest. 
Sometimes you can’t withdraw the money during the term of the investment. In other cases you can, 
but get paid a lower rate of interest. Term deposits are sometimes called ‘fixe d interest’ investments. 
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Bonds 
Tip: Investments are often called assets and different types of investments such as bonds and shares are 
called asset classes.
A bond is like an IOU issued by a government, council, or company. You lend them your money for a 
number of years, and they promise to pay a certain interest rate – called a coupon. The level of risk 
involved when investing in bonds depends on the issuer. Unlike term deposits, you can sell your bonds 
early. However the price you will get can go up and down. Bonds are also sometimes called fixed 
interest investments. 
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Shares 
When you buy a share, you’re buying a small part of a company. If that company makes money, you may 
be paid a share of the profit, called a dividend. Like house prices, share prices are generally expected to 
go up over time and give you a ‘capital gain’ on your money when you sell. However, prices can fall in 
value as well. 
Managed funds 
A managed fund is a financial product that buys a number of shares and other investments such as 
property, term deposits, and cash. The buying decisions are made by expert managers. 
Tip: Most investors should have a mix of investments to smooth out the ups and downs. 
When you buy units in a managed fund you are spreading your savings across a range of shares or other 
investments within the fund. That means that your money is 'diversified’. 
Alternatives 
Alternatives is a broad term often used to describe investments that fall outside the standard asset 
classes of cash, bonds, shares and property. Alternatives include commodities, currency and derivatives. 
Commodities (including gold) 
These investments don’t pay interest or dividends, but do increase and decrease in value which can 
result in a capital gain. The value of commodities often moves in the opposite direction of other asset 
classes (e.g. when share prices go down, gold often increases in value, and vice versa), so investors 
sometimes buy them to try to protect their money. 
Currency (foreign exchange) 
As well as being used to buy goods and services, foreign currency is also used as an investment. 
Currency investors are looking for higher interest rates overseas, or hoping exchange rates will move in 
their favor resulting in a capital gain. Investors, including managed funds, may also use currency to 
protect, or ‘hedge’, other investments that are invested overseas. 
Derivatives (including options and futures) 
Derivatives are generally only used by more sophisticated investors, such as managed funds. This can be 
a confusing and complex area of investing. However, derivatives are built on a fairly simple concept -
allowing people to protect themselves, or ‘hedge’, against future price movements. For example a 
farmer can fix the price today, for the milk they will supply in the future. While at the same time, a 
supermarket owner can fix the price now for the milk they will receive in the future. 
Professional investors still use derivatives for this purpose, but can now also use them to invest more 
efficiently. 
Other alternatives 
Other alternatives can include things such as private equity, hedge funds, fine wine, exotic cars and 
stamps. There are different reasons for buying each one, but, as with all investments, their value can go 
up or down. 
Mutual fund 
A mutual fund is a pool of money that is managed on behalf of investors by a professional money 
manager. The manager uses the money to buy stocks, bonds or other securities according to specific 
investment objectives that have been established for the fund. In return for putting money into the 
fund, you’ll receive either units or shares that represent your proportionate share of the pool of fund 
assets. In return for administering the fund and managing its investment portfolio, the fund manager 
charges fees based on the value of the fund’s assets. 
Common Types of Mutual Funds 
Money Market Funds 
Invest in short-term (less than one year to maturity) corporate and government debt securities such as 
treasury bills, bankers acceptances and corporate notes. Some money market funds specialize in 
Canadian or US money market instruments or 
Invest only in treasury bills. These are generally very low-risk funds offering low returns. 
Fixed Income Funds 
Invest in debt securities like bonds, debentures and mortgages that pay regular interest, or in corporate 
preferred shares that pay regular dividends. The goal, typically, is to provide investors with a regular 
income stream with low risk. Fund values will go up and down to some extent, particularly in response 
to changes in prevailing interest rates. 
Growth or Equity Funds 
Invest primarily in common shares (equities) of Canadian or foreign companies, but may hold other 
assets as well. The goal is typically long-term growth because the value of the assets held increases over 
time. Some growth funds focus on large ‘blue -chip’ companies, while others invest in smaller or riskier 
companies. Performance will be affected by the success or failure of specific investments and by the 
performance of the stock markets generally. 
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Balanced Funds 
Invest in a ‘balanced’ portfolio of equities, debt securities and money market instruments with the 
objective of providing reasonable returns with low to moderate risk. 
Global and Foreign Funds 
May be fixed income, growth or balanced funds that invest in foreign securities. These funds can offer 
investors. Mutual investor’s international diversification and exposure to foreign companies, but are 
subject to risks associated with investing in foreign countries and foreign currencies. 
Specialty Funds 
May invest primarily in a specific geographical area (e.g., Asia)or a specific industry (e.g., high technology 
companies). 
Index Funds 
Invest in a portfolio of securities selected to represent a specified target index or benchmark such as the 
S&P/TSXComposite Index. 
Definition of Investment from different Perspectives 
Investment is a term frequently used in the fields of economics, business management and finance. It 
can mean savings alone, or savings made through delayed consumption. Investment can be divided into 
different types according to various theories and principles. 
Investment in terms of Economics 
According to economic theories, investment is defined as the per-unit production of goods, which have 
not been consumed, but will however, be used for the purpose of future production. 
Examples of this type of investment are tangible goods like construction of a factory or bridge and 
intangible goods like 6 months of on-the-job training. 
In terms of national production and income, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has an essential constituent, 
known as gross investment. 
Investment in terms of Business Management 
According to business management theories, investment refers to tangible assets like machinery and 
equipments and buildings and intangible assets like copyrights or patents and goodwill. The decis ion for 
investment is also known as capital budgeting decision, which is regarded as one of the key decisions. 
Investment in terms of Finance 
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In finance, investment refers to the purchasing of securities or other financial assets from the capital 
market. It also means buying money market or real properties with high market liquidity. Some 
examples are gold, silver, real properties, and precious items. 
Financial investments are in stocks, bonds, and other types of security investments. Indirect financial 
investments can also be done with the help of mediators or third parties, such as pension funds, mutual 
funds, commercial banks, and insurance companies. 
Investment in terms of Personal Finance 
According to personal finance theories, an investment is the implementation of money for buying 
shares, mutual funds or assets with capital risk. 
Investment in terms of Real Estate 
According to real estate theories, investment is referred to as money utilized for buying property for the 
purpose of ownership or leasing. This also involves capital risk. 
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE 
Commercial real estate involves a real estate investment in properties for commercial purposes such as 
renting. 
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE 
This is the most basic type of real estate investment, which involves buying houses as real estate 
properties. 
History of Shares 
Shares have been around in various forms for thousands of years, serving as the primary mechanism 
through which ownership in companies and entities can be divided, and the means by which n ew 
investors can be welcomed into the fold. While of course, the concept of shares and the specific legal 
setup has become much more refined and sophisticated with time; shares in principle have existed since 
the times of ancient Rome, as a cornerstone of commerce and early corporate finance. 
The Romans developed mechanisms to what we would consider to be a company today, with the 
backing of the authorities, to carry out specific purposes or to deliver certain projects. These were 
involved the first known classification of shareholders, who were involved to help provide capital for the 
projects involved. This early construct was closely aligned with the state, and only began to develop its 
own legal identity and distinct legal personality after influence from the early German thinking on 
corporate structure. 
After its early introduction, the company was developed considerably across Europe by the Church and 
the Canon Law, which laid down some fundamental legal points as we consider them today. For the first 
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time, the company was a personality distinct from its member, who would therefore survive in 
perpetuity beyond the death of those involved, and the basic principles of agency law began to flesh 
out. Where the Church first tread, so charities and other publi c organizations followed, adopting the 
Church's model of business structure to develop the entity as we've come to know it. 
Packaging company Stora Enso, still in existence today, is derived from the oldest known limited 
company, and issued the first recorded example of a share certificate in 1288. By this point, the share 
was a relatively understood albeit basic legal right, and one that was fundamental in helping expand the 
growth of commerce throughout the middle ages. 
By the early 17th century, the first signs of organized stock trading activity in Europe were evident, 
thanks to the Dutch East India Company, which issued shares to the public for the first time in 
Amsterdam in order to fund expeditions and activities in Asia. This first issue was pivotal in providing the 
Dutch East India Company with the capital to fuel its growth into one of the world's largest companies of 
its time, and one of the most influential on a multinational level. 
But it was with the advent of the Joint Stock Corporation Act in the UK in 1844 that companies and 
shares really started to take shape. For the first time, the liability of companies was limited, and parties 
could hold a joint stock in companies, divisible by recognizable shares. This, followed by three successive 
Companies Acts taking us up to 2006 helped transform the economy of the UK and the rest of the world, 
and has given us the multi-trillion capitalizations of global companies we're used to seeing today. 
Shares have had a long and interesting history, and their story is one that is likely to continue to change 
over time. While many of the sweeping changes have already taken place, the future for shares and 
share trading looks set to be increasingly shaped by technology, as the markets continue to embrace the 
systemic advancements that improve share dealing efficiency and drive down cost. 
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History of Stocks & Shares 
Investment by shares in not a new idea. 
Stock represents investment in any company. A person who buys stock, known as a shareholder, holds 
legal ownership of a set percentage in the company, and has a interest in business matters. 
Shareholders not only share in a business’s profits when they enjoy success, but also share the financial 
risk of failure. Throughout history, shares were a way for societies to afford large ventures which came 
at great risk to investors. Today, it is a means for new companies to generate operating capital. 
Origin 
The idea of buying shares, or investing in a business venture for partial ownership, dates back to ancient 
Rome. Private businesses called “publican” sold shares to generate capital. The publican also served as a 
lending association, which commonly advanced money to the Roman government, in exchange for 
protection. Investors were limited by the law, and excluded freemen, slaves and all governmental 
officials. 
Middle Ages 
During the middle Ages, the expense and financial risk of sea trade was exponential. As a result, the cost 
of a ship's construction was divided into shares. Investing in the ship's construction guarantee d the 
investor a share of the ship's profits, if the voyage was successful, and spread out the loss if it was not. 
Paper Certificates 
In 1602, the Dutch East India Co. was formed, when granted a royal charter for the government of the 
Netherlands. The charter granted the company full control of trade with the East for a period of 20 
years. The company sold shares to generate the funds needed for a fleet of ships, and to travel, and 
began paying out dividends to investors later the same year. The company issued the first-ever paper 
stock certificates to investors in 1606. 
Speculation 
The Mississippi Company was formed in 1715 by the French government and John Law. The company 
was given control over the assets in the territory of Louisiana, and was designed to generate funds to 
repair the French national economy. Law devised a system that encouraged speculation investment, and 
it inflated the price of shares. In 1719, speculation investment had led to gross inflation of the 
company's share price, despite the company's few colonial assets. This led to the first economic bubble, 
and the company's ruin. 
Bonds 
The Revolutionary War inspired the first investment banking in the United States. The colonial war bond 
was developed by the Continental Congress to finance the Revolution. After the Revolutionary War, 
14 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
shares were sold to finance American development. Westward expansion, invention and business 
development were all funded by selling stock in the venture. 
Stock Exchange 
In 1792, 24 merchants met daily on a street corner to trade stocks and bonds with one another. These 
men formed the first, basic, New York Stock Exchange, though it was not formally organized until 1817. 
The stock exchange was carried on outdoors, until it moved into a more permanent indoor location in 
1921. In 1929, speculation investments and inflation of value lead to the Stock Market Crash and 
subsequent Great Depression. The long-term effect of this was government involvement in stock market 
activity. 
Finding Companies to Invest In 
Selecting an investment strategy is the relatively easy bit of learning to invest. Now comes the hard part! 
Putting the strategy into practice and finding the companies that satisfy your chosen guidelines. 
This section is all about how you can use the resources around you to find companies worth considering 
investing in. Initially you may need to cast your net quite widely and try to come up with a list of 
potential investments that might fit with your investment strategy. Once you have your list of potential 
investments, you'll need to find out more about these companies, and then, after much thought and 
consideration, select one or more -- or even none -- of these companies in which to invest your hard-earned 
money. 
So how do you find companies that will suit your investing style and your investment strategy? For 
many, the fun of investing is finding that golden nugget of a company, the company that no else has 
noticed and which ultimately proves to be a very shrewd investment. But finding the right company to 
invest in is the most difficult thing to do for investors. The London stock market has thousands of 
companies listed. In Europe there are many thousands more. And if you look at all of the world's stock 
markets... well, you'll soon find that you can't see the wood for the trees. Selecting suitable companies 
can become all but impossible. 
The art of investment is to narrow your search down to a few companies that you can study and follow, 
and, based on the information you discover about them, you can then make better informed investment 
decisions. 
How do you find potential investments? 
If you have had some personal experience of a company, if you work for them, or are a customer of 
theirs, then you are in a perfect position to assess the quality of that business. But always be wary about 
personal experience. The investment world is littered with companies that may be great to work for, 
that give excellent customer service and have great products, but if they don't make a profit and they 
don't generate cash, then they might not be the best investment. 
15 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
But if you really want to find potential investment opportunities, you need to be proactive. It is no use 
waiting around hoping that your next investment is going to come along and slap you in the face. The 
only way to find good investment opportunities do it is to go out and look for ideas. And that means you 
need to do your own research. 
Read, read, and read some more 
The most important way to find suitable investments is to read. Read everything that comes your way. 
Buy the Financial Times, read the Investors Chronicle and -- of course -- read the Motley Fool! Consider 
signing up to the Motley Fool's flagship share recommendation service, Share Advisor. 
Read as much as you can about companies and investments. Every time you read about a company, 
mentally run it past your 'stock screen' in your brain. Ask yourself "does this company qualify as a 
potential investment against the criteria I have set in my investment strategy?". If it does, note it down 
for further research. If it doesn't, then forget about it immediately. 
Some of the best sources for investment ideas are available on the Internet. We list a few here, but 
there are many, many more. 
The Financial Times is pretty much essential reading for anyone serious about taking control of their 
own investments. When you first buy the FT you may feel a bit intimidated, but don't worry, it really 
isn't as dry as it may look. The FT covers company news in more detail than any other newspaper and 
the Lex column is excellent. 
For those starting out, the weekend edition of the FT is a much lighter read. It contains a good personal 
finance section and an informative stock market review of the week. The Weekend FT also highlights 
directors' dealings, where heavy "insider" buying or selling could prove to be an investment indicator. 
A subscription to the online edition of the FT is well worth considering. It means you can read the Lex 
column on the day it's written, not the morning after. Even better, you can read articles from the FT 
archive and other publications too. 
Stock screeners 
An excellent product for the really serious investor is Company REFS (Really Essential Financial 
Statistics). It's essentially a database that gives a snapshot of every quoted company, detailing amongs t 
other things, past financial records, various performance ratios and future profit estimates. Although 
REFS is published monthly in Yellow Pages-sized volumes, perhaps the best medium to receive the 
product is via a CD. The CD allows the excellent facility of setting up personal search criteria (eg: low 
price to earnings ratios, high dividend yields) to present a list of suitable companies. You can also use 
REFS online 
The main drawback with REFS is that it is expensive (at the time of writing around £800 a year for the CD 
or full online access, although 'weekends only' online access is much cheaper), but if you are a serious 
16 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
investor, its well worth considering. Cheaper sites, popular with many people on our discussion boards, 
include Sherlock Holmes and It Pays Dividends. 
Stock screeners can save you a lot of legwork but it's best to never rely on them completely for financial 
information. In practice, most people use them to draw up a shortlist of possible candidates, but then 
double-check the key information for each company using their annual accounts or results statements. 
How Best to Invest in Shares 
The aim of making a profit from shares is to buy when they are cheap and to sell when they are 
expensive. So don't be downcast when the market and share values are down. If you are a new investor, 
this could be an excellent buying opportunity. There are two strategies for share buying and selling: 
You can buy the market as a whole. That is you invest in a portfolio of, say, 20 shares and then forget 
about them using any dividends to boost your income. 
You can be an active investor, a speculator even, and buy and sell shares every week or month, seeking 
to make a profit from the ups and downs of the stock market. 
Why Might a Company Invest in Another Company's Stock? 
Why Might a Company Invest in Another Company's Stock? 
Companies have the obligation to shareholders to make the best use of all of their assets. If the 
opportunity arises to invest in the stock of another company, it may be for several reasons. 
Cash/Stock/Debt Transactions 
A company wishing to acquire shares of another company's stock may do so with its own stock or with 
available cash on hand. Debt financing is arranged in many cases, but any of these methods is usually 
employed when the acquiring company wishes to enhance its own corporate performance and growth. 
Cash Transactions 
When a company becomes so large that its cash flow can't be reinvested into its own growth, its pace of 
earnings growth will slow. Cash levels will accumulate. This cash can either be paid out in the form of 
dividends to shareholders or used to buy shares in smaller, high-growth companies. 
Mergers 
Companies may also merge when it becomes clear that the two acting as one can share economies of 
scale, and--again--add shareholder value by increasing earnings-growth potential. 
Tender Offers 
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A company can use available cash or credit to purchase shares of another company, but only up to a 
limit. Once this limit is reached, it must state how much of the acquired company it owns and whether it 
plans to buy the remaining shares. This is known as a tender offer. 
Takeovers 
If the buying company states intentions to buy the target company, the target company may agree, 
recognizing the benefit to both parties. If the target company finds this is not it its best interests, it may 
take a number of measures to avert the purchase of its shares. But the acquiring company is attempting 
the takeover in order to increase its long-term shareholder value. 
RISK FACTORS 
1. Standard Risk Factors 
• Investment in Mutual Fund Units involves investment risks such as trading volumes, Settlement risk, 
liquidity risk, default risk including the possible loss of principal. 
• As the price / value / interest rates of the securities in which the scheme invests fluctuate, the Value of 
your investment in the scheme may go up or down. 
• The NAV of the Scheme’s units may be affected by change in the general market conditions, Factors 
and forces affecting capital markets in particular, level of interest rates, various market related factors 
and trading volumes. 
• Past performance of the Sponsor/AMC/Mutual Fund does not guarantee future performance of the 
scheme. 
• The name of the Scheme does not in any manner indicate either the quality of the scheme orbits 
future prospects and returns. 
• The sponsor is not responsible or liable for any loss resulting from the operation of the scheme beyond 
the initial contribution of Rs. 5 Lakhs made by it towards setting up the Fund. 
• The Scheme is not a guaranteed or assured return scheme 
2. Investments under the scheme may also be subject to the following risks 
I. Investment in equity 
Equity and equity related risk: Equity instruments carry both company specific and market Risks and 
hence no assurance of returns can be made for these investments. 
II. Investment in debt 
(a) Credit risk: Credit risk is risk resulting from uncertainty in counterparty's ability or 
18 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
Willingness to meet its contractual obligations. This risk pertains to the risk of default of payment of 
principal and interest. Government Securities have zero credit risk while other debt instruments are 
rated according to the issuer's ability to meet the obligations. 
(b) Liquidity Risk pertains to how saleable a security is in the market. If a particular security does not 
have a market at the time of sale, then the scheme may have to bear an impact depending on its 
exposure to that particular security. 
(c) Interest Rate risk is associated with movements in interest rate, which depend on various factors 
such as government borrowing, inflation, economic performance etc. The values of investments will 
appreciate/depreciate if the interest rates fall/rise. 
(d) Reinvestment risk: This risk arises from uncertainty in the rate at which cash flows from an 
investment may be reinvested. This is because the bond will pay coupons, 
This will have to be reinvested. The rate at which the coupons will be reinvested will depend upon 
prevailing market rates at the time the coupons are received. 
3. Political Risk 
Politics is playing a dominant role in financial markets today — and generally speaking, investors do not 
like it. Political risk is an additional layer of uncertainty that has to be factored in while making 
investment decisions. Because political risk is intimately linked with the uncertainties of human 
behavior, the impact of political risk can at times seem to be almost random. After over two decades as 
a professional economist, I can assert that forecasting economies is tough. Trying to forecast what 
politicians are going to do is even worse. Consider how politics in one part of the world can have 
repercussions on the other side of the globe. 
Moreover, understanding political risk is a great deal more time consuming and ultimately more difficult 
than understanding economic risk. Economics is global. As an economist, I can go anywhere in the world 
and talk about consumer price inflation, or trade, or interest rates, and people will generally understand 
the broad outlines of what I am talking about. Politics is not like that. Politics is local — really local. 
Politics is about culture, traditions, social structures, regional variations, nationalism and so forth. It is 
19 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
hard for anyone not born to a country to understand that country’s politics. This makes political risk in a 
globalised financial system a dangerous force. Now markets are increasingly influenced by politics, but 
investors also lack experience in pricing political risk, find it hard to price political risk in globalised 
markets, and suffer from plenty of political misinformation but very little accurate political information 
in advance of key decisions. This adds up to a volatile environment for financial markets, and a world 
where no single asset class can truly be considered “safe” with absolute certainty. 
4. Call Risk 
Call risk is specific to bond issues and refers to the possibility that a debt security will be called prior to 
maturity. Call risk usually goes hand in hand with reinvestment risk, discussed below, because the 
bondholder must find an investment that provides the same level of income for equal risk. Call risk is 
most prevalent when interest rates are falling, as companies trying to save money will usually redeem 
bond issues with higher coupons and replace them on the bond market with issues with lower interest 
rates. In a declining interest rate environment, the investor is usually forced to take on more risk in 
order to replace the same income stream. 
5. Inflationary Risk 
Also known as purchasing power risk, inflationary risk is the chance that the value of an asset or income 
will be eroded as inflation shrinks the value of a country's currency. Put another way, it is the risk that 
future inflation will cause the purchasing power of cash flow from an investment to decline. The best 
way to fight this type of risk is through appreciable investments, such as stocks or convertible bonds, 
which have a growth component that stays ahead of inflation over the long term. 
6. Liquidity Risk 
Liquidity risk refers to the possibility that an investor may not be able to buy or sell an investment as and 
when desired or in sufficient quantities because opportunities are limited. A good example of liquidity 
risk is selling real estate. In most cases, it will be difficult to sell a property at any given moment should 
the need arise, unlike government securities or blue chip stocks. 
7. Market Risk 
Market risk, also called systematic risk, is a risk that will affect all securities in the same manner. In other 
words, it is caused by some factor that cannot be controlled by diversification. This is an important point 
to consider when you are recommending mutual funds, which are appealing to investors in large part 
because they are a quick way to diversify. You must always ask yourself what kind of diversification your 
client needs. 
8. Currency/Exchange Rate Risk 
Currency or exchange rate risk is a form of risk that arises from the change in price of one currency 
against another. The constant fluctuations in the foreign currency in which an investment is 
denominated vis-à-vis one's home currency may add risk to the value of a security. 
20 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
American investors will need to convert any profits from foreign assets into U.S. dollars. If the dollar is 
strong, the value of a foreign stock or bond purchased on a foreign exchange will decline. This risk is 
particularly augmented if the currency of one particular country drops significantly and all of one's 
investments are in that country's foreign assets. If the dollar is weak, however, the value of the 
American investor's foreign assets will rise. 
Understandably, currency risk is greater for shorter term investments, which do not have time to level 
off like longer term foreign investments. 
21 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
References 
http://stocks.about.com/od/tradingbasics/a/Typesrisk120704.htm 
http://invest.yourdictionary.com/gross 
http://www.investinganswers.com/financial-dictionary/financial-statement-analysis/net-investment-http:// 
www.howtodothings.com/education/how-to-start-an-investment-portfolio 
22 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY

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the investment process

  • 1. Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................2 Abstract .............................................................................................................................................2 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................2 Preface ..............................................................................................................................................2 UNDERSTANDING THE INVESTMENT PROCESS......................................................................................3 What is Investment? ...........................................................................................................................3 History ...............................................................................................................................................3 How to Start an Investment Portfolio...................................................................................................4 Different Types of Investment .............................................................................................................5 Major Types of Investment..................................................................................................................8 Mutual fund ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Common Types of Mutual Funds.................................................................................................... 10 Definition of Investment from different Perspectives.......................................................................... 11 History of Shares .............................................................................................................................. 12 History of Stocks & Shares ............................................................................................................. 14 How Best to Invest in Shares ............................................................................................................. 17 Why Might a Company Invest in Another Company's Stock? ............................................................... 17 RISK FACTORS................................................................................................................................... 18 References ....................................................................................................................................... 22
  • 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Abstract The data relevant to the topic is collected from different websites and as well as by taking interview from the person who is directly connected with the investment side. Executive Summary Basically my topic is all about investment. In my report I have told each and every thing about investment like by the point of view of a single person or any company point of view that why they invest in other companies. The types of investment, how risk factor involve in it. How a single person can get knowledge about investing in share or another where. All things are clearly explained in the report. Preface This report is prepared for those who don’t know about investment, who are interested to invest somewhere but don’t know to utilize their money. It will help all individuals and businessman as well. 2 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 3. UNDERSTANDING THE INVESTMENT PROCESS What is Investment? In simple terms, Investment refers to purchase of financial assets. While Investment Goods are those goods, which are used for further production. History The Code of Hammurabi 1700 B.C. provided a legal framework for investment establishing a means for the pledge of collateral by codifying debtor and creditor rights in regard to pledged land. Punishments for breaking financial obligations were not as severe as those for crimes involving injury or death. In the early 1900s purchasers of stocks, bonds, and other securities were described in media, academia, and commerce as speculators. By the 1950s the term investment had been co-opted by financial brokers and their advertising agencies to promote speculation. By the late 1900s the terms speculation and speculator were somewhat down played by the media, likely due to turmoil in the capital markets ever since the tech boom bubble pop, and the historical fascination with blaming Wall Street speculators for all the ills of the world, had mysteriously returned to the newspapers. The public is instead fed the word investor or investment instead of speculator or speculation, even though the bulk of the activities are not investment grade The Investment Process Successful investing is never so easy. An orderly, disciplined approach is necessary for successful management of your investment assets. It's a step-by-step process, starting with the assessment of your goals and needs. 3 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 4. How to Start an Investment Portfolio Investment is usually the last thing you want to think about when you just got your first paycheck. Blow it all! Some clothes….a decent watch…the car…a killer mobile and the flat screen. OK, for a few months, but if you don’t back off a bit, then, those things will own you and you’ll spend your life paying off your history at 20% more than the “bargain” price you bought it for! Think about investment….as part of your life NOW. If you start an investment program setting just a small part of your money aside, you will have the freedom no one will never even imagine! 4 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY Step 1 Set a vision of what you want. Money is not the thing...it's the dream you can make happen. So you're not into money management...you are into dream realization! The earlier you get started, the faster your dreams will happen. Based on your vision, write down your goals, not money goals, but "I want to be" goals or "I want to be able to" goals. Motivation is your vision of the dreams and that is really powerful. Step 2 Educate yourself on investment. It is important that you start learning early so you have solid information on which to make your investment decisions. Start by reading the quarterly reports and annual reports of the company you are working with. Start tracking their stocks. Get to know the other companies in your field of work. Read their reports. Warren Buffet says buy what you know. That extra money in your paycheck may just be the starting base for your portfolio. Meet your bank investment advisor. They will be able to provide information and you can ask some of your questions as well. Read books in your library or financial sections in the newspapers. Or search for information online. Step 3 Find a mentor. Get someone who is not interested in selling you a product or a service, someone who has done well in investing. There is always one in your family or circle of friends or at work. Ask people what they do about investment. Listen to their experience and find out what you need to do to prepare yourself to become a better investor. Step 4 Determine your risk tolerance. How much risk are you prepared to take? Fear and greed drive the markets...if you have a problem with these, stay in forgiving investments like mutual funds or bonds. Look for investment products that are within your level of risk. Get to understand these products and how you can get better returns from these. Remember...this is supposed to be fun, and it really can be, but not if you're terrified. Maybe start with something safe to build up your confidence.
  • 5. 5 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY Step 5 Decide how much you can afford. Start with the amount you can regularly take out from your bank account without pain. 10% is a good target but to get started, anything will do. Look at your goals as well. If it is something you really want to have sooner, set aside more money to reach it in less time.. If you just want to start saving for retirement, a safe way to start is to contribute to your company's pre - tax investment program like 401K for Americans or RRSPs for Canadians. Many European countri es have similar tax incentives. You will be surprised at how much a little amount put in regularly accumulates in a period of time. Step 6 Open an investment account. Shop around for better performance and deals that suit your own unique requirements. Some financial institutions offer to set aside a regular amount to put in your investment account and once accumulated, you can then decide to put it in stocks or whatever funds. Meanwhile, this will earn interest. Step 7 Start investing. If you want, you can first start with a trial investment account. You can build a trial portfolio of stocks you choose yourself based on your research. Invest in what you know well. If you are ready, go for it. You learn faster when the stakes are high. You can start by buying the stocks of companies offering Dividend Reinvestment Program (DRIP). As the dividends come in, they automatically buy more stock. Most of these companies are well established and very conservative and will allow you to buy one stock (through a brokerage) to get in the game. Once you have one stock, the company will allow you on a regular basis, at a date they set, to buy extra stocks. No matter what decisions you make, the key is to START NOW. Different Types of Investment Different types or kinds of investment are discussed in the following points.
  • 6. 1. Autonomous Investment Investment which does not change with the changes in income level, is called as Autonomous or Government Investment. Autonomous Investment remains constant irrespective of income level. Which means even if the income is low, the autonomous, Investment remains the same. It refers to the investment made on houses, roads, public buildings and other parts of Infrastructure. The Government normally makes such a type of investment. 6 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 7. 2. Induced Investment Investment which changes with the changes in the income level, is called as Induced Investment. Induced Investment is positively related to the income level. That is, at high levels of income entrepreneurs are induced to invest more and vice-versa. At a high level of income, Consumption expenditure increases this leads to an increase in investment of capital goods, in order to produce more consumer goods. 3. Financial Investment Investment made in buying financial instruments such as new shares, bonds, securities, etc. is considered as a Financial Investment. However, the money used for purchasing existing financial instruments such as old bonds, old shares, etc., cannot be considered as financial investment. It is a mere transfer of a financial asset from one individual to another. In financial investment, money invested for buying of new shares and bonds as well as debentures have a positive impact on employment level, production and economic growth. 4. Real Investment Investment made in new plant and equipment, construction of public utilities like schools, roads and railways, etc., is considered as Real Investment. Real investment in new machine tools, plant and equipments purchased factory buildings, etc. increases employment, production and economic growth of the nation. Thus real investment has a direct impact on employment generation, economic growth, etc. 5. Planned Investment Investment made with a plan in several sectors of the economy with specific objectives is called as Planned or Intended Investment. Planned Investment can also be called as Intended Investment because an investor while making investment makes a concrete plan of his investment. 6. Unplanned Investment Investment done without any planning is called as an Unplanned or Unintended Investment. In unplanned type of investment, investors make investment randomly without making any concrete plans. Hence it can also be called as Unintended Investment. Under this type of investment, the investor may not consider the specific objectives while making an investment decision. 7 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 8. 7. Gross Investment The total amount of something before various factors deduct from the total. For example, gross revenue, gross sales, and gross income. 8. Net Investment Net investment is the measure of a company's investment in capital assets, such as the property, plants, software and equipment that it uses for operations. How It Works/Example: The formula for net investment is: Net Investment = Capital Expenditures – Depreciation (non-cash) Major Types of Investment There are many things where we can invest, each with its own level of risk and return. The more money you can make from an investment, the higher the risk that you might not get all your money back. So it’s good to have a mix of different types of investments to spread your risk. And it's important to do your homework and get investment advice so you understand the risks before you hand over your money. Bank savings Savings accounts with New Zealand’s major banks are one of the most common and least risky ways to store your money for the short term. Credit unions and building societies also offer savings accounts. When you deposit money in an account you are lending it to the bank, which pays you some interest in return. The interest you can earn is relatively low, so savings accounts are not the best option if you are looking for long-term growth. Term deposits Like savings accounts, term deposits also pay interest. The difference is that you agree to lend your money to the bank for a fixed period of time such as 6 or 12 months in return for a higher rate of interest. Sometimes you can’t withdraw the money during the term of the investment. In other cases you can, but get paid a lower rate of interest. Term deposits are sometimes called ‘fixe d interest’ investments. 8 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY Bonds Tip: Investments are often called assets and different types of investments such as bonds and shares are called asset classes.
  • 9. A bond is like an IOU issued by a government, council, or company. You lend them your money for a number of years, and they promise to pay a certain interest rate – called a coupon. The level of risk involved when investing in bonds depends on the issuer. Unlike term deposits, you can sell your bonds early. However the price you will get can go up and down. Bonds are also sometimes called fixed interest investments. 9 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY Shares When you buy a share, you’re buying a small part of a company. If that company makes money, you may be paid a share of the profit, called a dividend. Like house prices, share prices are generally expected to go up over time and give you a ‘capital gain’ on your money when you sell. However, prices can fall in value as well. Managed funds A managed fund is a financial product that buys a number of shares and other investments such as property, term deposits, and cash. The buying decisions are made by expert managers. Tip: Most investors should have a mix of investments to smooth out the ups and downs. When you buy units in a managed fund you are spreading your savings across a range of shares or other investments within the fund. That means that your money is 'diversified’. Alternatives Alternatives is a broad term often used to describe investments that fall outside the standard asset classes of cash, bonds, shares and property. Alternatives include commodities, currency and derivatives. Commodities (including gold) These investments don’t pay interest or dividends, but do increase and decrease in value which can result in a capital gain. The value of commodities often moves in the opposite direction of other asset classes (e.g. when share prices go down, gold often increases in value, and vice versa), so investors sometimes buy them to try to protect their money. Currency (foreign exchange) As well as being used to buy goods and services, foreign currency is also used as an investment. Currency investors are looking for higher interest rates overseas, or hoping exchange rates will move in their favor resulting in a capital gain. Investors, including managed funds, may also use currency to protect, or ‘hedge’, other investments that are invested overseas. Derivatives (including options and futures) Derivatives are generally only used by more sophisticated investors, such as managed funds. This can be a confusing and complex area of investing. However, derivatives are built on a fairly simple concept -
  • 10. allowing people to protect themselves, or ‘hedge’, against future price movements. For example a farmer can fix the price today, for the milk they will supply in the future. While at the same time, a supermarket owner can fix the price now for the milk they will receive in the future. Professional investors still use derivatives for this purpose, but can now also use them to invest more efficiently. Other alternatives Other alternatives can include things such as private equity, hedge funds, fine wine, exotic cars and stamps. There are different reasons for buying each one, but, as with all investments, their value can go up or down. Mutual fund A mutual fund is a pool of money that is managed on behalf of investors by a professional money manager. The manager uses the money to buy stocks, bonds or other securities according to specific investment objectives that have been established for the fund. In return for putting money into the fund, you’ll receive either units or shares that represent your proportionate share of the pool of fund assets. In return for administering the fund and managing its investment portfolio, the fund manager charges fees based on the value of the fund’s assets. Common Types of Mutual Funds Money Market Funds Invest in short-term (less than one year to maturity) corporate and government debt securities such as treasury bills, bankers acceptances and corporate notes. Some money market funds specialize in Canadian or US money market instruments or Invest only in treasury bills. These are generally very low-risk funds offering low returns. Fixed Income Funds Invest in debt securities like bonds, debentures and mortgages that pay regular interest, or in corporate preferred shares that pay regular dividends. The goal, typically, is to provide investors with a regular income stream with low risk. Fund values will go up and down to some extent, particularly in response to changes in prevailing interest rates. Growth or Equity Funds Invest primarily in common shares (equities) of Canadian or foreign companies, but may hold other assets as well. The goal is typically long-term growth because the value of the assets held increases over time. Some growth funds focus on large ‘blue -chip’ companies, while others invest in smaller or riskier companies. Performance will be affected by the success or failure of specific investments and by the performance of the stock markets generally. 10 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 11. Balanced Funds Invest in a ‘balanced’ portfolio of equities, debt securities and money market instruments with the objective of providing reasonable returns with low to moderate risk. Global and Foreign Funds May be fixed income, growth or balanced funds that invest in foreign securities. These funds can offer investors. Mutual investor’s international diversification and exposure to foreign companies, but are subject to risks associated with investing in foreign countries and foreign currencies. Specialty Funds May invest primarily in a specific geographical area (e.g., Asia)or a specific industry (e.g., high technology companies). Index Funds Invest in a portfolio of securities selected to represent a specified target index or benchmark such as the S&P/TSXComposite Index. Definition of Investment from different Perspectives Investment is a term frequently used in the fields of economics, business management and finance. It can mean savings alone, or savings made through delayed consumption. Investment can be divided into different types according to various theories and principles. Investment in terms of Economics According to economic theories, investment is defined as the per-unit production of goods, which have not been consumed, but will however, be used for the purpose of future production. Examples of this type of investment are tangible goods like construction of a factory or bridge and intangible goods like 6 months of on-the-job training. In terms of national production and income, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has an essential constituent, known as gross investment. Investment in terms of Business Management According to business management theories, investment refers to tangible assets like machinery and equipments and buildings and intangible assets like copyrights or patents and goodwill. The decis ion for investment is also known as capital budgeting decision, which is regarded as one of the key decisions. Investment in terms of Finance 11 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 12. In finance, investment refers to the purchasing of securities or other financial assets from the capital market. It also means buying money market or real properties with high market liquidity. Some examples are gold, silver, real properties, and precious items. Financial investments are in stocks, bonds, and other types of security investments. Indirect financial investments can also be done with the help of mediators or third parties, such as pension funds, mutual funds, commercial banks, and insurance companies. Investment in terms of Personal Finance According to personal finance theories, an investment is the implementation of money for buying shares, mutual funds or assets with capital risk. Investment in terms of Real Estate According to real estate theories, investment is referred to as money utilized for buying property for the purpose of ownership or leasing. This also involves capital risk. COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Commercial real estate involves a real estate investment in properties for commercial purposes such as renting. RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE This is the most basic type of real estate investment, which involves buying houses as real estate properties. History of Shares Shares have been around in various forms for thousands of years, serving as the primary mechanism through which ownership in companies and entities can be divided, and the means by which n ew investors can be welcomed into the fold. While of course, the concept of shares and the specific legal setup has become much more refined and sophisticated with time; shares in principle have existed since the times of ancient Rome, as a cornerstone of commerce and early corporate finance. The Romans developed mechanisms to what we would consider to be a company today, with the backing of the authorities, to carry out specific purposes or to deliver certain projects. These were involved the first known classification of shareholders, who were involved to help provide capital for the projects involved. This early construct was closely aligned with the state, and only began to develop its own legal identity and distinct legal personality after influence from the early German thinking on corporate structure. After its early introduction, the company was developed considerably across Europe by the Church and the Canon Law, which laid down some fundamental legal points as we consider them today. For the first 12 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 13. time, the company was a personality distinct from its member, who would therefore survive in perpetuity beyond the death of those involved, and the basic principles of agency law began to flesh out. Where the Church first tread, so charities and other publi c organizations followed, adopting the Church's model of business structure to develop the entity as we've come to know it. Packaging company Stora Enso, still in existence today, is derived from the oldest known limited company, and issued the first recorded example of a share certificate in 1288. By this point, the share was a relatively understood albeit basic legal right, and one that was fundamental in helping expand the growth of commerce throughout the middle ages. By the early 17th century, the first signs of organized stock trading activity in Europe were evident, thanks to the Dutch East India Company, which issued shares to the public for the first time in Amsterdam in order to fund expeditions and activities in Asia. This first issue was pivotal in providing the Dutch East India Company with the capital to fuel its growth into one of the world's largest companies of its time, and one of the most influential on a multinational level. But it was with the advent of the Joint Stock Corporation Act in the UK in 1844 that companies and shares really started to take shape. For the first time, the liability of companies was limited, and parties could hold a joint stock in companies, divisible by recognizable shares. This, followed by three successive Companies Acts taking us up to 2006 helped transform the economy of the UK and the rest of the world, and has given us the multi-trillion capitalizations of global companies we're used to seeing today. Shares have had a long and interesting history, and their story is one that is likely to continue to change over time. While many of the sweeping changes have already taken place, the future for shares and share trading looks set to be increasingly shaped by technology, as the markets continue to embrace the systemic advancements that improve share dealing efficiency and drive down cost. 13 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 14. History of Stocks & Shares Investment by shares in not a new idea. Stock represents investment in any company. A person who buys stock, known as a shareholder, holds legal ownership of a set percentage in the company, and has a interest in business matters. Shareholders not only share in a business’s profits when they enjoy success, but also share the financial risk of failure. Throughout history, shares were a way for societies to afford large ventures which came at great risk to investors. Today, it is a means for new companies to generate operating capital. Origin The idea of buying shares, or investing in a business venture for partial ownership, dates back to ancient Rome. Private businesses called “publican” sold shares to generate capital. The publican also served as a lending association, which commonly advanced money to the Roman government, in exchange for protection. Investors were limited by the law, and excluded freemen, slaves and all governmental officials. Middle Ages During the middle Ages, the expense and financial risk of sea trade was exponential. As a result, the cost of a ship's construction was divided into shares. Investing in the ship's construction guarantee d the investor a share of the ship's profits, if the voyage was successful, and spread out the loss if it was not. Paper Certificates In 1602, the Dutch East India Co. was formed, when granted a royal charter for the government of the Netherlands. The charter granted the company full control of trade with the East for a period of 20 years. The company sold shares to generate the funds needed for a fleet of ships, and to travel, and began paying out dividends to investors later the same year. The company issued the first-ever paper stock certificates to investors in 1606. Speculation The Mississippi Company was formed in 1715 by the French government and John Law. The company was given control over the assets in the territory of Louisiana, and was designed to generate funds to repair the French national economy. Law devised a system that encouraged speculation investment, and it inflated the price of shares. In 1719, speculation investment had led to gross inflation of the company's share price, despite the company's few colonial assets. This led to the first economic bubble, and the company's ruin. Bonds The Revolutionary War inspired the first investment banking in the United States. The colonial war bond was developed by the Continental Congress to finance the Revolution. After the Revolutionary War, 14 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 15. shares were sold to finance American development. Westward expansion, invention and business development were all funded by selling stock in the venture. Stock Exchange In 1792, 24 merchants met daily on a street corner to trade stocks and bonds with one another. These men formed the first, basic, New York Stock Exchange, though it was not formally organized until 1817. The stock exchange was carried on outdoors, until it moved into a more permanent indoor location in 1921. In 1929, speculation investments and inflation of value lead to the Stock Market Crash and subsequent Great Depression. The long-term effect of this was government involvement in stock market activity. Finding Companies to Invest In Selecting an investment strategy is the relatively easy bit of learning to invest. Now comes the hard part! Putting the strategy into practice and finding the companies that satisfy your chosen guidelines. This section is all about how you can use the resources around you to find companies worth considering investing in. Initially you may need to cast your net quite widely and try to come up with a list of potential investments that might fit with your investment strategy. Once you have your list of potential investments, you'll need to find out more about these companies, and then, after much thought and consideration, select one or more -- or even none -- of these companies in which to invest your hard-earned money. So how do you find companies that will suit your investing style and your investment strategy? For many, the fun of investing is finding that golden nugget of a company, the company that no else has noticed and which ultimately proves to be a very shrewd investment. But finding the right company to invest in is the most difficult thing to do for investors. The London stock market has thousands of companies listed. In Europe there are many thousands more. And if you look at all of the world's stock markets... well, you'll soon find that you can't see the wood for the trees. Selecting suitable companies can become all but impossible. The art of investment is to narrow your search down to a few companies that you can study and follow, and, based on the information you discover about them, you can then make better informed investment decisions. How do you find potential investments? If you have had some personal experience of a company, if you work for them, or are a customer of theirs, then you are in a perfect position to assess the quality of that business. But always be wary about personal experience. The investment world is littered with companies that may be great to work for, that give excellent customer service and have great products, but if they don't make a profit and they don't generate cash, then they might not be the best investment. 15 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 16. But if you really want to find potential investment opportunities, you need to be proactive. It is no use waiting around hoping that your next investment is going to come along and slap you in the face. The only way to find good investment opportunities do it is to go out and look for ideas. And that means you need to do your own research. Read, read, and read some more The most important way to find suitable investments is to read. Read everything that comes your way. Buy the Financial Times, read the Investors Chronicle and -- of course -- read the Motley Fool! Consider signing up to the Motley Fool's flagship share recommendation service, Share Advisor. Read as much as you can about companies and investments. Every time you read about a company, mentally run it past your 'stock screen' in your brain. Ask yourself "does this company qualify as a potential investment against the criteria I have set in my investment strategy?". If it does, note it down for further research. If it doesn't, then forget about it immediately. Some of the best sources for investment ideas are available on the Internet. We list a few here, but there are many, many more. The Financial Times is pretty much essential reading for anyone serious about taking control of their own investments. When you first buy the FT you may feel a bit intimidated, but don't worry, it really isn't as dry as it may look. The FT covers company news in more detail than any other newspaper and the Lex column is excellent. For those starting out, the weekend edition of the FT is a much lighter read. It contains a good personal finance section and an informative stock market review of the week. The Weekend FT also highlights directors' dealings, where heavy "insider" buying or selling could prove to be an investment indicator. A subscription to the online edition of the FT is well worth considering. It means you can read the Lex column on the day it's written, not the morning after. Even better, you can read articles from the FT archive and other publications too. Stock screeners An excellent product for the really serious investor is Company REFS (Really Essential Financial Statistics). It's essentially a database that gives a snapshot of every quoted company, detailing amongs t other things, past financial records, various performance ratios and future profit estimates. Although REFS is published monthly in Yellow Pages-sized volumes, perhaps the best medium to receive the product is via a CD. The CD allows the excellent facility of setting up personal search criteria (eg: low price to earnings ratios, high dividend yields) to present a list of suitable companies. You can also use REFS online The main drawback with REFS is that it is expensive (at the time of writing around £800 a year for the CD or full online access, although 'weekends only' online access is much cheaper), but if you are a serious 16 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 17. investor, its well worth considering. Cheaper sites, popular with many people on our discussion boards, include Sherlock Holmes and It Pays Dividends. Stock screeners can save you a lot of legwork but it's best to never rely on them completely for financial information. In practice, most people use them to draw up a shortlist of possible candidates, but then double-check the key information for each company using their annual accounts or results statements. How Best to Invest in Shares The aim of making a profit from shares is to buy when they are cheap and to sell when they are expensive. So don't be downcast when the market and share values are down. If you are a new investor, this could be an excellent buying opportunity. There are two strategies for share buying and selling: You can buy the market as a whole. That is you invest in a portfolio of, say, 20 shares and then forget about them using any dividends to boost your income. You can be an active investor, a speculator even, and buy and sell shares every week or month, seeking to make a profit from the ups and downs of the stock market. Why Might a Company Invest in Another Company's Stock? Why Might a Company Invest in Another Company's Stock? Companies have the obligation to shareholders to make the best use of all of their assets. If the opportunity arises to invest in the stock of another company, it may be for several reasons. Cash/Stock/Debt Transactions A company wishing to acquire shares of another company's stock may do so with its own stock or with available cash on hand. Debt financing is arranged in many cases, but any of these methods is usually employed when the acquiring company wishes to enhance its own corporate performance and growth. Cash Transactions When a company becomes so large that its cash flow can't be reinvested into its own growth, its pace of earnings growth will slow. Cash levels will accumulate. This cash can either be paid out in the form of dividends to shareholders or used to buy shares in smaller, high-growth companies. Mergers Companies may also merge when it becomes clear that the two acting as one can share economies of scale, and--again--add shareholder value by increasing earnings-growth potential. Tender Offers 17 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 18. A company can use available cash or credit to purchase shares of another company, but only up to a limit. Once this limit is reached, it must state how much of the acquired company it owns and whether it plans to buy the remaining shares. This is known as a tender offer. Takeovers If the buying company states intentions to buy the target company, the target company may agree, recognizing the benefit to both parties. If the target company finds this is not it its best interests, it may take a number of measures to avert the purchase of its shares. But the acquiring company is attempting the takeover in order to increase its long-term shareholder value. RISK FACTORS 1. Standard Risk Factors • Investment in Mutual Fund Units involves investment risks such as trading volumes, Settlement risk, liquidity risk, default risk including the possible loss of principal. • As the price / value / interest rates of the securities in which the scheme invests fluctuate, the Value of your investment in the scheme may go up or down. • The NAV of the Scheme’s units may be affected by change in the general market conditions, Factors and forces affecting capital markets in particular, level of interest rates, various market related factors and trading volumes. • Past performance of the Sponsor/AMC/Mutual Fund does not guarantee future performance of the scheme. • The name of the Scheme does not in any manner indicate either the quality of the scheme orbits future prospects and returns. • The sponsor is not responsible or liable for any loss resulting from the operation of the scheme beyond the initial contribution of Rs. 5 Lakhs made by it towards setting up the Fund. • The Scheme is not a guaranteed or assured return scheme 2. Investments under the scheme may also be subject to the following risks I. Investment in equity Equity and equity related risk: Equity instruments carry both company specific and market Risks and hence no assurance of returns can be made for these investments. II. Investment in debt (a) Credit risk: Credit risk is risk resulting from uncertainty in counterparty's ability or 18 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 19. Willingness to meet its contractual obligations. This risk pertains to the risk of default of payment of principal and interest. Government Securities have zero credit risk while other debt instruments are rated according to the issuer's ability to meet the obligations. (b) Liquidity Risk pertains to how saleable a security is in the market. If a particular security does not have a market at the time of sale, then the scheme may have to bear an impact depending on its exposure to that particular security. (c) Interest Rate risk is associated with movements in interest rate, which depend on various factors such as government borrowing, inflation, economic performance etc. The values of investments will appreciate/depreciate if the interest rates fall/rise. (d) Reinvestment risk: This risk arises from uncertainty in the rate at which cash flows from an investment may be reinvested. This is because the bond will pay coupons, This will have to be reinvested. The rate at which the coupons will be reinvested will depend upon prevailing market rates at the time the coupons are received. 3. Political Risk Politics is playing a dominant role in financial markets today — and generally speaking, investors do not like it. Political risk is an additional layer of uncertainty that has to be factored in while making investment decisions. Because political risk is intimately linked with the uncertainties of human behavior, the impact of political risk can at times seem to be almost random. After over two decades as a professional economist, I can assert that forecasting economies is tough. Trying to forecast what politicians are going to do is even worse. Consider how politics in one part of the world can have repercussions on the other side of the globe. Moreover, understanding political risk is a great deal more time consuming and ultimately more difficult than understanding economic risk. Economics is global. As an economist, I can go anywhere in the world and talk about consumer price inflation, or trade, or interest rates, and people will generally understand the broad outlines of what I am talking about. Politics is not like that. Politics is local — really local. Politics is about culture, traditions, social structures, regional variations, nationalism and so forth. It is 19 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 20. hard for anyone not born to a country to understand that country’s politics. This makes political risk in a globalised financial system a dangerous force. Now markets are increasingly influenced by politics, but investors also lack experience in pricing political risk, find it hard to price political risk in globalised markets, and suffer from plenty of political misinformation but very little accurate political information in advance of key decisions. This adds up to a volatile environment for financial markets, and a world where no single asset class can truly be considered “safe” with absolute certainty. 4. Call Risk Call risk is specific to bond issues and refers to the possibility that a debt security will be called prior to maturity. Call risk usually goes hand in hand with reinvestment risk, discussed below, because the bondholder must find an investment that provides the same level of income for equal risk. Call risk is most prevalent when interest rates are falling, as companies trying to save money will usually redeem bond issues with higher coupons and replace them on the bond market with issues with lower interest rates. In a declining interest rate environment, the investor is usually forced to take on more risk in order to replace the same income stream. 5. Inflationary Risk Also known as purchasing power risk, inflationary risk is the chance that the value of an asset or income will be eroded as inflation shrinks the value of a country's currency. Put another way, it is the risk that future inflation will cause the purchasing power of cash flow from an investment to decline. The best way to fight this type of risk is through appreciable investments, such as stocks or convertible bonds, which have a growth component that stays ahead of inflation over the long term. 6. Liquidity Risk Liquidity risk refers to the possibility that an investor may not be able to buy or sell an investment as and when desired or in sufficient quantities because opportunities are limited. A good example of liquidity risk is selling real estate. In most cases, it will be difficult to sell a property at any given moment should the need arise, unlike government securities or blue chip stocks. 7. Market Risk Market risk, also called systematic risk, is a risk that will affect all securities in the same manner. In other words, it is caused by some factor that cannot be controlled by diversification. This is an important point to consider when you are recommending mutual funds, which are appealing to investors in large part because they are a quick way to diversify. You must always ask yourself what kind of diversification your client needs. 8. Currency/Exchange Rate Risk Currency or exchange rate risk is a form of risk that arises from the change in price of one currency against another. The constant fluctuations in the foreign currency in which an investment is denominated vis-à-vis one's home currency may add risk to the value of a security. 20 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 21. American investors will need to convert any profits from foreign assets into U.S. dollars. If the dollar is strong, the value of a foreign stock or bond purchased on a foreign exchange will decline. This risk is particularly augmented if the currency of one particular country drops significantly and all of one's investments are in that country's foreign assets. If the dollar is weak, however, the value of the American investor's foreign assets will rise. Understandably, currency risk is greater for shorter term investments, which do not have time to level off like longer term foreign investments. 21 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
  • 22. References http://stocks.about.com/od/tradingbasics/a/Typesrisk120704.htm http://invest.yourdictionary.com/gross http://www.investinganswers.com/financial-dictionary/financial-statement-analysis/net-investment-http:// www.howtodothings.com/education/how-to-start-an-investment-portfolio 22 UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY