Investments - What are ETFs, shares and co

Investments - What are ETFs, shares and co

Objective:

Learners acquire a basic understanding of different financial investments. They learn to evaluate opportunities and risks and develop suitable investment strategies for different types of investors.

Content and methods:

Using a practical scenario, learners slip into the role of investment advisors and develop suitable investment strategies for different customer profiles. Theoretical principles are combined with interactive tasks such as portfolio composition and reflection questions.

Competencies:

  • Understanding of investments and financial markets
  • Critical analysis of opportunities and risks
  • Development and justification of investment strategies
  • Application of basic economic knowledge to real-life scenarios

Target group and level:

 Year 10 and above

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Target group and level

Year 10 and above

Subjects

Economics

Investments - What are ETFs, shares and co

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Introduction

Imagine you are an investment advisor and Susan is one of your clients. Read her description carefully and answer the questions as best you can.

Susan

Susan
I have $15,000 that I want to invest but I'm unsure where. I value potential high returns, dividend income, and liquidity. I'm considering shares or real estate. How could I best invest my money?
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In this worksheet, you take on the role of an investment advisor. You will learn basic information about shares so that you can give your clients the best possible advice.

The world of investments

Investment – at first glance, it might sound a bit complicated and dry, but in reality, it's a fascinating topic that affects us all. Imagine you've saved up a bit of money, perhaps from your allowance or a summer job. You could simply leave this money in your account. But what if this money could work for you and grow over time? That's what investing is all about.

One of the most popular forms of investment is shares, often referred to as stocks or equities. Shares represent units of ownership in a corporation, granting you a piece of the company. Imagine owning a slice of a large pie, where each slice entitles you to a portion of the company's profits, typically distributed as dividends. Shares are like seeds planted in a garden – if the company thrives, your investment grows and blossoms.

Investing in shares comes with several advantages. First, there's the potential for high returns. If the company prospers, your shares could increase significantly in value over time. It's like watching your garden flourish, turning small seeds into a bounty of fruits. Additionally, shareholders may receive dividend income, which is a portion of the company's earnings distributed to them. This is akin to receiving a regular harvest from your garden, providing a steady source of income.

Owning shares also means having an ownership stake in the company, allowing you to have voting rights in some corporate decisions. It's like being a part of a community where your voice can influence the direction of the garden's growth. Moreover, shares offer liquidity, meaning they are generally easy to buy and sell on the stock market. This flexibility allows investors to enter or exit investments as needed, like choosing when to plant or harvest based on the seasons.

However, investing in shares has its risks. The stock market is known for its fluctuations, and the value of shares can rise and fall unpredictably. It's like tending to a garden that sometimes faces storms or droughts – the outcome is uncertain. Shares are suitable for those willing to accept these risks for the potential of higher returns, ideal for individuals seeking long-term growth of capital, such as young investors with a longer investment horizon.

Compared to other investment options like bonds or real estate, shares offer a unique blend of potential rewards and risks. It's essential for investors to have a good understanding of the stock market or seek advice from financial experts to make informed decisions. Embrace the world of investments, and perhaps you'll become a savvy financial expert, nurturing your garden of wealth for a fruitful future.

πŸ“ŒIn this glossary you will find many important terms and their meanings relating to the topic. Read the explanations carefully and ask if you don't understand a term.

Term Explanation
Shares Shares are like tiny pieces of a company that you can own. If you have shares, you own a part of that company.
Dividend A dividend is money that a company gives to people who own its shares, like a reward for owning a part of the company.
Ownership Stake Ownership stake means how much of the company you own through your shares, like having a piece of the company's pie.
Liquidity Liquidity means how easy it is to buy or sell something, like trading a toy with a friend quickly.
Stock Market The stock market is like a big store where people buy and sell parts of companies, like trading cards.
Equities Equities are another name for shares, meaning you own a part of a company.
Mutual Funds Mutual funds are like a piggy bank where lots of people put money together to buy shares in many different companies.
Investment Portfolio An investment portfolio is a collection of all the different things someone owns, like a box of toys, but with shares and other investments.

πŸ“The list is not yet complete?

πŸ“ Task

πŸ“ Note the advantages and disadvantages of the investment option.

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What to look out for when investing

Below you can find out which key points you should pay attention to when investing in this investment option.

πŸ“Œ You will meet new customers with different preferences and requirements. Choose one person and put together a suitable portfolio that meets their individual needs and goals. Read the descriptions carefully.

Mirko

Mirko
My name is Mirko, and I am from Germany. I am ready to invest $50,000, with an investment horizon of 15 years. My risk tolerance is high, and I am not concerned about sustainability or ethics. I am saving for my future adventures.
Mirko is risk-freudig and does not have any specific preferences regarding sustainability or ethics. He is focused on achieving high returns and is willing to accept the associated risks. Mirko's approach is driven by his desire for future adventures and financial growth.

Mona

Mona
Hello, I'm Mona from the USA. I plan to invest $30,000 with a moderate risk tolerance. Sustainability and ethics are important to me, so I prioritize companies that are environmentally responsible and socially ethical. I'm saving for a sustainable future.
Mona is risk-neutral and very concerned about sustainability and ethics. She prefers investing in companies that are environmentally responsible and socially ethical. Her investment strategy is guided by her values and commitment to a sustainable future.

Luc

Luc
I'm Luc from Japan. I'm looking to invest $20,000 with a low-risk approach. I prefer investments with ethical considerations, particularly those that support animal welfare. My goal is to balance financial growth with ethical responsibility.
Luc is risk-averse and has a strong preference for ethical investments, especially those that support animal welfare. He seeks to balance financial growth with ethical responsibility, ensuring that his investments align with his values.

Yale

Yale
I'm Yale from Switzerland. I plan to invest $40,000 with a balanced risk approach. While sustainability and ethics are important, I prioritize investments that drive economic growth. My focus is on achieving a harmonious balance between ethical commitments and financial objectives.
Yale is risk-neutral and values sustainability and ethics, but prioritizes investments that drive economic growth. Her approach is to achieve a harmonious balance between ethical commitments and financial objectives, reflecting her role as a politician.

πŸ“ Use the profile to make notes about your customer.

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Name of the person
Country
Amount of money
How long does the person want to invest?
How risky is the person?
What does the person want to save for?
What is important to the person in terms of sustainability and ethics?

βœ… Example

Cover
Name of the person
Country
Amount of money
How long does the person want to invest?
How risky is the person?
What does the person want to save for?
What is important to the person in terms of sustainability and ethics?
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Info

The following texts and tasks will provide you with important information on what to look out for when creating a portfolio so that you can give your customer the best possible advice.

Evaluating Share Options for Portfolio Construction

When crafting an investment portfolio, it's crucial to assess various options to make informed decisions. Shares, also known as equities, represent ownership in a company and can be a valuable addition to a portfolio. One key factor to consider is the company's financial health. This involves examining the company's balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. A strong financial position indicates that the company can withstand economic downturns and sustain growth, which is beneficial for shareholders.

Another aspect to consider is the company's market capitalization, which is the total market value of its outstanding shares. Market capitalization is categorized into large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap. Large-cap stocks are typically more stable and less volatile, while small-cap stocks might offer higher growth potential but come with increased risk. Understanding market capitalization helps investors align their portfolios with their risk tolerance and investment goals.

Investors should also pay attention to the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, which measures a company's current share price relative to its earnings per share. A high P/E ratio might indicate that the stock is overvalued, while a low P/E ratio could suggest it's undervalued. This metric provides insight into the company's valuation and helps investors decide whether it's a good time to buy or sell shares.

The dividend yield is another crucial factor, especially for investors seeking regular income. Dividend yield represents the percentage of a company's share price paid out as dividends annually. A higher dividend yield suggests more income from the investment, but it's essential to ensure the company can sustain its dividend payouts.

Liquidity is also a vital consideration. Highly liquid shares can be bought and sold easily without significantly affecting the price. This flexibility is important for investors who might need to quickly adjust their portfolios in response to market changes.

Lastly, investors should research the company's industry and competitive position. Understanding the industry's growth prospects and the company's competitive advantage can provide insights into potential future performance. This involves analyzing market trends, regulatory impacts, and technological advancements.

In summary, evaluating shares for a portfolio requires careful consideration of financial health, market capitalization, P/E ratio, dividend yield, liquidity, and industry positioning. These factors help investors make informed decisions and build a portfolio aligned with their objectives.

Risk and Diversification in Shares

Investing in shares can be a lucrative yet risky endeavor. Shares represent ownership in a corporation and offer the potential for high returns, but they also expose investors to market volatility. The stock market is inherently unpredictable; prices can fluctuate due to economic changes, company performance, and investor sentiment. This unpredictability can lead to significant losses, especially during market downturns. However, the risk associated with investing in shares can be mitigated through strategic diversification.

Diversification is a key strategy in investment that involves spreading investments across various assets to reduce risk. In the context of shares, diversification can take many forms, such as investing in stocks from different regions, asset classes, industries, and themes. For example, an investor might allocate their portfolio to include shares from both domestic and international markets, invest in companies across various sectors like technology, healthcare, and finance, or focus on thematic investments such as renewable energy or artificial intelligence. This approach ensures that if one area of the market suffers, gains from other areas can offset losses, thus stabilizing the overall portfolio performance.

Understanding an investor's risk tolerance is crucial when investing in shares. Risk tolerance can generally be categorized into three levels: risk-averse, neutral, and risk-seeking. Risk-averse investors prefer stable and secure investments, often opting for shares in established companies with a track record of steady performance and dividend payouts. Neutral investors are open to moderate risk and may balance their share portfolio with a mix of growth and value stocks. Risk-seeking investors are willing to take higher risks for potentially higher returns, often investing in emerging markets or startups with high growth potential.

In summary, while shares offer the opportunity for considerable financial growth, they also come with risks that must be carefully managed. Diversification is an effective method to minimize these risks, ensuring a more balanced investment strategy. Investors should tailor their share investments to match their risk tolerance, thereby achieving a portfolio that aligns with their financial goals and comfort level with market fluctuations.

Sustainability and Ethics in Share Investments

Sustainability and ethics are increasingly pivotal in the realm of investment decisions, particularly when it comes to shares. Investors who prioritize responsible investing can make a positive impact on the world while pursuing their financial objectives by selecting sustainable and ethical shares.

Sustainability pertains to the capacity to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to fulfill their own. It encompasses environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Sustainable investments in shares focus on companies that adopt eco-friendly practices, such as utilizing renewable energy sources, minimizing CO2 emissions, or engaging in responsible waste management. These investments often align with ESG criteria, which stand for environmental, social, and governance factors, guiding investors in selecting shares that reflect sustainable business conduct.

Ethics in investing involves making decisions based on moral values and principles. This might involve investing in companies that uphold fair labor conditions, eschew child labor, or actively combat corruption. Through the selection of ethical shares, investors can ensure their capital is not directed towards industries they morally oppose, such as arms manufacturing, gambling, or tobacco production.

A related concept is "Impact Investing," which refers to investments made with the intention of generating not only financial returns but also measurable positive social or environmental impacts. Share investments focused on impact investing might target companies that provide access to clean water in developing countries or develop innovative solutions for the circular economy.

For investors looking to incorporate sustainable and ethical considerations into their portfolio, there is an expanding array of shares that meet these criteria. These shares offer a transparent means to invest capital in alignment with personal values, facilitating the support of positive changes in the world. By choosing such shares, investors can benefit from potential financial gains while contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world.

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Info

Now you are familiar with the investment option and can create a portfolio for the person you have chosen.

πŸ“ŒHere you will find various fictitious investment options from which you can put together a portfolio.

Designation Market Capitalization Industry/Sector P/E Ratio Dividend Yield Liquidity
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Note

Always remember that investment decisions are individual and should be adapted to each person's personal needs, requirements and preferences.

πŸ“ Put together a portfolio for the person.

πŸ“ Task