Equities, or stocks, represent a stake in ownership in a company1 and are an essential fundamental to investing. The owning of equities embodies the principles of capitalism, where investors exchange capital or money for a share of a company’s ownership and potential profits. Understanding how equities work and their important role in a portfolio can empower investors to build long-term wealth.
Equities’ Role in Capitalism
Capitalism, at its core, thrives on the private ownership principle and a pursuit for profit and wealth creation.1 Equities play a role by enabling investors to use their personal money to support these businesses, contributing capital that can fuel innovation, growth, and economic prosperity. By investing in stocks, investors not only participate in a company’s potential success but also align their financial interests with broader economic development, which can be done globally through both domestic equities and international equities.
How Equities Work
Investing in Equities represents a share of ownership in a company that is publicly traded.2 When investors purchase these shares, they become shareholders and are now entitled to benefits such as voting rights on corporate decisions and can earn themselves a share in potential profits through the dividends that are paid out, and through capital appreciation.3 Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects:
- Stake in Ownership: Each share of stock represents a fractional ownership of the company. These shareholders have a claim on the company’s assets and earnings that is proportional to their total holding.4
- Participation in the Market: Stock exchanges are where stocks are bought and sold. Prices fluctuate based on supply and demand, company performance, economic conditions, and investor sentiment.5
- Potential Returns: Investors can earn equity returns from two primary sources:
- Dividends paid out by the company
- Realized Capital Gains when selling shares at a higher price than purchased6
Importance of Investing in Equities
- Wealth Creation: Equities historically have offered higher returns compared to other asset categories, like bonds, over the long term. By investing in stocks, wealth can be built through compounding returns and capital appreciation.7
- Diversification: By adding different equities to a portfolio, overall risk can potentially be reduced. Different sectors, industries, company sizes (large vs. small), and market classifications (growth vs value) perform differently under varying market conditions, providing a potential hedge against volatility.7
- Hedge against Inflation: Equities can provide protection against inflation over time as companies can adjust prices for goods and services, potentially maintaining or increasing profitability during periods of higher inflation.8
How Matson Money Embraces Equities
At Matson Money, we recognize the power of equities within a prudent investment strategy. Our approach integrates academic investing research and a commitment to long-term wealth accumulation. See below for more examples of how Matson Money supports advisors and investors:
- Comprehensive Research: Access to extensive Nobel Prize-winning research and analysis to identify potential investment opportunities across global equity markets.
- Strategic Guidance: Client Investment Objectives with prudent equity investments that emphasize diversified portfolios designed for disciplined long-term growth.
- Educational Resources: Empowering advisors and clients with knowledge through our various training programs employing transformational learning and ongoing education, such as the Investor Coaching Series monthly calls and our Matson Method program for advisors.
It’s not just about financial gains when you invest in equities, it’s a cornerstone of economic participation and growth in a capitalist society. By understanding the role of equities, you can potentially build wealth, pursue financial goals, and contribute to the ever-changing dynamics of the global markets. At Matson Money, we take a stand to empower advisors and investors alike with the tools and insights needed to navigate the complexities of equity investing successfully.
Whether you’re new to investing or seeking to optimize your portfolio, explore how Matson Money can help you capitalize on the opportunities offered by equities by attending the American Dream Experience, a two-day event where we dive into equities and wealth creation while you have the opportunity to discover your True Purpose for Money®. Contact us today via connect@matsonmoney.com to embark on your journey toward financial prosperity and peace of mind around your money.
SOURCES:
- Problem 49 what institution is closely Iden... (n.d.). Vaia. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://www.vaia.com/en-us/textbooks/economics/economics-1-edition/chapter-2/problem-49-what-institution-is-closely-identified-with-capit/#:~:text=At%20its%20core%2C%20a%20capitalist,and%20the%20pursuit%20of%20profits
- Author: The Carta Team. While we believe in assigning ownership at Carta. (n.d.). Equity in business: Types of equity & how it works. Carta. https://carta.com/learn/equity/
- Shareholder (Stockholder): Definition, rights, and types. (2003, November 26). Investopedia. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/shareholder.asp
- Stocks: What they are, main types, how they differ from bonds. (2003, November 26). Investopedia. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/stock.asp
- What is the stock market, what does it do, and how does it work? (2005, August 3). Investopedia. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/stockmarket.asphttps://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/return.asp
- Wealth creation methods and examples. (n.d.). SmartAsset.com | Empowering You to Make Smart Financial Decisions. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://smartasset.com/investing/modern-wealth-creation-methods
- Berger, R. (2022, November 15). How diversification works, and why you need it. Forbes Advisor. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/what-is-diversification/
- The top 5 ways to hedge against inflation. (2016, June 9). Investopedia. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/060916/top-5-ways-hedge-against-inflation.asp
DISCLOSURES:
This content is based on the views, opinions, beliefs, or viewpoints of Matson Money, Inc. This content is not to be considered investment advice and is not to be relied upon as the basis for entering into any transaction or advisory relationship or making any investment decision.
All of Matson Money’s advisory services are marketed almost exclusively by either Solicitors or Co-Advisors. Both Co-Advisors and Solicitors are independent contractors, not employees or agents of Matson.
Other financial organizations may analyze investments and take a different approach to investing than that of Matson Money. All investing involves risks and costs. No investment strategy (including asset allocation and diversification strategies) can ensure peace of mind, guarantee profit, or protect against loss.
Matson Money Investment Philosophy
Matson Money believes that the stock market is efficient and that free markets work. Based on this belief, Matson focuses on attempting to capture market returns utilizing asset class or structured funds, seeks to utilize broad diversification, and attempts to eliminate stock picking, track record investing, and market timing from the investment process.
Matson Money manages client investments utilizing a fund-of-funds strategy. Client accounts are invested in a mix of a proprietary series of mutual funds advised by Matson, which allocate investments across three broad asset classes: domestic equity, international equity, and fixed income. Matson-advised funds seek to allocate across these broad asset classes by investing in various mutual funds or ETFs. The specific target allocation of each client’s Matson-advised strategy depends on the individual investor’s risk tolerance and investment horizon, and is selected by the client at account opening. More information on mutual funds, ETFs, and associated fees, is available in fund prospectus documents, available online at: http://funddocs.filepoint.com/matsonmoney/.