Asset Allocation

Investment Pie Chart

 

While diversification is the action of spreading investments among various securities... putting your eggs in different baskets, asset allocation is the practice of placing a percentage of the portfolio in each of various investment classes ... putting the right number of eggs in each basket.

Asset Allocation

Research shows that asset allocation is responsible for 91.5% of the variation in portfolio performance. Brinson, Singer & Beebower, "Determinants of Portfolio Performance," Financial Analysts’ Journal, May-June 1991.

Asset allocation and diversification cannot guarantee profit or insure against a loss. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will be successful; all investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.