With the fluctuating returns from various investment avenues like banking financial products, mutual funds, and stocks, individuals often find themselves puzzled about how to allocate their funds effectivelyThe quest to ensure both the preservation and growth of capital is indeed a challenging endeavor.

Recently, after publishing an article discussing whether to opt for a systematic investment plan or a lump-sum investment with a hypothetical idle capital of 1 million yuan, many readers expressed a desire to diversify their investments across different asset classesThis brings forth an essential discussion on investment strategies, particularly the time-tested “60-40 strategy.”

This strategy, essentially, advocates a long-term allocation wherein 60% of the portfolio is invested in stocks and 40% in bond fundsThe genesis of the 60-40 strategy traces back to the late 1950s when modern portfolio theory started gaining tractionThe premise was simple yet profound: by diversifying investments across different asset classes and dynamically balancing the portfolio as needed, investors could achieve a relatively stable and comparatively higher return over an extended period.

The rationale behind choosing stocks and bond funds as the foundational pillars of this investment strategy lies in historical data indicating a low correlation between the twoIn simpler terms, the price movements of stocks and bonds do not follow the same pattern, often deviating in response to market changesThis unique characteristic renders stocks and bonds perfect partners in implementing a rolling balance allocation strategyBy flexibly adjusting the ratio of stocks to bonds over time, investors can effectively manage risk while striving for substantial returns.

Equipped with foundational knowledge, investors can now proceed to clarify their investment allocation mindset through a few systematic steps.

Firstly, it is crucial to assess one's risk tolerance prior to making any investments

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Risk tolerance refers to the extent of potential loss an individual can accept without jeopardizing their standard of livingSome individuals exhibit a low tolerance for risk; just hearing the term “loss” can trigger anxietyFor such conservative investors, the ideal approach would be to pursue stable investments, such as low-volatility banking financial products or low-risk bond fundsConversely, for those with a higher risk tolerance who are willing to accept the inherent risks for the prospect of greater returns, stock investment appears to be a viable option.

Once individuals understand their acceptable risk levels, it's time to consider asset allocationFor instance, with an investment amount of 1 million yuan, a moderately conservative investor might consider the “30-70 rule.” This means allocating 30% of the capital to stocks to reap potential gains while investing the remaining 70% in more stable bond fundsIf the perceived risk associated with placing 30% in the stock market feels too aggressive, this allocation can be adjusted to a more conservative 20% in stocks, with 80% in bonds.

On the flip side, for those who are inclined to accept more risk, a strategy focusing on a heavier investment in the stock market makes senseThey may choose to invest 70% or even more of their funds in stocks while consigning the remaining portion to bond fundsUltimately, this allocation strategy is flexible and should align with the individual's specific risk tolerance.

Maintaining a balanced investment ratio is another fundamental tenet of this strategyIn the pursuit of keeping investments proportionate, one must monitor and adjust the allocations consistently over timeFor example, if one starts with the “30-70 rule” by allocating 30% to stocks and 70% to bonds, but later experiences a scenario where stocks appreciate significantly while bonds diminish in value, adjustments are necessary to return to the intended allocation.

Imagine an investor with 1 million yuan, initially allocated under the 30-70 rule: 300,000 yuan in stocks and 700,000 yuan in bonds

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