By Varun Fatehpuria

In today’s fast-paced financial markets, investors are bombarded with a myriad of investment products promising lucrative returns and quick fixes. However, the allure of these ad hoc products often masks their inherent complexities and risks, potentially jeopardising investors’ financial well-being. Instead of chasing trends or individual products, investors should adopt a more holistic approach by embracing a portfolio-first approach.

Portfolio construction

Taking a portfolio-first approach offers a unified methodology for portfolio construction, taking into account factors such as risk tolerance, investment objectives, time horizon and tax considerations. These solutions encompass a diversified mix of asset classes, investment styles, and strategies carefully calibrated to achieve the desired balance of risk and return. Investors can benefit from synergies between different components of their portfolio, thus enhancing diver -sification and risk management.

A key advantage of thinking comprehensively from a portfolio allocation point-of-view is their focus on long-term wealth accumulation and preservation. Unlike ad-hoc products that may prioritise short-term gains or speculative trading, portfolios designed with a strategic perspective generate sustainable, consistent returns over the long term while mitigating downside risks. This long-term orientation aligns well with investors’ overarching financial goals.

Achieving financial goals

Unlike short-term gains that may be fleeting or unsustainable, a well-structured investment portfolio built on the principles of asset allocation can provide investors with the confidence and peace of mind to navigate through various market cycles and economic conditions.

This enables investors to benefit from the power of compounding, where reinvested earnings generate additional returns over time, accelerating wealth accumulation. The compounding effect can significantly amplify the growth of investments over the long term, leading to exponential wealth creation and financial security.

In an investment landscape that is evolving rapidly, investors should look at harnessing the advantage of asset allocation and diversifying their investments across domestic equities, fixed income, international equities, and gold to build robust and resilient portfolios. By embracing portfolios that prioritise diversification, professional management, and disciplined rebalancing, investors can be sure that their investments withstand the test of time and achieve their financial aspirations. In the pursuit of financial success, it is not about chasing the latest fad or following the herd, but about following a disciplined and strategic approach that provides predictable investment returns. A series of consistent average returns earned over extended periods produces higher longer-term returns than one-off short-term gains earned sporadically.

The writer is founder, Daulat. Views expressed are personal.