What Are operating investment firms?
Investment firms are companies that invest on behalf of their clients and share any profits or losses along the way.
The three most common types of investment companies are regulated under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and include mutual funds, unit investment trusts (UITs), and closed-end management investment companies.
Mutual funds:
A mutual fund company gathers money from investors and uses it to invest in stocks, bonds, and short-term debt. Like other investment firms, mutual funds are managed by professional money managers who work to produce returns for the fund’s investors.
UITs:
Advertised on an Initial Public Offering, or IPO, unit investment trusts invest in stocks, bonds, and other securities. One characteristic that makes them unique in comparison to other investment companies is that they have set termination dates. Upon maturity, the UIT portfolio will be terminated and investors will receive their share of net assets.
Closed-end funds:
Similar to UITs in that they can also be offered via an IPO, closed-end funds offer a limited number of shares to the market and trade daily on exchanges. Closed-end funds also make regular distributions to clients based on their income-producing investments.
What are the benefits of investing in an operating business?
Diversification
As operating firms typically invest in a range of different investments, clients are able to spread their risk and diversify their portfolio with little effort. While nothing can fully guarantee loss, diversification is important because it limits risk in volatile markets.
Professional Management
One of the best qualities when it comes to investing in an operating business is that it means investments will be managed by industry experts. Who better to oversee your money than professionals who have spent their careers immersing themselves in the world of investing?
Affordability
As a single investor, it can be difficult to access larger investments. By pooling money together with other small investors, clients are able to invest in greater projects and reap considerable benefits.
What are the challenges of investing in an operating business?
Depending on the type of investment firm you’re working with, risks can vary. With mutual funds, it’s possible to lose money as securities may decrease in value. Closed-end funds, on the other hand, tend to be more illiquid because their shares are not redeemable. As for UITs, holdings remain the same until the fund’s termination date and aren’t actively managed, which means that money is lost if they do not perform well enough. Before making any major investment decisions, it is necessary to be prepared for any possible challenges.
Why You should invest in an operating
investment business
In order to manage investments, operating investment businesses have access to a wide range of wealth development professionals, including accountants, realtors, and tax advisors. For small investors and those who do not have the time or energy to manage operating assets, investment firms are a great way to build wealth, as you can safely rely on these professionals for their knowledge and expertise.
However, this does not necessarily mean that experienced investors should not invest in operating businesses, as well. Even for the most knowledgeable investors, investment firms are a relatively safe way to develop wealth.
Learn more about Caliber as an operating investment business.
Read more about investing:
REITs vs. Private Equity: What’s the Difference?