When it comes to investing one of the key considerations is identifying your risk profile. Essentially, this establishes the amount of risk you can and are willing to take, and the potential losses that may result, to achieve your investment goals. Many factors can affect your investing risk profile including your income and age, and these change with time. A changing risk profile necessitates a change in investment strategy to ensure you are always comfortable with the amount of risk you are taking and the potential returns.

Establishing a risk profile should not be a matter of guesswork. For example, you might think you are a risk taker, but you are not really able to compare yourself properly with other investors or you may not fully understand how significant losses can be if you pursue a high risk strategy. The opposite can also be true and after analysing your situation and goals you might come to the conclusion that you are willing to be more daring than you first assumed.

All this points to the importance of getting expert advice to guide you through the process of becoming an investor. Of course, finding the time to do this can be a challenge but MeDirect is committed to making the process as simple as possible. If you do not have the time to sit down with an advisor to establish a risk profile and creating an investment strategy then MeManaged could be the solution for you.

MeManaged is Malta’s first and only digital discretionary portfolio management service. With an initial investment of just €100, you will have access to an actively managed portfolio, tailored to your risk profile. This portfolio is managed in partnership with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager.

How is MeDirect able to establish your risk profile through a digital product in a matter of a few minutes? The answer lies in the intuitive questionnaire which clients needs to complete when setting up their MeManged accounts. This questionnaire gives us the insight needed to assign a risk profile that matches your needs, which will allow MeDirect experts to build a portfolio around your preferences and specific investment goals.

These four categories reflect the variations in attitude to risk that exist in the broader investing community and can be a good starting point for you to understand which category you most likely belong to. They are:

Defensive – Capital preservation is important to you. Being essentially allocated to the fixed income market, the potential return of your portfolio will be limited as will be the downside risk. You understand that capital preservation is not a guarantee and that losses remain possible.

Conservative – You expect modest growth during favourable market conditions but understand you can experience and will need to tolerate moderate losses when market conditions weaken.

Moderate – You expect attractive returns from my portfolio. You are willing to take some moderate risk in order to achieve your objectives. You will have a balanced exposure to the equity and bond markets.

Growth – The potential return of your portfolio is important for you. You are willing to take risks to achieve your goals. You understand that most of your portfolio will be allocated to the equity market. By aiming for higher returns, you understand that in periods of market downturns you might experience significant losses.

Establishing your risk profile is an important prerequisite to creating an investment strategy. Whether you want to trade yourself or rely on an expert, it is important you understand both the potential gains and losses of the approach you take and are sure you can accept either outcome.

More information on MeDirect’s investment services is available here.

The information given in this article is for general information purposes only and is neither intended to provide legal or other professional advice nor does it commit MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc to any obligation whatsoever. The information given is not intended to be a suggestion, recommendation, or solicitation to buy, hold or sell, any securities and is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness. If you invest in any product, you may lose some or all of the money you invest. The value of your investment may go down as well as up. Any income you get from any investment may go down as well as up. MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc, registered under company number C34125, is licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority to conduct investment services under the Maltese Investment Services Act (Cap. 370).