Today’s investors are well aware of the potential rewards of investing. Many people simply lack the time or expertise necessary to make sound day-to-day investment decisions.

Choosing the right investment for your goals can be difficult, as there are thousands of options available. The task of selection is compounded by the fact that investments are influenced by continually changing global market conditions.

While market volatility is a fact of life, strategies such as diversification and asset allocation may help you maintain a balance between risk and return and offset the effects of market volatility. However, determining an appropriate allocation mix and choosing the securities in which your portfolio will invest can be difficult for many investors.