Asset Classes

Last Updated :

21 Aug, 2024

Blog Author :

Wallstreetmojo Team

Edited by :

Aaron Crowe

Reviewed by :

Dheeraj Vaidya

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What Are Asset Classes?

Asset classes refer to a group of securities with comparable features and responses to market variations. It aids the investors in deciding the proper investment strategies and receiving maximum profits with minimal risk prospects. The asset classes types include fixed income, cash & cash equivalents, equity, and real estate.

What Are Asset Classes

Each asset class is unique regarding the related risk, taxation, ownership, exchangeability, revenue, rules, and market instability. Moreover, the asset classes list is organized according to each asset's nature, response to market volatility, returns, and target.

  • Asset classes depict a collection of different financial instruments with identical traits and market behavior. 
  • They are arranged as per the reaction to each asset's market fluctuations, nature, and financial goals. 
  • There are five crucial asset categories: derivatives, fixed income, real estate, cash & cash equivalents, and equity. Also, the alternative categories include bitcoins and hedge funds. 
  • Diversification of asset types helps reduce the overall risk and losses and obtaining the expected portfolio returns. 

Understanding Asset Classes

Asset classes definition implies an assortment of investment vehicles with similar characteristics and behavior in the marketplace. Besides the types mentioned above, the asset classes list also covers hedge funds, collectibles, and Bitcoin. These are called alternative investments due to being more illiquid and riskier. 

Investors must have a complete knowledge of different asset categories. It helps them diversify risks and increase awaited profits. Accordingly, they can choose the apt asset allocation strategy to maximize gains. 

Types

Here lie the top five asset classes types:

Types Of Asset Classes

1. Equity

Equity denotes the amount belonging to the shareholders or owner after the discharge of dues and assets, in case of liquidation. Precisely put, it depicts the ownership shares issued by the firm in lieu of the paid-up capital. Not bounded by the dividend payments,"answer":,"jsonQuestion":"1. What asset classes do well in inflation and rising interest rates?","jsonAnswer":"Tangible assets such as commodities and real estate perform well during inflation and increased interest rates. Both of them have always been viewed as inflation hedges. It assists the investors to thrive during an inflationary environment."},{"id":"faq-question-1648900499826","question":,"answer":}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":}},"It includes real estate, commodities, insurance products, venture capital, and foreign currency."],"jsonQuestion":"2. What are alternative asset classes?","jsonAnswer":"Alternative assets are the most unexpected and illiquid asset classes for investment. These assets do not come under the usually accessible traditional classes. Instead, they are complicated and heavily regulated.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIt includes real estate, commodities, insurance products, venture capital, and foreign currency."},{"id":"faq-question-1648900500981","question":,"answer":,"jsonQuestion":"3. What asset classes are undervalued right now?","jsonAnswer":"Commodities, real estate, and cryptocurrencies like bitcoin are currently the most undervalued asset classes. These sectors have been performing amazingly well over the years but didn’t get the much-needed recognition. Nonetheless, the marketplace has shifted its focus towards them, resulting in enhanced investment."}]} -->

1. What asset classes do well in inflation and rising interest rates?

Tangible assets such as commodities and real estate perform well during inflation and increased interest rates. Both of them have always been viewed as inflation hedges. It assists the investors to thrive during an inflationary environment.

2. What are alternative asset classes?

Alternative assets are the most unexpected and illiquid asset classes for investment. These assets do not come under the usually accessible traditional classes. Instead, they are complicated and heavily regulated.

It includes real estate, commodities, insurance products, venture capital, and foreign currency.

3. What asset classes are undervalued right now?

Commodities, real estate, and cryptocurrencies like bitcoin are currently the most undervalued asset classes. These sectors have been performing amazingly well over the years but didn’t get the much-needed recognition. Nonetheless, the marketplace has shifted its focus towards them, resulting in enhanced investment.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to what are Asset Classes and its definition. Here we discuss the list of top 5 types of asset classes along with examples and explanations. You can learn more about Asset Management from the following articles –