Asset classes


Asset classes

Categories of assets, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and foreign securities.

Asset Class

Different types of investments that behave similarly and are subject to most of the same market forces. Many analysts believe that there are three main assets classes: equity securities or stocks, fixed-income securities or bonds, and cash equivalents. Some analysts would also include commodities, real estate, and derivatives. Including a variety of asset classes is important to constructing or maintaining a diverse portfolio.