‘You’re never too young’ to make this crucial money move, says BlackRock investing chief
Investment strategies and advice can often feel complex and rooted in cautionary tales. The conventional wisdom that nothing valuable comes without a cost or risk is a mantra echoed through the corridors of Wall Street. But what if there was an investment strategy so powerful that it defied this age-old belief, especially for young investors?
According to Gargi Chaudhuri, Chief Investment and Portfolio Strategist, Americas, at BlackRock, such a strategy exists, and it’s rooted in the principle of starting early. “It’s never too early to start investing. You’re never too young,” Chaudhuri emphasizes, presenting a compelling case for the power of compounding interest. She underscores the importance of beginning your investment journey as soon as possible to leverage the significant advantages compounding can offer over time.
Chaudhuri understands the distant nature of retirement for young investors, acknowledging that the future can seem incredibly far off when you’re young. Yet, she insists that the early stages of one’s career are the ideal time to start planning for the future, even if retirement appears to be a speck on the horizon. The reason? Time in the market.
“The compounding that will take place is substantial. Missing out on even 5 or 10 years of market participation can mean a significant loss in potential earnings due to the compounding effect,” Chaudhuri explains, illustrating the mathematical magic of compounding interest. This financial force allows invested money to grow exponentially over time, driven by the earnings generated by previously earned interest.
To put this into perspective, consider the potential growth of a retirement account with an annual investment of $5,000 and a 7% annualized return. Starting at age 20, by 67, this could result in a portfolio worth over $1.7 million. Delay this start by five or ten years, and the final amount drops drastically due to the lost compounding years.
For many young investors, the challenge isn’t deciding to invest but knowing where to invest. Chaudhuri advises starting with the basics: a core portfolio of low-cost, diversified mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This approach minimizes risk by spreading investments across a broad range of assets. She advocates for funds that track major stock market indexes like the S&P 500 as a foundational investment because of their broad exposure and low management costs.
But diversification doesn’t end with domestic markets. Chaudhuri encourages young investors to adopt a global perspective, considering investments in both developed and emerging markets to capture growth driven by demographic shifts and technological advancements. For example, countries like India and Mexico, with their younger populations, are poised to become significant drivers of global economic growth in the coming decades. Similarly, Japan’s resurging equity market presents an attractive opportunity for investors looking beyond traditional markets.
The key, according to Chaudhuri, is to diversify not just across asset types but also by considering long-term global changes. “Think about how the world will change in the next 50 years you’re investing for,” she asserts. This forward-looking approach, coupled with the power of compounding, offers young investors a near-free lunch on their journey to financial security and success.
While navigating the vast array of investment options can feel daunting, the message from seasoned experts is clear: Starting your investment journey early, focusing on diversified, low-cost investments, and keeping an eye on long-term global trends are crucial steps towards building a robust financial future.
