Different Types Of Energy Investments

By Cleveland Jernigan


Energy, in whatever form it may be, is an essential resource for everyone. It powers our cars, trains and planes. It provides the power for heat and air conditioning, as well as power for our computers and other electronics. Countries need energy, and this high need creates some excellent opportunities for investors. Considering an investment in a particular form or energy can produce solid results.

There are thousands of energy-related companies in which you can invest. You can select one or two companies and buy stock in them, or consider something broader such as a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund that focuses on holdings that relate to energy or natural resources. Each investment has its advantages and drawbacks.

The stock market has rebounded somewhat from its instability of a few years ago, but it still can be a risky venture. There is great potential for high profits or just solid and steady growth, but there is always the possibility that your stock could plummet in value at some point. This is why it is important to research any company in which you hope to invest and perhaps speak with a financial planner or advisor.

Funds include many different companies or holdings, and because they are diversified, the risk of loss is lower. This is true of both mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Of course, you can still lose a good amount of money, as no investment is every entirely safe. But generally a fund will produce some steady growth and makes a great long-term investment. You aren't always guaranteed a profit, of course, but you will have the comfort of knowing that one company in your fund can drop in value without significantly affecting the total value of the fund.

Mutual funds and ETFs differ from each other in several ways. One significant difference is that the value of a mutual fund is set at the end of each day of trading, but an ETF's value goes up and down during trading. So if you decide to buy or sell your ETF shares, you might be able to get a higher price in the middle of trading rather than at the end of the day.

When you decide to invest, you can choose from hundreds of different funds and stocks. Some of the investments are in traditional sources of energy and natural resources such as coal, petroleum and natural gas. You also can consider investing in alternative fuel sources, such as solar power or wind power.

You also can invest in energy companies in a specific region. For example, you might find a China fund or Asia Pacific fund that concentrates its holdings in energy-related companies. Perhaps you would prefer to invest in the natural resources of Africa or South America. Of course, you can also invest in American energy companies as well. There is definitely something out there for every type of investor.




About the Author: