Understanding the product range If you're serious about learning
more about investing, this section gives you a more indepth
overview. You can find out more about diversification, different
returns from different product types, the importance of small
differences and determining the real rate of return. Good
investors don't put all their eggs in one basket. They develop a
diversified portfolio of investments. This means they have
investments which are spread across the four main asset types -
short term deposits, bonds, properties, and shares. These days,
with the opening up of global financial markets to New Zealand
and new technology, you can invest relatively small amounts in
some of the world's most successful companies. At the same time
you can automatically have a spread over hundreds of different
investments. You could make endless combinations to spread your
investment risk. But the good news is that the savings and
investment industries have made it easier for us, by developing
a range of funds which