Investing can feel intimidating, especially when financial jargon gets in the way. Words like “risk” or “diversification” may seem abstract, but at their core, they describe choices about where and how to put your money to work.
Two of the most common investment options are stocks and bonds. Understanding how each functions, the potential risks involved, and their role in an investment portfolio may help you feel more confident as you explore long-term investing.
Key Terms to Know
Before looking closely at stocks and bonds, it helps to understand these common terms:
- Investment vehicle: This term refers to any product you can put money into with the goal of earning a return. Examples include retirement accounts such as 401(k)s, certificates of deposit (CDs), and stocks.
- Financial risk: This is the possibility of an investment losing value. For example, certificates of deposit are considered relatively low risk because your original deposit is usually insured, while stocks carry more risk because their value can fluctuate.
What Are Stocks?
Stocks, sometimes called equities, represent partial ownership in a company. When you buy a share, you own a small piece of that business and are called a shareholder. Because each share is identical, stocks can be bought and sold on public markets.
Investors may earn money from stocks in two ways:
- If the stock price increases, they can sell it for more than they paid (a capital gain).
- Some companies also pay dividends, which are periodic payments to shareholders.
However, stock prices can also go down, sometimes unpredictably. That means investing in stocks involves risk, since there’s no guarantee a company’s share price will rise or that it will pay dividends.
What Are Bonds?
Bonds are essentially a way for organizations—such as governments or companies—to borrow money from investors. When you buy a bond, you are lending money to the issuer. In return, the issuer promises to repay you the original amount at a set date, along with interest payments over the life of the bond.
Because bonds typically provide fixed interest payments, they are often seen as more predictable than stocks. However, bonds are not risk-free. If the issuer runs into financial trouble and cannot make payments, investors may lose money. Inflation can also reduce the real value of the interest earned.
Credit rating agencies assign ratings to bond issuers, which can give investors a sense of how risky a bond might be. Issuers with lower credit ratings may offer higher interest rates to attract buyers, reflecting the greater risk involved.
Comparing Stocks and Bonds
Stocks and bonds differ in several key ways, including how they generate returns, the level of risk they carry, and how they are taxed.
- Returns: Over the long term, stocks have delivered higher growth than bonds. For example, data compiled by NYU Stern shows that between 1928 and 2024, U.S. stocks produced an average annual return of about 9–10%, while long-term government bonds averaged closer to 4–5%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, but these figures highlight how the two investments have historically behaved.
- Risk: Stock prices can rise or fall quickly due to market conditions, company performance, or broader economic changes. While many investors hold stocks long-term to help ride out downturns, there is always a chance of loss. Bonds are generally more stable, but they carry their own risks, including default (when an issuer cannot repay) and inflation (which can reduce the value of fixed interest payments).
- Taxes: Stocks are usually subject to capital gains taxes when sold for a profit, and dividends may also be taxable. Bonds typically generate interest income, which is often taxed as ordinary income. Tax rules vary by situation, so it’s best to consult a tax professional for guidance.
What to Consider Before Choosing
Whether stocks or bonds may fit your portfolio depends on your goals, timeline, and appetite for risk:
- Risk tolerance: Some people prefer lower volatility and are more comfortable when their investments move gently. Others tolerate more ups and downs in hopes of bigger returns.
- Time horizon: If you have many years until you’ll need the money, you may be able to ride out market dips. If you’re closer to needing the funds, you might lean toward more stable investments.
- Diversification and rules of thumb: Many investors use a mix of stocks and bonds to balance growth and stability. One common guideline is to allocate a percentage to stocks equal to 100 minus your age. Some modern versions push that to 110 or 120 minus your age to reflect increased life expectancy and longer retirement spans. For example, SoFi discusses how these variations have emerged over time.
These guidelines are not strict rules. Your personal situation—income, other investments, goals—should shape your decisions.
The Bottom Line
Stocks and bonds serve different purposes in an investment portfolio. Stocks offer the potential for growth but carry more volatility, while bonds generally provide steadier, though usually smaller, returns. Many investors combine the two to balance risk and reward.
If you’re thinking about investing, it may help to start by learning how each option works and considering how they fit with your goals, time horizon, and comfort with risk. Because taxes, income needs, and market conditions vary from person to person, you may also want to talk with a financial professional before making decisions.
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