The concept
Investment outcomes are often said to be driven more by the allocation among asset classes such as stocks, bonds, and cash — that is, asset allocation — than by the selection of individual securities. Holding multiple asset classes that move differently from one another is one of the basic ideas behind diversification (see related page).
How to think about setting it
There is no single correct asset allocation; the appropriate mix varies with factors such as age, income, investment goals, and risk tolerance (see related page). Because the actual allocation shifts over time, rebalancing (see related page) may be considered as needed.
