Types of Investors in Financial Markets

Financial markets across the world comprise different types of investors. The type of investors depends on a series of variables, such as risk tolerance, the type of client they work with, or the objective of the strategies they implement. This article discusses different categories of investors and will help you select the most suitable approach based on your specific business goals. Understanding these different investor types lets you make more informed decisions about your investment strategies and partnerships.

• Who is an Investor?
• Types of Investors Based on Their Risk Aversion
• Types of Investors Depending on the Subject of the Investment
• Types of Investors Depending on the Investment Objective
• Types of Investors Basis Their Way of Operating

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Who is an Investor?

An investor is an individual, a business, or a financial entity investing capital in a particular commodity, currency, or company to get future financial returns. 

The investor invests through various markets and financial channels that help channel their capital into a singular objective to gain additional wealth over time.  

Must Read – What is Finance?

Types of Investors Based on Their Risk Aversion

Depending on the risk that investors are willing to assume, they can be classified into different types, from the most conservative to the most aggressive.

Conservative Investors 

They are those investors with risk tolerances ranging from low to moderate. Generally, investors with a conservative profile focus on cash and cash equivalents that can give a fixed income or on shares of leading multinationals in their sector in not-too-volatile markets.

In addition, conservative investment is done usually for large amounts of money with sustained long-term growth.

Moderate Investors 

A moderate investor assumes a little more risk than a conservative investor but always tries to achieve a sustained return value for the risk he assumes. Generally, the capital invested in fixed return and other variable return operations is divided by 50%.

Aggressive Investors 

An aggressive investor is willing to take greater risks to obtain higher investment returns and has extensive experience in the financial markets. They can invest up to 80% of their capital in equities, especially in startups that are just starting and whose level of profitability is very high, along with the risk. They make investment decisions based on speculation.

Types of Investors Depending on the Subject of the Investment

The recipient of the investment will also depend on the type of professional, which can be divided mainly between an institutional or private investor.

Institutional Investors

These are private companies or credit groups managed by professionals who usually raise large capital. The objective is to diversify its resources to form a moderate business portfolio, achieving a medium return at a moderate risk.

Private Investors

Private investors are individuals or firms that show a keen interest in investing their money in a company to lend a financial hand to the company & contribute to its growth & earning value for their investments. They create their business portfolio by making small capital investments. 

Types of Investors Depending on the Investment Objective

The objectives and interests behind an investment can be very diverse. For this reason, different types of investors may give greater importance to the strategy, and others, on the other hand, focus more on financing.

Strategic Investor

A strategic investor is close to the market in which he invests and has extensive knowledge of the sector. Generally, they work in a company that is somewhere there in the market, such as the competition, suppliers, customers, or in some company whose objective is to compete in said market. Strategic investors evaluate the risks and opportunities and are highly focused on their investment goals.

Financial Investor

Financial investors have high expectations of financial returns and low expectations of a positive impact on society. Traditional investors have one main objective: Financial returns.

They seek risk-adjusted and market-price returns while often interested in something other than social impact. For these reasons, social enterprises often need help to meet their expectations.

Types of Investors Basis Their Way of Operating

Although the objective of an investor is always to achieve a return on the initial capital, but the intent is different in these cases.

Family & Friends

Family and friends are often the initial sources of funding. Their investments are based on faith, so they take a lot of risks. They do not ask for sophisticated business plans. They are more interested in your personal development than the result of the organization. Families and friends generally want to invest in you as a person rather than an idea. In contrast, an outsider investor will prefer to see a firmly established company before doing so.

Angel Investors

Angel investors are one of the best-known profiles in the world of investment. They are people with a broad business vision and a lot of money, and they invest their capital in startups.

In addition to making a substantial investment, Angel investors are usually involved in the company’s day-to-day operations and administration.

Venture Capitalists

A venture capitalist aims to invest in a company in its growing stage. When it becomes successful, they aim to get a good return on investment through a company acquisition or when it goes public. They are private equity investors investing mainly in technology companies and startups with minor investments with an acquisition of 20 – 30%.

Investors are an integral part of the business world; you need to know about them and how they function. We hope this article on types of investors was helpful.