Long Term - Definition, What is Long Term, Advantages of Long Term, and Latest News - ClearTax (2024)

Introduction

Long-term refers to the extended duration an asset is held by an investor. Depending on the investor’s requirements, long-term investment can range from as short as 12 months to as long as 30 years. For most investors, the holding period for long-term assets ranges from at least 5 to 10 years. However, there is no predefined holding period for long-term assets.

Understanding Long Term

Long-term investments can be defined as those assets that an individual or entity holds from more than 12 months. They can either be bonds, shares, monetary instruments or real estate. Unlike the short-term investments where the assets are most likely to be sold in a short span of time, long-term investments will not be sold for many years. In some cases, investors may also choose to never sell them.

How Does Long-Term Investments Work?

Investors generally opt for long term investments when they find themselves with excess capital that they can afford to keep invested for a long period. Also, investing in long-term assets require a lot of patience as the holding period could extend even for decades.

However, long term assets have the potential to generate excellent returns due to the power of compounding. The longer an investor remains invested in an asset, the higher returns the asset will be able to generate.

Saving and investing in retirement schemes is also considered a long-term investment. Retirement planning has been one of the key reasons behind most individuals having an investment portfolio.

If started early, individuals would have enough time until retirement to amass a significant corpus before retirement. This is due to the power of compounding. Also, investors can afford to accept the prudent risks associated with the investments when held for an extended period of time.

Market fluctuations and other market-related risks, such as inflation and downturns, are pretty much balanced out in the long run with rupee-cost averaging. This will allow investors to generate an overall higher return in the end.

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CONTENTS

  • Introduction
  • Understanding Long Term
  • How Does Long-Term Investments Work?
Long Term - Definition, What is Long Term, Advantages of Long Term, and Latest News - ClearTax (2024)

FAQs

Long Term - Definition, What is Long Term, Advantages of Long Term, and Latest News - ClearTax? ›

Long-term refers to the extended duration an asset is held by an investor. Depending on the investor's requirements, long-term investment can range from as short as 12 months to as long as 30 years. For most investors, the holding period for long-term assets ranges from at least 5 to 10 years.

What is considered to be long term? ›

Something that is long-term has continued for more than a year or will continue for more than a year. Short-term interest rates are lower than long-term rates, because investors want higher rates the longer they lend their money.

What is the definition of a long term investment? ›

Long-term investments are assets that an individual or company intends to hold for a period of more than three years. Instruments facilitating long-term investments include stocks, real estate, cash, etc. Long-term investors take on a substantial degree of risk in pursuit of higher returns.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of long term and short-term investment? ›

Long-term investments can provide steady growth over an extended period, but they require patience and dedication. On the other hand, short-term investments offer greater liquidity and potential for quick returns, but they come with higher risks and require active management.

What is the meaning of long term funds? ›

Meaning of long-term funds in English

money that has been borrowed for a period of ten years: Venture capitalists provide equity and other types of long term funds to unlisted companies. Compare. short-term funds.

How to define long term? ›

: occurring over or involving a relatively long period of time.

What is long term with example? ›

happening, existing, or continuing for many years or far into the future: Scientists warned of the long-term effects of global warming.

What is an example of a long term investment decision? ›

Long term investment decision involves committing the finance on a long-term basis. For example, making investment in a new machine or replace an existing one or acquiring a new fixed asset or opening a new branch, etc.

Is long term investment a good idea? ›

Long-term stock investments tend to outperform shorter-term trades by investors attempting to time the market. Emotional trading tends to hamper investor returns. The S&P 500 posted positive returns for investors over most 20-year time periods.

How long is long-term investment? ›

While the exact time range of a long-term investment varies from investor to investor, holding for at least five years is considered typical. It differentiates long-term investments from the purpose of short-term investments and cash in a portfolio.

What are the advantages of long term? ›

However, long term assets have the potential to generate excellent returns due to the power of compounding. The longer an investor remains invested in an asset, the higher returns the asset will be able to generate. Saving and investing in retirement schemes is also considered a long-term investment.

What is one advantage of a long term investment? ›

One of the advantages associated with long-term investing is the potential for compounding. Here's how it works: When your investments produce earnings, those earnings get reinvested and can earn even more. The more time your money stays invested, the greater the opportunity for compounding and growth.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of long term bonds? ›

Advantages include higher potential yields and income stability. However, Long-Term Bonds also come with risks, including interest rate risk, default risk, and reinvestment risk. These risks can lead to fluctuating bond prices and potential losses.

Which fund is best for long term? ›

Top Long Term Mutual Funds to in Invest in 2024 in India
  • Quant Infrastructure Fund.
  • Kotak Infrastructure and Economic Reform Fund.
  • SBI Contra Plan Fund.
  • Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund.
  • Quant Tax Plan Fund.
  • SBI Magnum Mid Cap Fund.
  • Axis Small Cap Fund.
  • SBI Consumption Opportunities Fund.
Mar 6, 2024

What is an example of a long term fund? ›

Long-term finance can be defined as any financial instrument with maturity exceeding one year (such as bank loans, bonds, leasing and other forms of debt finance), and public and private equity instruments.

Is 2 years considered long-term? ›

There are no exact definitions, but short-term usually means a period shorter than two years, medium-term covers a range from 2 to 5 or 10 years and long-term is a period longer than 5 or 10 years.

How many months are long-term? ›

A long-term goal is something you want to do further in the future. Long-term goals require time and planning. They are not something you can do this week or even this year. Long-term goals usually take 12 months or more to achieve.

How long does long-term mean? ›

Long-term Relationship: Generally refers to a relationship that has endured for an extended period, usually over 5 years or more. Long-term relationships often involve a deeper level of commitment, shared experiences, and a significant investment of time and emotions.

Is 12 months short-term or long-term? ›

If you've entered a loan in your forecast that will last for 12 months or less, the entire loan is considered short-term debt. If, on the other hand, you've entered a loan that will be paid back over multiple years, then the part you'll pay back within the current 12 months is short-term debt.

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