Tapping the right investment

If 2017 had been a financially good year for you, chances are, you would have a cash windfall at your disposal.

But before you splurge that extra cash on some new marvel of a gadget or the latest luxury item on the market, it might be better to take stock of the future instead, and find ways to make your money earn for you.

The good thing nowadays is that there are already a number of platforms and options that you can choose from and where you can readily invest your hard earned savings based on your risk appetite—be it a time deposit, treasury bills, stocks, your own business, or even real estate, among other options.

So if you’re raring to start 2018 right, here are some of the options you might want to consider:

SAVINGS ACCOUNT, TIME DEPOSIT

For some, a bank can be considered one of the safest platforms to park your money in case you haven’t decided where to spend or invest it. For as long as you choose a trusted bank with a solid reputation, a savings account or a time deposit can offer a certain sense of security as you would have a nest egg from which you can draw upon whenever the need arises.

According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ fourth quarter 2017 Consumer Expectations Survey (CES), almost two-thirds (65.4 percent) of household savers had bank deposit accounts. Households were said to save money mostly for emergencies, education, health and hospitalization, retirement, business capital and investment, and purchase of real estate.

There is one drawback though. Returns from such accounts are fairly minimal and may not be able to entirely offset inflationary changes. Interest rates for savings are usually around 0.25 percent while those for time deposits can hit 1 percent, depending on the amount involved.

FIXED INCOME SECURITIES

These instruments, which provide returns in the form of fixed periodic payments, are offered by most major banks in the country.

And there are many different types to choose from, depending on how much you will be investing, and how long you would want to lock it in: you have treasury bills, retail treasury bonds, peso corporate bonds, dollar sovereign bonds, dollar corporate bonds, and fixed rate treasury notes. The upside here is that these options fetch much better returns compared to your regular savings account.

But as with anything, make sure to do a thorough and careful research first or ask your bank for more details before diving in to ensure that you get the most out of your hard earned savings.

STOCKS

Depending on the company you’re eyeing, investing in the stock market can be a risky choice, but can also yield higher returns than the other investment options.

Buying stocks or shares of ownership in a company allows you to earn two ways: when the price of the stocks appreciate due to continued growth and expansion, and when the firm issues dividends. Fortunately, the local stock market is  seemingly dominated by the bulls today, given the favorable macroeconomic backdrop.

Of course, you need to study and understand the stock market well enough to make informed decisions that will lead to better returns. Banks can help you jumpstart your venture into the stock market.

REAL ESTATE

Yet again, for many Filipinos, investing in real estate—be it a parcel of land or a condominium unit—remains one of the most practical and safest investment options today. And favorable macroeconomic conditions are helping support this option.

On Tuesday, the government announced that the Philippine economy, as measured by real gross domestic product (GDP), rose by 6.6 percent in the fourth quarter of the year, bringing the 2017 growth to 6.7 percent.

According to Colliers International Philippines, this sustained growth and the government’s commitment to accelerate infrastructure spending will help unlock more opportunities for the property sector.

Hence, it would be best if one is able to invest in a real estate project early to benefit from potential increases in the land values once the development has been completed.

This, of course, will only be possible if you bet on a trusted, reliable developer with a proven track record such as Empire East Land Holdings, Inc. And one of Empire East’s projects that could potentially provide you better returns would be the Mango Tree Residences, a two-tower, low-density condominium project in San Juan City.

Located along M. Paterno corner J. Ledesma Streets, this exclusive neighborhood offers a highly strategic location as it provides easy access to Greenhills, and the central business districts of Ortigas and even Makati via efficient road networks.

What’s more is that the Mango Tree Residences will allow its residents to enjoy a piece of their own eden as it is set amid lush landscaped gardens filled with mango trees.

Hence, with a calming view and serene vibe, the Mango Tree Residences offers an old-world charm sans the cost of traveling to picturesque locations outside the metro. Of course, it also features upscale, intelligently planned amenities that would make living here truly convenient and relaxing.

For inquiries, call 810-3333 or chat with us LIVE! at www.empire-east.com. You can also follow @empireeast on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.