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Gunnar_Zarncke comments on Financial Effectiveness Repository - Less Wrong Discussion

5 Post author: Gunnar_Zarncke 18 November 2014 09:57AM

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Comment author: Salemicus 18 November 2014 01:55:16PM *  7 points [-]

This is not investment advice and should not be relied on as such.

The more liquid your investment, the better. If you have a theoretically valuable investment, but in an area where finding a buyer is very hard, you may find yourself either 1) forced to sell at a knock-down price, or 2) unable to exit the investment at a time of your own choosing. Therefore (ceteris paribus) you should demand a higher expected rate of return on illiquid investments.

Most liquid to least liquid:

  • Cash
  • Home-country government bonds
  • Publically traded stocks
  • Real estate
  • Your friend's small business
Comment author: Gunnar_Zarncke 18 November 2014 05:41:26PM 3 points [-]

This probably applies mostly when you do not have enough liquid assets to winter times that might force you to sell.

Comment author: Salemicus 18 November 2014 09:52:49PM 5 points [-]

That's one way it can come up, but it's a more general issue. Suppose a different, better investment opportunity presents itself - you will only be able to take it if your existing investments are liquid. Or suppose your tax circumstances change. Or any manner of things.

Liquid investments only need to be the best investment right now to be worth taking. Illiquid investments also need to be better than hypothetical investments you might get over the term of he investment, and they need to remain worthwhile across a variety of circumstances. That is a much higher threshold.

Comment author: Gunnar_Zarncke 18 November 2014 10:15:03PM 1 point [-]

Agreed. This is a nice qualification for the advice to focus on liquid assets.