investment club

Investment Club

A group of people who pool their money to make investments. Usually, investment clubs are organized as partnerships and after the members study different investments, the group decides to buy or sell based on a majority vote of the members. Club meetings may be educational and each member may actively participate in investment decisions.

Notes:

The advantages to investment clubs are that they are the easiest and most economical entities to form, operate and maintain, while the club's income and losses are passed through to its partners and are reported on their individual tax returns. Investment clubs are also a terrific way to learn, make valuable contacts, and meet people interested in the same topics. Some clubs have made fortunes for their members.

See also: Diversification, Institutional Investor, Master Trust, Management Buyin, Mutual Fund, Portfolio

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Investment club

A group of people who combine their money into a larger pool, then invest collectively in stocks and bonds, making decisions as a group.

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investment club

A group of people who meet regularly and pool their funds to invest in securities. In many instances, a club is formed as much for social and educational reasons as for making profits. Since most investment clubs are formed as partnerships, their dividends, realized capital gains, and losses are passed through for tax reporting by the individual members.

Are investment clubs a good idea? Why?

Investment clubs offer many benefits with few drawbacks. The individual investor joins with a group of peers to invest in stocks and other securities. The clubs focus on education: each member learns from and teaches the others. The monthly meetings create a comfortable social setting to help the individual stay focused on investment goals. Members are usually required to contribute a minimum amount each month to the investment pool as well as commit time to do investment research. And the clubs' financial returns are often very successful. To get started, contact the National Association of Investors Corporation (www.better-investing.org), which offers guidance to new clubs, or visit www.bivio.com and register to connect with others.

Sharon Rich, Financial Planner, WOMONEY, Belmont, MA