10 Risky Investments That Could Pay Off Well for You and Your Business

by Sheila Curimo Published on April 13, 2023

People make risky investments to make more money, to diversify their portfolios, or because they have to. Some high-risk investments like start-ups and emerging markets can bring in big profits. But these ventures also have a higher chance of losing money.

Investors who don’t have enough knowledge or experience may be more likely to make hasty choices. But research and being prudent about money may help you fare well in this endeavor. It can help a lot if you talk to a financial adviser before getting into high-risk investing.

Still, risky investments could pay off well for you and your business.

Some High-Risk Investments You Might Find Profitable

1. Margin Trading Investment

Margin trading is considered a risky way to invest money. It’s a scheme where a trader borrows money from a broker or an exchange firm to buy assets. The more borrowings, the more assets like stocks and other financial instruments they can buy.

Usually, these assets are then traded or sold when their value increases. There would be income if the proceeds of assets sold were way over the loaned amount when purchased. The gain from this sale is called the margin.

The higher the value of the assets from the time of purchase to the time of sale, the more profitable it is for the trader or investor. Especially if the loan was availed of at a lesser rate like SoFi margin rates. Money borrowed at lower interest rates will increase the profit margin at the time of repayment.

However, it’s crucial to remember that margin trading is risky, especially if your asset’s value decreases. It may mean losing your profit margin and might make you lose money to pay off your loan.

It’s why margin trading needs a deep understanding of the assets you purchase and their present market conditions.

2. Cryptocurrencies Investment

Cryptocurrencies are types of assets that are very risky. It has prices or values that can change a lot in no time. Investing in cryptocurrencies is uncertain and risky because there needs to be more government oversight. Accordingly, there are built-in security risks that fraud could happen anytime.

Also, their market is heavily affected by the news, public opinion, and speculation. These triggers can cause sharp price changes that may not reflect the asset’s worth.

But even with their inherent risks, cryptocurrencies are still a potentially rewarding investment. It’s particularly true for people willing to accept the risks and know how and when to invest. Its nature gives the investor financial autonomy and freedom that traditional investments may not provide.

Some investors also think cryptocurrencies could change traditional financial systems and become a new way to store value. This may offer an advantage to those still on a careful study and who are planning to invest in crypto.

3. Real Estate Investment

The real estate business can be risky but profitable. It is challenging because investing in buying properties takes a lot of money. The property bought now may cost less tomorrow. The economy, interest rates, and the local market can affect your property’s value.

Many reliable web-based resources can give you more insights on how to do better as you engage in business, especially the real estate business.

If you’re into the rental business, you’ll spend a lot of money on repairs and maintenance for your property. These expenses are on a regular basis, even if you don’t have a lessee. It may dig a hole in your pockets if not appropriately managed.

But real estate can be a steady source of income. It can be through rental income or a profit if property values go up and you’re in for a timely sale. With careful planning and research, like choosing a good neighborhood, location, and other factors that increase property valuation.

4. Commodities Investment

Commodities like gold, oil, and agricultural products can have high returns but can be risky investments. Their values are quite volatile and hard to predict. Weather conditions, geopolitical issues, and supply and demand can cause their prices to change quickly.

Investors may be interested in commodities because they can make big money quickly. Merchants buy them cheaply at source and sell them profitably. But these businesses also risk losing a lot of money due to inflation or other factors.

Also, investing in commodities requires specialized knowledge, expertise, and market access for each product. This makes it a challenging and complicated way for most individual investors to make money. It’s why attending seminars, product and market studies, and talking to experts could help you make a profitable commodity investor.

5. Penny Stocks Investment

Penny stocks investment is engaging in the buying of shares of small companies with low market capitalization and stock prices. They’re firms with stocks usually less than $5 per share. Most of the time, these stocks are very risky because there is little information about these companies’ finances, and the market isn’t very liquid.

These companies are not really known, and only a few investors are interested in buying their shares. There are few buyers and sellers for their stocks. It may become difficult to trade them at the desired price.

Penny stocks can be a risky way to invest because they often represent companies with little financial history. Most of them may not be open about their finances. Their stock prices can change quickly, sometimes because of market forces or even fraud. But investors who do their research may earn good money from these stocks.

These investors look into the company’s financials, take calculated risks, and may even hit the jackpot! These stocks are often undervalued, and their price suddenly goes up most of the time, giving investors high returns.

But before investing in penny stocks, it’s crucial that you know what the risks and rewards might be. It’s also advantageous if you’re careful and manage the risks well.

6. Hedge Funds Investment

Hedge funds are known private investment funds run by a small group of people. They use risky investment strategies to make a lot of money for accredited investors. They’re high-return investments with high risks because they use aggressive investment strategies to make money.

Most of the time, these strategies involve investing in complicated financial instruments like derivatives, commodities, and currencies, whose prices can change quickly and wildly. Also, hedge funds use leverage to increase their returns. But their losses can also increase if their investments don’t do as well as they thought.

Hedge funds also have high fees and are only open to accredited investors with fat bank accounts. Even though hedge funds can make a lot of money, they’re not for all investors. Caution and prudence are needed if you should invest in them. They’re labeled as high-risk, and you may lose money, but you can profit if you know how to manage these risks.

7. Investment In IPO

An IPO or Initial Public Offering is an activity where a company offers its shares of stocks to the public. It’s to encourage the public to buy or invest in their shares. Investing in stocks during an IPO is considered risky because the company offering it is new to the investment market.

A company new to the public markets has not yet established credibility. There needs to be a track record of performance that investors like you can refer to about its business status. The risks associated with IPOs include market volatility and uncertainty, including the possibility that the company may be inaccurately valued.

However, these initial public offerings have the potential to generate profits for investors. As long as you’re willing to accept the risks that are associated with them.

Companies that go public typically see a significant increase in their stock price immediately after the IPO. It can increase stock values and lead to substantial returns for early investors in the company. If you want to get started investing in stocks, you can use a stock valuation platform like AlphaSpread.

In the end, whether or not an IPO is a profitable investment is determined by several different factors. These factors include the company’s financial performance, market conditions, and investors’ general sentiment. There can also be a tax credit or ‘franked dividend’ within these companies- take a look at this article for franking credits explained.

8. Investment in Startups

Investing in startups can be risky, but it can also be profitable. Startups are new, untested businesses that often need money to grow and succeed. They might not have a good track record or enough money coming in.

Not yet known in the market makes startups riskier than businesses that have been around for a while. But startups can also be creative and disruptive. It’s why they can give investors a significant return on their money if they do well.

To invest in startups, you need to be able to take on a lot of risks. You’ll also need to weigh the risks and rewards of each opportunity. You may get a high return on your money if you invest in a business that’s just starting up and does well afterward. If it doesn’t, you might lose all of your money.

There may be no sure way to make money from a new business. But you may have big profits with thorough research and evaluation of the business model, market, and team potential before investing. Market conditions, competition, and other factors can all affect how well a startup does.

As an investor, knowing all about the startup you’re to invest in is best. Factors like its brand or product or how it does business are your keys to avoiding investment risks. There are still many causes where you may lose profit. Learning your way to manage them is the key to cutting probable losses.

9. Investment in Crowdfunding

Investing in crowdfunding is placing your funds with a group of investors. It’s a way to raise money for a specific project or idea by getting a lot of small investments from many people. Many small businesses borrow funds from these capitalists.

Sometimes it’s through online lending facilities that the funds that borrowers get money, usually for their new business, project, or cause.

Crowdfunding can be a risky but profitable way to invest because it often involves investing in early-stage companies. These firms are often innovative and often do business in a non-traditional way. They’re quick to adapt to more profitable trends. But they also bear high levels of risk.

Investors like your “crowd” may get equity, rewards, or credit in exchange for your money. Crowdfunding lets you invest in companies your fellow financiers believe in and diversify their portfolios. Still, your group needs to do comprehensive research and understand the risks of each investment.

When crowdfunding works well, investors can make a lot of money. But they also bear the risk of losing their investment money.

10. Investment in Art And Collectibles

Art and collectibles, like vintage cars, coins, or paintings, can be high-risk but profitable investments for you. They can give you a lot of money back if each art piece or collectible increases in value over time. But your investment may be exposed to high risks because its market isn’t very liquid.

The buying and selling activities for these pieces don’t move much. Most of the time, the value will depend on the buyer. It can be affected by trends, changes in taste, and the availability of similar items in the market.

Also, the art and collectibles market isn’t as liquid as other investment markets, so selling an item quickly and for the price you want can be tricky. But if you find a valuable piece and you can hold on to it for a long time, you may be able to sell it for a hefty profit.

The catch, however, is that you have to pay for its maintenance costs, which you may need to add up to its selling price. It may increase your capital or investment but may decrease your profit. So, before making any purchase, thoroughly research the costs from buying to selling. Learning the ropes about the risks of investing in art and collectibles will also be advantageous.

Bottom Line

There are still many risky investments that could fare well for you and your business. But approaching them with caution will always be beneficial. Thorough research and consultation with a financial expert will help you build more effective business skills. This will enable you to manage risks and make profitable investments.

You can also check the links in this content for more references and insights. They’ll be most beneficial at times when you encounter unfavorable business conditions. You’ll be relieved to find that the success of profiting from risky investments highly depends on you. Just say you can and you will.