Confused Between Gold, Equities, FD And Real Estate Amid Volatility? Here’s The Way Forward
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Experts advise investors to align asset allocation with goals and timelines, highlighting equities for long-term growth.
Volatile markets leave investors weighing their options between stocks, gold, real estate and fixed deposits, as shifting trends across asset classes create uncertainty over where to allocate money.
Investors are facing a puzzling situation, as they remain confused about where to allocate their money across asset classes. The stock market has remained muted over the past one and a half years, delivering selective returns. Gold and silver have seen a strong rally and are now in a consolidating phase, while real estate is increasingly becoming unaffordable for the middle class. FDs have their own pros and cons.
At this critical juncture, experts advocate a goal-based approach while keeping the agenda of investment in mind.
Speaking to News18 on the sidelines of the UNIVEST Wealth Multiplier Summit 2026, Pranit Arora, Co-Founder & CEO, UNIVEST, said investment decisions ultimately depend on individual goals and time horizons.
“To each his own — genuinely. If I need money for my sister’s wedding in the near term, I cannot afford to keep that money in the stock market. Markets are volatile, and if the requirement is within the next two to three years, equity may not be the right place,” he said.
However, he added that the approach changes completely for long-term investors. “If I have a 10–15 year horizon and that money is not required for the next three or four years, then volatility should not worry me. In fact, it may be an opportunity. Looking at earnings data and company fundamentals, we may be close to a bottom — maybe yes, maybe not. Nobody can say that with certainty.”
Arora emphasised that asset allocation should be driven by timelines and risk appetite. “If 80% of my savings are not needed in the near future, I can allocate that to equities or mutual funds. But money required for specific short-term goals should go into safer instruments like fixed deposits or debt products.”
Echoing the same tone, Harsh Gahlaut, Co-founder &CEO, FinEdge said that each asset class moves in cycles and behaves differently across market phases.
“For investors seeking long-term portfolio growth, aligned with clearly defined goals, equities remain the most suitable asset class,” he said, adding that periods of muted equity market performance should not be viewed as a setback for long-term investors.
In fact, such phases provide an opportunity to accumulate, allowing investors to build strong portfolios and harness compounding returns when markets eventually turn, he concluded.
Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
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February 22, 2026, 14:26 IST
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