Investing is inherently associated with varying degrees of risk and several factors can influence the risk level of an investment. A few general tips regarding high-risk versus low-risk investment strategies can be seen below and considering the times of the year and geographical areas, these are as follows:

High-Risk Investment Tips:

Market Timing:

• High volatility periods: Certain times of the year, such as during earnings season or following significant political events, can exhibit high market volatility, which might be suitable for high-risk, high-reward strategies.
• Sector rotation: Pay attention to market cycles and sector performance. For instance, certain sectors like technology may perform better in some economic conditions than others.

Geographical Considerations:

• Emerging Markets: Investing in emerging markets can offer high growth potential but comes with increased risk due to political instability, currency fluctuations, and less regulation.
• Industry-Specific Regions: Areas known for specific industries (such as Silicon Valley for technology for example) can offer high-growth opportunities but may also be more susceptible to industry-specific downturns.

Low-Risk Investment Tips:

Time of Year:

• End-of-Year: Some investors look for stable, dividend-paying stocks towards the end of the year for potential tax advantages and to prepare for any year-end market volatility.
• Seasonal Patterns: Certain industries, like retail, may be considered lower risk during high-sales periods like the holiday season, assuming a stable economic environment.

Geographical Diversification:

• Developed Markets: Investing in developed markets with stable economies can be considered lower risk. Countries with strong legal systems and regulatory environments provide more predictability.
• Global Diversification: Spreading your investments across various regions can minimize the risk associated with any single area.

General Tips:

1. Risk Assessment: Always assess your risk tolerance and investment horizon before making any investment, this is perhaps the most important rule.
2. Diversification: Both high-risk and low-risk investors should diversify their portfolios across different asset classes and sectors to mitigate risk, fixed-income and collectible funds are good diversification strategy with equities as they don’t correlate strongly. The blockchain is a good diversification strategy with emerging market equities in a similar light.
3. Research and Due Diligence: Conduct thorough research or consult with a financial advisor to better understand the risks associated with specific times of the year or geographical areas, knowledge is power!
4. Stay Informed: Keep up with global economic trends and geopolitical events that can affect market conditions. It helps even more so to know an expert in these respective fields.

So how can alternative assets help with the above four? Firstly, let’s use Art as an example; Art prices are not directly tied to financial market fluctuations as they do not generate income streams in the same way that stocks or bonds do. “In times of uncertainty, it’s the unconventional that often holds the most promise,” says Issac Qureshi, Co-Founder of FalconCo. “Alternative assets like art and classic cars stand apart for their resilience and potential to appreciate irrespective of traditional market pressures.”

This means that during periods of high inflation, art can continue to appreciate in value, providing a safe haven for investors. Classic cars also have the same effect. Classic cars like the 1946-1950 Chrysler Town & Country for example, with its rare wood panelling, have a niche market. The restoration and maintenance complexity of such features can greatly influence the car’s value, which can range significantly. They’re often influenced in value by passion and hobbyists, whose demand is not exposed to fluctuations in traditional markets. In that sense, it does not correlate with the stock and bond markets.

Conclusion

In closing, it’s important to note that these tips should not be taken as financial advice. Always consult with a financial advisor to tailor investment strategies to your specific financial goals and risk tolerance. Individual circumstances can significantly affect what constitutes a high or low-risk investment.