Long Term - Definition, What is Long Term, Advantages of Long Term, and Latest News - ClearTax (2024)

Introduction

Long-term refers to the extended duration an asset is held by an investor. Depending on the investor’s requirements, long-term investment can range from as short as 12 months to as long as 30 years. For most investors, the holding period for long-term assets ranges from at least 5 to 10 years. However, there is no predefined holding period for long-term assets.

Understanding Long Term

Long-term investments can be defined as those assets that an individual or entity holds from more than 12 months. They can either be bonds, shares, monetary instruments or real estate. Unlike the short-term investments where the assets are most likely to be sold in a short span of time, long-term investments will not be sold for many years. In some cases, investors may also choose to never sell them.

How Does Long-Term Investments Work?

Investors generally opt for long term investments when they find themselves with excess capital that they can afford to keep invested for a long period. Also, investing in long-term assets require a lot of patience as the holding period could extend even for decades.

However, long term assets have the potential to generate excellent returns due to the power of compounding. The longer an investor remains invested in an asset, the higher returns the asset will be able to generate.

Saving and investing in retirement schemes is also considered a long-term investment. Retirement planning has been one of the key reasons behind most individuals having an investment portfolio.

If started early, individuals would have enough time until retirement to amass a significant corpus before retirement. This is due to the power of compounding. Also, investors can afford to accept the prudent risks associated with the investments when held for an extended period of time.

Market fluctuations and other market-related risks, such as inflation and downturns, are pretty much balanced out in the long run with rupee-cost averaging. This will allow investors to generate an overall higher return in the end.

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CONTENTS

  • Introduction
  • Understanding Long Term
  • How Does Long-Term Investments Work?
Long Term - Definition, What is Long Term, Advantages of Long Term, and Latest News - ClearTax (2024)

FAQs

Long Term - Definition, What is Long Term, Advantages of Long Term, and Latest News - ClearTax? ›

Long-term refers to the extended duration an asset is held by an investor. Depending on the investor's requirements, long-term investment can range from as short as 12 months to as long as 30 years. For most investors, the holding period for long-term assets ranges from at least 5 to 10 years.

What are the benefits of long term returns? ›

Investing long term cuts down on costs and allows you to compound any earnings you receive from dividends.
  • Better Long-Term Returns.
  • You Ride Out Highs and Lows.
  • Decisions May Be Less Emotional, More Lucrative.
  • Lower Capital Gains Tax Rate.
  • More Cost-Effective.
  • Benefit From Compounding With Dividend Stocks.

What is the tax advantage of long term investment? ›

Long-term capital gains are typically taxed at lower rates, meaning there may be a benefit to holding onto your assets for longer before you sell them. Short-term capital gains are taxed at the same rate as your ordinary income. Meanwhile, long-term gains are taxed at either 0%, 15%, or 20%.

What is the definition of a long term investment? ›

Long-term investments are assets that an individual or company intends to hold for a period of more than three years. Instruments facilitating long-term investments include stocks, real estate, cash, etc. Long-term investors take on a substantial degree of risk in pursuit of higher returns.

What is the meaning of long term growth? ›

Long-term growth (LTG) is an investment strategy that aims to increase the value of a portfolio over a multi-year time frame. Although long-term is relative to an investors' time horizons and individual style, generally long-term growth is meant to create above-market returns over a period of ten years or more.

What are the advantages of long term? ›

However, long term assets have the potential to generate excellent returns due to the power of compounding. The longer an investor remains invested in an asset, the higher returns the asset will be able to generate. Saving and investing in retirement schemes is also considered a long-term investment.

What are long term benefits? ›

Long-Term Care (LTC) benefits provide financial support to people in need of assistance over an extended period of time resulting from chronic illnesses or disabilities, entailing impairment of their ability to function independently in their daily lives. Everyone may need Long-Term Care, regardless of age.

At what age do you not pay capital gains? ›

Capital Gains Tax for People Over 65. For individuals over 65, capital gains tax applies at 0% for long-term gains on assets held over a year and 15% for short-term gains under a year. Despite age, the IRS determines tax based on asset sale profits, with no special breaks for those 65 and older.

Do you pay taxes on long term stocks? ›

Gains from the sale of assets you've held for longer than a year are known as long-term capital gains, and they are typically taxed at lower rates than short-term gains and ordinary income, from 0% to 20%, depending on your taxable income.

What is the tax rate for long term gains? ›

According to the IRS, the tax rate on most long-term capital gains is no higher than 15% for most people. And for some, it's 0%. For the highest earners in the 37% income tax bracket, waiting to sell until they've held investments at least one year could cut their capital gains tax rate to 20%.

How long to hold stock to avoid tax? ›

If you hold a stock for one year or longer, your gain will be taxed at the long-term capital gains tax rate. But if you hold a stock for less than one year before selling it, your gain will typically be taxed at your ordinary income tax rate.

Which is the best stock for long-term investment? ›

Top 10 Stocks to Buy for Long Term
  • Reliance Industries Limited. Tata Consultancy Services. ...
  • Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) ...
  • Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) ...
  • Infosys Limited. ...
  • HDFC Bank. ...
  • ITC Limited. ...
  • Hindustan Unilever Limited. ...
  • Asian Paints.
May 9, 2024

Which investment is best for 10 years? ›

Long Term Investment Options in India
S.noBest Long Term Investment Options
1ULIPs (Unit Linked Insurance Plan)
2Equity Funds
3PPF (Public Provident Fund)
4Stocks
4 more rows
May 7, 2024

What is the definition of long term? ›

1. adjective. Something that is long-term has continued for a long time or will continue for a long time in the future.

What is long term with example? ›

happening, existing, or continuing for many years or far into the future: Scientists warned of the long-term effects of global warming.

What are long-term goals? ›

A long-term goal is something you want to accomplish in the future. Long-term goals require time and planning. They are not something you can do this week or even this year. Long-term goals are usually at least several years away. Sometimes it takes many steps to complete a long-term goal.

What are the benefits of having a long term plan? ›

Long-term planning serves as the bridge between strategic vision and practical action. It hones in on concrete processes and actions needed to bring those strategic goals to life.

What are the benefits of long term assets? ›

Long-term assets are an important component of effective financial business management for many industries. Companies that use and maintain these assets can improve their financial health and help ensure they earn consistent profits.

What is one common advantage of a long term investment higher return? ›

One common advantage of a long-term investment is higher return. When you invest for the long term, you give your money more time to grow through compound interest. This means that your initial investment has the opportunity to earn returns, and those returns can also earn returns over time.

Why is long term growth better? ›

The benefits of long-term investing

Compound growth is the return earned not only on your initial investment, but also on the returns you receive during its lifetime and reinvest back into it. If you're only investing for the short term, you won't see the full potential gains of compound growth.

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