The Benefits Making the Most of a Financial Professional's Expertise Whether you're an experienced investor or just starting to map out your financial goals, a financial professional can help you in many ways. Comfort Some people like to travel the riskier roads — in financial terms, this generally makes for potentially higher highs and lower lows. Others select a more predictable road and look for consistency to help meet their goals. No matter what your preference, a financial professional can create an investment plan designed to fit your comfort level and personal situation. Problem Solving Most people encounter a little rocky terrain at some point in their life. Whether it's help with estate or tax planning, or handling short-term liquidity issues, it's good to know you can rely on a professional to give you the advice you need to help with your financial goals. Managing Risk A good financial professional knows that returns can be maximized and risk can be managed through appropriate asset allocation. Diversification is the most widely accepted method of helping to reduce overall portfolio risk. Your financial professional can explain more about the benefits of multiple levels of diversification. Diversification and strategic asset allocation do not assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets. Realistic Performance Goals In most cases, consistent, above-average returns is a goal that many people use to meet their long-term investment strategies. Your financial professional can talk in real terms about the returns needed to meet your goals. Often, investors find they don't need to aim for the highest returns, thus avoiding taking on a lot of additional risk. Regular Investing Most financial professionals suggest that you invest regularly, perhaps monthly, to help you reach your goal. This offers two advantages: It helps you develop a habit of saving and allows you to take advantage of an investment method known as dollar-cost averaging. However, systematic investing does not ensure a profit, nor does it protect against loss in declining markets. Dollar-cost averaging involves continuous investment regardless of fluctuating prices, and investors may need to consider their ability to continue investing in volatile markets. Your financial professional can give you more information on the potential advantages of dollar-cost averaging. Keeping Your Emotions in Check A financial professional will help you resist the temptation to change your investment approach based on an emotional response to market changes. Investors driven by emotion often move money into an investment just after a period of exceptional performance. Often times, those investors lose money, or at least fail to experience the type of outstanding performance the investment generated to gain their interest. The problem is timing. Stock funds with sizzling results catch the media's attention, and many investors get caught up in the hype and rush in with their money. Unfortunately, these followers of the "fund du jour" generally end up shrinking their net worth. To learn more, let Russell refer you to a financial professional in your area. Fund objectives, risks, charges, and expenses should be carefully considered before investing. A prospectus containing this and other important information can be obtained by calling (866) 676-7680 or by visiting this page on russell.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Copyright © Russell Investments 2005. All rights reserved. This material is proprietary and may not be reproduced, transferred, or distributed in any form without prior written permission from Russell Investments. It is delivered on an as is basis without warranty. Russell Investment Group is a Washington, USA corporation, which operates through subsidiaries worldwide, including Russell Investments, and is a subsidiary of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. Nothing contained in this material is intended to constitute legal, tax, securities, or investment advice, nor an opinion regarding the appropriateness of any investment, nor a solicitation of any type. The general information contained in this publication should not be acted upon without obtaining specific legal, tax, and investment advice from a licensed professional. Securities products and services offered through Russell Financial Services, Inc. (formerly Russell Fund Distributors, Inc.), member FINRA, part of Russell Investments. For information on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, go to www.finra.org. RFD 05-5607. First used: November 2005.			Find OUT More Request a referal to a financial professional in your area.   Russell IN ACTION Russell Funds LifePoints Funds Separate Accounts Printer friendly version of this page Send feedback or comments Site Search

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