How can an investor ensure a 'risk free investment' from a diversied portfolio of assets in todays' market?

Banks are good avenues where we can invest even during the recession. The banks offer various kinds of offers such as keeping the money in savings bank account or keeping the money as the Fixed deposits(FD) or recurring deposits etc. Although the interest rates have come down but the returns are sure and the exact amount that you are going to get in the form of returns can be known at the time of investment. One of the modest and risk-free investments would be Certificate of Deposit(CD), which is a time deposit, financial goods provided by savings institutions, credit unions and banks to the customers. Certificate of deposits are practically devoid of risk like savings account because they are insured and are fixed for a definite period of time, which can be from 3 months to 5 years and of unchanging rate of interest.

Share market is the secondary market where the trading of the securities takes place. The investment in the share market is one of the safe investments that can be done provided you have the right knowledge of trading or you have someone who has that. That someone could be a broker or the financial planner who provides you this service too. You can invest in the shares and reap benefits. Mutual funds are financial intermediaries in the investment business that collect funds from the public and invest on behalf of the investors as various asset classes like equity, bonds, debentures, commercial paper and government securities.

Gold metal appreciates with time and certified gold is a worthwhile buy. Since there is no income from holding gold, it is not liable to income tax. However bullion is subject to capital gains tax and wealth tax.

For middle class people it is very difficult to decide where to be invested and how much to be invested. Because, the savings are very small and those savings should be safe. so distibuting the whole saving in to 4 or 5 categories will protect the investor from a sudden pit falls.

Bank FDs and goverement bonds is a risk free investment,guranteed

No investment is risk free irrespective of any good advice given by any of the top financial service firm or an individual. Its only the degree of risk varies from one investment to another. Therefore, i would strongly recomend by well diversifying your investment portfolio within the best available asset classes in any market. .. Thank you!!

By definition, a diversified portfolio indicates reduction of non-systemic risk. The systemic risk remains (for which an investor demands additional returns). 

For a relatively safe play on the equity side, look up stocks with high dividend yields (anything above 9%) since, in the hands of the investor, it is tax  free.

Another safe play (over the short term) would be Silver. Gold has run up too far, too fast in terms of silver and historical statistics favor silver a lot more than gold at the moment. Agreed you do not earn interest but bullion is the most easily tradeable commodity of all time.

Commercial Real Estate yields about 7-8% in terms of rent on a yearly basis in addition to the asset appreciation over a 6-8 year horizon.

Bonds should be a relative no-no over the medium term considering RBI may raise rates.

Currency plays can and should be avoided for most individual investors considering the enhanced risks involved.

Each individual has a certain risk and time profile and that is the sole deciding factor for the kind of investments entailed.

There is NO Risk Free Investment. Risk Can be Minimized.

Investor Can invest in Equity through Mutual Funds and ULIP and Some part in Debt  through FD, MIP, Debt Mutual Fund.

Before Investing Investor Must take advice from his Certified Financial Advisor,who can better suggest the options so that he/she can get a right money at a right time to achieve Pre-decided Goals.

Friends here we mentioned term "diversified portfolio" but if we want a "risk free investment" with good returns then we are not only go for diversification of investment products but also keep in mind that our portfolio will be combination of some opposite relation products i.e. F.D's, P.P.F., Gold are opposite side of Equities, currency & it also depends on time. i.e.  growing Economy, balanced economy.

We are taking todays market conditions, then we can make our portfolio with Real Estate, Equity, F.Ds , Gold & dollor ($ currency) for safe and good returns.

I have mentioned here for safe investment with good return if you are choosing just F.Ds & saving bank A/c interest then please not go for them because they wont beat inflation rate of India now and never in future due to growing India Prospects. 

There is nothing which is risk free, but a invetor can get got risk return combination through investing in following asset class with focus on long term (As long terms itself are Risk eliminator in investment classes)

Combination: Equity (Through SIP)+Realty (land with future demand)+10%of total portfolio in each Gold and silver + 10% in corporate and Banks FDs (For emergecy funds etc)

Investment comes with Risk, no matter which instrument you opt for. What if teh bank goes bankrupt, what if Insurance company locks out, what if equity marktes crash, what if gold goes down to 500$. The day we stop online gambling of the instruments, nothing seems to be safe.

hi! a hedge fund analyst speaking of ' no risk portfolio '. good to hear. whatever be the mode of investment, even cash at home of bank locker, there is an element of risk. i hope, here, the reference is minizing the risk. 25% each in nationalized bank, strong corporates, real estate, and gold. worthwhile?

By investing in suitable ULIP schemes , the average investor can convert thier insurance policy into investment.