Investment is the act of allocating resources, usually money or capital, with the expectation of generating an income or profit. It involves purchasing assets or items with the hope that they will increase in value over time, or produce income.

Here's a breakdown of key aspects:

• Purpose: To grow wealth over time.
• Assets: Investments can be made in a wide range of assets, including stocks, bonds, real estate, commodities, and businesses.
• Risk: All investments carry some level of risk. The potential return is usually correlated with the level of risk. Higher potential returns often come with higher risks.
• Time Horizon: Investments are typically made with a medium- to long-term perspective.

More information can be found at:

• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission - What is Investing?
• Charles Schwab - What is Investing?