This represents the length of time an individual will be investing to achieve particular financial goals before liquidating the investment. This has an important influence on the types of risk and therefore products which are suitable for the investor. As a rule of thumb, investors with shorter "time horizons" will opt for more stable, liquid investments which demonstrate relatively consistent returns. Investors with longer "time horizons" may be more comfortable taking on a riskier, or more volatile, investment given the available time to ride out market downturns.