Direct Investment Definition, With Types and Examples (2024)

What Is Direct Investment?

Direct investment is more commonly referred to as foreign direct investment (FDI). FDI refers to an investment in a foreign business enterprise designed to acquire a controlling interest in the enterprise. The direct investment provides capital funding in exchange for an equity interest without the purchase of regular shares of a company's stock.

Key Takeaways:

  • Direct investment, or foreign direct investment, is designed to acquire a controlling interest in an enterprise.
  • Direct investment provides capital funding in exchange for an equity interest without the purchase of regular shares of a company's stock.
  • Direct investment may involve a company in one country opening its own business operations in another country.
  • Direct investment can also involve acquiring control of a business's assets already operating in the foreign country.
  • There are three general types of direct investment: vertical, horizontal, or conglomerate investment.

Understanding Direct Investment

The purpose of FDI is to gain an equity interest sufficient to control a company. In some instances, it involves a company in one country opening its own business operations in another country. In other cases, direct investment involves acquiring control of existing assets of a business already operating in the foreign country. A direct investment can involve gaining a majority interest in a company or a minority interest, but the interest acquired gives the investing party effective control.

Direct investment is primarily distinguished from portfolio investment, the purchase of common or preferred stock shares of a foreign company, and by the element of control that is sought.

Control can come from sources other than an investment of capital; however, control of assets such as technology is considered only a critical input. In fact, FDI is frequently not a simple monetary transfer of ownership or controlling interest but can include complementary factors, such as organizational and management systems or technology.

Foreign direct investments can be made by individuals but are more commonly made by companies wishing to establish a business presence in a foreign country.

Examples of Foreign Direct Investment

Foreign direct investment takes many forms in practice but is generally classified as either a vertical, horizontal, or conglomerate investment.

For a vertical direct investment, the investor adds foreign activities to an existing business. An example is an American auto manufacturer that establishes dealerships or acquires a parts supply business in a foreign country.

Horizontal direct investment is perhaps the most common form of direct investment. For horizontal investments, a business already existing in one country establishes the same business operations in a foreign country. A fast-food franchise based in the United States might open restaurant locations in China. Horizontal direct investment is also referred to as green-field entry into a foreign market.

For a conglomerate-type direct investment, an existing company in one country adds an unrelated business operation in a foreign country. This is a particularly challenging form of direct investment since it requires simultaneously establishing a new business and establishing it in a foreign country. An example of conglomerate direct investment might be an insurance firm opening a resort park in a foreign country.

Direct Investment Definition, With Types and Examples (2024)

FAQs

What is direct investment and example? ›

Direct investment takes different shapes and forms. A company may enter a foreign market through so-called greenfield direct investment, in which the direct investor provides funds to build a new factory, distribution facility, or store, for example, to establish its presence in the host country.

What are the types of direct investment? ›

Types of Direct Investment
  • Horizontal Direct Investment.
  • Vertical Direct Investment.
  • Conglomerate Direct Investment.
  • Platform Direct Investment.
Jan 23, 2023

What is foreign direct investment and explain its three different types? ›

Foreign direct investment (FDI) involves an individual or organization investing in a business abroad in exchange for significant control over the business. There are three types of foreign direct investment: vertical, horizontal, and conglomerate.

What is a real world example of direct investment? ›

A U.S.-based cellphone provider buying a chain of phone stores in China is an example. In a vertical FDI, a business acquires a complementary business in another country. For example, a U.S. manufacturer might acquire an interest in a foreign company that supplies it with the raw materials it needs.

What are 4 examples of investment? ›

Perhaps the most common are stocks, bonds, real estate, and ETFs/mutual funds. Other types of investments to consider are real estate, CDs, annuities, cryptocurrencies, commodities, collectibles, and precious metals.

What is direct investment and indirect investment examples? ›

- buying the stock by name or by shares in the company or investing in shares directly through a broker / sub broker is called direct investment - direct investments are those in which the investor owns the particular asset himself - INDIRECT INVESTMENT - buying a mutual fund having the same stock in its portfolio is ...

What is direct investment also known as? ›

What is Direct Investment? Direct investment, more commonly called Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), refers to an investment in a foreign business enterprise intended to gain a controlling interest in that sector.

What are the 7 types of investment? ›

Read on to know what's right for you.
  • Stocks. Stocks represent ownership or shares in a company. ...
  • Bonds. A bond is an investment where you lend money to a company, government, and other types of organization. ...
  • Mutual Funds. ...
  • Property. ...
  • Money Market Funds. ...
  • Retirement Plans. ...
  • VUL insurance plans.

What is the difference between foreign and direct investment? ›

Foreign portfolio investment is the purchase of securities of foreign countries, such as stocks and bonds, on an exchange. Foreign direct investment is building or purchasing businesses and their associated infrastructure in a foreign country.

What are the three 3 motives for foreign direct investment? ›

According to this theory FDI are motivated by three advantages: Ownership advantages; Location advantages; Internalization advantages.

What are most commonly classified as a direct foreign investment? ›

Foreign Direct Investment:

Foreign Direct Invest is similar to taking a controlling interest in a business but with an overseas location. Hence, when a firm collaborates with a foreign firm and invests in them, it is termed foreign direct investment. It can be through the joint venture, cross border M&A etc.

Which of the following is not an example of direct investment? ›

Answer & Explanation

B/ Buying stocks and bonds in a foreign country is NOT an example of foreign direct investment by a company.

What is an example of horizontal direct investment? ›

A horizontal direct investment occurs when a company establishes the same type of business operation in a foreign country as it operates in its home country. For example, Toyota assembles cars in both the United States and China.

What is direct equity investment example? ›

There are direct investments such as investments into stocks/shares, investments in equity mutual funds, arbitrage schemes and private equity investments such as real estate funds.

What are the types of investment with examples? ›

Different Types of Investments
  • Mutual fund Investment. ...
  • Stocks. ...
  • Bonds. ...
  • Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) ...
  • Fixed deposits. ...
  • Retirement planning. ...
  • Cash and cash equivalents. ...
  • Real estate Investment.

What are the 6 types of investments? ›

Here are six types of investments you might consider for long-term growth, and what you should know about each.
  • Stocks. A stock is an investment in a specific company. ...
  • Bonds. A bond is a loan you make to a company or government. ...
  • Mutual funds. ...
  • Index funds. ...
  • Exchange-traded funds. ...
  • Options.

What are the five types of investing? ›

There are various types of investments: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, index funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and options.

What is an example of an indirect investment? ›

Unlike direct investments, which investors own themselves, indirect investments are made in vehicles that pool investor money to buy and sell assets. Examples of indirect investments include hedge funds, mutual funds, and unit trusts.

What is direct investment income? ›

It consists of the direct investors' share in the earnings of the affiliates, plus net interest on intercompany debt.

Are stocks a direct or indirect investment? ›

Stock market investment is a direct investment option open to investors. According to the tax and investment experts both are market-linked investment options but in the stock market, investors need to choose the stock they want to invest in themselves and then invest directly.

Is mutual fund a direct investment? ›

One may invest in mutual funds DIRECTLY i.e., without involving or routing the investment through any distributor/agent in a 'Direct Plan'. OR one may choose to invest in mutual funds with the help of a Mutual Fund distributor/agent in what is termed as a 'Regular Plan'.

What is direct investment in financial account? ›

Direct investment is a category of cross-border investment associated with a resident in one economy having control or a significant degree of influence on the management of an enterprise that is resident in another economy.

What is direct investment in simple terms? ›

Direct investment, or foreign direct investment, is designed to acquire a controlling interest in an enterprise. Direct investment provides capital funding in exchange for an equity interest without the purchase of regular shares of a company's stock.

What are examples of direct investment vehicles? ›

Examples of direct investments include stocks, bonds, or rental real estate. Direct investments do not have a professional portfolio management team selecting the investments for the investor. Instead, the investor has complete control over which assets or securities to purchase.

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