Portfolio risk definition (2024)

Portfolio risk is a chance that the combination of assets or units, within the investments that you own, fail to meet financial objectives. Each investment within a portfolio carries its own risk, with higher potential return typically meaning higher risk.

In theory, portfolio risk can be eliminated by successful diversification: holding combinations of investments that do not depend on the same circ*mstances to return a profit. In reality, though, it is more probable that risks will be minimised and not eliminated entirely.

Portfolio risk is just one of the risks that traders should be wary of. Most risks apply to individual investments, but it is also important to ensure that your portfolio as a whole doesn’t end up working against you.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - Y

See all glossary trading terms

Portfolio risk definition (2024)

FAQs

Portfolio risk definition? ›

What Is a Portfolio Risk? Portfolio risk is a term used to describe the potential loss of value or decline in the performance of an investment portfolio due to various factors, including market volatility, credit defaults, interest rate changes, and currency fluctuations.

What is portfolio at risk? ›

The loan portfolio at risk is defined as the value of the outstanding balance of all loans in arrears (principal). The Loan Portfolio at Risk is generally expressed as a percentage rate of the total loan portfolio currently outstanding. Total outstanding balance of overdue loans.

What is an example of a portfolio risk? ›

What is a portfolio risk example? An example of portfolio risk is inflation. If an economy experiences high inflation rates, the prices of securities in a portfolio may change as a result.

What is portfolio risk and how it is measured? ›

The portfolio risk is also measured by taking the Standard Deviation of variance of actual returns of that portfolio over time. The variability of returns is proportional to the portfolio's risk. This risk can be measured by calculating the Standard Deviation of this variability.

What is the meaning of portfolio risk level? ›

Portfolio Risk refers to the likelihood of investors having losses due to factors affecting the overall performance of multiple investments. It's a potent risk for any investor to possibly getting lower returns than expected.

Why is portfolio risk important? ›

A project portfolio includes all of the various projects a team or company is involved in. Managing portfolio risk helps organizations understand their strengths and weaknesses and to mitigate risk over time.

What is the best measure of portfolio risk? ›

The Sharpe ratio is useful in examining risk and return, because although an investment may earn higher returns than its peers, it is only a good investment if those higher returns do not come with too much additional risk. The higher a portfolio's Sharpe ratio, the better its risk-adjusted performance has been.

What type of risk is a portfolio risk? ›

Portfolio risk is a term used to describe the potential loss of value or decline in the performance of an investment portfolio due to various factors, including market volatility, credit defaults, interest rate changes, and currency fluctuations.

What happens to portfolio risk? ›

The risk of a two-asset portfolio is dependent on the proportions of each asset, their standard deviations and the correlation (or covariance) between the assets' returns. As the number of assets in a portfolio increases, the correlation among asset risks becomes a more important determinate of portfolio risk.

What makes a portfolio high risk? ›

A high-risk investment is one for which there is either a large percentage chance of loss of capital or under-performance—or a relatively high chance of a devastating loss.

How do you manage portfolio risk? ›

The process of diversification, spreading your money among several different investments and investment classes, is used specifically to help manage market risk in a portfolio. Because they invest in many different securities, mutual funds can be ideal ways to diversify.

How do you monitor portfolio risk? ›

Portfolio structure, including asset allocation and security-specific characteristics, are key in determining and managing risk. Common measures of risk include standard deviation, beta, tracking error, and drawdowns.

What is one of the techniques used to analyze portfolio risk? ›

The most popular risk measure is standard deviation, which illustrates a portfolio's volatility over a certain period. There are some cases in which higher volatility is desired to potentially achieve higher returns.

What is minimum portfolio risk? ›

The minimum risk portfolio refers to the diversification of the portfolios that include individual assets, which are risky and can be hedged when trading is done together. It helps in lowering the risk from the expected return. It is also called the minimum variance portfolio.

What is the difference between portfolio risk and stand-alone risk? ›

Stand-alone risk is the probability of loss associated with a single asset and the undiversified risk in a single asset held by an investor. Risk in a portfolio context is the probability of loss associated with a group of different assets taken together. Portfolio risk is usually low, since it is diversified.

How do you manage portfolio at risk? ›

Hence, we bring you the top 7 strategies to manage your portfolio risk:
  1. Develop a Plan for Maximum Potential Loss.
  2. Focus on smart Asset Allocation.
  3. Ensure you have a margin of safety.
  4. Stay away from Portfolio Volatility.
  5. Prioritize Liquidity.
  6. Refrain from Emotional Thinking.
  7. Analyze your timelines.
Dec 5, 2023

How do you calculate portfolio at risk 30? ›

The PAR30 ratio is calculated by dividing the outstanding balance of all loans with arrears over 30 days by the outstanding gross loan portfolio. The performance of banks can be affected both directly and indirectly by exchange rate volatility (Keshtgar et al., 2020).

What is portfolio in risk and return? ›

Portfolio return refers to the gain or loss realized by an investment portfolio containing several types of investments. Portfolios aim to deliver returns based on the stated objectives of the investment strategy, as well as the risk tolerance of the type of investors targeted by the portfolio.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 6185

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.