Risk on financial investment refers to the possibility that the actual return on an investment will be different from the expected return — usually meaning the chance of losing some or all of the original investment.
In simple terms:
It is the uncertainty involved in investing your money, because the outcome is not guaranteed.
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Types of Financial Investment Risks:
1. Market Risk: The risk of losses due to changes in overall market conditions (e.g., stock market crashes).
2. Credit Risk: The risk that a borrower or issuer (like a bond issuer) will default on their payments.
3. Interest Rate Risk: The risk of investment value changing due to fluctuations in interest rates.
4. Inflation Risk: The risk that inflation will reduce the purchasing power of your returns.
5. Liquidity Risk: The risk of not being able to sell your investment quickly without losing value.
6. Currency Risk: For international investments, the risk that currency exchange rates will impact returns.
7. Political/Regulatory Risk: The risk that political decisions or new laws will negatively affect investment returns.
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Example:
If you invest in the stock of a company, and the economy worsens or the company performs poorly, the stock price may fall — resulting in a loss. That loss represents the risk of your investment.
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Why Risk Matters:
Higher potential returns usually come with higher risk. Understanding risk helps investors:
Choose suitable investments.
Balance risk and return.
Diversify their portfolio to reduce total risk.
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