Investor Glossary-risk toleranceInsightful stock market charts - Click here

 # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z     
Term of the Day Email this Definition Link to this Definition

Risk Tolerance


In investing, risk tolerance is the willingness of an investor to tolerate risk in making investments. A high risk tolerance indicates a willingness to invest in more risky investments, and vice versa. In modern portfolio theory, higher returns are assumed to be rewarded by higher potential returns, so individual risk tolerance may limit the kind of return an investor can reasonably expect. Individual risk tolerance is based on psychological factors, such as comfort level, and other personal circumstances, such as years left until retirement (if any) and level of financial security. Financial advisors typically try to estimate their client’s risk tolerance before making an asset allocation strategy. The traditional approach is to increase the allocation to stocks as risk tolerance diminishes. In practice, risk tolerance is very difficult to quantify.

Rate this risk tolerance definition...

               


Where is the market headed? The answer may surprise you. Find out
right now with the exclusive & Barron's recommended charts of Chart of the Day.


Popular Terms: EBITDA, liquidity ratio, 401a, deferred tax, command economy, 144a, per diem, margin rate, deferred revenue, required rate of return, cancelled check, open position, stock split, ex-dividend, implied volatility, in escrow, irrevocable trust, limit order, quality assurance, risk management, 1035 exchange, Key Rate Duration, class C shares, current ratio, Zero Cost Collar, 1031 exchange, wholly-owned subsidiary, VIX, reverse mortgage, retained earnings, phantom income, option premium, minority interest, labor relations, ex-dividend date, covered put, real GDP, LIBOR, inflation, dividends payable, diluted share, debt service coverage, balance sheet, APR, equities, average price per share, FICO score, FTSE, stock market close


Home | Term of the Day | Tell a Friend | Suggest a Term | Edit Subscriber Detail
Accounting | Banking | Bonds | Brokers | Economy | Futures | Mutual Funds | Options | Real Estate | Retirement | Stocks | Taxes | Technical Analysis
©2004-2009 Investor Glossary - All rights reserved - Terms of Use