Investment Strategies & Portfolio Management Flashcards

What is diversification in portfolio management?

Answer: Spreading investments to reduce risk

Diversification is a strategy that involves investing in a variety of assets across different asset classes, industries, and geographies. The goal is to reduce overall portfolio risk by ensuring that a poor performance in one investment does not severely impact the entire portfolio. It helps smooth out returns over time, as different assets may perform well at different times.

Which strategy is typically used for long-term investment growth?

Answer: Buy and hold

The 'buy and hold' strategy involves purchasing investments, such as stocks or funds, and holding them for an extended period, often many years, regardless of short-term market fluctuations. This approach aims to benefit from long-term market growth and compounding returns, typically minimizing transaction costs and emotional decision-making. It is a common strategy for long-term wealth accumulation.

What is the primary goal of asset allocation?

Answer: Balance risk and return

The primary goal of asset allocation is to create a diversified investment portfolio that balances an investor's desired level of risk with their return objectives. It involves strategically distributing investments among different asset classes like stocks, bonds, and cash, based on the investor's time horizon, risk tolerance, and financial goals. This helps optimize the portfolio's performance while managing exposure to risk.

What does a high beta value indicate about a stock?

Answer: It is more volatile than the market

Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, or systematic risk, in relation to the overall market. A beta value greater than 1.0 indicates that the stock is more volatile than the market, meaning it tends to move more dramatically up or down than the market average. Investors use beta to understand how much a stock's price is expected to fluctuate compared to the broader market.

Which of the following is considered a defensive investment?

Answer: Utilities

Defensive investments are typically less sensitive to economic cycles and tend to perform relatively consistently during market downturns. Utilities, such as electricity or water companies, are considered defensive because demand for their services remains relatively stable regardless of economic conditions. They often provide steady dividends and are less volatile than growth stocks, offering stability to a portfolio.

What does rebalancing a portfolio involve?

Answer: Adjusting asset allocations

Rebalancing a portfolio involves periodically adjusting the asset allocation back to its original target percentages. Over time, market fluctuations can cause certain asset classes to grow or shrink, shifting the portfolio away from its desired risk/return profile. Rebalancing ensures the portfolio remains aligned with the investor's long-term goals and risk tolerance, preventing it from becoming too risky or too conservative.