key concepts

  • Pure risk: a risk that results in an economic loss, like car repairs or appliance replacements
  • Inflation risk: prices increase over time
    • Usually around 2–3% a year
    • Consumer price index (CPI): can use to measure inflation
  • Business risk: possibility that company is forced to close
  • Interest rate risk: general interest rates will increase, reducing value of most investments
  • Liquidity risk: cannot sell something because of weak market
  • Systematic risk: risk associated with economic environment in general
  • Unsystematic risk: risk that can be reduced through diversification
  • Marketability risk: the ability to sell your asset relatively quickly and receive cash in a timely manner

notes

  • Rules
    • Higher expected returns are associated with greater financial risks
    • Financial risk increases as asset liquidity risk increases
    • Financial risk increases as marketability risk increases
  • Invest so rate of return is greater than rate of inflation