What Is Stand Alone Risk?

What Is Stand Alone Risk?

By Charles Joseph | Editor, Financial Affairs
Reviewed by Corey Michael | Senior Financial Analyst

Stand alone risk is a type of risk that is associated with a single asset or investment, independent of any other assets within a portfolio. It measures the risk of an individual investment by itself, without considering the effect that other investments might have on it. It’s often used when deciding whether to make a single investment. This can be a helpful tool for investors as it enables them to assess the potential downside of a singular investment, ignoring the diversification benefits that could come from adding other investments to their portfolio.

Related Questions

1. What is systematic risk and how does it differ from stand alone risk?

Systematic risk, also known as market risk, refers to the risk that affects all industries and companies within the market. Unlike stand alone risk, which deals with the risks specifically associated with one investment, systematic risk cannot be eliminated or reduced through diversification.

2. What is the role of stand alone risk in portfolio construction?

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When constructing a portfolio, understanding the stand alone risk of individual investments can help investors optimize their portfolio for maximum return and minimum risk. If a particular asset carries high stand alone risk, an investor may decide to pair it with other assets that have low stand alone risks, effectively creating a more balanced and diversified portfolio.

3. Are stand alone risks always bad for investors?

Not necessarily. Stand alone risks can offer investment options with potential for significant returns. However, they can also carry substantial risk. It’s a personal risk tolerance decision for each investor.

4. Can Stand Alone risk be eliminated completely?

No, stand alone risk cannot be eliminated completely because it is always present. However, it can be managed through diversification and thorough research before making an investment decision.

5. What’s a practical example of stand alone risk?

Let’s say you’ve invested all your money in the stock of a single company. That would be a stand alone risk because the return on your investment relies solely on the performance of that one company. If that particular company does poorly, your investment could significantly decrease in value.



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