In 2003 a young MBA joined a big bank…..and when he joined there was a big cabin which was kept vacant. When he asked he was told ‘Mr. Risk’ sits there, he has gone on leave. The whole of 2003 that cabin remained unoccupied. So our hero did not see Mr. Risk for the whole […]
Investors face all kinds of risks in the financial markets. There is credit risk – the risk that a borrower will default on an obligation. Liquidity risk – the possibility that you will not be able to convert a security into cash when you need the money. Market risk – the likelihood that the share […]
Risk in mutual fund investing comes from: a) not knowing what you are buying b) not understanding standard deviation of the instrument c) not understanding that the past performance is completely useless for knowing what will happen in the future. Let us take just one ‘type’ of fund: The Gilt Fund. All asset management companies […]
Many people confuse risk with volatility. Volatility is not risk. It is like saying that the sea having waves is risky. If you build a ship and sell it saying ‘this ship will sail well when there are no waves’ – sounds like a joke, right? This is so bad that ‘Risk adjusted return’ is […]
You bought a policy in 2007 for a sum assured of Rs. 25 lakhs. You have paid premia for 2007, 8, 9, and 2010 by cheque. You paid the premium for 2011 by cash. Great, the policy is in force. In Jan 2012 you die. The family sees the policy and calls the agent. […]
The problem with risk is it is generally not visible. In most cases we wish to avoid it by PRETENDING that it is not there, or ignoring our inner voice which keeps telling us that there is risk. The worst thing is Risk is counter intuitive. Let me explain. In 2007 end and perhaps the […]
Here are some axioms, sayings, postulates, ….which people use (well almost indiscriminately) ..let us see if we really do understand what it means? 1. Mutual funds are professionally managed. 2. This company is professionally managed. 3. You cannot look into the rear-view mirror and drive. 4. To spread the risk, it makes sense to diversify […]