Why Is Risk Management An Essential Part Of Investment
Risk means uncertainty, and the possibility of an adverse event. In the investment world, it might be defined as the chance of an investment losing its value. It is important to understand the different types of risks so that you can manage them effectively.
Mar 2022
3 mins read
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Depending on the types of assets you invest in, you will face one or more of the following investment risks:
| Type of Investment Risk | What it means | Where it applies |
| Market Risk | Risk of market fluctuations and volatility | Market-linked investments like stocks and mutual funds |
| Credit Risk | Risk of default on debt instruments by the financial institution | Debt investments like fixed deposits, bonds etc. |
| Inflation Risk | Risk that inflation would exceed investment returns | All instruments where returns are lower than inflation |
| Interest Rate Risk | Risk of interest rate fluctuations | Fixed-income instruments like FDs, bonds etc. |
| Exchange Rate Risk | Risk of fluctuation in the exchange rate of currencies | Foreign exchange trading |
| Liquidity Risk | Risk of not being able to convert your investments to liquid funds when needed | Real estate |
How to manage risk
Investment planning and risk management go hand in hand. There is no zero-risk investment option. Even when investing in fixed-income securities, you cannot avoid certain investment risks, but you can still manage them. Here’s how –
1. Risk identification and assessment
First, identify the risks inherent in different investment avenues. Next, assess your risk appetite, i.e. your capacity to handle investment risks. Your risk appetite usually depends on your:
- Age
- Financial goals
- Investment objective
- Investment horizon
- Disposable income
- Overall attitude towards risks
Once you know your risk appetite, you can pick investment avenues that align with it. Here are some examples:
| Risk Appetite | Meaning | Suitable investment avenues |
| High or Aggressive | You are willing to take high investment risks to earn higher returns | Stocks, equity mutual funds, equity derivatives etc. |
| Low or Conservative | You are risk-averse and want the minimum possible risk of investment | High-quality debt instruments like bank FDs, Government securities, bonds with high credit ratings etc. |
| Moderate | You are open to a moderate amount of investment risk | A mix of equity and debt |
Diversification means holding a variety of assets in your portfolio that have a negative or low correlation (‘correlation’, in investment parlance, means how two different assets perform historically in relation to each other). There is a positive correlation if the assets move in the same direction and a negative correlation if they don’t.
For example, in a volatile market, equities may be prone to a loss, but fixed deposits could be unaffected. Thus, the correlation between equity stocks and FDs is low in this case. On the other hand, both stocks and equity mutual funds might suffer losses in a volatile market. They would, thus, be positively correlated.
Similarly, asset allocation means allocating your investments to different types of assets. If you pick negatively correlated assets, the loss from one would be offset by the gain from another, thus reducing investment risk.
3. Rupee-cost averaging
When investing in market-linked securities, timing the market is a challenging task. However, you can benefit from rupee-cost averaging through systematic investments like SIPs. It means that while your investment amount remains the same every month, the number of units you purchase vary based on market volatility. When the markets are peaking, you pick fewer units of a fund, and when the markets are bottoming out, you pick up more units.
4. Buying insurance products
Insurance is a potent risk management tool. It involves transferring your financial risks to the insurance company, and the company compensates you for the loss suffered due to the insured risk. Insurance provides financial security and helps in emergency planning. Different insurance products safeguard you from different risks – to your belongings; to your health; and to your life.
Why does risk management matter?
• It reduces risk
Through efficient risk management, you can reduce the chances of possible losses from investments and enhance the profitability of your portfolio. In fact, the whole purpose of risk management is to restrict investment risks while managing returns..
• It secures your investments
By reducing the possibility of losses, risk management helps prevent the loss of your investments during adverse events. As a result, you can withstand short-term volatility, and your portfolio becomes resilient to such events.
• It helps you maintain your lifestyle
When you safeguard your investments against possible losses, you are better positioned to increase or at least retain their true value, helping you maintain your financial position as well as your lifestyle.
• To provide financial security to your family
Risk management helps you fulfil your financial goals. Moreover, in the case of your premature demise, your family will still remain financially secure if you have invested in life insurance to manage the risk of premature death.
Risk management is one of the pillars of financial planning and is a must for a sound financial portfolio. First, assess your risk tolerance, and then, design a diversified portfolio that aligns with your risk appetite, keeping in mind the essential investment planning tips. Finally, review your investments regularly to ensure that they match your risk profile and are resilient in the face of adversity.
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PGIM India Asset Management Private Limited
(CIN - U74900MH2008FTC187029)
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Email: care@pgimindia.co.in
This is an Investor Education and Awareness Initiative by PGIM India Mutual Fund.
All the Mutual Fund investors have to go through a one-time KYC (Know Your Customers) process. Investor should deal only with the Registered Mutual Funds (RMF). For more info on KYC, RMF and procedure to lodge/redress any complaints, visit https://www.pgimindiamf.com/ieid.
MUTUAL FUND INVESTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO MARKET RISKS, READ ALL SCHEME RELATED DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY. Read more
All the Mutual Fund investors have to go through a one-time KYC (Know Your Customers) process. Investor should deal only with the Registered Mutual Funds (RMF). For more info on KYC, RMF and procedure to lodge/redress any complaints, visit https://www.pgimindiamf.com/ieid.
MUTUAL FUND INVESTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO MARKET RISKS, READ ALL SCHEME RELATED DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY. Read more
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