INVESTING · 6 MIN READ
Risk and Return Explained
Understand the trade-offs behind potential rewards.
Quick answer
Risk and return describe the relationship between possible investment gains and the uncertainty of those gains.
Real-world example
A savings account and a startup investment can offer very different potential returns and levels of uncertainty.
Risk analyst's mindset
Higher possible returns do not guarantee that taking more risk will pay off.
Questions to ask yourself
- What is my goal and what assumptions am I making?
- What could go wrong, and how severe might the consequences be?
- Which options could reduce my exposure without creating bigger problems?
Put the idea into practice
Reading is only the beginning. Explore an interactive tool to see how your decisions can affect a simulated outcome.
Explore Risk LabEducational content only. Examples are simplified for learning and do not constitute personalized financial advice.