What does high-risk mean in investing?

Asked by: Jamar Rempel  |  Last update: March 22, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (32 votes)

A high-risk investment is therefore one where the chances of underperformance, or of some or all of the investment being lost, are higher than average. These investment opportunities often offer investors the potential for larger returns in exchange for accepting the associated level of risk.

What does it mean to be a high-risk investment?

High-risk investments may be types of investments or securities in which investors may experience significant losses, or significant gains. Generally, high-risk investments tend to be from cyclical, volatile industries, or take the form of equity in relatively new, untested companies.

Is it better to invest in high-risk or low risk?

Experts typically recommend a diversified portfolio containing a mix of low, moderate, and high-risk assets tailored to your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance. Some higher-risk assets allow for growth potential, while maintaining a core of stable investments hedges against volatility.

Does higher risk always mean higher return?

Key Takeaways

Though many investors believe they should take a high-risk approach to generate higher returns, academic research shows that's not necessarily true.

Are high-risk funds worth it?

Investors with a longer investment horizon may benefit from high-risk mutual funds as they have more time to ride out market fluctuations and benefit from compounding returns. These funds can be suitable for investors seeking growth and willing to tolerate short-term fluctuations in value.

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Do we lose money in high risk mutual funds?

Understanding high-risk mutual funds

Because of the higher risk, the returns can be potentially much higher compared to low-risk funds. However, there is also a greater chance of losing money.

How to double $2000 dollars in 24 hours?

Try Flipping Things

Another way to double your $2,000 in 24 hours is by flipping items. This method involves buying items at a lower price and selling them for a profit. You can start by looking for items that are in high demand or have a high resale value. One popular option is to start a retail arbitrage business.

What is the safest investment with the highest return?

Here are some ways investors can take less risk but still generate a decent return:
  • High-yield savings accounts.
  • Money market funds.
  • Certificates of deposit (CDs).
  • Corporate bonds.
  • Treasurys.
  • Dividend stocks.
  • Preferred shares.

How much of my portfolio should be high risk?

Most sources cite a low-risk portfolio as being made up of 15-40% equities. Medium risk ranges from 40-60%. High risk is generally from 70% upwards. In all cases, the remainder of the portfolio is made up of lower-risk asset classes such as bonds, money market funds, property funds and cash.

Can you end up owing money on stocks?

If you invest in stocks with a cash account, you will not owe money if a stock goes down in value. The value of your investment will decrease, but you will not owe money. If you buy stock using borrowed money, however, you will owe money no matter which way the stock price goes because you have to repay the loan.

What is the safest stock to invest in?

  • U Power Ltd - Ordinary Shares - Class A UCAR. Price $6.9. ...
  • Aligos Therapeutics Inc ALGS. Price $33.71. ...
  • BioHarvest Sciences Inc BHST. Price $6.1. ...
  • TSS Inc TSSI. Price $11.16. ...
  • TuHURA Biosciences Inc. HURA. ...
  • SuperCom Ltd SPCB. Price $9.74. ...
  • Cidara Therapeutics Inc CDTX. Price $24. ...
  • Forte Biosciences Inc FBRX. Price $17.78. Daily change N/A.

Where can I get a 10% return on my money?

Here's my list of the 10 best investments for a 10% ROI.
  • How to Get 10% Return on Investment: 10 Proven Ways.
  • Invest in the Private Credit Market.
  • Paying Down High-Interest Loans.
  • Stock Market Investing via Index Funds.
  • Stock Picking.
  • Junk Bonds.
  • Fine Art + Collectibles.
  • Buy an Existing Business.

At what age should you stop investing aggressively?

The 50s and 60s: Almost There

Those close to retirement may switch some of their investments from more aggressive stocks or funds to more stable, low-earning funds like bonds and money markets. Now is also the time to take note of all investments and estimate a timeline for retirement.

What's the best thing to invest in right now?

  1. 5 best investments right now. Here are five of the best investments right now, generally ordered from lowest risk to highest. ...
  2. High-yield savings accounts. Yes, the Federal Reserve has been cutting interest rates and is likely to continue to do so in 2025. ...
  3. Certificates of deposit. ...
  4. Bonds. ...
  5. Mutual funds and index funds. ...
  6. Stocks.

How to get 20 percent return on investment?

Keep It Simple:- Consider using low-cost index funds or ETFs to build your investment portfolio. These can provide diversification and potentially higher returns over the long term. Understand and Manage Risk:- While aiming for a 20% return, it's important to understand the associated risks.

Is it good to invest in high-risk stocks?

High-risk investments are not for everyone. These investments may have a high chance of loss coupled with the potential for high returns. While some high-risk investments are enticing, it may be advisable to do your homework.

How many stocks should I own with $100k?

Owning 20 to 30 stocks is generally recommended for a diversified portfolio, balancing manageability and risk mitigation. Diversification can occur both across different asset classes and within stock holdings, helping to reduce the impact of poor performance in any one investment.

How much is too much cash in savings?

How much is too much? The general rule is to have three to six months' worth of living expenses (rent, utilities, food, car payments, etc.)

Should my Roth IRA be high risk?

The answer is that IRAs in general can provide less risk exposure than, say, day trading, although there are still risks to take into consideration. A Roth IRA that's 100% invested in equities could be quite risky compared with a Roth invested in other assets (e.g. bonds or bond funds, mutual funds, and so on).

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 per month rule is designed to help you estimate the amount of savings required to generate a steady monthly income during retirement. According to this rule, for every $240,000 you save, you can withdraw $1,000 per month if you stick to a 5% annual withdrawal rate.

What is an example of a high risk investment?

While the product names and descriptions can often change, examples of high-risk investments include: Cryptoassets (also known as cryptos) Mini-bonds (sometimes called high interest return bonds) Land banking.

How to turn $4000 into $8000?

Buy $4000 worth of goods at wholesale, resell them with a 150% markup. Pay your taxes. Done. Invest some of the money in tools and supplies and provide a service.

What investment is best for beginners?

Dividend stocks can be a great choice for investors looking for passive income. View our list of high-dividend stocks, and learn how to invest in them. There are a lot of ways to invest money — high-yield savings accounts, CDs, bonds, funds and stocks are all options.

How to flip 5000 into 10,000?

10 Clever Ways To Turn $5,000 Into $10,000
  1. Invest in an index fund. Rido/Adobe. ...
  2. Sell handmade crafts. Grigoriy/Adobe. ...
  3. Buy party supplies and rent them out. wavebreak3/Adobe. ...
  4. Get a certificate. Kateryna/Adobe. ...
  5. Max out an employee-matched retirement account. ...
  6. Flip furniture. ...
  7. Start a business at home. ...
  8. Resell discounted items.