downside risk


Downside risk

Risk includes the chance that a security increases or decreases in value unexpectedly. However, most people are concerned with the chance of an unexpected decline - which is known as downside risk.

Downside

In technical analysis and fundamental analysis, an estimate of the potential percentage or dollar amount by which a security may fall in the near-term. There are various methodologies used to determine an upside. For example, an analyst may look at recent trends on a bank stock and believe that it has the potential to fall in value by 15% in the next few weeks. This might be an indication for investors to sell the stock. Downside is also known as downside risk. See also: Upside Potential.

downside risk

The potential losses that may occur if a particular investment position is taken. For example, the downside risk from holding Treasury bills is quite small. Compare upside potential.

downside risk

the risk of experiencing losses associated with an investment project and the magnitude of these losses. Managers' attitudes towards UNCERTAINTY will influence their assessment of the desirability of a project which has substantial downside risk.