What is the riskiest asset class?

Asked by: Angelita Tillman  |  Last update: October 11, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (15 votes)

Equities are generally considered the riskiest class of assets.

What is the riskiest type of investment?

The 10 Riskiest Investments
  • Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling. ...
  • Limited Partnerships. ...
  • Penny Stocks. ...
  • Alternative Investments. ...
  • High-Yield Bonds. ...
  • Leveraged ETFs. ...
  • Emerging and Frontier Markets. ...
  • IPOs. Although many initial public offerings can seem promising, they sometimes fail to deliver what they promise.

Which assets have the highest risk factor?

Stocks and equities are high-risk investments with significant growth potential.

What is the most volatile asset class?

Typically, energies are the most volatile commodities, while agriculturals tend to experience less dramatic price swings.

Which asset class has the lowest risk?

Each asset has its own risk/reward profile. While cash is considered to carry the least risk, it also has the lowest return potential. Conversely, equities and alternatives may carry greater risk but also offer higher return potential.

Asset Classes By Risk Category

28 related questions found

Which asset is riskiest of all?

Equities are generally considered the riskiest class of assets. Dividends aside, they offer no guarantees, and investors' money is subject to the successes and failures of private businesses in a fiercely competitive marketplace. Equity investing involves buying stock in a private company or group of companies.

What is the highest risk class?

Class I includes devices with the lowest risk and Class III includes those with the greatest risk.

What are the three main asset classes and which is the riskiest?

Equity assets: Compared to fixed-income and cash assets, equity assets are riskier but also offer high potential returns over time. Fixed-income assets: Compared to equity assets, fixed-income assets offer lower risk and lower return, but they have a higher risk-and-potential return profile than cash assets.

What is the most stable asset class?

Key Takeaways
  • Understanding risk, including the risks involved in investing in the major asset classes, is important research for any investor.
  • Generally, CDs, savings accounts, cash, U.S. Savings Bonds and U.S. Treasury bills are the safest options, but they also offer the least in terms of profits.

What is the safest asset to own?

The Bottom Line

Safe assets such as U.S. Treasury securities, high-yield savings accounts, money market funds, and certain types of bonds and annuities offer a lower risk investment option for those prioritizing capital preservation and steady, albeit generally lower, returns.

Which asset class has the lowest volatility?

Cash and cash equivalents represent actual cash on hand and securities that are similar to cash. This type of investment is considered very low risk since there is little to no chance of losing your money. That peace of mind means the returns are also lower than other asset classes.

What are the asset classes in order of risk?

They're listed generally in order of least to most risk.
  • Cash and cash equivalents. Many investors hold cash as a way of maintaining liquid assets or simply providing safety and comfort in volatile times. ...
  • Fixed-income securities. ...
  • Real assets. ...
  • Equities.

What are toxic investments?

Understanding Toxic Assets

Financial instruments or investments that have significantly declined in value and are considered highly risky or illiquid. These assets often result from poor underwriting standards, excessive leverage, or market downturns, leading to substantial losses for the entities holding them.

Which portfolio is riskier?

Riskier assets are those that have high returns but also high volatility and uncertainty. Examples are individual growth stocks, emerging market funds, cryptocurrency, or options.

What is the most volatile commodity?

Energy Commodities: Crude Oil and Natural Gas

Among the most volatile commodities, energy sources like crude oil and natural gas stand out. Their prices can be highly sensitive to geopolitical events, changes in regulatory policies, technological advancements, and shifts in supply and demand.

What is the fastest rising stock in history?

Amazon (AMZN)
  • Initial Share Price: $1.51.
  • Lowest Price: $1.31.
  • Peak Price: $3,773.08.
  • Stock Returns Increase from Low to High: 287,472.76%
  • Highest Day Return 1st September 1998: 33.27%

What is the most profitable asset class?

Large-Cap equities were the top-performing asset class, but strength was concentrated.
  • The S&P 500 crushed it in 2024—the index of Large-Cap stocks was up more than 25 percent. ...
  • Even year-to-year periods can bring big changes. ...
  • S&P 500 performance wasn't as strong as it looks.

What is the best retirement portfolio for a 60 year old?

At age 60–69, consider a moderate portfolio (60% stock, 35% bonds, 5% cash/cash investments); 70–79, moderately conservative (40% stock, 50% bonds, 10% cash/cash investments); 80 and above, conservative (20% stock, 50% bonds, 30% cash/cash investments).

What is the 70 30 investment strategy?

This investment strategy seeks total return through exposure to a diversified portfolio of primarily equity, and to a lesser extent, fixed income asset classes with a target allocation of 70% equities and 30% fixed income.

What size asset class tends to have the highest risk and highest return?

Small cap stocks have higher expected long-term returns relative to other asset classes to compensate for the higher risk associated with them.

What are the top 5 risk categories?

Common Risk Categories in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
  • Strategic Risks. These are risks that arise from an organization's business strategy and objectives. ...
  • Operational Risks. These are risks that arise from an organization's day-to-day activities and processes. ...
  • Financial Risks. ...
  • Legal/Compliance Risks. ...
  • Reputational Risks.

What is the preferred risk class?

The preferred risk is favored by insurers. These are individuals who offer a lower risk for the insurer than a standard risk and are rewarded with generally lower premium rates. High personal characteristics contribute to a preferred risk rating such as nonsmoking and overall good health.