Skip to content

The risk of an investment is described by both the…

“The risk of an investment is described by both the probability and the potential amount of loss. The risk of an investment-the probability of an adverse outcome-is partly inherent in its very nature. A dollar spent on biotechnology research is a riskier investment than a dollar used to purchase…” quote by Seth Klarman
Download Open image
“The risk of an investment is described by both the probability and the potential amount of loss. The risk of an investment-the probability of an adverse outcome-is partly inherent in its very nature. A dollar spent on biotechnology research is a riskier investment than a dollar used to purchase utility equipment. The former has both a greater probability of loss and a greater percentage of the investment at stake.”

Seth Klarman

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Investment risk combines chance of loss and size of loss; higher stakes increase risk.

In simple terms: Risk = chance × loss size.

Key Takeaway

Assess both probability and impact.

Themes

finance risk management investment

Mood

analytical cautious

Type

financial educational

When to use this quote

  • stock picking
  • venture capital
  • R&D budgeting
  • portfolio diversification

Key Concepts

probability theory expected value

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you weigh loss size equally to chance?
  • How to balance risk across assets?
A Different Perspective

Focusing only on probability ignores potential magnitude.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Seth Klarman

Explore all 193 Seth Klarman quotes

More Adverse quotes

Browse all 190 Adverse quotes