Risk Premium

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Definition of 'Risk Premium'

A risk premium is the additional return that an investor demands for investing in a risky asset over a risk-free asset. The risk premium is compensation for the risk of the investment. The higher the risk, the higher the risk premium.

There are many different types of risk premiums. Some of the most common include:

* Market risk premium: This is the difference between the return on a market index, such as the S&P 500, and the return on a risk-free asset, such as a U.S. Treasury bond.
* Company-specific risk premium: This is the difference between the return on a particular stock and the return on the market index.
* Industry risk premium: This is the difference between the return on a particular industry and the return on the market index.
* Country risk premium: This is the difference between the return on a security in a particular country and the return on a security in a developed country, such as the United States.

The risk premium is an important concept in finance because it helps investors understand the trade-off between risk and return. By understanding the risk premium, investors can make informed decisions about which investments to make.

The risk premium is calculated by subtracting the risk-free rate of return from the expected return of the risky asset. For example, if the risk-free rate is 2% and the expected return of a stock is 10%, then the risk premium is 8%.

The risk premium is an important concept in finance because it helps investors understand the trade-off between risk and return. By understanding the risk premium, investors can make informed decisions about which investments to make.

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