The three major risks

26 November 2009
| By Mike |
image
image image
expand image

Depression, hyperinflation and excessive leverage represent the top three risks facing investors, according to new research released by Watson Wyatt.

The research, contained in a new paper titled Extreme Risks, claimed these elements are regarded as being in the top three based on their potential impact and the likelihood they will occur.

Commenting on the paper, Watson Wyatt head of strategy research in Australia Tim Unger said events in the past two years had demonstrated that risk management could not afford to stop at the so-called 95th percentile.

"We need to find ways of factoring in very unlikely but high impact events," he said. "Being aware of risk in the extremes before they happen can protect value if built into a plan of action that can be implemented as soon as the need arises."

The paper suggested that a robust defence could be built by combining qualitative understanding, quantitative modelling and a cost-benefit analysis of possible strategies.

"By considering the possible impact of these risks in advance, rescue plans can be formulated so that they are ready to implement."

AUTHOR

Recommended for you

sub-bgsidebar subscription

Never miss the latest developments in Super Review! Anytime, Anywhere!

Grant Banner

From my perspective, 40- 50% of people are likely going to be deeply unhappy about how long they actually live. ...

1 year 6 months ago
Kevin Gorman

Super director remuneration ...

1 year 6 months ago
Anthony Asher

No doubt true, but most of it is still because over 45’s have been upgrading their houses with 30 year mortgages. Money ...

1 year 6 months ago

Large superannuation accounts may need to find funds outside their accounts or take the extreme step of selling non-liquid assets under the proposed $3 million super tax ...

3 days 2 hours ago

Economists have been left scrambling to recalibrate after the Reserve Bank wrong-footed markets on Tuesday, holding the cash rate steady despite widespread expectations o...

3 days 2 hours ago

Institutional investors have increased their risk exposure over June amid tempered levels of market volatility....

3 days 2 hours ago

TOP PERFORMING FUNDS

ACS FIXED INT - AUSTRALIA/GLOBAL BOND
Fund name
3y(%)pa
2
DomaCom DFS Mortgage
95.46 3 y p.a(%)
5