Explain the various types of risk in investing in mutual fund.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:08 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Mutual Funds do not provide assured returns as they invest in shares, debentures, and bonds, all of which carry risk. The main types of risk are:
- Market Risk: If overall stock or bond markets fall due to economic factors, the value of the fund's portfolio drops, affecting performance.
- Non-Market Risk: Bad news about an individual company pulls down its stock price, negatively affecting fund holdings. Diversification helps reduce this risk.
- Interest Rate Risk: Bond prices and interest rates move in opposite directions. When interest rates rise, bond prices fall, affecting the fund negatively.
- Credit Risk: When funds invest in corporate bonds, the company may default on interest/principal payments, causing the bond value and NAV of the fund to fall.
Source: Chapter 7 — Are there any risks involved in investing in Mutual Funds?
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Explanation
- This is a standard 4-mark question; examiners expect all four types of risks named and briefly explained — one point per mark.
- Always include the introductory line that mutual funds do not guarantee returns — it sets context and shows understanding.
- Avoid mixing up benefits with risks; keep each point crisp (1–2 lines each).
- Mentioning that diversification reduces non-market risk is a value-add detail that examiners appreciate.