Question 3
Diversification is a technique that reduces risk by allocating investments among various financial instruments, industries and other categories. It aims to maximize return by investing in different areas that would each react differently to the same event. Although it does not guarantee against loss, diversification is the most important component of reaching long-range financial goals while minimizing risk. When investing, you will confront two main types of risk which are systematic risk and unsystematic risk. Only the unsystematic risk can be diversified.
Let's say you have a portfolio of only airline stocks. If it is publicly announced that airline pilots are going on an indefinite strike, and that all flights are canceled, share prices of airline stocks will drop. Your portfolio will experience a noticeable drop in value. If, however, you counterbalanced the airline industry stocks with a couple of railway stocks, only part of your portfolio would be affected. In fact, there is a good chance that the railway stock prices would climb, as passengers turn to trains as an alternative form of transportation.
But, you could