Risk

1.

In the corporate finance context, risk refers to the degree to which future returns may vary.

Risk is often measured by the standard deviation of forecast returns.

It is often estimated by the standard deviation of historic returns, though this process is inherently error-prone when used for forecasting or for risk management purposes.

2.

In the Capital Asset Pricing Model, relevant risk is measured by beta.

3.

In a more general sense, risk refers to the unknown (or unknowable) nature of future outcomes involving, for example, market prices or market rates.

4.

The possibility of adverse effects resulting from:

- Changes in market prices or rates, or

- Changes in other general conditions in the market, or

- Other economic factors specific to the business or other organisation (such as the failure of a key supplier).

5.

The possibility of an event occurring that will have an impact on the achievement of objectives.

This includes both the upside opportunity and the downside hazard which could either move us towards or drive us away from achieving our objectives.

Risk in this context is measured both in terms of (1) its impact and (2) its likelihood.

Treasury's role in risk management

No organisation can eliminate all risk, so risk has to be managed effectively. This is best done through a risk-aware culture.

Generally, treasury is about managing risk rather than taking risks.

Many risks should be managed. Risk management is a key activity of the treasury function.

See also

• Alienation of assets
• Beta
• Black swan
• Capital asset pricing model
• Capital risk
• Commercial credit risk
• Commodity risk
• Counterparty risk
• Delivery risk
• Downside risk
• Effective annual rate
• Financial market risk
• Financial market price risk
• Insurance
• Legal risk
• Market risk
• Market price risk
• Model risk
• Regulatory risk
• Return
• Risk averse
• Risk management
• Guide to risk management
• Standard deviation
• Tax risk
• Transfer risk