90/10 Strategy

Dictionary Says

Definition of '90/10 Strategy'

An investing strategy that involves deploying 90% of one's investment capital in interest-bearing instruments that have a lower degree of risk, and the balance 10% in high-risk investments. This is a relatively conservative investment strategy that aims to generate higher yields on the overall portfolio. Potential losses will typically be limited to the 10% that is invested in the high-risk investments, depending on the quality of bonds purchased.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains '90/10 Strategy'

A common application of the 90/10 strategy involves the use of short-term Treasury Bills for the fixed-income component (90% of the portfolio), with the balance 10% used for higher risk securities such as equity or index options or warrants.

For example, assume an investor with a $100,000 portfolio uses the 90/10 strategy. He or she invests $90,000 in one-year Treasury Bills that yield 4% per annum, with the balance $10,000 deployed in equity in the S&P 500. If the S&P 500 returns 10% at the end of one year, the overall return on the portfolio would be 4.6% (0.90 x 4% + 0.10 x 10%). However, if the S&P 500 declines by 10%, the overall return on the portfolio after one year would be 2.6% (0.90 x 4% + 0.10 x -10%).

Sign Up For Term of the Day!

Try Our Stock Simulator!

Test your trading skills!

Related Definitions

  1. Call Option

    An agreement ...
  2. Index Option

    A financial ...
  3. Warrant

    A derivative ...
  4. Treasury Bill - T-Bill

    A short-term ...
  5. Risk

    The chance that ...
  6. Agency Bond

    A bond issued by ...
  7. Convertible Arbitrage

    An investing ...
  8. Liquidation

    1. When a ...
  9. Canada Savings Bond - CSB

    A financial ...
  10. Illiquid

    The state of a ...

Articles Of Interest

  1. Achieving Optimal Asset Allocation

    Minimizing risk while maximizing return is any investor's prime goal. The right mix of securities is the key to achieving it.
  2. How To Be A Conservative Investor

    It may not be the most exciting path to take in the investing world, but conservative investing is an extremely safe bet.
  3. 4 Steps To Building A Profitable Portfolio

    This is a step-by-step approach to determining, achieving and maintaining optimal asset allocation.
  4. Options Basics: What Are Options?

    An introduction to the world of options, covering everything from primary concepts to how options work and why you might use them.
  5. An Alternative Covered Call Options Trading Strategy

    This different approach to the covered-call write offers less risk and greater potential profit.
  6. This Is Your Brain On Stocks

    Find out how the human mind can hurt investors' portfolios.
  7. Should You Invest Your Entire Portfolio In Stocks?

    It is true that stocks outperform bonds and cash in the long run, but that statistic doesn't tell the whole story.
  8. 5 Tips For Diversifying Your Portfolio

    A diversified portfolio will protect you in a tough market. Get some solid tips here!
  9. 5 Popular Portfolio Types

    Learning how to build these portfolios will increase your investing confidence and give you financial control.
  10. How To Invest When You're Deep In Debt

    Debt is one of the biggest obstacles that prevents people from investing - but it shouldn't be.

comments powered by Disqus
Recommended
Loading, please wait...
Trading Center