Investopedia

Continue to Site »

Margin Of Safety

Filed Under » , , ,
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Margin Of Safety'

A principle of investing in which an investor only purchases securities when the market price is significantly below its intrinsic value. In other words, when market price is significantly below your estimation of the intrinsic value, the difference is the margin of safety. This difference allows an investment to be made with minimal downside risk. 

The term was popularized by Benjamin Graham (known as "the father of value investing") and his followers, most notably Warren Buffett. Margin of safety doesn't guarantee a successful investment, but it does provide room for error in an analyst's judgment. Determining a company's "true" worth (its intrinsic value) is highly subjective. Each investor has a different way of calculating intrinsic value which may or may not be correct. Plus, it's notoriously difficult to predict a company's earnings. Margin of safety provides a cushion against errors in calculation.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Margin Of Safety'

Margin of safety is a concept used in many areas of life, not just finance. For example, consider engineers building a bridge that must support 100 tons of traffic. Would the bridge be built to handle exactly 100 tons? Probably not. It would be much more prudent to build the bridge to handle, say, 130 tons, to ensure that the bridge will not collapse under a heavy load. The same can be done with securities. If you feel that a stock is worth $10, buying it at $7.50 will give you a margin of safety in case your analysis turns out to be incorrect and the stock is really only worth $9.

There is no universal standard to determine how wide the "margin" in margin of safety should be. Each investor must come up with his or her own methodology.

Articles Of Interest

  1.

    Using The Price-To-Book Ratio To Evaluate Companies

    The P/B ratio can be an easy way to determine a company's value, but it isn't magic!

  2. The 3 Most Timeless Investment Principles

    Benjamin Graham pioneered cutting edge concepts that propelled other top investors to fame.

  3. Take On Risk With A Margin of Safety

    More common risk theories can lead to missed opportunities. Find out how margin of safety can propel your portfolio.

  4. What Is Warren Buffett's Investing Style?

    Learn the main principles that Warren Buffet uses in assessing a company. His take on value investing may surprise you.

  5. The Intelligent Investor: Benjamin Graham

    Learn about the man who mentored Warren Buffett, who eventually became the investing "Oracle of Omaha".

  6. Stocks with high P/E ratios can be overpriced. Is a stock with a lower P/E always a better investment than a stock with a higher one?

    The short answer? No. The long answer? It depends.The price-to-earnings ratio (P/E ratio) is calculated as a stock's current share price divided by its earnings per share (EPS) for a twelve-month ...

  7. Warren Buffett: How He Does It

    We look at the Sage of Omaha's methodology for evaluating value stocks.

  8. Sell In May – Yay Or Nay?

    Seasonal timing in the market, best personified by the adage, “Sell in May – Go away,” has long been the subject of debate among investors. The question remains: Is there anything to it?

  9. What Buffett Would Say To The 50K’ers

    FOX Business Network's Liz Claman will interview Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett in an exclusive sit-down on Monday May 6th at 9:30 a.m. following the Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting. ...

  10. Build A Baby Berkshire

    Get a piece of Warren Buffett's profit by using Form 13F to coattail his picks.
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions

  1. Fool In The Shower

    The notion that changes or policies designed to alter the course of the economy should be done slowly, rather than all at once.

  2. Pattern Day Trader

    An SEC designation for traders who trade the same security four or more times per day (buys and sells) over a five-day period, and for whom same-day trades make up at least 6% of their activity for that period.

  3. Cost-Push Inflation

    A phenomenon in which the general price levels rise (inflation) due to increases in the cost of wages and raw materials.

  4. Happiness Economics

    The formal academic study of the relationship between individual satisfaction and economic issues, such as employment and wealth.

  5. Affluenza

    A social condition arising from the desire to be more wealthy, successful or to "keep up with the Joneses." Affluenza is symptomatic of a culture that holds up financial success as one of the highest achievements.

  6. Icarus Factor

    The term Icarus factor describes a situation where managers or executives initiate an overly ambitious project which then fails. Fueled by excitement for the project, the executives are unable to reign in their misguided enthusiasm before it is too late to avoid the failure.
Trading Center