Suitability of risk assessment tools used during the portfolio recommendation process

Abstract

Orientation: Investors are overwhelmed with Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) portfolio options.

Research purpose: The study set out to assess the emerging themes considered essential and prevalent in establishing a risk profile, establishing a framework for risk assessment tools, and evaluating existing risk assessment tools used in the industry.

Motivation for the study: In 2020, newly amended legislation confirmed the importance of a risk assessment. This legislation made it mandatory and compulsory for financial planners to conduct a risk profile analysis concerning investment products in South Africa. Consequently, CIS have implemented various risk assessment tools to establish the investor risk profile.

Research approach/design and method: Documentary research methodology was employed, where secondary data were analysed qualitatively. Twelve risk assessment tools were collected, and the established framework was used to evaluate existing risk assessment tools.

Main findings: A sound theoretical framework for risk assessment tools, which is comprehensive in nature and include demographic factors, risk categorisation, and regulatory factors, was established. The results indicate that current tools used in the industry are inconsistent and do not address all the factors required to establish an investor risk profile.

Practical/managerial implications: The study is significant in that it guides the financial services industry into the elements of assessment in establishing an investor risk profile.

Contribution/value-add: A risk profile analysis is compulsory for financial planning. Financial planners and policymakers can consider the established framework to implement a standardised, comprehensive, holistic, risk assessment tool.