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Mind the Gap: Inconsistencies Between Subjective and Objective Financial Risk Tolerance

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  • Nicoletta Marinelli
  • Camilla Mazzoli
  • Fabrizio Palmucci

Abstract

Investors' financial risk tolerance is crucial in the formulation of suitable financial advice; in the past, assessment efforts relied on multiple approaches and techniques, but their consistency is still an issue. The authors focus on 2 metrics traditionally proposed (self-assessment and portfolio composition) and test their mutual consistency on a sample of 2,374 investors. The approach allows them to discriminate between inconsistencies due to wrong portfolio compositions and those arising from wrong self-assessments. The authors show that low financial literacy, high income, no children, and incautious economic behavior are commonly associated with such inconsistencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicoletta Marinelli & Camilla Mazzoli & Fabrizio Palmucci, 2017. "Mind the Gap: Inconsistencies Between Subjective and Objective Financial Risk Tolerance," Journal of Behavioral Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(2), pages 219-230, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:hbhfxx:v:18:y:2017:i:2:p:219-230
    DOI: 10.1080/15427560.2017.1308944
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    7. Katarzyna Kochaniak & Paweł Ulman, 2021. "Diversified Risky Financial Assets in Portfolios of Risk-Averse Households: What Determines Their Occurrence?," Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics, in: Krzysztof Jajuga & Hermann Locarek-Junge & Lucjan T. Orlowski & Karsten Staehr (ed.), Contemporary Trends and Challenges in Finance, pages 229-240, Springer.

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