Why should I choose AnalystNotes?

Simply put: AnalystNotes offers the best value and the best product available to help you pass your exams.

Basic Question 5 of 6

A risk-free asset has a return of 0.05. A risky portfolio, X, has an expected return of 0.12 and a standard deviation of 0.20. For a portfolio that is 60% X and 40% risk-free asset, the ______

I. expected return is 8.5%
II. standard deviation is 12%.
III. standard deviation is 20%.

User Contributed Comments 10

User Comment
gsuwp Isnt the standard deviation 12% because .6*20 + .4*0 = 12%
aartis Standard Deviation of Portfolio = Standard Deviation of X into wieght of X
soarer1 Can someone pls explain? Where did the 9.2% go to?
chamad a risk free asset has 0 standard deviation. So average weighted-----.6*20 + .4*0 = 12%
mariodeb The 9.2% shows the expected return
VenkatB Variance of portfolio = weight of x squared * variance of x + weight of risk free asset squared * variance of risk free asset + 2 * weight of x * weight of riskfree asset * Correlation between x and riskfree asset * sd of x * sd of riskfree asset.

Because sd of rrisk free asset = 0, variance of portfolio = = (0.60^2) * (0.20^2) + 0 + 0 = 0.0144

So sd of p = square root of (0.0144) = 0.12 = 12%
Renaud1807 Thanks VenkatB
bundy SD formula for a combinatin of risk free asset and risky asset is (1-Wrf)sd

therefore .60 X .20 = .12
michlam14 yeah calculation for E(R) is not required for this question, but I think it's a trial and error thing - we are being tested on knowing what to use for calculating E(R) and standard deviation to come at the correct answer
jonan203 the 8.5% was a wrong answer intended to through you off if you calculate 9.2% correctly
You need to log in first to add your comment.
I passed! I did not get a chance to tell you before the exam - but your site was excellent. I will definitely take it next year for Level II.
Tamara Schultz

Tamara Schultz

Learning Outcome Statements

explain the selection of an optimal portfolio, given an investor's utility (or risk aversion) and the capital allocation line

CFA® 2024 Level I Curriculum, Volume 2, Module 1.