What Are High Beta Stocks? (Meaning, Examples, And More)

January 10, 2023

What Are High Beta Stocks? (Meaning, Examples, And More)

High beta stocks, also known as volatile stocks, are those that have a beta of greater than 1, indicating that they are more volatile than the overall market. These stocks are considered to be riskier than the market average, but also have the potential for higher returns.

In this article, we will take a closer look at high beta stocks, exploring their characteristics, risks, and potential benefits. We will also discuss the importance of using beta in conjunction with other analysis tools, such as fundamental analysis and technical analysis, to make informed investment decisions.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or new to the stock market, this article will provide you with a better understanding of high beta stocks and how to approach investing in them.

What Are High Beta Stocks?

In finance, beta is a measure of a stock's volatility in relation to the overall market. A beta of 1 indicates that the stock's price will move with the market, while a beta less than 1 means it is less volatile than the market, and a beta greater than 1 indicates greater volatility.

A stock with a beta greater than 1 is considered a high beta stock. These stocks are generally considered to be more risky, but also have the potential for higher returns. Because of the higher risk, high beta stocks are generally more suited for investors who have a higher tolerance for risk.

However, it is worth to note that Beta is not the only factor to decide the risk and return of a stock, it does not take into account the intrinsic value or company strength which are also important factor. As such, beta should not be used as the sole measure of a stock's risk. It should be used in conjunction with other analysis tools such as fundamental analysis and technical analysis.

Additionally, Beta is a relative metric and it changes over time, it also affected by the overall market conditions.

Examples Of High Beta Stocks?

Beta changes over time and it also affected by the overall market conditions. Also, it's worth noting that Beta is not the only factor to decide the risk and return of a stock, it does not take into account the intrinsic value or company strength which are also important factor.

As such, beta should not be used as the sole measure of a stock's risk. It should be used in conjunction with other analysis tools such as fundamental analysis and technical analysis.

Additionally, you can find a comprehensive list of high beta stocks by searching for them online or using a stock screener to filter for stocks with a beta greater than 1. Keep in mind, you should do your own research and due diligence before making any investment decisions, and always consult with a financial advisor.

Stock Ticker Beta
Tesla TSLA 1.57
Baidu BIDU 2.04
NVIDIA NVDA 1.54
AMD AMD 2.24
Netflix NFLX 1.57
Amazon AMZN 1.29
Facebook FB 1.34

Examples of high beta stocks in India (2021 Data):

Company Name Ticker Symbol Beta
Reliance Industries RELIANCE 1.55
Bajaj Finance Ltd BAJFINANCE 1.38
HDFC Bank Ltd HDFCBANK 1.37
Tata Motors Ltd TATAMOTORS 1.32
Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd KOTAKBANK 1.31

How Do I Calculate High Beta Stocks?


The beta of a stock can be calculated by dividing the stock's volatility by the market's volatility. Volatility is a measure of how much the price of a stock fluctuates over time. The market's volatility is typically measured by the volatility of a broad-based market index, such as the S&P 500.

Here is the formula for calculating the beta of a stock:

Beta = (Covariance of Stock Returns and Market Returns) / (Variance of Market Returns)

where:

  • Stock Returns = the percentage change in the stock's price over a certain period of time
  • Market Returns = the percentage change in the market index (such as the S&P 500) over the same period of time
  • Covariance is a statistical measure of the relationship between two variables
  • Variance is a statistical measure of the spread between numbers in a data set.

A beta greater than 1 indicates that the stock is more volatile than the market, and therefore considered a high beta stock. A beta of less than 1 indicates that the stock is less volatile than the market, and a beta of 1 indicates that the stock's volatility is the same as the market's volatility.

There are also other ways to find Beta, such as using the publicly available data from financial websites or stock research tools. Many websites and tools will provide the beta of a stock directly, so you do not need to calculate it yourself.

Additionally, it's important to note that Beta should be used as one factor in evaluating a stock; it should not be used as the sole measure of a stock's risk. It should be used in conjunction with other analysis tools such as fundamental analysis and technical analysis.

Is A Beta Of 1.5 High? (What Does A Stock Beta Of 1.5 Mean?)

A stock beta of 1.5 means that the stock is 50% more volatile than the market. This means that if the overall market (usually measured by an index like the S&P 500) goes up by 1%, this particular stock is likely to go up by 1.5%. Similarly, if the market goes down by 1%, the stock is likely to go down by 1.5%.

A beta of 1.5 is considered to be a high beta stock. This is because a beta greater than 1 indicates that the stock is more volatile than the market, and therefore carries a greater level of risk. High beta stocks are generally considered to be riskier than the market average, but they also have the potential for higher returns.

However, it's worth noting that Beta is not the only factor to decide the risk and return of a stock, it does not take into account the intrinsic value or company strength which are also important factor. As such, beta should not be used as the sole measure of a stock's risk. It should be used in conjunction with other analysis tools such as fundamental analysis and technical analysis.

Additionally, Beta is a relative metric, it is affected by the overall market conditions, as such it may change over time.

Is A Higher Beta Better For Stocks?

A higher beta generally indicates that a stock is more volatile than the market, and therefore carries a greater level of risk. This can also indicate that the stock has the potential for higher returns.

However, whether a higher beta is better for a stock depends on an investor's risk tolerance and investment strategy. Investors who have a higher tolerance for risk and are seeking higher returns may find high beta stocks more attractive. On the other hand, investors who have a lower tolerance for risk and are seeking more stable investments may prefer stocks with lower betas.

It's worth noting that high beta stocks tend to be more sensitive to market fluctuations, thus when the overall market is doing well, high beta stocks will tend to perform better, but when the overall market is in a bearish condition, high beta stocks will tend to perform worse than low beta stocks.

Additionally, It's important to note that Beta is not the only factor to decide the risk and return of a stock, it does not take into account the intrinsic value or company strength which are also important factor. As such, beta should not be used as the sole measure of a stock's risk. It should be used in conjunction with other analysis tools such as fundamental analysis and technical analysis. Additionally, Beta is a relative metric, it is affected by the overall market conditions, as such it may change over time.

In summary, whether a higher beta is better for a stock depends on an investor's risk tolerance, investment strategy and overall market conditions, and should not be used as the sole measure for a stock's risk.

What Is A Good Beta Ratio For A Stock?

There is no single "good" beta ratio for a stock, as it depends on an investor's risk tolerance, investment goals, and overall market conditions.

A beta of 1 indicates that a stock's volatility is in line with the overall market. This can be seen as a neutral or average level of risk. Stocks with betas less than 1 are generally considered less risky than the market, while stocks with betas greater than 1 are generally considered more risky.

For investors who are seeking lower-risk investments, a beta close to 1 may be considered "good." For investors who have a higher tolerance for risk and are seeking higher returns, a beta greater than 1 may be considered "good."

In summary, what is considered a "good" beta ratio for a stock will depend on an investor's risk tolerance, investment goals, and overall market conditions, and it should be used as one factor among others in evaluating a stock.

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