Risk Perception of Women Investors in Kerala – A Study Conducted in Hedge Equities Ltd.

Abstract

Deciding what amount of risk one can take while remaining comfortable with the investments is very important. Risk is the chance that an investment's actual return will be different than expected. This research is unique in that it investigates the changing risk perception of women investors. Such a study in Indian context is very limited. Researcher identified the gap of absence of such studies conducted in 'Kerala' context. Further the study has also taken care of demographic variables while analyzing the results. Present study is expected to assist various market participants while dealing with women investors. The results of the study suggests that women investors in Kerala are more risk averse (more cautious about risk) and they prefer investing in avenues with very less or minimal risk exposure. Lack of financial knowledge about the new investment avenues available was a serious problem faced by women respondents. Majority of them were still dependent on the conventional investment options like bank deposits, pension funds and to some extend in mutual funds.

Keywords: Women Investors, Risk Perception, Capital Market, Kerala Investors

JEL Classification: G00, G02