InsiderFlowGlossary › What is a stock's beta?

What is a stock's beta?

Beta measures how much a stock amplifies market moves: a beta of 1.5 means when the index gains 1%, the stock tends to gain 1.5%.

A beta of 1 means the stock moves like the market; above 1 it's more nervous (typical of tech and cyclicals), below 1 more defensive (utilities, consumer staples). Tesla's beta long exceeded 2; Coca-Cola's often sits below 0.6.

It's used to build portfolios: mixing high- and low-beta stocks tunes how much your portfolio dances with the market. It doesn't, however, measure company-specific risk.

Concrete example

In a 20% index crash, a portfolio with a 0.7 beta tends to lose about 14%, one with a 1.3 beta about 26%.

How you see it in InsiderFlow

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Frequently asked questions

Is a high beta bad?

No, it's a choice: it amplifies gains in rallies and losses in selloffs. It depends on your profile.

Is beta stable over time?

Not entirely: it shifts with the business and market conditions, and needs updating.

Related terms

What is volatility?What is a benchmark?What is an investment portfolio?