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The weight of an asset in an investment portfolio is a representation of what percentage of the portfolio's total value is tied up in that specific asset. Calculating the weights of each asset in a portfolio is the crucial first step in assessing the portfolio's past or expected future risk as well as return. Unlike fancier parameters, such as volatility or beta — which require advanced math and usually a spreadsheet to calculate — you can find the weight of assets in a portfolio simply by using a calculator. Step 1 Multiply the number of each asset in your portfolio by the current market value of the respective asset. Assume that your portfolio consists of stocks A and B, and Bond C, of which you hold 100, 120 and 50 pieces respectively. Further assume that stock A trades at $40 per share at the moment, stock B is priced at $50 per share, and each unit of Bond C is trading at $90. Multiply 100 by $40, 120 by $50 and finally 50 by $90. The results are $4,000, $6,000 and $4,500, respectively. (Note: Use the most recent prices and not the price you originally paid to purchase the assets.) Step 2 Add up the figures you have calculated by multiplying the number of each asset by the unit value of the assets. In our example, you would add $4,000, $6,000 and $4,500, resulting in $14,500. This figure is the present total value of your portfolio. If you were to sell all assets today, you would end up with this much cash, less the sales commissions. If you receive periodic account statements from your broker, this figure is probably reported. It is, however, always a good idea to calculate it manually, as the prices of assets might have changed since your last statement and the total value of the portfolio might therefore have moved up or down. Step 3 Divide the figures you found for each asset (by multiplying its number and unit price) in Step 1, by the total portfolio value you calculated in Step 2. The individual total values you calculated in Step 1 were $4,000, $6,000 and $4,500. The total portfolio value is $14,500. Dividing $4,000 by $14,500 results in 0.28; $4,500 divided by $14,500 equals 0.31; $6,000 divided by $14,500 equals 0.41. These figures are the individual weights of each asset in the portfolio. So stocks A and B have weights of 0.28 and 0.31, while the weight of Bond C is 0.41. Add them up to check if the total weight of all assets equals 1, which should always be the case. If you wish to express the weights as percentage, simply multiply the weights by 100. In this case, the percentage weights of the three securities equal 28 percent, 31 percent and 41 percent.
I prefer to leave answers to Experts. Thanks for Your kind Invitation.
I agree with mr. Fazlur & mr. Vaiyapuri's insightful & constructive submissions.
Thanx for the invitation
When the specified percentage of return from investment is reasonably certain(like Govt. issued saving certificate or bond), we can easily assign a weight of "1". Normally govt.backed bond provides lower return but almost or definitely certain.
However, blue chips stock may offer a very high return but a high risk is also associated with it. So, depending upon the company background and its future growth potential, we may assign a weight say <0.5> or something closer to it.
market value of investment divided by the total portfolio. it may need rebalancing if there are changes in the values in assets especially if they are drastic.
Thank you for invitation
i agree with Mr Vaiyapuri Gopalakrishna
