Which term describes the risk unique to a specific company or industry?

Idiosyncratic risk refers to the risk that is unique to a specific company or industry. This type of risk arises from factors that can affect an individual company, such as management decisions, production issues, regulatory changes, or product recalls. Since these factors do not generally impact the entire market, they are considered unique to the particular company or industry.

Understanding idiosyncratic risk is crucial for investors as it allows them to differentiate between risks that can be diversified away and those that cannot. By focusing on the individual circumstances surrounding a company, investors can make more informed decisions about their investments or about risk management strategies.

This term is distinct from systematic risk, which affects the entire market or a large segment of the market due to economic factors, and from liquidity risk, which pertains to the ability to buy or sell assets without causing price distortions. Market risk encompasses fluctuations caused by macroeconomic developments, impacting the broader market rather than the nuances of individual companies. Thus, recognizing idiosyncratic risk is essential for effective financial analysis and management.