Systematic vs Idiosyncratic Risk

pop synthpop, tuareg synthwave · 4:49

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When markets crash, your stocks fall down
That earthquake shakes the whole damn town
Systematic risk can't hide or flee
It hits every company equally
Interest rates and wars abroad
Recessions strike like lightning rods
No escape from macro pain
When the storm clouds bring the rain

[Chorus]
Systematic spreads across the board
Idiosyncratic's company-scored
Diversify to cut the hurt
Spread your eggs, don't put them in one shirt
Beta measures systematic swing
Alpha's what the stock can bring
Market risk you cannot dodge
But pick your companies, build your lodge

[Verse 2]
CEO gets caught in scandal sheets
Product recall, profits retreat
Factory burns, the patents expire
Idiosyncratic sets stock on fire
Company-specific, firm alone
These troubles shake just one stock's throne
While neighbors stay completely fine
Their graphs maintain an upward line

[Chorus]
Systematic spreads across the board
Idiosyncratic's company-scored
Diversify to cut the hurt
Spread your eggs, don't put them in one shirt
Beta measures systematic swing
Alpha's what the stock can bring
Market risk you cannot dodge
But pick your companies, build your lodge

[Bridge]
Thirty stocks from different trades
Manufacturing, tech, and healthcare grades
Oil and banks and retail stores
Correlation drops and safety soars
Systematic stays the same
But idiosyncratic loses game
Portfolio theory proves it true
Mix your holdings, that's what smart investors do

[Chorus]
Systematic spreads across the board
Idiosyncratic's company-scored
Diversify to cut the hurt
Spread your eggs, don't put them in one shirt
Beta measures systematic swing
Alpha's what the stock can bring
Market risk you cannot dodge
But pick your companies, build your lodge

[Outro]
Market beta, firm-specific alpha
Two types of risk, learn the formula
Diversification cuts the pain
Smart investors break the chain

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