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High Returns from Low Risk: A Remarkable Stock Market Paradox

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High Returns from Low Risk proves that low-volatility, low-risk portfolios beat high-volatility portfolios hands down and shows you how to take advantage of this paradox to dramatically improve your returns.

Investors traditionally view low-risk stocks as safe but unprofitable, but this old canard is based on a flawed premise; it fails to see beyond the monthly horizon and ignores compounding returns. This book updates the thinking and brings reality to modelling to show how low-risk stocks actually outperform high-risk stocks by an order of magnitude. Accessible and easy to implement, the plan presented here will help you construct a portfolio that delivers higher returns per unit of risk and explains how to achieve excellent investment results over the long term.

Do you still believe that investors are rewarded for bearing risk and that the higher the risk, the greater the reward? That old axiom is holding you back, and it is time to start seeing the whole picture. This book shows you, through deep historical simulation, how to reap the rewards of smarter investing.

With this book, you



Learn how and why low-risk, low-volatility stocks beat the market Discover the formula that outperforms Greenblatt's Construct your own low-risk portfolio Select the right ETF or low-risk fund to manage your money

Audible Audio

Published December 3, 2019

31 people are currently reading
391 people want to read

About the author

Pim Van Vliet

4 books1 follower

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5 stars
77 (27%)
4 stars
114 (41%)
3 stars
64 (23%)
2 stars
19 (6%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Ajay.
26 reviews
May 2, 2017
Low Historical Volatility, along with income( dividend yield + buybacks = shareholder's yield ) and 12 month momentum outperforms high volatility stocks...

Good Idea, an excellent strategy for portfolio diversification...
Profile Image for Nouvel Diamant.
533 reviews13 followers
Read
September 26, 2022
Im am not sure I would 'trust' this book from a 2022 perspective and going forward:

a) Page 97 lists as 'proof of the pudding' seven large and experienced low-risk equity managers:
- Most of them did not survive
- the few that survived (still) achieved disappointing performance according to Morningstar

b) Same with the four emerging market low-volatility strategies on the following page

What is nice is the internet page www.paradoxinvesting.com. Although, not everything that is referred to in the book still seems to have survived there. Further, this site rather reads like a marketing slingshot...
Profile Image for Samuel.
10 reviews2 followers
July 5, 2020
It is a must read for everyone that wants to begin investing. Not only does it use evidence-based articles for its general statements, it provides some specific resources and steps in order to help the reader make financially intelligent decisions as well.
51 reviews
April 16, 2017
A readable, non-technical yet comprehensive introduction to min-vol investing. Well executed for what it sets out to do.
Profile Image for alberduris.
47 reviews1 follower
November 28, 2020
Curioso libro que presenta una estrategia de inversión de bajo riesgo. A pesar de que aporta muchos datos y referencias me ha dejado con alguna duda al respecto, pero supongo que esto agradaría al escritor. En cualquier caso es un libro divertido y ameno que recomiendo leer, y a quien le intrigue lo suficiente la estrategia, que la investigue más. Quizás yo lo haga en algún momento, o quizás no. He de decir que aunque sea un "pequeño libro" no me parece demasiado recomendable para principiantes, a pesar de que el libro no tiene nada especialmente complicado, creo que hay títulos mejores, más generales, que no traten sobre una estrategia en particular. ¿Como cuáles? Podéis verlo en cualquiera de mis otras reviews en las que comento que me parece apropiado para un principiante.
Profile Image for Janp.
95 reviews4 followers
December 24, 2018
A clear and concise argument on how low risk investing gives you the best results and most peace of mind. Funny, open, crisp and compact. Although it tries to persuade the reader to change behavior, it’s not pushy nor annoying. On the contrary, with the right amount of self-mockery and relativity it gives food for thought. As a novice investor I am definitely inclined to change my investing behavior!
Profile Image for Andre Cordeiro.
29 reviews2 followers
January 1, 2018
Great book! Its main goal is to show the existence of an investment paradox, in which low risk stocks outperform high risk stocks. I found it very useful since the book outlay a clear strategy in how to identify which stocks are better for the long term. Highly recommended to those interested in long term investing!
1 review
June 22, 2019
Muy buen libro para aquellos interesados en las finanzas pero que no necesariamente pertenecen a ese mundo. Claro, ameno, conciso, convincente y divertido. De fácil lectura (3-4h) y con un mensaje que se transmite eficazmente: la inversión de bajo riesgo (estadísticamente) da mejores rendimientos. Lo recomiendo totalmente.
Profile Image for Mark.
85 reviews4 followers
May 27, 2024
Written for someone who is a complete neophyte to investing (almost as if pandering to a child). I was looking for something a bit more technical, as I imagine most who have found their way to min vol investing are. Ultimately ends up recommending a 3 factor approach anyway (min vol, value, momentum)
Profile Image for Oscar Mauricio Lopez Gonzalez.
2 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2018
Buena lectura! Mas libros así.

Un libro que llama la atención leer y aplicar en nuestras inversiones personales. No hay que dejarlo de leer y aplicar.
Profile Image for Nguyen Minh.
11 reviews4 followers
August 13, 2018
Strong recommendation for people learning how to build a sustainable portfolio and even those in the Finance industry. Extremely simple language and clear example and a sprinkle of great humor.
Profile Image for Fabio.
30 reviews
January 7, 2019
Simple thought process, explained straight to the point rather than a 500 page book. Quick easy read. Recommended.
9 reviews
February 19, 2019
Excelente livro! Adorei o a métrica de beta/momentum/dividendos em um portifólio de baixo risco.
15 reviews
February 7, 2021
Good book for absolute beginners with some and tangible practical advices.
Profile Image for Ryan Madden.
87 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2025
Great book! Very readable and elaborates an interesting investing thesis in a short amount of time. I really enjoyed it!
224 reviews
September 16, 2025
If you believe this, just buy USMV or SPLV. Results since 2009 not impressive.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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